Expert: Bob - 3/11/2005

Question
I have been working on my school computers with AutoCad 2005 and opening the files through my USB memory stick. After I saved the files, I would go back into the USB drive and deleting the bak files. When I went to the computer the next day one of my files would not open, showing the "file not valid sign." Would deleting the bak files affect the file? Is there a way to recover these files?

Thanks, Kitty
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Followup To
Question -
I use AutoCad 2005, I have been getting "File not Valid" when I try to open my files and it is occuring more frequently, but I don't know what I am doing wrong. Is there a way to recover the file?

Thanks, Kitty
Answer -
HI--I hope you understand that I get experienced users and  bright green  new people  here, cant tell which if you dont say.

Well, there is a long list of possibilities.
1-- You are opening dwgs from history, but have moved or renamed them
2--50 -- more user errors
after that --
bad install, re-install
virus scan or spy hunt software messing you up

Sorry if I am blunt, it is late at night, and I am trying to give you clues.

Before doing anything else, try opening the file other ways (double click the file icon, use OPEN, blah blah), then email a  file to someone with 2004 or 2005 (assuming you are saving as a 2004 dwg) and see if they can open it. If they can, its your system -- if they get the error message,hmmmmm -- triple check what you are doing.

I would have tried the "open on another machine" thing first.
BOB

Answer
Hi Again --
Now I know more of the story, thanks, but you still left out a big chunk.
This problem is mostly about how to use Windows and storage media.
It is a TERRIBLE practice to work from the media, so I hope you know you  need  to save the file to the computer's hard drive each time, work on it there, then save to the stick. I hope you are doing that.Try copying the file from the stick to the hard drive at school to see if it will open.
I would never count on the memory stick as my only backup. You should save the files at home, too, even if you do not have AutoCAD. When you  save to the stick, save twice just in case if you are new.
and --NEVER delete .bak files on a current project until you are a very experienced user. What would be the reason? Of course deleting them does not affect the main file, but why destroy your safety back-up? Certainly the stick will hold them, too.
Your  question is really a question about how to use a memory stick back and forth, not at all an AutoCAD question, so please --
-- try what I suggest, and speak to someone at the school about your proceedure if you still have trouble.
Good Luck!!

BOB