Hi. I'm just in the MIDDLE of my exams and my computer died. I TOOK it to a computer shop but they could find nothing obviously wrong with it and advised me it would be better to spend the money on buying a new laptop than send it away to be repaired. Basically, the lights came on but nothing on the screen and 3 long beeps. That laptop was run as Windows XP but I think it had windows vista on it (I'm sure there was a sticker).
The computer guy put my old hard drive into a USB (box?) so that I could attach it to my new laptop (windows vista) and transfer my data. It's TRANSFERRED my photos which is a start but all the documents in Word that were the ones I needed can't be read. If I click on them they just show up as a few lines of symbols. Does anyone have any idea how I can get over this? I'm not sure why you would want to spend your time helping me but I'm thanking you in advance if you decided to respond. Best regards, FionaI think it would be cheaper to send it in for repair. Is the laptop under warranty?
(I think the store just wants your money )

Anyways, so you managed to get your .doc files into a working computer.
Does the other computer have Microsoft Word on it?

If not, I would install Open OFFICE
http://www.openoffice.org/
It is pretty much a free version of Microsoft Office.Hi, and thanks for replying .
My old computer with windows xp wasn't under warranty and all my important files are in word. The new laptop, run with windows vista, has microsoft office on it but no word. I've transferred the files over to the new laptop but of course, when I open them, they're illegible. Is there a way I can convert them so that my new laptop can read and edit them?
Many thanks for your time.
FionaExactly what are you trying to convert it to?

Also, following up on my PREVIOUS point, if you don't want to download Open Office, Google Docs can open Word Files and is an online application.

http://docs.google.com/?hl=en&tab=woHi. I checked out google docs. As you say, I've managed to transfer .doc files no problem but it's actually the .wps files that I'm having difficulty with and google mail cannot accept them. Any ideas?
Bear with me, I'm a total novice!
Thanks,
FionaI found this:
http://w-shadow.com/blog/2007/11/22/wps-files-explained-convert-wps-to-doc-for-free/

HOWEVER, Open Office can open .wps files too. It handles pretty much anything Microsoft Office can. (and it's free)