Windows Restore Utility problem

[xterra]

I had to do a clean install so I backed up all my data with the Windows backup utility. I reformated and installed XP. when I try to restore from my backup file I get this message
"The backup file contains unrecognized data and cannot be used"
When I did the backup I did the verify after backup and it worked fine. The byte size of the backup file looks correct also. I figure something got corrupted in the header of it. Any Ideas?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[jmatt]

Maybe !

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=305381

 

[mattjurado]

If your old OS was 95/98, then the above post is likely correct, you'll have to reload 95/98, restore it, then perform a different means of backup.

If your old OS was XP, and if you backed up the system state, it might be trying to restore the registry and system files from your old installation, and it is thus erroring out.

I don't use msbackup/ntbackup for anything other than restoring the registry.

Use explorer to copy data to a safe place, or burn the files to a cd, as using ntbackup to archive them to microsoft's proprietary file type is just an extra breakdown point from restoring from backups.

Matt J.

 

[xterra]

I backed up using XP so that article wouldn't apply to my situation but thanks for trying.

It hits this error when I try to load the catalog, maybe that will help to locate the problem.

I usually do just copy the files over but I thought I would try it this way. It is 40 Gigs of data so burning to cd is out of the question but I can copy to a network pc which usually works fine.

If anyone finds any other solutions please let me know.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[linney]

BKFRecovery (it is not cheap).

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=BKFRecovery

See if these lead you anywhere.

http://groups.google.com/groups?sou...ontains+unrecognized+data+and+cannot+be+used"

 

[SYAR2003]

Complete backup/restore of windows-xp c: partition
including registry and sp1 and hotfixes.

Backup:
Start the msbackup utility enter advanced mode.
Select make ASR . You need one diskette , and a place for the backup . (external drive/network drive/other parition)

Restore:
Boot with the xp cd , press F2 "restore by ASR" .
Insert diskette .
Windows now formates the Cartition .
Installs files from cd . Reboots . Then you browse for
the backup cataloq and voila ,fully restored with servicepack.hotfixes and all.

Recommend to use the ASR , tried it is't great .
Nearly as good as a ghost/image except you have
to defrag afterwards.

 

[xterra]

I have tried BKFRecovery but it said it couldn't open the file.

SYAR2003 this would work if I still had my information but I have everything I need in a BKF file that cannot be read so I don't think it would be able to read it either.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[jmatt]

Another maybe .

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299526

 

[linney]

This article does not apply to XP, but it may give you some ideas to approach Microsoft Support with.

273400 - Ntbackup.exe Is Unable to Restore Data When it Encounters an Unknown Data String

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;273400&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Some people have been lucky with these links (even after a reformat) in recovering data.

http://www.restorer2000.com

http://www.runtime.org/hints.htm

Try here too.

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