xls file opens, but nothing is shown

hi,

i got a 3,43mb .xls file. i edited the file on excel2003 three days ago, and i saved it (i'm sure, and i've double checked it @ right click --> properties --> summary --> origin --> date last saved). now if i open the file, the file seems to open (excel opens too, but i simply cannot see the file. here's what happens:

1. excel opens, and starts to load the file (the process indicator on the status bar is visible)
2. when it fully loads the file, i get a security notice (i last edited the file on a laptop) about enabling or disabling the macros
3. regardless of whether i enable or disable the macros, the status bar states "Ready", but i only see excel's default background with all menu items greyed out (except new and open), so i can't really do anything. it's like an excel in itself without any file opened within. i get no other error messages.
4. if i try to reopen the file, excel states that it is already open.

i've tried opening the file in both excel2003 and excel2007 with similar results.

any ideas what i might try or do to be able to actually use my xls file again normally?

thanks,
deL