How do I un-save something?

[dstebbins]

I'm using Open Office.org.

I just typed up a document, and saved it. Ok, so far so good.

I edited that document, but I saved it to a new file name. Since only a few things needed to be changed, it was easier than to simply start all over.

However, when I printed that one out, I closed it down. It asked me if I wanted to save, discard, or cancel. Without thinking, I clicked "save."

Now, I've lost the original document! And... I don't even remember what it was that I had written in that original document, so, going back, manually, and re-doing it is out of the question, as it absolutely MUST to be word for word... as in, I can get in trouble if I don't account for what was previously written.

But, I've already saved it and closed it down, so even if I open the file up again, and press Ctrl + Z, nothing will happen!

What do I do? How do I correct my mistake?

 

[dstebbins]

Oh come on! Nine views and no replies?

Honestly, there HAS to be a solution, here! I mean, Vista (the OS that I'm using) will allow me to "rewind" the settings on a computer, if I download a virus, so I only have to loose a few programs, but I won't loose my save files. So, obviously, they've thought of problems like this.

Honestly, is there a similar "rewind" function for files? There has to be! This can't be the first time in history that this problem has happened! Why is everyone so silent!

 

[jamesd1981]

have you tried right clicking on the file, go to properties then previous versions ?

 

[dstebbins]

have you tried right clicking on the file, go to properties then previous versions ?

Can't seem to find it. Can you tell me the exact clicking navigation?

E.g. Properties > General > Advanced

Something like that? Can you tell me exactly where it is?

 

[jamesd1981]

just go to the file you saved, right click - properties - previous versions

 

[dstebbins]

just go to the file you saved, right click - properties - previous versions

Sorry, I'm just not seeing it.

I've attached a screenshot to show you what I'm seeing.

EDIT: I'm using Vista Home Premium. Does that make a difference?

 

[jamesd1981]

it should look like this

 

[dstebbins]

Well it doesn't.

 

[jamesd1981]

if you have system restore turned out you could try restoring back to a recent point when the file was in its original form

 

[dstebbins]

if you have system restore turned out you could try restoring back to a recent point when the file was in its original form

Like I said before, "system restore" explicitly ignores files.

 

[billlam]

It's said that the "Previous Version" is only for MSOFFICE file.

 

[voyagerfan99]

You said you saved it as a new file. So where is your original?

 

[Nanobyte]

I concur with Voyagerfan99. If you saved the original as a new file and edited, the original is still there.

To prevent this sort of thing happening, you need to be cautious about Autosaving and if you are going to edit an existing document, the first thing you do is save it as a new file (not at the end!).

I have previously commented on Word documents. You need to be very careful about re-using documents. All the previous filenames and paths are embedded at the end and can be seen by opening in Notepad or similar. That can be defeated in the settings but it's easy to miss. I don't know about Open Office.