corrupt Freehand file, what to do?

[Onnozel]

Freehand MX on Windows 2000 has made two files corrupt. Is dous not recognise
the files anymore and says, 'Could not complete your request because the file
is not a valid Freehand document. Does anyone know if there is a method to
repare these files. And even more importend. What is the cause so that we can
make sure this nasty bug does not happe again?

Sincerally yours,
Onno

[Judy Arndt]

Try Open and Import from the FHMX file menu. These might work.

The most common cause of a corrupted file is a failure to write the file
properly. This happens most often when trying to write the file to a remote
server. Save locally and use your OS to copy the file to a remote server.
I've never seen a report of anyone being able to salvage a file that gives
the 'Could not complete your request ...' message.

The best insurance is to frequently 'Save As' in incrementally numbered
files when working on an important file. That way you have a recent version
containing most of your hard work, if one of the files fails.

Judy Arndt

Onnozel wrote:

> Freehand MX on Windows 2000 has made two files corrupt. Is dous not recognise
> the files anymore and says, 'Could not complete your request because the file
> is not a valid Freehand document. Does anyone know if there is a method to
> repare these files. And even more importend. What is the cause so that we can
> make sure this nasty bug does not happe again?
>
> Sincerally yours,
> Onno
>

[Onnozel]

Thanks Judy,

We indeed have to work remotely and save on a server. I already expected that
to be the cause but now I am sure. Saving in stages is a good idea. I have
tried to import the drawings, but it did not work. I think the files are
hopelessly wasted.

thanks!

[Wes Rand]

Onnozel wrote:

> Thanks Judy,
>
> We indeed have to work remotely and save on a server. I already expected that
> to be the cause but now I am sure. Saving in stages is a good idea. I have
> tried to import the drawings, but it did not work. I think the files are
> hopelessly wasted.
>
> thanks!
>

I feel your pain. Several times.

[envirographics]

I have also just experienced this writing of a file by Freehand (FH9) for the
first time ever. Mine however was to the PC's HD and part way through day three
of the intensive work, I did a SAVE AS and added the words backup, then did a
further SAVE AS and removed them to carry on with the first file. I now am
faced with 'could not complete your request because the file is not a valid
Freehand Document'. If newer versions of Freehand have a weakness here (I have
come from stable FH7 and am finding problems with 9 and 10 and MX is too
redesigned for me to be immediately at speed, doesnt look any better in this
save issue either).... this is worrying as at work I have just been set up with
a PC and FH9 saving to a server !!!!
I need to know, is this server suggested reason a known issue, I have always
saved to the PC's HD until now. I shall need to raise this concern if so as I
cannot lose any more work this way. The lost file is 3 solid days vital work
gone and work I wouldnt want to repeat but find myself doing all over again to
an impossible deadline now.
Do Freehand offer a recovery service, I need it ! In all most unsettling for
a program I have used for 10 yrs.
Envirographics