Microsoft KB Archive/47887

Works Err Msg: “End of File Invalid” When Loading File

PSS ID Number: Q47887 Article last modified on 10-16-1998

1.x 2.00 3.00

MS-DOS

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Works for MS-DOS, versions 1.x, 2.0, and 3.0

SUMMARY

The error message “End of file invalid” (“Invalid end of file” in Works 1.x) is generated for the following reasons:

1. The file being opened has an invalid end-of-file marker, and may be corrupt. If the corrupt file is a Word Processing file, you can try deleting the header and opening the file in Works as a text file. To delete the header, use one of the following methods:

   1. Load the file into a text editor such as MS-DOS Editor and delete the file’s header information, which is usually contained in the first line of the file.

   2. Use the MS-DOS Copy command:

      1. Copy Con+filename.WPS newfile.WPS

      2. Type 12 spaces.

      3. Press CTRL+Z and press ENTER to save the file.

   The file can now be opened in Works as if it were a plain text (ASCII) file. Formatting will be lost and garbled characters may appear, but the body text of the document can be recovered.

   Note: The corruption may be a result of saving to a bad disk or a bad section of a hard drive. Using the MS-DOS CHKDSK utility should verify that the disk or hard drive is usable and files can be written to it.

2. You are attempting to load a file that is 0 (zero) bytes in length into Works.

   A 0-length file is a file that has been opened and closed, but no data has been written to it. This file may have been created during an unsuccessful file transfer using the Communications module of Works.

   If a file is 0 bytes in length, it can be deleted without causing an error. To be certain a file is 0 bytes, use the Run Other Program command in the File menu as follows:

   1. Pull down the File menu by pressing ALT+F.

   2. Use the Run Other Programs option by pressing R. The Run Other Programs dialog box will appear.

   3. Move to the Commands field by pressing the TAB key.

   4. Type DIR, press the SPACEBAR once, then type the name of the file you are looking for.

   5. Press the ENTER key.

   The name of your file appears, usually followed by an extension, then the number of bytes the file contains. If the file contains 0 bytes, you can delete the file.

KBCategory: kbother KBSubcategory: dworkskb

Additional reference words: garbage words end of file eof paragraph mark marker control edlin ====================================================================== Version : 1.x 2.00 3.00 Platform : MS-DOS ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.