I backed up data using backup my pc. The hard drive crashedand I lost everything on it. I am trying to retrieve the data saved on cds and it wont read them

Did you do the Disaster Recovery set?If not then you have to have Windows restored and Backup My PC reinstalled to be able to read the discs.

As Terry said, if a full backup, you have to reinstall Windows and Backup MYPC, then restore with the overwrite everything option. You want it to overwrite everything so you get your updated versions of everything. If it was a Disaster Recovery, you should only need the Windows install disk to boot to the restore from the CD/DVD you backed up to.

That seems to be the problem with a lot of BU programs. Once you loose the original files you have to have Windows and the BU program up and running agin before they are of any help. My choice has always been to back up all my personal files and important data on a separate slave drive on the computer, or an external drive. Of course that's not to say that those drives might go bad but I'll take my chances on that any day.

Frank...

You didn't need Windows installed until XP. With the previous additions, all you needed was the Disaster Recovery disks, not even any floppies as it creates now. I think it has something to do with MS requirements for fighting piracy.

Hardly an expert, but I believe it is due to NTFS. If so then it would have applied to NT4 & W2K also.

That's possible, but with ME and other 95 based OSs, you did not have to key in the MS product key. That is why I made the assumption on the anti-piracy. You would do your DR, and if needed, format HDD and restore from your DR backup.

Personally I use Norton Ghost.Another choice is Acronis True Image.Either way you don't need any other discs and you can boot and restore from your backup.It's the easiest way I know of.

I also use Ghost. I don't assume that any one product is going to get me out of trouble. Have also tried others, mostly with a lot less success than BUMP and Ghost. The ones that gave me the most trouble were Dantz Retrospect and Ghost's brother, Save and Restore.

Sounds like a man who has lost data before…

Only once.