Recovery Manager

[ddrisc01]

My old  HP Pavilion Elite HPE500f computer crashed where it will no longer go through startup but allows for the Recovery Manager to populate. As i have quite an extensive photography collection as well as documents, I requested a backup via RM of all these items. 

After 5 hours of backing the requested files, I tried to restore files to my new Dell computer. I did notice that there were appoximately 250 x.wim files as well as recovery manger software on my backup flashdrive. 

However, when I invoke the RM software from the flash drive and begins restoration it immediately states, "Recovery Manager could not restore the file x.win".

Help - I have 20 yrs of photos and documents I need to recovery!!!!!

[ddrisc01]

I forgot to add that my new Dell is running Windows 10

[TheOldMan]

It might not be too late.  Assuming the Recovery Manager did not do anything other than make file backups, then it is possible.  If the Recovery Manager went ahead and did the Recovery, then not as sure.  There have been instances with Recovery Manager not being told to include certain file type and then there are not backed up.

IMHO, the best way to see if the files are still on the old drive is to buy an external enclosure and try with the old drive connected in that manner.  HERE IS AN EXAMPLE for the external enclosure:  https://www.amazon.com/DoHonest-Drive-Adapter-Converter-Cable/dp/B01FPFBLAM

something along those lines where the old drive is independant from the host computer other than the USB connection.  Some hosts will complain about file ownership, then I use a Linux Live CD and backup files onto external media - flash drives or DVDs.

BTW: see if this document has any help

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03056985

[ddrisc01]

Thanks for the heads up on regarding the external drive - will give it a try. 

I did perform the other function of copying USB Recovery files et. al to my new desktop of my Dell. However when I execute the Restore it gets to step five below and never gives the location of where it is going to be restored; hence the statement, " Recovery Manager could not restore the x.wim"   - THIS IS WHERE I AM STUCK!!!!!!!!

To restore backup files that you created using HP Recovery Manager, use the following steps:

1. Open the location to which you wrote your backup file, such as your USB storage device, and copy the folder to a convenient location on your computer, such as your desktop.
2. Find and open the backup folder on your computer, and then double-click the executable file (.exe) that was created during the backup process.

    NOTE:

   There might be more than one file with the same name, but only one will be an application (.exe) file.

   Figure : Sample list of files created in the backup process

   
3. When the Recovery Manager File Restore Program opens, click Next.
4. Select the types of files that you want to restore, then click Next.
5. A message displays showing the location to which the files will be restored: C:\System Recovery Files. A shortcut to this file location is also created on the Windows desktop.
6. Allow the program to restore the backed up files.

    NOTE:

   The progress bar may stay on “0% complete” for 10-30 minutes, and the entire restore process can take several hours.

7. After the HP Recovery Manager restores the files, double-click the Shortcut to System Recovery files on your desktop to view the restored files.

[TheOldMan · Accepted solution]

Did you not want to do this?  If the old drive is available, this might be the only way to get the files.

You might want to look at this: https://www.poweriso.com/tutorials/open-wim-file.htm

Or this - http://www.e7z.org/open-wim.htm

IMHO, the best way to see if the files are still on the old drive is to buy an external enclosure and try with the old drive connected in that manner.  HERE IS AN EXAMPLE for the external enclosure:  https://www.amazon.com/DoHonest-Drive-Adapter-Converter-Cable/dp/B01FPFBLAM

something along those lines where the old drive is independant from the host computer other than the USB connection.  Some hosts will complain about file ownership, then I use a Linux Live CD and backup files onto external media - flash drives or DVDs.

[ddrisc01]

Not sure what you mean by, "Do you not want to do this"?

Appreciate all the help but what I wound up doing was taking hard drive out and put into a friend's spare computer and then performed backup of all my personnal information. 

Thanks!

[TheOldMan]

Sorry.  I was referring to no mention of the trying to get the files another way that the long post about trying to get Recovery Manager to do it.  But you have done it, so thanks for good words.  Glad it did work out.

BTW: It might be a good idea for in the future to back up files periodically on independent media before anything else happens.

[ddrisc01]

Yeah... I  was told by HP that Recovery Manager only works between SAME OS (which should/needs to be included in the instructions).

BTW, I had a 256GB flash drive holding all my personal files that became corrupt during the course of trying to upload said files to new PC> 

[TheOldMan]

"I  was told by HP that Recovery Manager only works between SAME OS "  I did not know that.  I wonder why that might be?

 I am curious as to the "USB flash drive became corrupt"  First off - what was the indication of corruption?  I have found an annoying thing about Windows 10 - it will tell you there is a problem with the flash drive when it is detected and ask if you wish to fix it. Do not "fix it" say go ahead with opening the drive.  Is that what you are calling corruption? Did you use that same USB flash drive for other things later?

[ddrisc01]

Yep....not to pleased with Windows 10. Also, any and all OUTLOOK PST files that you backup cannot be imported or converted with Windows 10.  So you are basically screwed with any OUTLOOK files from previous versions of Windows.

As far as the flashdrive, yes, the first time I plugged into Windows 10 it was fine. The second time I rcvd msg that said something to the effect, " File(K:) File Corrupt" - I then re-inserted again and same message. I could not move forward with any other operations utilizing this flash drive. Had to reimage the flash drive and then take old hard drive to another computer, install, and perform back up to same reimaged flash drive .  Once completed, I reinstalled to Windows 10 PC. I then was told by Microsoft I was SOL on the OUTLOOK PST files.