Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (FAST)

[jeff]

Never again will I use the FAST tool to transfer files from one
computer before reghosting... However; it was done and now I have to
resolve the issue.

Windows XP Media Center Edition. The files were backed up to a flash
USB device. The only file created on the flash is called USMT2IMG.DAT.

Error Received:
"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."

With filemon I see a temporary directory being created until the error.

I've found and doenloaded fastconv.exe, but since it was stored on
removable media every article refers to the Rmv2opq Tool, which cannot
be found on Microsoft, the OS, or the Internet.

Firstly, does anyone know where to download the Rmv2opq Tool?

Secondly, any suggestions on what has worked for people in the past. I
know what files I want, so even a manual extraction would be OK.

Thanks in advance.

 

[PA Bear]

How big is the "flash USB device"?

Start here:

Using WinXP's FAST Wizard, by MVP Gary Woodruff
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm

 

[Ron Martell]

Never again will I use the FAST tool to transfer files from one
computer before reghosting... However; it was done and now I have to
resolve the issue.

Windows XP Media Center Edition. The files were backed up to a flash
USB device. The only file created on the flash is called USMT2IMG.DAT.

Error Received:
"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."

With filemon I see a temporary directory being created until the error.

I've found and doenloaded fastconv.exe, but since it was stored on
removable media every article refers to the Rmv2opq Tool, which cannot
be found on Microsoft, the OS, or the Internet.

Firstly, does anyone know where to download the Rmv2opq Tool?

Secondly, any suggestions on what has worked for people in the past. I
know what files I want, so even a manual extraction would be OK.

Thanks in advance.

Something is definitely amiss. FASTW should have created a folder
named USMT2.UNC and 2 files named IMG00001.DAT and STATUS within that
folder.

Are you certain that the USB device was large enough to contain all of
the data files from the Media Center PC? USB drives larger than 2 gb
are uncommon and a Media Center PC could easily have many gigabytes of
data files especially if any music or videos were stored on it.

The file name does imply that it may have some relationship to the
User State Migration Tool which is a modified version of the Files and
Settings Transfer Wizard for corporate use, but I can't find any
reference to the actual file name anywhere at Microsoft and only a few
scattered references using Google.

Was there any other disk drive available when FASTW was accumulating
the data? Search for a folder named usmt2.unc.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[jeff]

The flash device was 128MB. I've since then transferred the file to a
larger drive. I created a custom transfer, esentially Outlook Express,
My Documents, etc. So the image was only 84Meg. the utility even
mentioned it would fit on a single 100MB drive.

 

[jeff]

I've seen the reference to the directory structure you mentioned and
the few google hits about the file that was created in my instance.
There was only the flash drive and local HD available during the
transfer. I've also gathers that there may be many versions of the
FASTW that may or may not be compatible with each other.

I have nothing to compare against since the HD from the "old" computer
has been reimaged.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Never again will I use the FAST tool to transfer files from one
computer before reghosting... However; it was done and now I have to
resolve the issue.

Windows XP Media Center Edition. The files were backed up to a flash
USB device. The only file created on the flash is called USMT2IMG.DAT.

Error Received:
"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."

With filemon I see a temporary directory being created until the
error.

I've found and doenloaded fastconv.exe, but since it was stored on
removable media every article refers to the Rmv2opq Tool, which cannot
be found on Microsoft, the OS, or the Internet.

Firstly, does anyone know where to download the Rmv2opq Tool?

Secondly, any suggestions on what has worked for people in the past. I
know what files I want, so even a manual extraction would be OK.

Thanks in advance.

It sounds like the flash drive was not big enough. I use FAST a lot when
upgrading conputers for customers. It is common that even a 512 MB flash
drive isn't big enough. In those cases I save to a folder on the hard drive
then temporarily install the hard drive in the new computer to complete the
transfer. There are very few cases where 128 MB would be large enough in my
experience.

 

[jeff]

I've seen reference that the size required to restore FASTW is up to 4
times the amount of the compressed file. When I run filemon I see that
there are many temp files being created on the HD but are delete when
the FASTW errors.

Do you know how convert the removable compressed file into something
that can be read by the HD restore process?

 

[Kerry Brown]

No I don't. I have no idea what you mean by "read by the HD restore
process". FAST files can only be restored by the same version of FAST. As
Ron Martell has already mentioned it looks like the file you have is not
from FAST. There should be two files with different names than the one you
have. The files should be in a folder called USMT2.UNC. If you alter this
structure FAST will not work in my experience. I have never had any luck
trying to get data from a corrupted FAST folder. Googling for your problem
it looks like the file you have may be a temporary file used by FAST when
collecting the data. Most people reporting problems and ending up with that
file have tried to use media that was too small.

The best procedure is to restore to the new computer or hard drive before
erasing the old one. If the old drive has already been erased your data is
most likely gone.

 

[jeff]

Try this simple experiment: Backup with FASTW to removable media and
HD. What you will find is:

Removable Media: One file named USMT2IMG.DAT
HD: A folder named USMT2.UNC containing IMG00001.DAT and status

It seems that Ron has only commented on non-removable media FASTW
backups.

 

[Kerry Brown]

OK, I see your problem. Do not pick the removable media option. I have
always experienced problems with this method. Pick Other and browse to the
flash drive. Note one of the examples listed in Other is "removable drive".

 

[jeff]

Experience is showing just not to use the wizard. Have you, or anyone
else seen the Rmv2opq Tool (Rmv2opq.exe) which is supposed to convert
removable media -> HD format? This tool has been referenced in a lot of
websites, but never to where to get it.

 

[per1000ipday5]

Avoid typing the same text again and again
Stop wasting your time on mouse movements
Open favorite web pages with a single hotkey press
Record keystrokes and play them back with a single hotkey press

 

[Kerry Brown]

I've tried it with no success on corrupted FAST files. The first link in a
Google search found it here:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rmv2opq.exe&btnG=Google+Search

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/fast.htm

 

[jeff]

I've already searched both sites, among others. No hits.

Anyone else have suggestions as to where this tool may be located?

Thanks.

 

[Kerry Brown]

My aplogies. I just checked the download and it doesn't include that tool. I
don't know where to find it. I had it at one time but deleted it long ago.