the eps file is in an unknown format and cannot be opened

[jeffersonm33713352]

I have several files that I created several years ago and I'm getting this error message when I try to open them with Illustrator CS6: "the eps file is in an unknown format and cannot be opened".

I have searched for a solution and can't find one.  I've tried everything I can think of and nothing works.

Does anybody have a solution?

Jeff

[Monika Gause]

What is the filesize?

WHere are those files stored?

How did you transfer them from one place to the other?

How old are they? about 10 years? Or rather 20 years?

[Ton Frederiks]

They could have become corrupted.

Did you try to open them in other applications, Acrobat or Preview (if you are using a Mac)?

[jeffersonm33713352]

I have nine files.  No there was no crash.  I'm on a PC.

I created six of them in 2004, two in 2005, and one in 2007. They range in size from 200-339 KB.  I had them stored on my file server computer but moved them to my Dropbox last year.

One thing interesting about the very first file.  It was doing just like the rest of the files.  Then, low and behold, one time I tried it and it opened.  I immediately saved it as another name.  Now the new file opens fine. But if I try to open the original file again, I get the error.  Weird!  It went from 299 KB to 8,602 KB after I saved it as a new file.

I have tried opening them in Illustrator, Acrobat, In Design, Distiller, and Bridge and they all do the same thing (all CS6 versions).

[Bill Silbert]

You said that you are on a PC. Were the files also created on a PC or a Mac? If they, by some chance, were created on a Mac several years ago then it is possible that they do not have the .eps file extension on them (older Macs did not need the extensions). If this is all the case then try adding the .eps file extension onto the files and see if they will then open.

[ZainAnsari]

Try

1. Create a new file via Illustrator.
   1. Drag and drop your EPS file into the new created illustrator file.
   2. Resize and adjust the positions of your Vector inside the illustrator file.
   3. Save as EPS (a new file).
2. Go to cloudconvert.org and use the following actions
   1. Use website actions
      1. Select files (your EPS files)
      2. Select output format (from the dropdown, where it says pdf, choose vector > pdf)
      3. Convert it
      4. Start Conversion
      5. Download
   2. Now you can have the PDF file
      1. Right Click
      2. Open with Illustrator
      3. Save as EPS

Thanks,
Zain