How to decide Adobe Illustrator problems with .ai files?

[ERMEGA]

I work on a HP Notebook Windows 7. When I open a file in AI CC and place any number of images, save and close the file. When I reopen the file I get this message. 'Can't open the illustration. The illustration does not have the correct number of operands for an operator... etc.' The file scan still open after this but all the placed images disappear.

I've tested placing different formats ie. JPGs, TIFs, PNGs, flattened PSDs etc. They all come up with the same error.

I've searched in Google and I haven't found a solution yet. There was a suggestion to import the AI file in INDD, this doesn't help beause all copy converts to outlines and embeds the images.

Can anyone help?