Since yesterday I am unable to open files created in Freehand, however it is
speradic and random as it occassionally lets me open a file then it won't open
it later on. I originally got a low memory message but IT have assured me this
is not the problem, now I get a 'could not complete your requested because an
unknown command was encountered'. Illustrator is acting up as well and only
since yesterday!!!

I am on a PC using Windows XP.

As my work relies on the use of this package and the files created by it, I
need to solve the problem fast.

Any help would be much appreciate!

> Since yesterday I am unable to open files created in Freehand, however it is
> speradic and random as it occassionally lets me open a file then it won't open
> it later on. I originally got a low memory message but IT have assured me this
> is not the problem, now I get a 'could not complete your requested because an
> unknown command was encountered'. Illustrator is acting up as well and only
> since yesterday!!!
>
> I am on a PC using Windows XP.

1. guess, fonts. FreeHand has a bad habit of crashing or causing other problems if fonts used in a document are not installed. Usually it gives replace fonts dialog but sometimes it just freezes. Number of installed fonts may cause a problem too.

2. guess, clash with other programs. Could be a virus scanner, display driver, you name it. Try opening the documents in the Windows safe mode. (Pepople has a habit of accusing Microsoft but often it is software that is not programmed correctly for Windows. FreeHand is one for sure. On the other hand if Microsoft makes it virtually impossible to ... go figure.)

Anyway, check the system, scan viruses, see that you have enough free disk space, defragment. Disable all unneceaasry memory resident programs. And yes, check the hard drive(s). Long time ago I had strange problems until I found out that hard disk was writing bad sectors now and then.

Jukka