Can't open .story file in 30 day free trial version?

Apr 11, 2016

Melanie Sexton
By Melanie Sexton

Hello,

I have downloaded a 30 day free trial version of Articulate Storyline 2. I am currently working with other colleagues on a .story file project and am waiting for an official license.

I try to import our working .story file, and I have several error messages come up. One says that I do not have permissions to access the file, another says that the file may be corrupted, and yet another error message says that the file I'm trying to import may have been made in an previous version of Storyline.

I know for a fact that we are all using the most current version, my colleague doesn't have the file actively open when I try to import, and that according to the file properties, I do have permissions to access and made changes to this file.

One of my other colleagues stated that because I'm working on a 30 day free trial version of this software, I may be locked as far as opening certain files.

I'm sure this issue has popped up here and I trust you all to help me with this. I'm anxious to start playing with this file and make it great.

7 Replies
Ali Goulet
8 years ago04/11/16 at 4:55 pm (UTC)

Hi Melanie,

Thanks for reaching out to us, I'm so sorry you're seeing these errors! This issue you're having would not have to do with being on the 30 day free trial. It sounds like the file you're trying to access is corrupt. However, there may still be a working version of your project in your temp files if it's previously been edited on your machine, or the temp files of your colleagues who have worked on the file. Here's how to check:

1) Open this folder in Windows Explorer: %appdata%\Articulate\Storyline
 
2) Scan the contents of this folder for a file that starts with the name of your project. If you find one, copy it to your desktop. If you find more than one, copy the latest version to your desktop.
 
3) Change the file extension of the copy on your desktop from *.tmp to *.story.
 
4) Double-click the file to open it in Storyline.
 
File corruption is unpredictable, and there's no straightforward way to determine what causes it. Common causes are environmental (disk errors, power outages, improper shutdowns), viruses, failed Windows updates, and even file size (i.e., very large files have a higher risk of corrupting). You may want to consider using the preventative measures described in this article to protect your project files.
 
If your colleagues are sharing the file with you, make sure they're zipping it first before sending it. You will then want to save it to your local hard drive and completely extract it before opening it. Check out this tutorial for reference, specifically the Sharing Projects with Other Developers section.
 
Hope that helps! :)
Leslie McKerchie
almost 8 years ago05/26/16 at 2:03 pm (UTC)

Hi Han!

So, you are able to create projects, but cannot save them? Are you getting an error message? What error message are you getting when you try to open a .story file?

Please be sure that you are following the guidelines here.

Also, be sure that you are utilizing the latest update, which is Update 9. This will also repair your software.

Han Szurek
almost 8 years ago05/26/16 at 9:53 pm (UTC)

Hey, thanks for coming back to me :)

When I try to save, it says 'the specified package is invalid. It has no parts' - this is for both .story and .storytemplate files.

When I try to open one, it says 'its side by side config is incorrect. Please see the application log' - I checked the app log from the task manager and closed all of them but it still doesn't work.

I only downloaded it a few days ago so it should be the latest! I'm totally new to elearning so am clueless!!

Cheers, Han 

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