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A
Anonymous
October 27, 2011
Question

Can't open Captivate file!

  • October 27, 2011
  • 8 replies
  • 27686 views

Oh my gosh!  You won't believe it!  I made all kinds of cool changes, but now I can't open the file.  HELP! I have a back-up of the file, but not with the cool changes.  Here is the error I get when I try to open it:

Adobe Captivate could not open "the file name". Ensure that:

- The file is not open already (it isn't)

- The file is not damaged.  For example, if the file was an email attachment (it wasn't), ensure that you have decoded the file correctly.

- The hard disk has sufficient available space. (probably does, it opened before)

- The system has sufficient resources.  To optimize the resources, close all the other open applications (I have)

What now?  I'd hate to think that the last 8 hours of work has been wasted.  Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

Terri

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    8 replies

    T
    Troy Franklin May
    New Participant
    March 29, 2022

    Here is the ugly issue:

     

    Here is the ugly fix:

    1. Unpack your non-working cptx as if it's a zip archive. Use 7zip, WinRAR, etc.

    2. Save out a fresh working cptx from Captivate--it does not matter if this one is empty!

    3. Now unpack the working cptx and locate its "info" file.

    4. Copy-paste the working "info" file to replace the "info" file in your botched cptx files.

    5. Rezip the botched cptx files and return the "cptx" file designation.

     

    Now that little tinker will load up.

     

    DISCLAIMER: While you can edit AND publish these "hacked" cptx, if you save it, you will always get a new error prompt that Mr. Google has not heard of.  Simply hit Retry, then let Captivate save out your editted cptx. The only compromise now is... to reopen your new cptx without the original corruption prompt, you must attend the same "info" file replacement business on it before it will open.

     

    I never said it was pretty. But you're welcome. 

    D
    Diana5E32
    New Participant
    March 17, 2021

    Hi, Im having the same alert. I just installed the program on my works computer, when I try to open a file that I was working in another compu, that alert popout

    Lilybiri
    Lilybiri
    Brainiac
    March 18, 2021

    Did you read the comments? Can you please check the exact version number (Help, About Captivate) on both system. You cannot open a file created with 11.5 in version 11.0

    digitaly
    digitaly
    Participating Frequently
    July 25, 2019

    My colleague was getting this message on a file that I could open perfectly fine. It turned out that I was on version 11.5.0.476 and he was on 11.1.0.245. Who knew? Anyways he updated and now it works like a charm.

      A
      Anonymous
      November 23, 2016

      I struggled with this for four hours.  Then I came across this:

      1. Go to file in document folder
      2. Right-click the file
      3. Select "Restore Previous Versions"
      4. Select the version you wish to restore
      5. Select "Restore"

      Bob is your uncle.

      There were a couple of things I saved later that weren't there but this saved a whole day's re-work.

        L
        lindseyc38109632
        New Participant
        September 27, 2016

        inalaska's option worked for my problem while using Captivate 9!

        Use this link:

        http://blogs.adobe.com/captivate/2010/09/recovering-the-project.html

        M
        mmerchant4
        New Participant
        July 23, 2013

        I am on the new Captivate 7 (trial version for now) and this:http://blogs.adobe.com/captivate/2010/09/recovering-the-project.html just saved my life!  176 slides recovered!! 

          RodWard
          RodWard
          Community Expert
          July 23, 2013

          Glad to hear it.  If you want to understand this issue better, take a look at this longish page of info:

          http://www.infosemantics.com.au/adobe-captivate-troubleshooting/recover-corrupt-project

          D
          dmcdonaldak_work
          Known Participant
          January 6, 2012

          We are having this problem too... This worked: http://blogs.adobe.com/captivate/2010/09/recovering-the-project.html

            AndyKingInOC
            AndyKingInOC
            Brainiac
            October 27, 2011

            the last time you worked on it, did captivate exit the file strangely?  Crash?  End Task in the Task Manager (Windows)?

            When Cp opens a project file it creates a hidden file that 'locks' the file so no one else can open it.  When you close the project, it removes the file.  The message you're describing can come up when that file doesn't get removed when Captivate closes.  It can also be all those scary things mentioned there.

            If you go to the folder options you can 'show hidden files' and remove it manually IF that is really the problem.  Make sure you're not running two isntances of captivate and that no one else is working on the file (if it's in a network location) before doing anything.

            That message can also come up when a file is created in say Cp 5.5 and you try to open it with Cp5.  They're not backwards compatible.

              C
              cegrubb
              Known Participant
              December 12, 2011

              Having the exact problem that Terri Maguire did but my work was over 4 days and I'm one hour from completion.  During my last attempted 'save', the window did a 'not responding' error and ended up crashing.  Now, I can't open the 5.0 file and I'm sick to my stomach at the prospect of having to start over.

              My file was saved on the 'desktop' so I'm not sure what Andy means in his solution of going to the 'folder options'.  Can anyone help me find this hidden file and close it so I can try opening the original again?

              AndyKingInOC
              AndyKingInOC
              Brainiac
              December 12, 2011

              your desktop is also a folder.  If you're on Win XP it's at:  C:\Documents and Settings\user\Desktop or some equivalent if you're running some other version of windows.  Once you're there, select Tools > Folder Options > View > Hidden files and folders > Show hidden files and folders.  Look for the lock file and delete it.

              If Cp crashed in the middle of the save, removing the lock file may or may not fix it.  If you have Captivate set to create back ups, you can ressurect the file from there.

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