Text is displayed as unreadable symbols when you open a document in Word 2002 (323037)

SYMPTOMS

When you open a file, the contents of the file are unreadable and are replaced by boxes and other symbols and characters.

NOTE: A similar problem can occur when you open a document with the "Recover Text from Any File" converter.

For additional information, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

291180 WD2002: Formatting Lost, Symbols Appear When You Open Document

211227 WD2000: Formatting Lost, Symbols Appear When Opening Document

186435 WD97: Formatting Lost, Symbols Appear When Opening Document

CAUSE

This problem has been reported to be the result of one of the following email worms: w32/Klez.e@mm, w32/Klez.h@mm, worm_klez.e, w32/klez.f, or other klez worm variant. The worm replaces every character in affected files with zeros or other unreadable characters and symbols.

RESOLUTION

To remove the Klez worm and its known variants from your computer, contact your antivirus manufacturer. For information about how to contact antivirus manufacturers, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

There is currently no method to restore a document that is infected by these worms. Microsoft recommends that you always keep a backup copy of your documents stored in a location outside your computer (for example, on a floppy disk, on a tape backup, or on a CD-ROM).