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General discussion

bkf files from windows xp

Nov 9, 2013 6:18AM PST

I backed up my xp computer in a bkf format. The computer police sabotaged it and I bought a windows 8 computer, but the bfk files wont download. I am a real computer dummy - help

Discussion is locked

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(NT) What did you use to create the .BKF backup?
Nov 9, 2013 6:29AM PST
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.bkf backup
Nov 9, 2013 11:15AM PST

I used the windows XP backup utility

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OK, that's the problem
Nov 10, 2013 12:34AM PST

The backup programs integrated into each version of Windows usually work with the specific version of Windows you run them on. So you're going to have to find a Windows XP system to restore any data you need to get back. If you can't find one, you could download Corel Virtual Box, install it under Windows 8, and then install XP under that. Another possibility would be to find a PC with Windows 7 Pro. That can run the free XP mode.
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I suggest you get away from the Windows backup program and get yourself a good commercial backup program. I've seen forums fraught with problem reports for the Windows one. I know I was very unimpressed when I tried it. Two I'm familiar with and like are Easeus Todo Backup Free, which you can download from http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm and Memeo which has a 30 day free trial and you can buy it for $29.99 - you can download it from http://memeo.com .
The March 2012 issue of PC World was very high on the FREE program from Easeus and so is CNET. In my experience with a variety of configurations I have to say I'm very impressed. Like Ghost it will back up to a networked drive, and it will create a boot CD for when your PC won't boot. See CNET's review of it at
http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Todo-Backup-Free/3000-2242_4-10964460.html?tag=mncol;1#editorsreview .
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CNET has a lot of backup program reviews at
http://download.cnet.com/windows/backup-software/?tag=contentBody;sideBar .

Some of these are free (last time I checked there were over 300), some have free trials (over 1000), and some are purchase only (over 200).
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External hard drives are best for backup. You can get a 500 GB one for around $55 and a 1 TB one for around $70. You can also buy a 32 GB flash drive for under $15. It's the best insurance you can ever buy!

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I hope this helps. Good luck

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I'm going to assume you did your research.
Nov 9, 2013 6:36AM PST

Here's a recent discussion that the spammers hit and was locked.

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-33042_102-585311/opening-bkf-file-in-windows/

However Microsoft fobs us off at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc754423.aspx
"You cannot recover backups that you created with ntbackup by using wbadmin. However, a version of ntbackup is available as a download for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista users.."

As a real computer newer user you may want to ask Drivesavers to recover this for you to some format that isn't proprietary.

I have to ask, why didn't you just make a copy of the files?
Bob

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.bkf backup
Nov 9, 2013 11:20AM PST

I didn't know better and used the XP backup utility. I have windows 8 student and home, can I use the server 8 download?

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MSFT was unclear. But why not try?
Nov 9, 2013 11:24AM PST

Also, it's a safe bet you know someone with a XP/Vista PC. Or you can get XP running in Virtual Box to recover these OR buy some app to restore?
Bob