Backup in Vista

I make a backup of all my music,videos and pictures before I reinstall
Microsoft Vista, this files are of the "fbw" format
an example is this;
minwinpc/safety copy of files 2007-03-13 084035/safetycopy.002.fbw

When I try to reinstall it, Vista can't find any backupfiles, and I cant
select it manual..
Is there som programs that can bring back all of the backupfiles?
Hope someone can help me

What application created the .fbw file?

Is it an image file?

To "find" any file on your computer use Vista search. Then at least
you know where to point to. Your example doesn't include any drive
letter.

If you backup was on the same partition as the one you installed Vista
to and you did a clean install you wrote over your backup files and
everything else. :-

I have the OS on C: and use this disk mostly,
on D: I save the "backupdfiles" from Vista, and it's the old files
on E I have the reinstall partition of Vista saved.

The first backupfile is nuber 001, and have the status as a program (exe
file), when I se on the description of the file it's a "RestoreWiz
Application"

Are you using an HP computer? I am having the same problem and I think this is an HP issue not a Microsoft issue. I am hoping to talk to HP tonight with Microsfot and get HP to start working the problem but it would be good to know if this was an HP machine.

To whom are you talking? You created a new thread, instead of replying to a
current one, so there is no context

[alslush]

I found the solution! If you read the small print on the recovery disk instructions, you are supposed to back up your data on a CD or DVD. I didn't read this and backed mine up on an external hard drive. Bad move. I wasn't able to restore my files.

Now I have the fix. First, copy EACH of the files onto its own DVD. (don't try to fit 2 onto a DL dvd--it won't work--I tried that). Copying these huge backup files (~3.5GB each)is very time-consuming, but it's the only way to get your files restored. So now you have one disk for each of the files in your backup folder (I had nine disks-my files ranged from backup.001.fbw to .009)

Next, reboot your computer in Safe Mode (continually click on the f8 key until the menu appears so you can make that selection as your computer is rebooting). Once Windows has started in Safe Mode, put in the DVD containing the first file--the one called backup.001.exe. Open "my computer" and double click on the file to start it. The recovery manager panel appears, and your DVD is ejected. You're then asked to put in your last disk. (mine was backup.009.fbw. Yours may be different.) The "NEXT" button on the recovery manager panel will activate. Click it, and you're on your way! You'll be prompted for each of your disks in descending order.

I spent about 6 hours total with HP support, and no one was able to help me. I figured this out on my own, I hope it works for you!

[secret Paradox]

I also had trouble with backing up my files, or shall I say restore the backed up files once I reinstalled my Vista.

It has been two weeks of hell basically, dealing with HP trying to get a solution, however, with a few calls to Vista Support finally the problem was solved.

As the previous poster explained the steps to this process, I needed to take a step further.

The last DVD was not being recognized: Backup.010.fbw

You have to rename the file to Backup.0010.fbw and then reburn it to DVD, then it works like a charm FINALLY.

This information should be far more accessible then it has been, and I am grateful to Vista Support technicians for their help in calling me back over the course of many days and finally finding the resolution :)

I hope this helps anyone in a similiar situation as mine, when you have ten backup files or more.

[FTLOSM]

Hey all, found the thread thru google searching, I have the same problem here, an HP computer with vista that I used the restore discs on and had used the backup feature which created those funky .fbw files.

I followed alslush's method buring each file to a dvd of its own, started the vista pc in safe mode, put in the 001.exe (first disc) and it brought the program up, spit the disc right out asked for LAST DISC I thought man I am on my way to FINALLY getting my data back!

That is where things went downhill, my files are
001.exe
002.fbw
003.fbw
004.fbw

ends with 004 nothing above that or above 10.

Do I need to reburn file 004.fbw as .0004.fbw to get the restore program to recognize the last disc?

For whatever reason everything goes great till it asks for last disc, i pop that in and it just sits i never get the NEXT button option, just sits till it becomes unresponsive (left it in cdrom for like 10 mins hoping it would find it) even tried opening my computer dragging it in (in desperation) hehe, double clicked it but cant address it a program since this restore program is not actually instlalled on the disc it won't let me point the file extension to that program etc.

I sure hope others are still here who might be able to help on this....

Bill :(

Gonna try one more thing before bed, reburning the last disc on dvd but as bootable disc, heck I dunno might help might not... I burned as a standard data disc originally and closed the disc (no multisession).

This time using nero 6, i used data boot disc method will see what if anything that produces, if nothing then tomorrow I will try the method described below.



Tomorrow if this reburn boot disc of last disc doesnt work or help, I will rename the last disc (for me last disc is backup.004.fbw) ill try backup.0004.fbw) adding that extra zero to see if it works...but I was under the assumption that the extra 0 was only needed for files that were over .009.fbw (so 10 and ups) but heck at this point its worth another disc to try...


Any tips or suggestions from anyone on what else to try or do lmk,

Bill :)

Well took that bootable 004 disc and gave me the NEXT button, a few secs later it instructed me to insert disc 1, so thats going now, i will see what happens next, but im using my laptop to burn disc 2 as bootable since my data disc 004 wasnt recognized but once i reburned same 004 data disc as bootable the recovery program seems to "recognize" it and the next button lights up.

So "hoping" that when it asks for disc 2 this new bootable one im making will work vs the standard data disc one that it doesnt seem to recognize.

Bill

darn thing ended up freezing on me ughh off to bed for the night will try again tomorrow....and maybe have some replies to go by here too...

FINALLY got it working today, ended up needing to burn each disc as bootable vs data disc, the hp recovery software wasn't detecting the discs in standard data disc format, but once I reburned (didnt change file names) each of the 4 discs as bootable file discs the hp program finally recognized and allowed each one to progress and finish :)

Put these notes here for the next guy searching google or having this same hp backup restore issue, just wish HP was better at helping on this...

Bill

No need to make DVD's if you backed in ext. hdd , pl go through below
procedure

The HP System Recovery utility creates backup files of the form
backup.####.fbw where #### is a series of numbers starting at 001 and
increasing. In some versions there appears to be a bug in the naming
process and #### goes from 009 to 010. It should go to 0010. Each number
should have two zeros in front of it. If you encounter this bug, rename
backup.010.fbw to backup.0010.fbw and add a leading to zero to all
subsequent numbered files. Run the EXE file in the directory with the
backup and it should then restore properly.

It restores to C:/system recovery files

I have read all the responses but my backup was done differently. I have the first executable file and then the FBw is only one file and its 27gigs big! How am I able to restore? I cant burn to one DVD and I do not know how to or should I make the files smaller? I am a musician and I have many important files on there. HP are a bunch of idiots! Please help. Thanks

I have read all the responses but my backup was done differently. I have the first executable file and then the FBw is only one file and its 27gigs big! How am I able to restore? I cant burn to one DVD and I do not know how to or should I make the files smaller? I am a musician and I have many important files on there. HP are a bunch of idiots! Please help. Thanks

Please clarify exactly what you are doing and wish to accomplish.

Use Acronis True Image, and back up to an external USB Hard drive, which you
will buy!

HP computer recovery software is accessed via F keys on the splash screen as
the machine starts.. contact your vendor or go to HP support web site where
you will find full instructions re how to restore your HP computer..

HP has provided all that you need. Your current problem seems to lie between
the keyboard and the back of your chair.
You CANNOT make that 27GB file smaller, but you can use it. Go to Windows
Help and Support: Search for "Rccover factory settings" (without the
quotes).

Recover factory settings
Your computer hard disk drive contains a software program called the
Recovery Manager. The Recovery Manager program is a collection of software
programs used to restore your computer to its original factory-shipped
condition. In the event your computer experiences hardware and software
problems, the Recovery Manager can be used to perform a series of recovery
related tasks to fix your problem.

Click the Windows Start button (), click the arrow next to the Lock button
(), and then click Restart.

Use the Recovery Manager
The Recovery Manager uses software programs to fix your computer problem or
recover your computer to its original factory-shipped condition.

Launch the Recovery Manager.

Software and hardware reinstallation
The Recovery Manager program can be used to reinstall factory-shipped
software programs and hardware drivers.

Once the Recovery is complete create recovery discs. 2 to 5 DVDs, up to 16
CDs.
If your computer's hard disk drive is having problems you can use a set of
recovery discs to run the Recovery Manager and perform all recovery-related
tasks to fix your computer problem.

HP has provided all that you need. Your current problem seems to lie between
the keyboard and the back of your chair.
You CANNOT make that 27GB file smaller, but you can use it. Go to Windows
Help and Support: Search for "Rccover factory settings" (without the
quotes).

Recover factory settings
Your computer hard disk drive contains a software program called the
Recovery Manager. The Recovery Manager program is a collection of software
programs used to restore your computer to its original factory-shipped
condition. In the event your computer experiences hardware and software
problems, the Recovery Manager can be used to perform a series of recovery
related tasks to fix your problem.

Click the Windows Start button (), click the arrow next to the Lock button
(), and then click Restart.

Use the Recovery Manager
The Recovery Manager uses software programs to fix your computer problem or
recover your computer to its original factory-shipped condition.

Launch the Recovery Manager.

Software and hardware reinstallation
The Recovery Manager program can be used to reinstall factory-shipped
software programs and hardware drivers.

Once the Recovery is complete create recovery discs. 2 to 5 DVDs, up to 16
CDs.
If your computer's hard disk drive is having problems you can use a set of
recovery discs to run the Recovery Manager and perform all recovery-related
tasks to fix your computer problem.

[lsirvio]

I have successfully restored Vista backups after much frustration - similar problems to those discussed here.
My solution was to be patient when the restore process starts. You will see a window which shows a progress meter - It stays at 0% for a long time. In my case I gave up too soon the first time. Then I transferred the exe and fbw files to another computer and tried again. This time I decided to wait forever if necessary to see what would happen. It took about an hour before the recovery actually started. I think the reason is that the recovery file is so large.
If I had been more patient the first time on the original computer I'm sure it would have worked.

I noticed that if I tried to do the recovery a second time after stopping it, the recovery process wouldn't start. That is why I had to transfer the exe and fbw files to a different computer and try it again. Not a good solution for everyone - but if you can get the recovery to start - give it time - lots of time.

[mcaridi]

Try this first …

Search for “Restorewiz.log” typically found in the following locations (might have hidden attributes):

- C:\System recovery Files\restorewiz.log

- C:\Users\<you>\ (?Application data\temp\restorewiz.log?)

Move, delete, or rename these log files and then retry restoring. It has been reported that this process can take a very long time and might show the progress at 0% for a longtime even though it is still running.

If this still fails … Please open the C:\System recovery Files\restorewiz.log and if at the top of this file it indicates “RESTOREWIZ v 1.0.3.37”. If so, please use the attached utility to extract your files.

Attached is a utility that should allow you to extract your data from *.FBW files.
(This is not the ideal method, but only for emergency)

Please try the attached utility and let me know if it is successful for you.

Emergency Recovery Tool

• Double Click "Emergency Tool.exe"

• Click Load button

• Browse and locate & select the *.fbw file

• Click OK (the archive index is corrupt)

• Click Analyse button

• Click OK (notice the operation can take several hours.)

• <Remain time says "2 minutes" (11:36)> ... actually took 5+ minutes

• Click OK (End of the analysis)

• Click Emergency Extract (View screen)

• Browse to location where files should be extracted.

• Click OK

• Click Ignore All (Error while extracting)

• Click Open Folder

• Click Close ... Click Close ... Click red X to close

Extracting the data using this method is performed in a somewhat crude fashion if the normal RestoreWiz process does not work. While extracting your data appears possible this way, expect the exact names of the file to be lost requiring you to do some guessing on file names. However at least the data is accessible at this point and we tried to also identify the file types as well during this extraction.

[jkumra]

How can I get the emergency recovery tool?

If you mean to do a bare-bones restore, then you must have been using
Complete PC to backup your system. To do the restore you boot to the install
DVD..