I don't know what I'm doing!!

actorboy38 · 27 Mar 2011

Here's my problem: I was running Windows7 32-bit on my Toshiba laptop. I do a lot of Full HD video editing(I know, lesson in futility). My laptop was running kind of slow, so I decided that I'd back up all my files to an external hard drive. I did a full system backup(I've heard that that was my first mistake), which took 30 hours. When I went to reinstall Windows 7(using the on-board windows restore instead of my restore disc - probably second mistake), it gave me the choice of 32-bit and 64-bit, so naturally I chose 64-bit. Now I'd like to restore all of my files, but I can't figure out how?! I've tried to do a restore, and seems like something happened because I have less space on my hard drive now, but I can't find any of the files. What is going on?! Any help you or anyone else can provide would be greatly appreciated!!

Bare Foot Kid · 28 Mar 2011

Hello actorboy38, welcome to Seven Forums!

You may be able to copy the data from the external to another location using the method outlined in this tutorial at the link below and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

How to Copy & Paste in Recovery Console on Windows 7 or Vista

Mike Connor · 28 Mar 2011

actorboy38 said:

<SNIP>
Any help you or anyone else can provide would be greatly appreciated!!

Bare Foot Kid already gave you the recovery method.

In future, you might like to use this freeware to make an image. Only takes minutes;

Free Download EASEUS Todo Backup Freeware and Trial version. Complete Backup and Restore Software for Windows & Linux.

<http://www.todo-backup.com/download/>

you want the "Free Home Version".

You can do this as well as using the built in Windows "Backup and Restore"

Regards....Mike Connor

gregrocker · 28 Mar 2011

If you used Win7 Backup then plug in the external, open Backup and Restore Center and restore your data. Restore Backup User and System Files

If you only saved a Win7 Backup image and not full file backup, you can mount the image in Disk Mgmt to copy out the data into the User folders using this method: Virtual Hard Disk - Create and Attach VHD

Since you used Toshiba full factory restore you can clean up the bloatware to get better Win7 performance: Clean up factory bloatware