corrupt dwg, doc etc on server

[bf]

I tried to open a dwg from an old server and got the "Drawing file is invalid".  I read many discussions on this.  I've tried to recover and open in TrueView with no success.  A couple of posts said to drag a dwg into Notepad and if the first line began with AC and some numbers it's a good file.  I did this with a nonvalid dwg and oriental characters appeared.  A good dwg had the AC... and normal looking "garbage".  Has anyone come across the oriental character situation with invalid files?

[Jay_B]

Have you tried inserting it as a block into a new dwt and explode after insert?

[bf]

Yes I have tried to insert into a new drawing with no success.

[Jay_B]

If you have access to Microstation give that a try. I've had it work on occasion where AutoCad couldn't open a file.

[pendean]

These other AutoCAD-like freeware programs will also, occasionally, open a DWG file that AutoCAD will not.

[bf]

I'll give it a whirl if I can find a microstation user to try it.  I really need some heavy hitters who can look at a dwg from different angles and determine what happened to it.  Many files are this way.

[pendean]

Post one here: but honestly, it sounds like you folks had a disastrous HD failure.

[bf]

Here is one of the drawings.  Thanks.

[Jay_B]

FWIW, Microstation V8i returns the error File Path\Cad.dwg is not in a recognized file format.

[bf]

thats what I feared.  I don't have much hope for any recovery.  Keeping my fingers crossed though.  Thanks.