'Unrecognized data' in backup

[Guest]

I am trying to restore files/folders to my Toshiba laptop which runs XP Pro.

The backup is from my old XP Pro IBM desktop. I copied it from a Seagate
harddrive that I had installed as a drive F in the desktop to a Seagate USB
harddrive that I run as drive E in the laptop.

The result is that an error window opens. It is headed 'Unrecognized media'
and gives the message 'The backup file contains unrecognized data and cannot
be used.'

I note that this is a known error with backups when they are created in
older versions of Windows. But this was created in XP.

Can anyone offer me a solution?

I'm baffled.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I am trying to restore files/folders to my Toshiba laptop which runs
XP Pro.

The backup is from my old XP Pro IBM desktop. I copied it from a
Seagate harddrive that I had installed as a drive F in the desktop to
a Seagate USB harddrive that I run as drive E in the laptop.

The result is that an error window opens. It is headed 'Unrecognized
media' and gives the message 'The backup file contains unrecognized
data and cannot be used.'

I note that this is a known error with backups when they are created
in older versions of Windows. But this was created in XP.

Can anyone offer me a solution?

I'm baffled.

When you created the backup, did you do a verify? Had you ever tested a
restore on the IBM itself?

 

[Guest]

I believe the verify option was selected.

I did restore selected files in the IBM, but then I had to boot in safe mode
to take ownership of them.

 

[Guest]

Hi. Any other thoughts on this?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I believe the verify option was selected.

Good, but even so, you always want to check the logs afterwards.

Do you still have the original computer from which this backup was taken? It
doesn't look as though you've got a valid backup file here; you may need to
do another. That said, what medium are you using- external HD, ??

I did restore selected files in the IBM, but then I had to boot in
safe mode to take ownership of them.

You shouldn't need to boot into safe mode to do that - as any administrator
account, you can take ownership.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply.

I had to remove the harddisk from the IBM and use an external harddrive case
to copy the backups into the laptop.

Now I don't have the data on the IBM harddisk anymore.

Is there no way to get the backups into a retrievable state?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Thanks for your reply.

I had to remove the harddisk from the IBM and use an external
harddrive case to copy the backups into the laptop.

OK - so you're saying you did your backups on the IBM, to a file on its own
internal/local hard drive? (that isn't a great technique for a real backup,
as it doesn't protect you if that drive fails).

Now I don't have the data on the IBM harddisk anymore.

Is there no way to get the backups into a retrievable state?

I guess you could try copying the .bkf file to the hard drive on your new
computer, and try again? Beyond that, if NTBackup can't read it (or says
it's corrupt), I'm not sure what you can do.

 

[Guest]

As I mentioned in my first post in this thread, the backups were done to a
second harddrive installed in the IBM.

I already tried copying the .bkf file over to the laptop's desktop. The
result was the same.

All in all, the efficiency of the Windows backup system leaves a lot to be
desired. Even when users make the effort to back up their data, the backup
system lets them down. Most frustrating.

Oh well, thanks for your responses and for trying to help.

I'll be looking into another system for backing up data from now on.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

As I mentioned in my first post in this thread, the backups were done
to a second harddrive installed in the IBM.

I apologize - you did mention that. I forgot, and for some reason had it in
my head that you were using a Thinkpad..

I already tried copying the .bkf file over to the laptop's desktop.
The result was the same.

All in all, the efficiency of the Windows backup system leaves a lot
to be desired. Even when users make the effort to back up their data,
the backup system lets them down. Most frustrating.

Well, I use NTBackup all the time and it's generally OK, if a bit lacking in
features. The important thing is to test your backups with some regularity,
no matter what you're using, and always review your logs.

Oh well, thanks for your responses and for trying to help.

I'll be looking into another system for backing up data from now on.

I really like Acronis - check out their desktop software.

Additionally, you might want to set up a little batch file to copy your
important data folders to another drive, using something like robocopy (from
the resource kit) and schedule it using task scheduler.
Belt & suspenders = good.

 

[Guest]

Good suggestions. Thanks.

I apologize - you did mention that. I forgot, and for some reason had it in
my head that you were using a Thinkpad..

Well, I use NTBackup all the time and it's generally OK, if a bit lacking in
features. The important thing is to test your backups with some regularity,
no matter what you're using, and always review your logs.


I really like Acronis - check out their desktop software.

Additionally, you might want to set up a little batch file to copy your
important data folders to another drive, using something like robocopy (from
the resource kit) and schedule it using task scheduler.
Belt & suspenders = good.

 

[Rock]

Lanwench wrote
<snip>

Terry, I second Lanwench's recommendation to use Acronis True Image. It has
worked well for me. Also it's a good idea to have backups of important data
made by different means and not get rid of the original source data, if
possible, until the backup has been recovered.

 

[Rev_Lookout_Johnson]

Hi. Any other thoughts on this?