Hi everyone,
I have been trying to open my dat files that were created in my yahoo messenger archive folder. I know they are just files of my previous IM'S, and I use to be able to read them. Now since I upgraded to the yahoo messenger w/voice, I can no longer look back at these files. Any suggestions as to how to open them? I tried Notepad and word pad, but its just computer mumbo jumbo. Its not extremely important for me to open these files, just curiousity has now gotten the best of me!! I can read them while on yahoo and go to message archives, its once they have been deleted and i restored them from recycle bin, then use windows explorer and go to yahoo/messenger/profiles/messages/archives that they can't be read. I know it seems trite, but who would have thought it would be this dificult to read an unimportant file like this?? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanx in advance,
Terri

ScottGem

These are probably plain text files. Use Notepad to open them.
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Whoops, I goofed. I missed that you had tried Notepad already. My bad and sorry about that.

When you used to be able to read them, what did you use? Can you show us an example of what you are calling computer mumbo jumbo?

I must disagree with Fred about what dat files are. There is no standard for DAT files like there is for JPG, DOC, XLS as examples. Many programs use DAT as an extension for files that hold data being used by that program. In some cases, the files are plain text. In others they are a proprietary binary format. If we could see an example of what in them we may be able to tell.

Checking the link Fred found for the Yahoo Decoder, it says that it can be used to decode IM archives without a password. What this says to me, is that the files are encoded so that they can only be viewed when someone logs into Yahoo Messenger and then only files that they created using that ID and password. So it begs the question of whether you are logged in when you try to view those files and that you probably need to view them thru the Messenger client.

The file on that link seems to be a way to spy on other people using your PC for their own Yahoo Messenger names.

I hope this addition is more helpful then my initial answer.

fredg

Hi, Redwing,
The answer just before this one suggested using Notepad to open them. But, since you have already said you tried it and only got "mumbo jumbo", then trying it again won't help.
Most .dat files are exactly that, computer language containing past history of opening and closing programs. They don't harm the computer.
For example, with Internet Explorer, under Windows Explorer, then the folders Windows/Temporary Internet Files, will be an index.dat file. This file is a computerized history of internet usuage. It can become quite large, and is not easily deleted.
A free program, Ccleaner, available from http://www.ccleaner.com, when downloaded/installed, can be used (by checking the appropriate box), to delete this large file, then it recreates it on re-booting the computer.
I do wish you the best, and have a great day.
PS; Here is a "last minute" suggestion:
http://www.softpedia.com/public/cat/...-4-1-113.shtml
This site offers a download for Yahoo Messenger dat file Archive Decoder.
I haven't use it, so can't personally recommend it, but it might be worth a try.

Press2Esc

dat files are typically binary files... the application for they were written for is about the only things that can make sense of the "mumbo jumbo". Assuming the dat files are are ascii based, theya re relatively easy to view via hex editors.

P2E

programmer4289

here is a site to download a decoder for the yahoo data files.....you can view any Im's typed and sent to your computer from any user and dont need to know thier password. Busted a cheating wife like that lol

programmer4289

oops forgot to add the site for the decoder Yahoo Message Archive Decoder: Read conversations, chat, passwords, etc of anyone without logging in! Decodes dat to html files! - Ikitek Software