Doc files crashing my MacBook!

[Poisonivy326]

Hi everyone, first post here. I bought a MacBook Pro three weeks ago after my Sony Vaio died. It's my first Mac and I love it, it's so easy to use and all that, but while I was able to transfer all my pictures and media files to the Mac without issues every time I open and old doc file it crashes. I can open all docx files but it says I have "compatibility" issues with my doc files. Not sure what to do here -- some old sentimental stuff is saved in doc format. Most of my newer work is in the docx/pptx format but I don't know how to salvage the doc files. Can anyone help?

 

[bluespaceoddity]

I don't think I'll be able to help you but it may make troubleshooting easier for those who can to know what your Operating System is and which Application/Program you are using to try to open those files?

Are you using Office for Mac? Are you using Word in Bootcamp? Or is Textedit trying to open these files unsuccessfully? Maybe you're using Pages? NeoOffice perhaps?

 

[Poisonivy326]

Office for Mac.

 

[bluespaceoddity]

Do the links below offer solutions?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953266

http://mac2.microsoft.com/help/office/14/en-us/word/item/5efbb9f9-d425-4d84-893b-09f1a887a5f8

(btw. I suggest making duplicates* of your files before experimenting. If there is even the slightest chance that any of the processes modify the files themselves - which is not beyond the realm of possibility when you to try to open them in a program/application that is different from the one with which they were created.
* In Finder > click the file once to select it > command+D to duplicate it)