Resolved How to open backed up files

What do you mean "it's not listed that way? "

When you open My Documents, do you see file names with the file extension? The extension is the last 3 letters preceded by a dot, e.g.
image1.jpg

.jpg is the file extension.

 

Thank you, that's what I thought. Now, to be able to see the extensions you must do this:

Go to Control Panel
then double click Folder Options
then click the View Tab
then uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types "
then click OK and/or Apply.

Then post pack the exact full name ot the file that you cannot open.

 

If you just want to backup files then manually copy (drag+drop) them to the external usb drive. If want to backup the drive partition, then read up on how drive imaging software works.

Most Dell systems come with drive imaging software already, a branded version of Norton Ghost. You can use it to make a complete "image" of your operating system partition. This type of "image" is not the same as a picture, it's a nearly exact duplicate of all the "ones and zeros" on the drive in an image format such as .img or .gho or .iso. These are special "image" formats.

You can use such an image to completely erase the drive and put it back to how it existed at the time the image was made. Imaging software usually can generate and store the image on another hard drive or cd's & dvd's.

When you get your comp back from Dell read the help secition in the Dell backup software.

 

Yes, I use Ghost all the time.
Read up on how to use it.
I suggest first getting a grasp of the basics by reading the definitions of basic terms used, such as drive, partition, file system, image, clone, etc.

Learn How To Use Ghost Here

 

We will all assist as needed here.
But bear in mind that many of us do this for a living...

Thus, if it is suggested that you study up on the basics then you should do so. It makes this type of online support a lot easier on everyone, including you. Realize that a forum is not real time and that we cannot see what you actually do with your comp, we must rely on what you type here, and our instructions may include basic terms that seem confusing to you and that factor alone will impair any progress.

Thus, when posting for help, include as many details as possible, such as version number of Ghost, computer specs, exact steps taken, etc.