What file extension should I see after doing a complete PSE backup?

Question

I repetedly have had problems getting back a catalog after getting a new computer, getting an additional hard drive, etc.  So...when I do a complete back up, what file name extension should I see, so that I am POSITIVE that I can get my catalog back later, with all tags? Or is that too much to expect?
(1) For instance, after doing a complete backup recently, I only see a "My Catalog.psb" file in the folder.  When I go to get the file loaded back into my new PSE 9 program (no matter if I "restore" or "convert" or whatever) from my old PSE 7, PSE will only look for a .tly file, so I  can't even choose that .psb file.  Also, my tags are usually nested within subcategories.  Can I get those nests back, too?
(2)  I have given up and re-imported all of my photos, which at least brings in a list of tags that are on each photo.  But,I have to rebuild all the subcategories and tags underneath those subcategories.  UGH.
So, what do I look for to make sure I have a correct backup file, and will I get everything back like I see it?  Or will it look different? Please post easy instructions - I am not an expert with PSE (because if I was, I wouldn't still be having the same problems year after year when I update PSE).

Answer 1

Done!!  It took lots of effort, and lots of trial and error, but I figured
out what I had been doing wrong...I had been confusing CATALOG with a FULL
BACKUP.  To me, they were one and same but now I know they aren't.   Who
knew?
For those who read this thread in the future who only convert a catalog once
every two or three years, like me (which means it is not very easy to
remember what to do) here's what I found out when I was trying to load a
PSE7 catalog into my new PSE9 program. (Please correct me if I am wrong
about anything.)
1)  Before you do anything, I suggest that you make a Full Backup of the
catalog of  the older PSE program (the catalog you will soon import into to
the newer PSE program) .  This will make it easier on you, rather than
converting several incremental backups.
2)  Open up the newest version of your PSE, holding down the Shift key as
the Elements Organizer opens up.  This will open up the Elements Catalog
Manager.
3)  In the Catalog Manager go to "Convert" (top right corner)
...You may be lucky and automatically see the catalog you used in your older
program listed here.  If so, skip to #8.
I wasn't so lucky, so I had to do the following...
4)  Click on "Find More Catalogs".
5)  Navigate to the Adobe Photoshop Elements folder (usually located at
C/Program Data/Adobe/Photoshop Elements),
6)  Now here's the important part:
...Double click on the folder you see with the NAME OF THE CATALOG YOU WISH
TO IMPORT (the catalog used in your older program).  When you do this, it
will find your most up to date backup.
...Do not click on the folder that has your latest backup in it (it won't
do anything no matter how much you try). THE BACKUP IS NOT YOUR CATALOG.  To
me it seemed logical that it was, but to the Photoshop Elements program it
was not...how was I to know?
7)  After you double click on the folder with the name of the catalog you
wish to import, you will see a line pop into the "Convert Catalog" box.
8)  Highlight the line with the name of your older catalog in the "Convert
Catalog" box, and click on "Convert" at the bottom of that box. Name your
new catalog. Your tags, nesting, and photos should now all import into your
newer version of Photoshop Elements.
Finally...success for me!  Thank you SO MUCH for all of your help.  It
steered me in the right direction, and taught me a few new tricks as I
researched my problem.  I really appreciate your help!
Note to Adobe Help Manual Writers:
If only someone had written clearer directions on how to do this, I might
have saved several days of anguish.  Please do not assume we know and
understand your lingo.  Please do not assume that things will automatically
load. Tell us what to do if they don't...AND what to do if our navigation
to what we think is the right place doesn't work.  *A couple of sentences
like this would have helped tremendously: "A catalog is not a backup.  When
you navigate, make sure you are clicking on a catalog folder with the name
of the catalog you wish to convert.  Don't click on a backup folder because
that won't mean anything to the program."  *Please assume we will make
mistakes, and when you see a pattern of people making the same mistake
(having trouble importing catalogs, for instance), use that information to
write better directions.