Recover Previous Unclosed But Saved Version

[kristiambrose]

I just read someone with a similar problem and my head spun. I am pretty technical but every time I ask a question on here people get super complicated so I need it to be clear and simple.

So I have been using LO for a long time now. As per always I love it. Last night, my PC went kerplunk. I am trying to find out if there is a way, any way, to open the old documents (saved, but not closed) on a new PC. Or better yet my entire “database” of all the documents I ever wrote on LIbre Office Writer lol.

I am on a borrowed PC right now so it would allow me to view my old LO Writer files but I cannot figure out… how. Didn’t I have to sign in to Libre Office or something when I first downloaded it? I thought I did but when I look at the application on the new PC I see no sign in option.

[robleyd]

I think you are saying that your original computer became non-functional, and you are using a borrowed - different - computer now.

Unless you have copied your LibreOffice documents across to the new computer, you won’t be able to open them on it.

[peterwt]

Your question is a bit confusing. It appears that your original computer has failed and you can’t start it up. I assume your documents were saved on this computer. Did you backup all your documents into the cloud, a removable hard drive, usb stick, or CD? If you haven’t and you can’t get your original computer working then you have lost everything. You can’t open any of these documents on another computer unless the documents are available elsewhere. This shows the importance of backing up important data. You mention a new computer and a borrowed one - neither of these can open the documents unless they exist somewhere that is accessible. LO does not provide any cloud storage itself.

[Ratslinger]

You ask for non technical answer but that is hard. Just because the old system doesn’t work anymore doesn’t mean the file on the disk are corrupt. They may be, but that can’t be known.

To check you need technical knowledge - at least a bit. The hard disk drive needs to be removed from the old computer and attached to a working computer via an external USB docking station (cost about 15 - 25 USD). On a laptop the disk is typically accessible under a panel on the bottom of the PC and held down with a screw. This needs to be opened, the hold down screw inside removed & then the disk can be removed. With a desktop system, the case needs opening, remove power & data cables from the disk, side mounting screws removed (or slide clamp released) and the drive removed.

With another machine up and running, the USB docking station is plugged in (power & USB to PC). The removed disk in inserted into the station. Power on docking station. If the drive works at all, you will see it as a new drive in whatever file explorer is on the computer. Now the files can be copied & checked for validity.