My question is: Is there a simple solution for a computer using the
English language version of Microsoft to be able to open a file on a
floppy disk which has been named in the Russian language? 
Explaination: Computers using Microsoft Office in the Russian language
version can open files from floppy disks even when the file name is in
English language (Latin) script.  However, computers using the English
language version of Microsoft can NOT even open files from floppies if
the file name is in Russian language (Cyrillic) script.  Computers
using the English language version of Microsoft CAN open files with
Russian language names that are sent as attachments to Email.   As an
American using English language Microsoft I work in Kazakhstan with
Russian speakers who use the Russian version of Microsoft.  There is a
constant problem in sharing files from floppy disks which need to be
translated from English to Russian and then reviewed and corrected.  I
already have more complicated solutions for opening these files like
sending the document by Email or by telling the Russian speaker to use
numbers for file names on shared floppy files.

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Request for Question Clarification by jdog-ga on 02 Mar 2003 06:40 PST

How are you trying to open the files? What specifically happens when
you try? I'm assuming you can access the floppy disks; opening the
actual files is what seems to be the problem. Is this correct?

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Clarification of Question by olkim-ga on 02 Mar 2003 20:00 PST

Your question is: what exactly happens?  First, the floppy does open. 
All file names written on that floppy in English script or in numbers
are shown as usual and open as usual.  All file names written in
Russian script, or that part of the file name written in Russian
script is shown as an unbroken underline with no characters.  It is
these files with names that are shown on the screen as an unbroken
underline that will not open.  Apparently, the system can't recognize
the name of the file and therefore can't find it to open it.  There is
then a message something to the effect that the file path can be
located.  I'll look on my floppies today to try to find one of these
files and see exactly what the message says.  Note: on the computers
in questions, such as mine, the Russian language script is activated
with Russian compatable fonts installed.  I have heard that problem
stems from a bug in Microsoft's system.

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Request for Question Clarification by feilong-ga on 07 Mar 2003 11:37 PST

"No, you can't rename the file because the system can't find the
original file."

It seems to me Windows 98 has a problem reading the file path info.
Have you tried renaming it in DOS mode? This may be a long shot but
there's no harm in trying. Since the files are in drive A:\ (I
assume), in C:\ DOS prompt, type:

c:\ren a:\<Russian File>.doc a:\<Your New File Name>.doc

ex:

c:\ren a:\____ ___.doc a:\File1.doc

Try opening the file afterwards.

- Feilong

when u say "Russian language script" Is activated I presume u mean its
avaiable as a "local" and also I wonder if ure useing Windows versions
previos to windows 2000 ?

Microsoft claims that you should be able to open them by using the
"open" command inside the application instead of trying to open it
directly from the floppy. If that doesn't work, would it be possible
for you to rename the files yourself, if only temporarily?

Also, which specific programs in the Office suite do you use? Which
version?

In response to phi-ga's comments: I'm using Windows 98 and I don't
understand what is meant by "local".
In response to jdog-ga:  I'll try today to open from within an
application, but I think we've already tried that.  No, you can't
rename the file because the system can't find the original file. 
We've tried that.  I'm using Word and Excel programs, 2000.
Thanks for the feedback.  The effort is much appreciated.  I've been
asking others about this problems for over a year and so far nobody
knows a solution.  I've heard that it is simply a bug in Microsoft's
software.

This may just be a bug, but it might be worth it for you to read over
the MS document "Word 2000 in a Multilingual Environment" (summary at
[ http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;273036 ],
download at [ http://download.microsoft.com/download/word2000/wd2000ml/1.0/WIN98Me/EN-US/Wd2000ml.exe
]). There's a good chance it won't tell you anything new or useful,
but you could get lucky.

To jdog.  Thanks.  I'll check that out.  Here's some further
information.  When I try to open a file with a name written in Russian
I get a Window.  The window title is MS Word, and the message, "This
file could not be found.  Try one or more of the following: *Check the
spelling of the name of the document. *Try a different file name.
(A:\____ ___.doc)."  When I try to drag the document icon into a
folder in the C drive I get a window titled Error Copying File with a
message, "X cannot copy file: File system error (1026)".  When I try
to rename the file I get a window titled Error Renaming File, and the
message is the same as in Error Copying File.

Are you sure you have enough room on your HDD to copy the file?
Doesn't hurt to double check =D