There may be several reasons for this behavior. First, what is your Office version? If it is 2008 or 2011, there is no need to use the converter - the docx. file is native for those. If it is 2001 or 2004, the XML converter is engaged automatically. I have seen several possible reasons for this message:
1. Corrupt Normal file. You might like to drag it to the desktop while Word is not open and restart Word. The file will be recreated. The drawback is that you will lose custom formatting and toolbar customization.
2. The file is corrupt in the download process. Trash it and download again from the e-mailer. What happens when you try to open the rtf. file?
3. The file is corrupt in the mailing process. You might like to ask to resend it, provided the sender can download the file herself and open it on her machine.
Sometimes repairing permissions and restarting can get rid of this problem too if the file is OK. You could start from this procedure.
P.S. I have never encountered the message "failed" when using the XML converter.

Last edited by macnerd10; 04/16/11 06:21 AM.
Alex
3.1 GHz 13" MacBook Pro 2015, 8 GB RAM, OS 10.11.2, Office 2011, TimeWarner Cable
2.8 GHz Xeon Mac Pro 2010, 16 GB RAM, OS 10.11.2, Office 2011, LAN