Analyzing file type?
 

I could have sworn this question has been asked before. Searched for it but couldn't find anything, so here goes...

Say you have a large file, several hundred megs, and no extension. Winzip won't open it, burner software won't open it...what the heck could it be? Is there an app you know of that could analyze the file?

I get asked this a lot and never know what to say. Come across this problem now and then, and this time I figured I'd ask if anyone has any idea.

sometimes if a file type is recognized windows hides the extension, is you are running 2000 or xp, you can double click the file and it will give you an option for web services to find the appropriate program.

Nah, it's not that... I have hiding file extensions of recognized types disabled. :|

oh ok, then I'm out of ideas then :) good luck anyways

I remember reading that if you know what you are doing, hexediting a file and reading the first few lines of it MIGHT give you some sort of id/hint as to the filetype/program used in it's creation. Other than that, maybe you need to try winace/winrar to try opening it as a compressed file type or daemon tools if it is some sort of cd/dvd iso.

good luck

I second heyal256's suggestion. Grab a hex editor, open it, and start looking for any sort of header suggesting what it might be.

if you disable the extension hiding, does it give the extension at all?

is it a swap file? for virtual memory?