Fastwiz: Give me back my files!

Due to worsening performance issues relating to software that didn't
uninstall correctly (long story), I decided to do a complete system restore
on my laptop (i.e. format the hard drive and return the computer to the
factory state). I didn't want to do a complete backup using Acronis
TrueImage or Backup, and I didn't want to copy my Settings, so I used the
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (fastwiz.exe) to back up only my files to
an external hard drive (30GB Firewire). The Wizard ran all night and
successfully saved everything into a 17GB folder.

I ran the restore (to Windows XP Home Edition), ran my Windows XP
Professional upgrade, installed Office, Norton Systemworks, ZoneAlarm and ran
Windows Update until I got all the various patches and Service Pack 2.

I tried to run Fastwiz to restore my files from the external drive, and
about half an hour into it, got the error message "An error occurred while
the wizard was loading your data. The wizard cannot create the data needed to
save your settings. Make sure you have enough disk space available. To close
this wizard, click Finish."

After trying again and getting the same results, I read the KB article
312965 that indicates that a fixed drive with about four times the size of
the archive. The drive in my computer is only 40GB and the Firewire drive is
only 30, so I went ahead and bought an 80GB Firewire drive and copied the
archive over. I ran Fastwiz again to restore the files AND GOT THE SAME
ERROR MESSAGE AGAIN!

The FASTWiz.log file contains only "Module Error An error occurred while
loading data. Can't continue. [ERROR=13 (Dh)]".

I need my files back! Does anyone have any ideas on what I should do???

Many thanks
JK

Sorry about the duplication... the website gave me an error message and told
me to repost. This really isn't my day for Windows!