*sigh* letters disappearing in word (1 Viewer)

[iambored]

wtf
i am typing in word
i wanted to see how many times i had pressed the space bar so i clicked that icon (to show where the page breaks are, spaces, enters etc.)
the first page of my notes TURNED TO SQUARES. there are no letters, just squares.
i can't view that page on print preview, when i click the up button to see what is there the print preview closes
when i copy the text to other programs, it still shows squares
does anyone know what has happened? this sucks, do i have to retype it?

 

[fatmuscle]

try changing a font
or open up a different MS application to see if you get a similar problem

what version of MS Word are you using?

 

[iambored]

Word 2002
it's never happened before
changing a font does nothing and all the other files i have used this afternoon have been fine

i will google about finding backups
otherwise i will retype it. it's only the start of semester, at least it's not before an exam

thanks

 

[fatmuscle]

if you still have it saved, i wouldn't mind having a look

 

[iambored]

it's ok, it wasn't too much, the majority is there, thanks fatmuscle

i checked the backup files and they are so random. it's like word decided to save only 1 file i was working on every 3 months for the past 3 years.