Major backup issues, now how to put restored files where they belong.

[rogerz]

This backup was not a pleasant one. First, I spent time on the phone with the Western Digital guy setting up my My Passport Ultra and the WD backup. It successfully backed up all of my files, or so it indicated. And the Passport showed that it did indeed have the files. And then I immediately unplugged the Passport USB. Just to be safe, I also backed up to a 64gb flash drive...thank heavens

I then swapped out the 256bg solid state drive on my new pc that came with Win 7 Pro 32 bit with a new identical SSD that is a 64 bit OS. (This was a vendor-caused problem, necessitating the swap.) When I attempted to reload or restore all my files from the Passport, it now tells me that there are no files on the ext. hard drive, and its memory figures bear that out. Where they went, I have no idea.

Now is where I could use ya'll's help. Because I luckily saved the files to a flash drive also, I went ahead and restored the files to the new hard drive. The system put the files into a folder on the C drive labeled Users (right under Program Files). I can't tell if it created that Users file, or if it already existed. Anyway, in that Users file are three files. One with my computer name that looks like it came from the Passport, but all of the sub files (all titled correctly as in My Documents, My Music, etc) are empty. File Two is labeled Public, and the sub files there are all samples. FileThree is another file labeled User, and that is where all of my saved files are located, inc. My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, etc.

Now, how on earth do I get those files back where they belong, into the actual Library of files and the main categories of My Music, My Pictures, etc. ??? I started to try putting them individually on the desktop, but got warning signs about not being able to "share" those files. I'm concerned that if I experiment I'll cause further issues. Is there a correct way to put those files where they belong?

 

[torchwood]

My thoughts.
You cannot transfer system files that are 32 bit to a 64 bit they are incompatible.
thats likely why it cant SEE them, there there but in the wrong format.
As you said it was a Vendor caused problem id throw it back and say sort it (for free)

Roy

 

[rogerz]

Thanks for the thought. I did not know about the 32 vs. 64 incompatibility.

That said, I do have the files that were successfully saved to the flash, and those are now safely on the pc.
Problem is, I can't figure out how to put them where I need for them to be. In other words, when I click on my pictures, I want my pictures to be there, not several files removed in a file marked User. How to I move them from User to My Pictures or My Whatever.?

 

[samuria]

two tips never use software to backup its happened 1,000s of times they change the format, you loose the software and cant get it back. You can copy files directly, zip files as thats been standard for years or the modern way save to a folder on your hd for onedrive or google drive they theh go to the cloud on their own and are safe and you can get them anywhere inthe world on any device use both you can have over 20 gig of space

 

[rogerz]

Okay, I'll 86 the WD software and not use it again. Meanwhile, I still have these files that have come off of the flash drive. I cannot figure out how to get them to the right folders, i.e. My Music, etc.

One of the issues is that that is how my files from the flash are labeled in the "User" file. They were saved as " My Music, My Pictures, etc." Now when I try to send them to the REAL My Music, My Pictures folders in the Library, there seems to be a conflict.

 

[rogerz]

Still learning to negotiate this forum. Just posted a reply and "poof", it's gone. So to repeat.

Thanks, I'll get rid of the WD software and not use it from here on out.

But I'm still stuck with the files that have come off of the flash drive, but in a weird "User" file. I can't get them to the REAL My Music, My Pictures etc. in the Computer Library.

 

[RolandJS]

"...never use software to backup..." -- referring to the WD provided software, correct?
Of course, I'm going to recommend Macrium Reflect or Image for Windows or anything similar for making backups that can be restored.

 

[rogerz]

Okay, I really appreciate the replies I've got. And I'm sure I'm guilty of providing toooo much information. I was only trying to explain how this came about.

Right now, I don't want to know about how to back up or what to back up with.

I've already backed up files from the former hard drive. They went on to a flash drive. Now they are on my new hard drive.

But they are in a weird place. A file called USERS.

I want to know how to get them from that file, or from the flash drive if I have to start over, and get them into the Library on my computer, i.e. into My Pictures, My Documents, My Music etc. which right now are all empty. The problem I've had so far, is that those files are ALSO called My Music, My Pictures etc. and somehow the computer is not letting me put them into the REAL My Music, My Pictures, My Documents...etc.

 

[RolandJS]

If you have a second computer, you might have to place them side by side, the working computer's Users and My Documents sections being the blueprint, with both computers running a Puppy Linux boot, I think by you "seeing" where the USERS folder is on the good computer, you can copy the USERS folder from the flash drive right into the place where Windows wants it within the problem computer. And the same idea concerning MY DOCUMENTS and its respective folders. Analogy: you're wanting the stuff the right eye should be seeing to be the same stuff the left eye is presently seeing. Sorry for not making this clearer, I have one eye on a keyboard and the other eye on a couple of goofy cats wanting to go outside and sit in their respective blue chairs.

 

[rogerz]

Thanks, Roland. I don't currently have a second working computer. In any case, I think your solution is a little over my head. I was really hoping for a simpler fix.