I have a new dell computer system with windows 7. Frequently, I receive proposals from vendors which are submitted as PDF's or Word documents, but when they reach my inbox they are showing up as .dat files and I cannot read them. I am sometimes prompted to scroll through a list of programs that supposedly read the .dat file, but none of them work. Do I need to install something?

Long shot but copy the file to a safe location and rename the file such that the file is name.pdf or name.doc. I think I have successfully done this in the past. Open with Adobe reader or Word.

Forward me an example. Sometimes - though rare - the person sending you the email in RTF format from a corporate email server will cause the attachment to get stripped and show up as a dat file. Haven't seen this in a while though.

Long shot but copy the file to a safe location and rename the file such that the file is name.pdf or name.doc. I think I have successfully done this in the past. Open with Adobe reader or Word.

Thanks for the suggestion, I just tried it with no luck. The file is coming up as not supported by my system, thus I'm thinking its software related.

Here is a tool, found via search I haven't used:

Winmaildat.com: Open winmail.dat attachments. (http://www.winmaildat.com/)

Forward me an example. Sometimes - though rare - the person sending you the email in RTF format from a corporate email server will cause the attachment to get stripped and show up as a dat file. Haven't seen this in a while though.

I just sent it to you.

I just replied and they were fine but see if you can read them now.


The other option, for bleeps and giggles is to reinstall Adobe Reader, just in case it is not installed - reinstall Adobe. Adobe - Adobe Reader download - All versions (http://get.adobe.com/reader/?promoid=BUIGO)

You could also use google docs, I have no issue opening stuff in my gmail.

I have the same problem at work. I never heard of a dat file. I will look into it now.

I can give you Adobe pro CD at Massbass if needed, just let me know

VB