I have a one year old Dell laptop that was having problems, so the Dell folks suggested I backup my files, which I did using the preloaded Roxio/sonic software on my computer. Had to go back to the original configurations (system reboot, I think)

And now, I can not access the disks that I have burned because the DVD says I need to restore using the software, but I can no longer access the software for some reason (maybe part of an upgrade, which I never did)...sounds crazy - spent hours with Dell and they say its a Sonic / Roxio problem. Anyone have a clue? Or any way for me to access these files? Your help is much appreciated (would save me much time, aggravation, $$)!

The only file I can access is the readme one.

Here's the contents of the readme file:

Backup CD
===========

This disc is a backup CD.

Except for this file the contents of this disc must be
accessed using your backup software.

Judging by your description of what you can see, you formatted the disc first. That's where it went wrong. For future use, use a burning program like the built-in WinXP burning ability, or DataDisc, or Roxio's Classic Creator, etc. For archiving files, DO NOT FORMAT an opticala disc (CD or dvd).

If you are using WinXP, and WinXP's built-in .udf reader isn't seeing the files, that is a VERY BAD sign.

Try one of the recovery programs suchas cdroller (www.cdroller.com) or ISOBuster (www.isobuster.com) - both have impressive testimonials on their websites and in the Roxio Forums. Both have "trial" Versions which let you see if anything can be recovered before you have to pay.

Lynn

Look to see if there is a file on the disc called Launch_Retrieve.exe.If there is run it and then you should be able to get to the files.
You said you had Roxio/Sonic software so I'm not what's in the package but if it was Roxio Backup the you need to run Retrive to be able to get at the backup.If that was the case then it would tell you you need to run the software to retrieve your files.The file should be on the disc if that's the case.

I've thought about this one during the day.

And Terry, you did catch something I didn't - it's a "backup" as in image. So since OP ued the OEM-provided software, perhaps Dell would be willing to privide him with a copy of the same Version to retrieve it ...? Say, on CD?

There is also a lot of confusion caused by using the term "backup" for two very different thigs - an image of a Hard Drive which can be used to restore portions or the entire drive (good examples being Norton Ghost by Symantec, and Acronis True Image, but also WinXP's Restore feature), and to make an archive copy of one's personal files (which should be done with a Sessions-based program such as WinXP's built-in burning, Sonic Data Disc in the RecordNow suite, or Roxio's Classic Creator in the Easy Media Creator suite.

I fear that is the place where OP is stuck - where one person was using one definition and the other was thinking the other definition

Hopefully, OP will come back with a progress report.

Lynn

I really don't want to speculate on what the person used but from the sounds of it requesting software then it sounds like Roxio Backup.This could be used to just backup files to a disc.If that's the case then Retrieve needs to be used to get at the files.
I'm not so sure about it being an image,though it could well be.

Hello, I've just joined.
I was reading this post as I'm in the same situation as the OP.
In that I used Sonic RecordNow! (cannot remember the Ver) to backup my HDD to an external drive.
I then Formatted my HDD and reloaded XP pro.
When I went to restore my files I realised that I do not have a copy of RecordNow! on disk so I have been unable to restore my files.

The backup file is a *.QIC format which is recognised by my downloaded copy of RecordNow! Deluxe but this does not have any backup or restore capability.

I have been thinking of buying EMC10 but do not know if it will help me restore my files.
Any help and advice would be much appreciated by both of us.

Thanks
Kingali

My first post

hp pavilion t461 .uk
P4 3GHz
XP Pro

Are you sure you used Sonic Record Now to make the back up, as I am not aware that it had any back-up or restore capabilities.

Did this backup program come pre-installed with you HP Pavilon, if so check with HP.

Kingali -

RecordNow does have an application called SimpleBackUp within the suite.

However, you are going to need a copy of it - preferrably the exact same Version - to restore it. Check with HP to see if they know which Version was included, and if they will give you a copy on CD.

Another possibility is you might be able to get the info by googling the Model Number and look for reviews.

(For future reference - I think you would've gotten closer to the result you wanted by buying a new Hard Drive (they are cheap these days) and making the old one a slave or putting it in an external enclosure.)

Let us know how it goes.

Lynn

I believe I have almost the same problem. My software is Sonic DigitalMedia Plus ver.7.

I don't see it anywhere on the Roxio site.

I have made backups of my My Documents, Thunderbird profiles and Netscape profiles. The software calls it "Easy Archiving", which is worrisome alone, as if it isn't a backup, I don't know what it has created. So I am VERY worried that:

1. The backups will be read-only and the files not changeable to RWA, as happens with a lot of my attempted backups in the past;

2. I have no idea, and the help files do not tell me, how to restore the files once I do a System Restore on my computer.

These are serious problems, as if I lose this data, with thousands of family photos, I am in deep yoghurt. As we say.

Thanks for any help.

Don.

Don -

It sounds like you don't have QUITE the same problem, since you aren't trying to do a restore from it.

Get some fresh CD-Rs. (Never use RW for anything you want to KEEP, altho they are fine for testing, or moving files from one computer to another.)

Open RecordNow > Data > DataDisc. Use it to make copies of all of the files. If there are any options about "closing" the CD as opposed to making it appendable, make sure it is closed. (You can also use WinXP's built in burning for this, if you have WinXP.)

This will make CDs that should be readable on any computer. Check it by seeing if you can read it on another computer. (Each disc.) If that checks out, you should be good to go.

Making 2 copies, and storing them separately, is a practice used by some who want to be VERY sure they've done as much as possible.

Other options are (and this can be in addition rather than instead of) getting an External Hard Drive -they are cheap these days - and saving it to that; and using an on-line storage service.

Hopefully, you will never be desperately requesting help for discs that can't be opened because of the obscure program they were created with and can't be read without.

Lynn

Lynn,

Thanks for replying. In the end you seem to be saying that my software (that is NOT what you named, but it sounds like you are familiar with mine) will produce fully readable copies of my files & fotos 'n such? That is terrific news.



One of my quandaries is this, from my post:

2. I have no idea, and the help files do not tell me, how to restore the files once I do a System Restore on my computer.




And, finally, what is it I have, since it isn't listed anywhere on Roxio's site? Do you know?

Thanks again. You've relieved many of my worries.

Hmm. Since you added to a RecordNow thread, I assumed that was what you have, and didn't read Sonic DigitalMedia Plus ver.7. A google search suggests in is an OEM [Original Equipment Mfgr] Version used by HP. If so, HP would be the ones who know what's in it. However, it also looks like that would mean your Operating System is WinXP. If so, go to wherever the files are stashed, highlight the files you want to transfer to CD-R (it is possible to do this in stages, but be sure you aren't highlighting more than will fit on one disc), right-click > send to (your burner drive). When you have enough to fill the disc, follow the prompts to complete the disc.

Repeat until you have it all burned.

Lynn

Lynn,

I was going to do that, but for whatever reason when I put a DVD in my drive it claims it can't format it. I s'pose I could use Sonic to format the disc?

N E Way I'll look at the files and see how accessible they are.

Thanks again.

You should never format a CD or DVD unless you are usiing "packet writing" programs such as Sonics DLS, Roxios Drag-to-Disc or Neros InCD.

Lynn, when you do that you get thousands of files that are now read-only. Plus, it is almost impossible to restore them to writeable, for some reason.

Let's get one thing thing straight:

If the idea is to do a backup, DO NOT FORMAT the disc. Use a BLANK blank, directly out of the box or off the spindle. DO NOT use any application that uses formatting. You do not have a "great-big floppy-disc" ... or maybe you do, since floppies can also fail. However, formatted optical media (CDs, DVDs) are more likely to fail.

There should be an application within your suite that is designed to burn data to optical media. That is the one you should be using.

Yes, files are read-only. It is exactly as if you have a commercially pressed disc, as far as your computer is concerned. You can transfer a file to your Hard Drive and right-click > properties and uncheck read-only. It is a back-up or storage method that is a lot more reliable than Packet-Writing.

If you want to make a lot changes, such as a document that is updated frequently, get a Flash drive (also known as Thumb / Keychain / Jump / Pen drive) or use an External Hard Drive. Even tho it is possible to use to force optical media to work that way, that doesn't mean it is a reliable way.

Or, to put it another way, one day you, too, can put your disc in the drive and either find out there is nothing on it or have a Blue Screen of Death.

Then you willl understand why the warning.

Lynn

The Digigal Guru who uses online storage has suggested using a google search for places online where you can store your data.
Be very careful to read the fine print for terms. Some of the services require a visit at certain intervals or they will wipe everything out.

Lynn

PS: one last thought - I've seen more posts of problems using Memorex media than all other brands put together. You might choose a different brand. Store-brand discss may or may not be higher quality discs.

Hi there,
You started me thinking. I was sure I used RecordNow that came with my Pavilion.
I did search for *.qic and find that this file extension is associated mainly with a compressed Win backup file.
If I used this instead why will it NOT restore?
Another search reaveals that Win XP CANNOT restore this file and I have to restore my backup to a win 95, 98 or Me system.
THIS CANNOT BE TRUE PLEASE!!!!!
Have I got it wrong?
IS there another program that will help restore my "Mybackup.qic" file????

Kingali

Hi Lynn,
I have contacted HP and still awaiting a reply from them.
I did download a file from their site that was suppossed to be pre-loaded.
It was RecordNow! Ver 7.22 This over-wrote my other copy which turned out to be ver 7.3, and still did not have a restore program.

Please see my post to ogdens.

Kingali

When a company contracts for an OEM [Original Equipment Mfgr] Version, they can specify what they do or don't want included. This means that it is not standard, and it is usually "crippled" in one way or another so it doesn't have all the features of the "full" Version - altho another OEM variant possibility is it will include some features from the subesequent Version that aren't in the regular Version.

So it isn't possible for anyone except HP to say what is and isn't inclulded in their various Versions.

In the Backup group in my RecordNow Deluxe 7.3, at the bottom of the list, is "Backup Entire System", which lauches SimpleBackup. Other options within the tab are "Save Image" and "Burn Image". However, this is the Full Version, and the OEM Version may differ. There is also an "Archive Files" option which appears to use disc spanning, and disc spanning is NOT a good way to do archiving - nowhere near as good as saving files by making a data disc with a burning program or WinXP's built-in burning.

Lynn

Your information is different than the help menu.



cd

That's why people are confused as to the best way to archive.

Packet-Written discs have their uses, but long-term archiving with maximum safety for retention of the data isn't one of them.

Lynn