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computer backup question

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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so, earlier this summer I got a cold reload of windows 10. the other week I realized that in this about 3/2 of my jpgs have gotten corrupted or something - they are all still listed but won't open and are listed as being 0 bytes in size.

I do have a backup - but, it is the whole dang computer - is it possible to selectively restore just the folders with pictures in them? I went into the backup and while I can open it it has its own file sytem and could be crazy to find.

thoughts?

PS most of the pics don't matter but, there are many of the restoration.
 
JPSmit said:
so, earlier this summer I got a cold reload of windows 10. the other week I realized that in this about 3/2 of my jpgs have gotten corrupted or something - they are all still listed but won't open and are listed as being 0 bytes in size.

I do have a backup - but, it is the whole dang computer - is it possible to selectively restore just the folders with pictures in them? I went into the backup and while I can open it it has its own file sytem and could be crazy to find.

thoughts?

PS most of the pics don't matter but, there are many of the restoration.
Click to expand...

Sadly, the only thing to be done would be to "restore" the machine with the backup. With crossed fingers. I don't know of a way to parse out sections of a backup done with Windows. Maybe someone has done it but unless you made a clone of the drive, or backed up the pix on a separate device, you're S.O.L.
 
3/2? That is a lot. I think you are SOL, you'll have to restore the entire computer. What I do is keep an external hard drive with all of my photos, documents, and music on it that way if anything happens I have a spare copy I can use to replace the affected files.
 
waltesefalcon said:
3/2? That is a lot. I think you are SOL, you'll have to restore the entire computer. What I do is keep an external hard drive with all of my photos, documents, and music on it that way if anything happens I have a spare copy I can use to replace the affected files.
Click to expand...

I agree, I learned that lesson earlier in the game. I now have an external just for that purpose. If you have icloud, it should automatically copy all your photos, which are retrievable just by logging in to your account, even from another computer. PJ
 
waltesefalcon said:
3/2? That is a lot. I think you are SOL, you'll have to restore the entire computer. What I do is keep an external hard drive with all of my photos, documents, and music on it that way if anything happens I have a spare copy I can use to replace the affected files.
Click to expand...

what I was afraid of (and from Doc) a separate drive is in the cards!
 
JPSmit said:
I went into the backup and while I can open it it has its own file sytem and could be crazy to find.
Click to expand...
Ok, I'm confused; perhaps someone can enlighten me. I've not used Windows backup for many years, but even back in the XP days it had the ability to retrieve individual files from a backup. The backup did (IIRC) appear as a second file system, available only through the backup software, but once you had gone through the appropriate incantation (which as I recall could take several hours on a big backup), you could choose any file, directory, etc to be copied either back to it's original location or to a new drive.

Has all that gone away?

And a second hard drive should be chump change to anyone who can afford to restore a Triumph. 4 terabytes of external hard drive is only $100.
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Desktop...0040HBK-NESN/dp/B01LQQHL4E/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

Cheap insurance if you have anything you don't want to lose.
 
It sounds like you used the "Disk Image" option to back up the system. This usually creates ".vhd" files. These files are Windows "Virtual Hard Disk" image files and, if you don't mind getting into some fancy techie stuff you can get individual files from the backup files.

If you have vhd files, use the search/run box near the start button and type in "diskmgmt.msc". The opens the Windows "Disk management tool". This lets you "mount" the huge backup file as as though it's a separate disk drive and copy individual files. (The vhd files will have long, nasty, file names).

If you do indeed have vhd files and can run the diskmgmt program & want to pursue it, I'd be happy to provide more info. It's tedious but can be done.
 
JP - let's get back to basics. You wrote "I do have a backup - but, it is the whole dang computer."

Windows 10 backup doesn't back up the whole computer by default.

So - what backup system did you use? Maybe we can start from there to see if you can restore only certain files. Also, what did you back up *to*? Another hard drive? a usb, etc.?

For that manager, there are dozens of programs available that can try to repair a single file or folder(s) which may be corrupted.

Anyway, what program/app did you use to make the backup of your entire computer?

Tom M.
Edit: here's how to restore individual files or folders using Windows 10 Backup and Restore:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17143/windows-10-back-up-your-files

But if you did back up the whole computer, is it possible you meant "System Image" instead of Backup?
 
NutmegCT said:
JP - let's get back to basics. You wrote "I do have a backup - but, it is the whole dang computer."

Windows 10 backup doesn't back up the whole computer by default.

So - what backup system did you use? Maybe we can start from there to see if you can restore only certain files. Also, what did you back up *to*? Another hard drive? a usb, etc.?

For that manager, there are dozens of programs available that can try to repair a single file or folder(s) which may be corrupted.

Anyway, what program/app did you use to make the backup of your entire computer?

Tom M.
Edit: here's how to restore individual files or folders using Windows 10 Backup and Restore:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17143/windows-10-back-up-your-files

But if you did back up the whole computer, is it possible you meant "System Image" instead of Backup?
Click to expand...

I think it is a backup - and it is just the windows 10 backup program - and it is backed up onto an NAS drive.

tell me more about repair programs? that might be even easier.
 
JP - I'd follow John's advice first. If you did a backup, then by using Disk Management you could at least see if your files are 0 bytes in the backup also. That'll tell your next step. Sounds like John is familiar with using that tool.

You could also try the link I gave you earlier:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17143/windows-10-back-up-your-files

This shows how to retrieve individual files and folders from your backup.

TM

 
How's the recovery process going?
 
NutmegCT said:
How's the recovery process going?
Click to expand...

Great! I turned off the computer, stuck it in my office and took a trip with SWMBO to Ottawa to catch a couple of the Canada 150 events. Yesterday was a light show on the side of the parliament buildings. This morning looking at the new display of art at the national gallery and tomorrow on the way home is a boat tour of the 1000 Islands followed by supper with my brother.

so, yes, recovering my sanity and energy quite nicely thanks.
 
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