Drawing File Invalid

[step997]

I was working on a AutoCAD drawing when there was a power cut to my computer. When I try to open this file now it says " Drawing file is not valid " I have tried to do a recovery on it but it says it is unable to do so.

Can any of you help? I hope so as this drawing is of very high importance and contain about 6 months data!

[Cad64]

The drawing is most likely corrupted beyond repair. This has happened to me before. Just rename your .bak file to .dwg and then you should be able to open it. The .bak file will hold all of your drawing up until the last time you saved.

[step997]

Im not sure that I have a .BAK file. Where would it be if there was one?

[Cad64]

It would be in the same file folder as your .dwg. Hopefully you don't have .bak file creation disabled. Open your Options dialog, Open and Save tab and look in the 'File Safety Precautions' section. Check to see that 'Create backup copy with each save' is checked. If it's unchecked, then you're screwed.

The only other option would be to try and locate your automatic save file. It would look like 'Drawingname.sv$'. You might also get lucky and find a .bak file in there. In your Options dialog under the Files tab, look for Automatic Save File Location.

[step997]

Unfortunatly I just checked it and it is "unchecked". Is there nothing else I can do now?

[csiarch]

No. Why the "save or not save a .bak file" feature was made available to users as a choice, I'll never understand. Someone whined about it so Autodesk changed it.

I don't know what is available in your part of the world but I would never use a computer without it being plugged in to an uninterruptible power suppy (UPS).

Here in the states, a UPS that will supply about 15 minutes of power costs less than $100USD. That's a lot less expensive than re-creating a drawing.

[Cad64]

Unfortunatly I just checked it and it is "unchecked". Is there nothing else I can do now?

I always hear people saying ".bak files are useless, they just take up space." I'm sorry you had to learn how untrue that statement is the hard way. The .bak file has saved my butt more than once.

You could try the RECOVER command or try to do a Partial Open of the drawing by going to Files > Open and then in the 'Select File' dialog, click on the drawing you are trying to open to highlight it. Now click on the little arrow next to the Open button and select Partial Open from the pop up list. You may be able to recover part of the drawing this way.

Other than that, my only suggestion is to get to work. You have a lot of catching up to do.