SILO File Extension

What is SILO file?

SILO filename suffix is mostly used for VisIt Hydrodynamical Numerical Simulation Data files. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Simulation and Computing Initiative (ASCI) defined the VisIt Hydrodynamical Numerical Simulation Data format standard. SILO file format is compatible with software that can be installed on Windows system platform. SILO file format, along with 6033 other file formats, belongs to the Misc Files category. VisIt is by far the most used program for working with SILO files.

Programs which support SILO file extension

Below is a table that list programs that support SILO files. Files with SILO extension, just like any other file formats, can be found on any operating system. The files in question may be transferred to other devices, be it mobile or stationary, yet not all systems may be capable of properly handling such files.

How to open file with SILO extension?

Being unable to open files with SILO extension can be have various origins. What is important, all common issues related to files with SILO extension can be resolved by the users themselves. The process is quick and doesn’t involve an IT expert. The following is a list of guidelines that will help you identify and solve file-related problems.

Step 1. Install VisIt software

The main and most frequent cause precluding users form opening SILO files is that no program that can handle SILO files is installed on user’s system. The solution is straightforward, just download and install VisIt. On the top of the page a list that contains all programs grouped based on operating systems supported can be found. If you want to download VisIt installer in the most secured manner, we suggest you visit website and download from their official repositories.

Step 2. Verify the you have the latest version of VisIt

You still cannot access SILO files although VisIt is installed on your system? Make sure that the software is up to date. It may also happen that software creators by updating their applications add compatibility with other, newer file formats. If you have an older version of VisIt installed, it may not support SILO format. The most recent version of VisIt is backward compatible and can handle file formats supported by older versions of the software.

Step 3. Set the default application to open SILO files to VisIt

If the issue has not been solved in the previous step, you should associate SILO files with latest version of VisIt you have installed on your device. The process of associating file formats with default application may differ in details depending on platform, but the basic procedure is very similar.

The procedure to change the default program in Windows

• Right-click the SILO file and choose Open with option
• Click Choose another app and then select More apps option
• To finalize the process, select Look for another app on this PC entry and using the file explorer select the VisIt installation folder. Confirm by checking Always use this app to open SILO files box and clicking OK button.

The procedure to change the default program in Mac OS

• By clicking right mouse button on the selected SILO file open the file menu and choose Information
• Open the Open with section by clicking its name
• Select the appropriate software and save your settings by clicking Change all
• If you followed the previous steps a message should appear: This change will be applied to all files with SILO extension. Next, click the Continue button to finalize the process.

Step 4. Ensure that the SILO file is complete and free of errors

Should the problem still occur after following steps 1-3, check if the SILO file is valid. It is probable that the file is corrupted and thus cannot be accessed.

1. Verify that the SILO in question is not infected with a computer virus

If the SILO is indeed infected, it is possible that the malware is blocking it from opening. It is advised to scan the system for viruses and malware as soon as possible or use an online antivirus scanner. If the SILO file is indeed infected follow the instructions below.

2. Verify that the SILO file’s structure is intact

If the SILO file was sent to you by someone else, ask this person to resend the file to you. The file might have been copied erroneously and the data lost integrity, which precludes from accessing the file. It could happen the the download process of file with SILO extension was interrupted and the file data is defective. Download the file again from the same source.

3. Ensure that you have appropriate access rights

There is a possibility that the file in question can only be accessed by users with sufficient system privileges. Log out of your current account and log in to an account with sufficient access privileges. Then open the VisIt Hydrodynamical Numerical Simulation Data file.

4. Make sure that the system has sufficient resources to run VisIt

If the system is under havy load, it may not be able to handle the program that you use to open files with SILO extension. In this case close the other applications.

5. Verify that your operating system and drivers are up to date

Latest versions of programs and drivers may help you solve problems with VisIt Hydrodynamical Numerical Simulation Data files and ensure security of your device and operating system. Outdated drivers or software may have caused the inability to use a peripheral device needed to handle SILO files.

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