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How-To Geek Forums / Windows 7

Backup problems

(17 posts)
  • Started 4 months ago by jsgarza75
  • Latest reply from whs
  • Topic Viewed 292 times

jsgarza75
Posts: 7

I made a backup for my computer then updated my Windows Vista to Windows 7. I am trying to restore information and I keep getting a message saying there is no backup available. Is there anyway to recover that data?

Posted 4 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

How did you make that 'backup'.

Posted 4 months ago #
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jsgarza75
Posts: 7

I used the back up feature on windows vista

Posted 4 months ago #
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ReadandShare
Posts: 127

Where did you save your backup set? You may have to redirect the recovery app to the correct drive / partition.

Posted 4 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Did you check the partition/folder to which you backed up.

Posted 4 months ago #
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jsgarza75
Posts: 7

I used an external hard drive to save my backup. It looks like a normal file- like the MY DOCUMENTS folder. I don't even know what a partition is. When I try to restore I can't see my hard drive.

Posted 4 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Then just copy/paste the files from that hard drive.

Posted 4 months ago #
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jsgarza75
Posts: 7

Is there a way to get program files? I have tax software and the files only open with that program. I have reinstalled the software but can't restore the information.

Posted 4 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

They are just normal files. If you know the names of the files, you should be able to recover them.

Posted 4 months ago #
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Xhi
Xhi
Posts: 6298

But, programs themselves must be reloaded from the installation media. There is no other way to do it.

Posted 4 months ago #
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germ-x
germ-x
Posts: 5310

If you updated from Vista to Win7 everything should be as it was with Vista.
Worse case senerio recover your Vista image.
When you open your image with the backup software you should see all the folders / files. You should be able to restore to original location.
You might be running into a location issue between Vista and Win7 with certain Tax software.
I know one that in Vista files are stored in one loaction and in Win7 the default loaction is different.

Posted 4 months ago #
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jsgarza75
Posts: 7

How do you 'recover your Vista image'?

Posted 4 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

You have to have an image in the first place. Did you ever image your Vista system ??

Posted 4 months ago #
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jsgarza75
Posts: 7

Nope...

Posted 4 months ago #
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germ-x
germ-x
Posts: 5310

"I made a backup for my computer then updated my Windows Vista to Windows 7". Is this an image you made, please explain "BACKUP"

Posted 4 months ago #
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jsgarza75
Posts: 7

This is what I did
1. Control Panel
2. System Maintenance
3. Backup & Restore
4. Set up Backup
5. Followed the wizard to create a backup file.

Posted 4 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

I believe (not 100% sure) you cannot recover a Vista backup with Windows 7. You can try to open the file and copy/paste your files. If it is a VHD, you can attach it in Disk Management > Action tab.

Posted 4 months ago #
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