After reinstalling XP SP3 I restored files from a Norton 360 back up. I created a new folder and restored my files there. The files were restored but when I tried to open them they did not open correctly. These were mainly word, xcel, pdf and picture files.
I note several threads which report the same problem none seem to have a solution.
I found a solution for my files which I will share as I understand the frustration of losing that critical file.
I got a Hex editor (It allowed me to see the files byte by byte. then to edit or delete data) At the start of each restored file was some extra data. When I removed this extra data using my Hex editor the files opened correctly.
The extra data was "NB20" and the path of the file when it was backed up. It seems that under some circumstances Norton forgets to remove this data.
An example of the extra data at the start of a word file is "NB20V C:\Documents and settings\My word documents\test file.doc
Clearly this is useful data for Norton when it trys to restore files but it confuses Word and other applications when they try to open files.
I recently restored some document and pictures using Norton 360. When I try to access the Word documents, it brings up a message box saying I need to select the encoding that makes the document readable. Except none of them work. The text itself is there for some of the languages, but the formatting and layout are garbage, and there is a bunch of nonsense characters strewn about.
Also, I tried opening them with the pre-installed version of Microsoft Works, and it said the filetype was not supported or the files were corrupt.
I then tried to open some of the pictures that I restored along with the documents to see if the problem was a little more widespread, and nothing (not Paint, Picture Gallery, or Office Picture Manager) would open them. The pictures are .jpeg and the documents are .docx, so I can't figure out why they wouldn't open.
I ran all updates for Windows and Norton. I tried to re-restore the files, all to no avail. Has anyone seen anything liek this? I suspect that my backups are corrupt and that I am out of luck, but I wanted to pick someone else's brain before I gave up.
Thanks all,
d
I recently restored the factory image of my HP Desktop, so I wanted to restore my personal documents and photos that I had backed up using Norton 360's backup feature. I had been using Norton 360 to back my files to an external harddrive before I reimaged, so I had a backup set ready to go. However, after restoring the files from backup, they are now unreadable.
I am using 360 v2.0. The computer came with a trail period of NIS, which I uninstalled so I could download 360 and activate it using my stored product key.
I hope that's a little clearer. If not, please continue to ask questions. I need all the help I can get.
Also, I'm using Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2 and Office 2007, if that would make any difference.
djfriesen wrote:
I recently restored the factory image of my HP Desktop, so I wanted to restore my personal documents and photos that I had backed up using Norton 360's backup feature. I had been using Norton 360 to back my files to an external harddrive before I reimaged, so I had a backup set ready to go. However, after restoring the files from backup, they are now unreadable.
I am using 360 v2.0. The computer came with a trail period of NIS, which I uninstalled so I could download 360 and activate it using my stored product key.
I hope that's a little clearer. If not, please continue to ask questions. I need all the help I can get.
Also, I'm using Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2 and Office 2007, if that would make any difference.
I may be wrong but I think you would NOT benefit by upgrading to v4 to resolve your issue. I say this because my poor memory says that v2 backup was not encrypted but V3 and 4 are. I dont know why the backup has failed.