DAT files created by 'Files and Settings Wizard'

Question

I recently backed up my files with the 'Files and Settings Wizard' since I had a hard drive go dirty. The wizard said it was compressing the files. The backup is on a separate usb hard drive but the files are all of the form 'IMG000A.DAT thru IMG00092.DAT' Each file is 1.99GB with a total of 131GB for all of the files.  The F&S Wizard doesn't do anything with the files. So far I have not found anything to open the files with or to decompress the files.  I have a Dell 720 XPS with XP and plenty of power. Question: Is there anyway to open the files to read the files or to get them decompressed so that I may get to the data?

fireberd · Answer

Are you referring to the 'files and settings transfer' procedure?  If it is, this is for transferring files and settings from one PC to another. I did find THIS and it may help.

Olesub · Answer

I did try the 'files and settings transfer' procedure when I thought that my C drive was the one that was crashing.  Instead it was my D drive that had a lot of photos was the one that crashed. So I made the wrong choice.  In watching the procedure run, I did see it copy and compress all of the files on the D drive.  I used a removable USB drive (500 MB) to copy the files to.  The 'f and S transfer' procedure obviously created the DAT files on my removable USB drive and if I read the screen correctly copied and compressed everything on the D drive.   When I restarted my computer the next time, I got the message that the D drive was 'dirty' and the computer tried to recover, and then restarted, but the D drive could not be read.  Dell replaced he D drive and when I tried to use the Files and settings transfer procedure, it would not do anything.  I went to my removable drive and found the DAT files,  which I take are the compressed files.  But so far I have not found anything to open the files or decompress them.  I would like very much to recover the files.  Anyway, I believe that there is some good data in the files, and would like to find out how to access it.  I have tried several things, but with no success.  I have thought that maybe I might try something like 'Paralogic File Cure' or one of the downloads that says that they can help with DAT files, but so far haven't had the courage.  Hope this explains what I need to do and would appreciate any help or direction.

fireberd · Answer

Using the files and settings wizard is not the best way to go when backing up data (or files). There are much better products around or just copy the files to discs or USB drive(s). That program apparently has it's own compression and only that program can uncompress them. I did a google search to come up with the link I referenced. Do a google search and/or search Microsoft and see if you can come up with anything else.

I (and most techies that I know) use Acronis True Image for backups. Acronis can make an exact copy of the entire hard drive (or specific files or drive partitions) and it easily recovered or the hard drive rebuilt as needed. Acronis is not free, but I have recommended it to my clients and most of them have all bought and use the program for periodic backups. http://www.acronis.com/

XP has a backup program but it only backs up certain files and you can get into the same predicament with that as you are now.

Alexandra_P · Answer

I remember looking this up when Olesub posted a couple weeks ago, but it didn't look that promising. But maybe the links I did find might help - if lucky, it's just a problem with either the directory path or some service pack or file version. The FastConv utility mentioned might help, but it looks like a bear to use if you're not good with command lines.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t47112.html

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/fast.htm

Windows General

DAT files created by "Files and Settings Wizard"

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