HELP - old SDW files can't open in OO 2.0

[diablozx9]

I have old .SDW files my wife needs (stored years ago).
When I try to open them, OO fires up but asks for additional specifics about the file ( eg. staroffice 5, Open office 1, etc, etc,) However,
I can't find one that opens this old file.

It is a text file.
Saved with ealier version of Open or Star office.
On Windows OS.

I am presently using OpenOffice 2.0
on Ubuntu Linux (64 bit)

Please help,,, my wife can make my life hell.

[AndrewZ]

I see .sdw in my import list in OOo 2.0.1, so I think it would work. Can you post one for testing through http://sendmefile.com or similar? Then, post the link here.

[diablozx9]

The files contain personal info so, I can not provide sample (but thanks).

My version is 1.9.129 But, it shows 2.0 on its splash screen.

I have the option to open this type of file but, it errors when I try.
I was hoping someone has had the same problem or knows what might cause the problem.

Is it possibly the OS (did i hose my Ubuntu ?) ?
Has anyone heard of a problem like this before ?

[JohnV]

Try changing the file extension to .zip then open it with your zip utility. The text of the file should be in the content.xml file if SO5 works the same as more current versions.

Not perfect but better than no text at all. Copy and paste into a new writer document and delete the formatting info at the top.

Again this assumes the contents look like they do with a current file. Use find and replace to change </text:p> (the paragraph break indicator) to some unused character like @. Then you should be able to search for <.*> and replace with nothing to remove most of the other formatting information. Then search for @ and replace with \n. You will need to check the Regular Expressions box for the last two searches.

You will need to do some additional cleaning up but perhaps this will put your wife in a real good mood.

[AndrewZ]

[diablozx9]

any other ideas ?

[dimiclip]

On ubuntu breezy :

apt-get install openoffice.org2-filter-so52