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How to RESTORE old DATA FILE backups (WinXP/Win7) stored on an EXTERNAL USB HDD drive?

Anonymous
2019-11-02T15:05:33+00:00

Most of the question is contained in the Subject line.

I suddenly have an URGENT NEED to RESTORE/access some quite-old data files (PDFs) created under WinXP and Win7 which were backed-up/archived to an external HDD drive (thus not C:\ or D:) a number of years ago. A few of the backup files were created by Windows Backup in .qic format but most were created by Symantec/Norton Ghost and Norton Backup in .v2i/.iv2i format.

HELP!! HOW can I go about restoring/accessing those old files under Win10? What procedures/steps do I need to perform and/or what program(s) do I need to use?  The need to access these files is quite serious and urgent.  Thank You, in advance, for any help/guidance you can provide me!

-Ted

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-11-02T17:54:19+00:00

    Actually, if you go look at the web page https://www.solvusoft.com/en/file-extensions/file-extension-qic/ and also https://www.solvusoft.com/en/file-extensions/software/microsoft-corporation/microsoft-windows-backup-utility/ you will find out much more about the .QIC file format which was created NOT ONLY by Roxio's backup program but ALSO the MICROSOFT WINDOWS BACKUP UTILITY.

    Furhermore, you can see/learn more about THE PURPOSE of USING WINDOWS BACKUP if you go to Microsoft's OWN WEBPAGES at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/embedded/ms851494(v=winembedded.11)?redirectedfrom=MSDN and https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/embedded/ms851487(v=winembedded.11) . 

    So, NOW Microsoft NO LONGER SUPPORTS accessing/RESTORING the DATA BACKUP FILES that its OWN PROGRAM created and that it PUSHED for YEARS as being THE WAY TO ENSURE DATA PRESERVATION?  What the hell kind of DATA SECURITY IS THAT??? 

    Microsoft wants users to TRUST THEM with their data, but then it DOESN'T SUPPORT RESTORING the data??? There is NO PLAUSIBLE EXCUSE for that! THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE!! I am TOTALLY PISSED OFF at Microsoft, both AS A USER and, even moreso, AS A SHAREHOLDER! It TELLS THE USERS THAT MICROSOFT CAN **NOT** BE RELIED UPON TO ASSIST THE USERS WITH THEIR DATA INTEGRITY!

    -Ted

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-11-02T21:16:02+00:00

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-11-02T15:21:42+00:00

    I guess for the .v2i/.iv2i you will have to download Norton ghost to open them.

    For the qic files, try to open them with windows 10 if it is not possible you will have install Windows 7 / XP on Virtual Machines to open them.

    P.S: It looks like .qic is even older than XP you will have to install Windows 95 or 98 on a virtual machine to open them.

    A program called Filemagic claims to be able to open qic files as well

    I got this from fileinfo.com:

    QIC files can also be opened by Roxio's "Backup My PC" software. However, Roxio no longer offers this product.

    NOTE: The QIC file format is not compatible with the Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 backup and restore utilities.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-11-02T16:11:43+00:00

    Hi my name is Ross, I'm an independent advisor. I'd be happy to help with your issue.

    Your best bet to restore these files is to use the original software that created them, for the qic files I suggest you find someone who has an older pc (Windows xp or older) and use this to store the files.

    For the Symantec/norton files you will likely need to install that software to restore.

    Regards,

    Ross

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  5. Anonymous
    2019-11-02T15:56:10+00:00

    Part of the problem I am having is that I am, thus far, unable to figure out how to get the Win10/Win7 Restore function to see/access the external drive where the files are located -- it only wants to see/access the external (F:) drive where I have had Win10 storing its backup files.

    Any suggestions as to where I can find/download Norton Ghost, since Norton now seems to want to talk about/recognize nothing other than their lousy "Cloud Backup" service??

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