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xBackup's Restore Fails
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7/12/05 8:37am
Taqyon |
For some reason my PDA reset iteself. I've made a xBackup, but when I restore the backup and my PDA restarts, it hangs on the intro screen. I've recovered the outlook data through a sync with my PC, but I need some files off the backup. Is there some kind of reader available for xBackup? Restores never seem to work when I need them. The last time I used ActiveSync's backup, but when I tried to restore, it tells me the backup file does not match my PDA. [:(!] I could recover the files through a AciveSync backup file reader. But now, what? Any help appreciated! Thanks,
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Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
You need to set your PDA to exactly the same time zone (including DST) as was when you made the AS backup. Then, restoring AS backups will (most probably) work.
As far as XBackup is concerned, I can't test it myself because it's only available for HTC PPC PE devices. If it doesn't produce compressed/encrypted backup files, you may want to create a backup file for me so that I try to reverse engineer its file format and write a file accessor application to access the files inside.
To do this, just put some non-confidential files (for example, standard Windows text - so that I see where they begin and where they end - files etc) in your \My Documents and do a backup. Do NOT restore your contacts/tasks etc. before doing it so that I don't receive anything personal!
Taqyon
Menneisyys,
As for the AS issue, I can't remember for sure what I've done on the timezone before I tried a restore. I'm pretty sure I've tried everything including setting the timezone. It still complained that the backup was from another device.
As for the backup file, I don't mind e-mailing you the file. I don't think it's encrypted or compressed, however, it will take a lot of time to reverse engineer. Not worth it.
I just hoped there's existing xBackup file reading software I can use.
It seems you all prefer Sprite backup? I don't mind buying it - can you guys vouch for it?
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
Ok, but please only mail a small one that doesn't contain any personal info. That is, just make a file after a hard reset without putting anything personal on your PDA. That'll be enough. I'll send you an e-mail ASAP so that you know my address to send the attachment to.
I know it may take a lot of time to reverse engineer, but I'm a seasoned programmer & hacker - grown up on programming 8-bit home computers in assembly [;)] - if the file isn't encoded, I'm pretty sure I'll be able to rev. engineer it.
As far as I know, there is none - at least, I haven't found anython on Handango and couldn't check it onhttp://www.xda-developers.com , the central point of HTC-based discussion.
Sprite is indeed great, but may be an overkill.
guern
I have a simillar problem. My PDA has reset and all programs have been erased. I have a back up on xbackup on the storage card but to restore I need the xbackup program which has been lost.
How do I sort this out please ?
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
Isn't xBackup built-in the ROM (did you check Start Menu/Programs?) or isn't it on the CD that came with your combo device?
guern
Programs and data are stored in RAM and therefore lost. All are backed up on MMC card but I cannot see how to restore without xbackup / xrestore program. Programs inc. xbackup were pre-installed at factory and are not on disk that came with PDA. Is there somewhere I can download this program ?
Taqyon
I've done a post on XDA-Developer's site, but no response so far.
I just need two files in that xBackup file.
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
Preinstalled means built into ROM; therefore, it must be there in your ROM.
I've done a detailed search over athttp://forum.xda-developers.com ; it seems it's in the ROM; therefore, it must be available after a hard reset too.
guern
I have been checking User Manuel it does refer to "any new programs or data... are stored in RAM" which would indicate that you are right that pre-installed programs are not "new" and should therefore be in ROM and not capable of being lost.
However, when I go from Start to Programs the Programs screen is entirely blank and all program icons have gone. Previously before reset there were a whole selection of programs inc. xBackup and ActiveSync available.
Should I try a hard reset ?
Thanks for your help here, it is very much appreciated.
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
Do another hard reset if it's possible (if not, let me know and I explain how to access your xbackup tool even without any links available. Doing a hard reset involvess far less work if you have just hard reset your device and it contains nothing to be backed up though.). Then, your icons will most probably be available, incl. that of xbackup.
guern
All sorted. Thx again for help.
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
You're welcome [:)]
Taqyon
Just a thanks to Menneisyys, he managed to extract the file I needed from the backup volume!
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
You're welcome too [:)]
BTW, my generic xbackup extractor is in the works [:)] Will hopefully finish it in a few days and will probably also add support for restoring databases / other backup formats.
gumnut996
Hi Menneisyys, I'm another dope with files locked up in xbackup - had no choice but to hard reset xda to recover from an incident with MS Outlook with Business Contact Manager (and BCM for ppc) - yyyrrrrkkkk!!! - but managed to get everything into a 14MB xbackup file. Had vague memories of recovering from a similar incident and looking into the backup file to get what I wanted out. Unfortunately, last time the backup was from Activesync and so STGViewer could do the job. Right now I have nothing - :g: - how goes the generic extractor?
Cheers
gumnut996
o2 xda ii mini
1gb sd
WiFi (why did i do it?)
o2 xda ii mini
1gb sd
WiFi (why did i do it?)
gumnut996
Thanks, dude, worked a treat! All that stress for one stinking file!
Would be more than happy to alpha/beta/rc test this for you.
Cheers from the land Downunder
gumnut996
o2 xda ii mini
1gb sd
WiFi (why did i do it?)
o2 xda ii mini
1gb sd
WiFi (why did i do it?)
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
Glad to be of help [:)]
myonatan
I also have the same problem with a xbackup file that I can't find a way to restore it :-((
any news about the extractor?
thanks,
Jonathan
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
Get it fromhttp://winmobiletech.com/sekalaiset/xbackup%20Extract.exe
It's a pre-alpha version; won't really work on it further until I get permission for supporting other backup formats (for example, Sprite).
Just start the app; give it the path of your backup file. The app will extract all the files in the backup file in a newly created subdirectory.
myonatan
Hi,
First of all... Thanks a L-O-T for the extractor it's great!
Thanks to it I manneged to restore a big part of the data!
I have small problem though I hope is easy to sort out...
the extractor exited with an exeption a little before the end of the extraction and some of the data wasn't recoverd including my contacts that was on the backup file... the error of the program was - access denied to the folder "RecoveredFileSystem" anoter strange thing was that the extractor created two folders, one is - "RecoveredFileSystem" and the other with the same name only with a kind of an ascii character at the end. the second folder was empty...
i hope i woul'd be able eventually to restore my contacts...
again thanks :-)
jonathan...
p.s under what file should the contacts be?
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
Cool [:)]
Yes, the extractor is so simple that it doesn't check for End of File. The exception is, therefore, normal and should be ignored.
Unfortunately, it's still not supported. I'm very busy with the PPCMag Award 2005 testing now so I'm pretty sure I won't be able to work on the extractor app in August. In September, however, I'll implement WinCE system database and registry restoration.
myonatan
Hi...
Menneisyys, I understand that you don't have time now with the extractor and it's great of you to even take the time to try to solve people's problems... so again thanks...
I hope that someone coul'd give me some advice though...
I want to attempt to restore the contacts my self... I menaged to find with an hex editor the "contacts database" in the xBackup file and folowing this was my old contact list...
Do anyone know the structure of the contact list so i woul'd be able to restore it... or maybe can I export the contacts part of the xBackup file into a known file format?
in that case... which file woul'd that be (CDB maybe?) and from where shul'd I take the part of the xBackup file?
Any answer would be great!
Thanks...
Jonathan
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
It's stored in binary format, so, in order to export it in, say, CSV or TSV format (to be read by the desktop Outlook (Express) - you may want to read this thread[/url] on this), or, into XML so that, for example, SKTools on the Pocket PC (you may want to read [url="http://www.ipaqhq.com/forums/showthread.php?p=105842"]this thread on this), you need to read its contents with a program that reads binary stuff.
I think the individual record field come one after another in the file. You can also find the record structure (data types) of the Contacts Database online; or, you can easily get it by using, say, Pocket dbExplorer.
I'll definitely implement this functionality as soon as the PPCMag best SW Awards 2005 evaluation is over.
myonatan
Hi,
One last question (I promise [:)])...
Menneisyys, first of all... nice advice with the dbExplorer it helped me a lot...
but I still want to find a more organized documintation about the record structure because in the dbexplore I saw some long values that I didn't know what they ment... when you said that I can find the record structure online, did you have some sites in mind, because I tried to search for it and came up with my heands empty... [:(]
P.S
I'm sorry I'm bugging everyone knowing that some time there will probably be an extractor... but I'm tring to get my contacts a bit sooner (I'm lost without my phonebook... [:)])
Jonathan
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
The first ULONG (with the ID 65534) is the serial number of the record (which can be very handy if used properly - I'll elaborate on this in my next article on phone handler apps) and the second, (with the ID 65533) seem to be always 1. After that come the other, text-only fields; for example, ID 16403 is the name. Of the other ID's, I couldn't find anything either. However, they are very easy to find out: if you fill in some test values in newly created records, you can easily track down which field belongs to which ID.
faversham
Thanks for making this. I had a compact flash backup from an XDA 2 that I dropped in the sea which had all my contacts details, notes and work on. I was able to extract all my stuff really easily.
Thank you very much, greatly appreciated. Saved me so much time and hassle.
hash
To Menneisyys:
I have a slight problem, me old pda (xda2I) is busted, hence i bought a new pda (dopod900). I have the backup PIM from old pda which contains the contacts and I need to restore it either on my pc or on my new pda. Tried using xBackup extractor but I always get a JIT debug error saying access to the file is denied. WHAT DO I DO ???? I am completly lost without my contacts and unfortunatly I did not synchronize my pda contacts with outlook on my pc....which I am repenting now as my new pda does not have the xbackup software.
I would be gratefull if you could help me out with this mess....
super654
Hi, I Just have a quick question which I hope you can help me with. I have exported the backup file, but I am unable to find my contacts. Could you please advise on how I could access my contacts fro the extracted folder.
Many Thanks
mhmunna
I have my backup of my Ipaq ppc windows M 2003, now I have lost my PPC, Now how can I restore my information by my PC. Is there any software and Emulator I can use. If so can anyone give a software to do that.. Please Help me. My email mhmunna [at] gmail [dot] com
Student
Student
wahi
Hi Menneisyys,
I've tried to extract my contact & PIM backup (O2 mini Xbackup)using xbackup extract.exe but it not working. Could you please help