[ivydale]

I had to reboot my computer to factory restore, following the prompts I backed up my fotos ,email, favorites etc. before continuing. To create the disc took about one and a half hour.
After reboot and reloading
printer scanner and whatever, I inserted de backup disc and downloaded it again. again that took about one and a half hour. so I know it went somewere , but where?? I cant find it. can some one point me to the right direction, without using any technical jargon, the only thing I understand in computers is right click and left click. Regards to all you experts Albert

[ivydale]

I forgot to mention that I operate windows vista home premium Albert

[Macboatmaster]

It depends on the make and model of the computer and how that manufacturer manages the recovery partition software.

My first suggestion would be try Computer and Users.

Did you start via the Vista DVD or F8 and Repair your computer and then recover from backup image etc or did you go in through F11 maybe again it depends on the make and model

[ivydale]

This forum is also not very clear to me, where do I post my reply, different screens come up when clicking on reply or fast reply or submit to editor, ?what is the best way

[Macboatmaster]

Where you have just posted

[ivydale]

My system is HP Pavillion P6120a desktop pc I cant find computer and users. Albert

[Macboatmaster]

Start (Windows button)
Computer - previously in XP named My Computer
C Drive
Double click to open - Users.

[Macboatmaster]

ivydale

It is now some 6 days since my last post on your topic and you have not replied.
Do you still require help please.
Would you kindly update the thread.
Thank you

[ivydale]

I have everything back, I did it all again and wrote it down to show you, and then I found a file called user, clicking on that it was all in there. Now I only have to figure out how to get it back where it all came from. Thank for your help Albert

[Macboatmaster]

To copy files to the new user profile
After you create the profile, you can copy the files from the existing profile. You must have at least three user accounts on the computer to complete these steps, including the new account you just created.

• Log on as a user other than the new user you just created or the user that you want to copy files from.
• Open Documents by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Documents.
• Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
  
  If you don't see the Tools menu, press ALT.
• Click the View tab, click Show hidden files and folders, clear the Hide protected operating system files check box, and then click OK.
• Locate the C:\Users\Old_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed, and Old_Username is the name of the profile you want to copy files from.
• Select all of the files and folders in this folder, except the following files:
  
  
  • Ntuser.dat
  • Ntuser.dat.log
  • Ntuser.ini
• Click the Edit menu, and then click Copy.
  
  If you don't see the Edit menu, press ALT.
• Locate the C:\Users\New_Username folder, where C is the drive that Windows is installed, and New_Username is the name of the new user profile you created.
• Click the Edit menu, and then click Paste.
  
  If you don't see the Edit menu, press ALT.
• Log off, and then log back on as the new user.
  
  If you have e-mail messages in an e-mail program, such as Windows Mail, you must import your e-mail messages and addresses to the new user profile before you delete the old profile. If everything is working properly, you can delete the old profile.

[ivydale]

Hi This sound very simple and easy to follow, except for the very first two lines,, To copy files to the new user profile, and After you create the profile. could you explaine this a bit further? sorry to be so ignorant Albert

[Macboatmaster]

In the intervening period between your original post and now, I have dealt with a fair number of other matters.

It appears I may have misread this time what exactly you are trying to do.

I apologise for this.

When you used the recovery partition, there is frequently a SOFT recovery and a FULL recovery - not always using those words.
The Soft recovery - reinstalls the operating system, but SHOULD leave your personal data intact.

The full recovery formats the drive and reinstalls ALL as it was when it was first sold.

When you created the backup disc mentioned in your first post - it again depends on how the computer recovery was setup and if it simply said that you should backup your personal data by way of documents, images, audio files etc and your favourites from IE etc, then when you reinstalled these, it may well be that they have reinstalled to a user account on C Drive BUT NOT the account created when you performed the recovery.

If you have found these files

Quote

I have everything back, I did it all again and wrote it down to show you, and then I found a file called user, clicking on that it was all in there. Now I only have to figure out how to get it back where it all came from. Thank for your help Albert

which I read this above as meaning that you had, then you may simply follow the porcedure in my post 10.
ALTERNATIVELY access the data and from the My Documents - copy and then paste to the My Documents in the account on the new installation.
See screenshot

[attachment=56438:Untitled.jpg]

Then do the same with the music and the pictures - videos etc..

Insofar as relates to the favourites for IE - it depends how they were saved but
Open IE
Click File
Click Import and Export
Click Import from a file
Click Favourites
Proceed to browse to the file where you have it either on the CD or on the installed file on where you have found them
and then follow the rest of the procedure as explained on the windows that open.

[ivydale]

Thanks for that, everything is back in the right place. Regards Albert

[Macboatmaster]

Thanks for posting the reply.
Pleased you sorted it.