Error Message opening .xar file

Hi

Has anyone seen error message "Can't Open That File Type?" I'm trying to open a .xar file from within the programme. I wonder if it's corrupted. Do you know if there's any way of restoring it?

C

Hi Steelypan, yes I run into this quite often. My work-around is to drag and drop the .xar file onto the Xara pages title bar. I've no idea why this works when opening a .xar file doesn't but give it a try. ;-)

Hi Egg. Thanks very mucy for the reply. I've just tried it - dragging the file onto the page tabs bar. I'm still gettting the error message. It's frustrating when it's an important document! Always the way eh? Thanks again.

If you open Xara and go to: Utilities > Options > Backups (tab) it will tell you where your backups are stored. If the document had been saved, all you need do is look for the name. If never saved, you'll have to look for 'untitled' and guess the date.

There used to be a utility that could fix corrupted files. Let me see if I can track it down.

did you try dragging it onto the UI title bar rather than tabs ?

Yes, as HD says.
Gary I think this is what you're after:
LINK

Hi Egg - thanks for this. Unfortunately when I click the link for the expander.xar file from the above link, I get a message saying access is forbidden - I don't have permission to access the file.

Hi Chris - thanks for this. Sadly I'm using a new laptop - so all the old backup files are missing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

Yes, as HD says.
Gary I think this is what you're after:
LINK

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Hi Egg

Thanks! I managed to download the app from a previous thread I found. My DOS knowledge isn't great. Can you help with the following:
1. Where do I locate the downloaded ExpandXar.exe? Is that important?
2. I've created a folder on the C: drive called Xara in which I've put the corrupt file, and used the CMD prompt to change the directory to this folder. I've named my corrupt file "fix.xar"
3. What do I name the <output>? Do I just create a random name, and do I add the extension .xar?

Sorry for the questions, I'm just not sure how to follow the instructions from the original thread!

Steelypan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by steelypan

Hi Egg

Thanks! I managed to download the app from a previous thread I found. My DOS knowledge isn't great. Can you help with the following:
1. Where do I locate the downloaded ExpandXar.exe? Is that important?
2. I've created a folder on the C: drive called Xara in which I've put the corrupt file, and used the CMD prompt to change the directory to this folder. I've named my corrupt file "fix.xar"
3. What do I name the <output>? Do I just create a random name, and do I add the extension .xar?

Sorry for the questions, I'm just not sure how to follow the instructions from the original thread!

Steelypan

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Steelypan, place ExpandXar.exe in your C:\Xara folder. I would rename this folder to ExpandXar so you never confuse it with anything else.
In the CMD window:
C:\Users\steelyspan>cd C:\ExpandXar
C:\ExpandXar>dir *.*
Directory of C:\Expandxar
...
<datetime> ExpandXar.exe
...
<datetime> fix.xar
...
C:\ExpandXar>expandxar fix.xar mended.xar
C:\ExpandXar>dir *.*
Directory of C:\Expandxar
...
<datetime> ExpandXar.exe
...
<datetime> fix.xar
...
<datetime> mended.xar
...

Basically, run ExpandXar.exe in what ever directory it is in but add your broken file to the same directory.
The name of the repaired file is unimportant.
If you forget to add an extension, you can alter it later.

Acorn

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Fuller instructions: Attachment 131200

The zipped executable: Attachment 131201

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Acorn

Steelypan, place ExpandXar.exe in your C:\Xara folder. I would rename this folder to ExpandXar so you never confuse it with anything else.
In the CMD window:
C:\Users\steelyspan>cd C:\ExpandXar
C:\ExpandXar>dir *.*
Directory of C:\Expandxar
...
<datetime> ExpandXar.exe
...
<datetime> fix.xar
...
C:\ExpandXar>expandxar fix.xar mended.xar
C:\ExpandXar>dir *.*
Directory of C:\Expandxar
...
<datetime> ExpandXar.exe
...
<datetime> fix.xar
...
<datetime> mended.xar
...

Basically, run ExpandXar.exe in what ever directory it is in but add your broken file to the same directory.
The name of the repaired file is unimportant.
If you forget to add an extension, you can alter it later.

Acorn

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Fuller instructions: Attachment 131200

The zipped executable: Attachment 131201

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Hi Acorn

You've been really helpful - thanks! Frustratingly, all I get is "PrepareImport Failed"

Steelypan, perhaps you could attach your (corrupt) xar file here so we can see if anyone else can open it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by steelypan

Frustratingly, all I get is "PrepareImport Failed"

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that really does sound like it did not save correctly

if you open a new blank notepad [text] file and dragdrop the xar into it you will see what is there - you won't be able to read it, but if there is hardly anything there, the file may well be empty - it should at least have a header with a xara program reference at the begining such as:

Attachment 131209

if it does not, then the likelyhood of anyone other than xara/magix being able to do anything with it is remote, but as egg said if you can upload it here we can but try; if not it's a support ticket I would think, or bite the bullet and recreate

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Egg Bramhill

Steelypan, perhaps you could attach your (corrupt) xar file here so we can see if anyone else can open it?

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Hi Egg. Here it is. I've opened in notpad and there's plenty there - it's 1,532KB

Thanks again.Attachment 131218

Quote:

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Originally Posted by steelypan

Hi Egg. Here it is. I've opened in notpad and there's plenty there - it's 1,532KB
Thanks again.Attachment 131218

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It is well off. I'm afraid your last resort will be asking Xara.

Acorn

Yes, ditto.

there is a 'header' but it is way down in the middle of the file; have to agree with the previous two, sorry