Retrieve RR backups from external hard drive

Question

I am trying to recover data files that have been backed-up
using Lenovo Rescue and Recovery which I am unable to
retrieve. They include a lot of photos and documents.
How the files got to where they are now is rather complex:
1. The laptop was set-up with 2 back-up programmes running from the
start. They were Lenovo R&R as well as Windows Vista Backup (whoever
set-up the second was not aware that the first was running). Lenovo
R&R backed-up to C:\, Windows Vista Backup to an external USB drive
E:\
2. The external drive (500GB) became full after a period of approx. 6
months. I think this was because Vista Backup was not only backing-up
documents, settings etc. but ALSO the Lenovo RRBACKUPS directory. As
this was altered everytime Vista Backup ran Vista copied RRBACKUPS
once more.
3. In attempting to free up space, older backups made by Windows Vista
were deleted. At this point it had been assumed that Vista was making
COMPLETE back-ups each time hence the disappearance of 500GB of disk
space (documents amounted to no more than 30GB or thereabouts).
4. Laptop then went very wrong (unrelated problem) and Microsoft
technical support helped to restore first factory installation. We thought
that we had everything backed-up by Vista so C:\ formatted and all
files wiped.
5. On restore of computer, Vista Backup refuses to open any of the
remaining back-up files. Even with new mediaid.bin created by
SDUTIL.exe still failed to open. Files extracted manually (using
7-zip) to folder on E:\. The folders were extracted in date order
(from oldest to newest) and overwrite files was selected so only
newest copies of each file present.
6. After this process have some documents (but not all) but also what
would appear to be a complete RRBACKUPS folder. Would REALLY like to
access these files and moved folder so now E:\RRBACKUPS. However R&R
refuses to recognise backup.
Why is this? Obviously I'm not certain if some files are missing or if
it is complete. I can send you a list of directories and files if that
will help. I understand there is a problem with version discrepencies
and would be willing to try installing different versions of R&R to
see if I can find the right one (the OS has not been changed on the
laptop, still Vista). How many versions have been released to the
public?
Many thanks for any help!

Answer 1

jennyp, welcome to the forum,
Ouch! Not a nice predicament to be in   Did you by any chance create a boot recovery disc with R&R from the "old" system?
Can you, have you tried creating one with the current system?  Start > Programs > ThinkVantage > Create Recovery Media. The disc must be a cd not a dvd.
Assuming the current version is the same as that was used on the "old" system by using the recovery media it may be possible to see the backups on the usb hard drive*. If it does, you then have two options; it may be possible to recover files by moving them to the notebook hard drive.b) recovering the system to the latest and greatest backup you can find**
*Ensure the usb hard drive is recognised at boot by checking in the Startup menu in BIOS.
** This will erase all current data on the notebook's current drive, make sure you save it somewhere else first.
Hope this helps.
Andy  ______________________________________
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