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Participant
January 30, 2021
Answered

I need to open an old (Windows XP) DCR file but Flash and Shockwave are not options.

  • January 30, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 2246 views

I recently needed to open some old Windows XP files on some CDs. The problem is most of these files are DCR files which I can't open with Shockwave or Flash because they are not supported anymore. I talked to customer support and they attempted to open the files in photoshop but the files are not supported by current installations of photoshop. What can I do? I would attatch a file as an example but it will not let me post one.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer jeromiec83223024

    The Internet Archive is probably a good place to check.  Make sure to validate digital signatures and use good judgement about software security in general when working with old software and third-party download sites. 

    3 replies

    Participant
    February 15, 2021

    This isn't the correct answer sadly. As I stated, they were DCR files made to be run by an old version of Shockwave. This is an index directory that the program opens and when you click on the file, it attempts to run the file using shockwave. 

    The problem is shockwave. It is an old shockwave file. 

    If you are suggesting that an old version of Director could run the files, where would I get an older version of Director to do this? 

     

    On a seperate note, I would appreciate if this was not marked as correctly answered by someone who isn't having the problem. It seems a bit rude and presumptuous.

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 15, 2021

    As stated above, the problem is your obsolete Director files which created Shockwave media.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/shockwave/shockwave-end-of-life-faq.html

     

    None of this has anything to do with Flash Player or this user-to-user forum.  Sorry.

     

    You would need to find someone with a) an old computer and b) a working copy of Director still installed on it.  After 17 years out of development, maybe a computer museum would know someone who could help you.  I don't. 

     

    Goodbye and best of luck!

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    jeromiec83223024
    Community Manager
    jeromiec83223024Community ManagerCorrect answer
    Community Manager
    February 17, 2021

    The Internet Archive is probably a good place to check.  Make sure to validate digital signatures and use good judgement about software security in general when working with old software and third-party download sites. 

    Participant
    January 31, 2021

    Thank you this definitely looks relevant!

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    January 31, 2021

    Adobe Director has been dead for a long time. The final release was in Feb. 2013.  Adobe ended Director in 2017. 

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Director

     

    And later, the Shockwave plugin was pulled from Windows in 2019.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/shockwave/shockwave-end-of-life-faq.html

     

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Participant
    January 31, 2021

    I have in fact noted this in my post(not the director part but that is most likely not relevant to my problem). I am not as much looking for information as to why I am experiencing this problem but rather how I can solve it

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    January 31, 2021

    Flash Player (the forum to which you posted) and Photoshop have nothing to do with obsolete Director files.

     

    Ideally, you would need access to an old computer with an old copy of Director software installed that can open DCR files and export them to another file type that's more universally supported (aka video).

     

    Best of luck with your quest! 🙂

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert