"Unexpected File Format" RPG MAKER XP

Well, the power goes out the SAME exact time that a storm kills the power, and then when It came back on, I tried opening the game and I got this:

"Unexpected File Format"

...Help Please?

The most likely cause is unfortunately that your data got corrupt and that you basically have lost the project.
I hope you have a backup

No time to be laughing! This seriously sucks, man.

Oh Shit. I've been working on this game for two years. The only backup I have is like the game... 50% done.....HEY, WHAT ABOUT SYSTEM RESTORE? Would that work for My Documents?

I do believe that there is no way to fix this problem  trust me, my files corrupted and Ive been working on it for a long time now, you should be grateful you have 50% back up because I had none 

No I think he said the only copy he has was the game itself which was now corrupter. This sooks.

If it has a full copy of your documents saved, then there might be a chance.
But really. If your project first is corrupted it's too lead.
Resources, like graphics and music usually still works though.

Take loads of backups.
We don't say it for fun.

Last time it happened for me I lost a little less than a half hour's work.

How often should you back it up? Everytime you save? If so, how often should you save?

As often as you want to...
Just know the longer between the backups the more you can loose.
I usually take a backup every time I close the maker.
I usually save very often which has everything to do with how often I test-play.
Taking a back-up does take time.
Try finding a balance that suits you.

Heh heh, the same happened to me, about 7 times. All of which were remakes of the same game. (>>)

Just start from the backup and make backups more often, and maybe try getting a laptop or battery pack for your computer. Or set your computer to do an automatic mini-dump when this happens (No idea how, jsut know that it dosent corrupt your data)

You could make a copy of your project every time you are to open it. Will generate loads of backups XD

The most likely cause is unfortunately that your data got corrupt

Sh**....

There are no storms here, and my project suddenly went haywire! I don't know what I did wrong, but screw that, I didn't even know it's possible...

EDIT:

Oops, sorry if I necroed this thread, I forgot to look at the date.

Anyhoo, I fixed my problem, started a new project and copied all the folders(Audio/Data/Graphics in my case) from the old one to the new project. It was like nothing happened.

EDIT:

The newly restored project got corrupted again, and it was the same time as last time, the solution was the same, must be with Vista corrupting the "game" file.