Understanding AC2 Issues
Issues Opening AC2 Files
Spice is Not Installed
You attempt to load your AC2 file and get an error such as "%%os%% Can't Open The AC2 File Extension". Usually, this is because you do not have Spice for %%os%% installed. The OS won't know what to do with your AC2 file, so double-clicking to load the file doesn't work.
Tip: Another AC2-related program can be selected to open the file by clicking "Show Apps" and finding the application.
Wrong Version of Spice is Installed
Occasionally, you might have an outdated version of Spice installed that's incompatible with your SPICE AC/frequency Domain Output type. Installing the latest version of Spice from National Instruments is recommended. The primary cause of this problem is that your SPICE AC/frequency Domain Output file was created by a different (newer) version of Spice than what's installed.
Tip: You can sometimes get hints about the right program version by right-clicking on the AC2 file, selecting "Properties", and looking at the version information.
Regardless, most of the AC2 file opening problems relate to not having the right version of Spice installed.
Other Causes of AC2 File Opening Problems
Assuming you have the right Spice version installed, other problems can prevent you from opening AC2 files. If you are still having problems opening AC2 files, there may be other issues that are preventing you from opening these files. Other contributing causes:
- AC2 file references in the Windows Registry are broken
- The AC2 file description within the Windows Registry was removed
- Invalid installation of a AC2-associated program (eg. Spice)
- Something has caused file corruption of your AC2
- AC2 file integrity has been compromised by malware
- Drivers associated with AC2 software need to be updated
- Your computer does not have the adequate system resources to open the SPICE AC/frequency Domain Output format
Quiz: Which file extension is the oldest in existence?
That's Correct!
The text file, or "TXT" for short, is the oldest file extension in existence. Although the exact date is unknown, it is thought to have been invented in the late-1960's.
Close, but not quite...
The text file, or "TXT" for short, is the oldest file extension in existence. Although the exact date is unknown, it is thought to have been invented in the late-1960's.