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Windows Vista Decompressing dat files from file transfer wizard

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by chillipops, 2009/12/24.

  1. 2009/12/24
    chillipops

    chillipops Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi,

    can anyone help me please ? Pc became corrupted by what I assume was some malicious code so i lost most of the windows XP system, couldnt repair the Windows install so decided to try and save what I could, family pictures and some other stuff, as I couldnt "cut" "copy" or "paste" I decided to use the file transfer wizard. The data collected I formatted but now canot decompress them no matter how hard I try.

    thanks (hopefully)
     
    chillipops,
    #1
  2. 2009/12/24
    BurrWalnut

    BurrWalnut Well-Known Member Alumni

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    Have you tried the ‘Compact’ command (strange name but true) to decompress?

    If not, try it. You haven’t said what drive the folders are on but here I’m using drive H as an example, the capitals are for clarity only but note the spaces in the commands:

    Open a Run window (Windows key+R), type cmd and press Enter.
    Type H: and press Enter (change to drive H).
    Type COMPACT /U /S /I /F /Q and press Enter (decompress the whole of drive H).
    Finally, close the cmd prompt. It will take quite some time to do a large, full drive.
     
    BurrWalnut,
    #2


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  4. 2009/12/24
    chillipops

    chillipops Inactive Thread Starter

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    hi

    Thanks no that didnt work, the files are in a folder on the desktop atm :)
     
    chillipops,
    #3
  5. 2009/12/26
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    You'd have to re-run the file transfer wizard (Windows Easy Transfer) and choose My new computer when asked Which computer are you using now.
     
    Arie,
    #4
  6. 2010/01/04
    chillipops

    chillipops Inactive Thread Starter

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    yes have ran this and chosen new computer when asked. I did find some instructions on one of these boards but it was for a game I think but it had a dat file unpacker but that didnt work either it wasnt usable with vista.
     
    chillipops,
    #5
  7. 2010/01/04
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    If you used the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, the resulting backup is not compatible with Vista!

    So your only option would be to reinstall XP & restore the files & settings.

    If you still want to move to Vista, use Vista's Windows Easy Transfer in XP to collect your settings & files.


    Now there is a recovery scenario which would let you extract the contends of your (XP) backup to a single folder, but that still wouldn't apply/migrate any settings.
     
    Arie,
    #6
  8. 2010/01/04
    chillipops

    chillipops Inactive Thread Starter

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    Ji,

    I used the file transfer wizard on xp after it crashed all i took were some family photo`s, I then tried to put them onto the vista installed pc using a windows xp cd performing additional tasks and using the same wizard. After it didnt work I tried it on a friends pc with xp on it but it wont work....
     
    chillipops,
    #7
  9. 2010/01/04
    chillipops

    chillipops Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi,

    I didnt take any settings just family photo`s I couldnt use any features after the xp pc went toes up so it seemed like my only option. I tried to put them back onto the Vista one that didnt work, tried also on an Xp machine but that didnt work either.

    Can I ask just for my own understanding, how are the files compressed ? is it a comon format ? are there other data unpackers that may be able to read the files or attempt a recovery
     
    chillipops,
    #8
  10. 2010/01/05
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I have no idea how the files are compressed. Most likely (knowing MS) its a proprietary format.

    I just did a test, and was able to move image files from XP to Vista. I used XP's Files and Settings Transfer Wizard to backup My Pictures. Copied the folder to Vista. Next:

    • Start Vista's Windows Easy Transfer and select Continue a transfer in progress
    • Select No, I've copied files and settings to......
    • Select On an external hard disk or network location
    • Click Browse
    • Next to the File name box, select File & Settings Transfer Wizard (*.DAT), then browse to the location of your .DAT file
    • Select it & click Open, click Next and OK.

    Your files will be recovered to OldFiles on your C drive.

    If this doesn't work, it is more than likely you are SOL & lost your pictures.

    I guess you now found out (the hard way) the value of a current backup!
     
    Arie,
    #9
  11. 2010/01/12
    chillipops

    chillipops Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi,

    if I can figure out the transfer method there must be a way round/over it? the photo`s cant be replaced...
     
    chillipops,
    #10
  12. 2010/01/12
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I very much doubt you'll find out. Anyway, the method I gave you above should work. If that doesn't you're more then likely SOL.
     
    Arie,
    #11

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