Problem opening xls files in windows 8

Have just changed computer and my os to windows 8 and am using office 2010. I have never had a problem on my windows 7 system opening xls or xlsx files but now I am struggling to open xls files whilst I do not have a problem with xlsx files. When I try to open an xls file I get the message "excel found unreadable content in the file. Do you want to recover the content of the workbook, if you trust the source of the workbook click yes" When I click yes nothing happens and the file wont open.
Has anyone else had a similar problem or can anyone please advise if there is a solution, other than returning to windows 7!.
Thanks

Sorry been away from forum, in the meantime computer has been reset to factory settings, reloaded another excel 2010, updated all windows and microsoft office and the same thing is happening. When I try to open the file I get the following message
"Excel completed file level validation and repair. Some parts of this workbook may have been repaired or discarded.
Replaced Part: /xl/worksheets/sheet1.xml part with XML error. An attribute value must not contain '<'. Line 2, column 27672.
Removed Records: Formula from /xl/calcChain.xml part (Calculation properties)"
but the file opens with three blank sheets.
Seems as if its not only me as have now had several problems within my circle. PC World are very cagey about it and all they tell me is to update my windows and
microsoft office.
Anyone with any idea what could be happening.
Thanks
Mikey