Restoring files
Windows
XP

Restoring files on your Windows XP PC

This document explains how to restore files onto a Windows XP PC from your Windows 2000/XP PC back-up disks.

Note: You will need administrator access to the computer to restore multiple users and to restore Dreamweaver settings.

The following topics are covered:

Create new folders

On your PC's hard drive, create any folders necessary to duplicate your previous organizational scheme. [Most PC users prefer to store their files in the My Documents folder.] If you copied an entire folder onto a back-up disk, you do not need to recreate this folder on your hard drive.

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Restore your files

  1. Save your work and exit any open applications.
  2. Insert your first back-up disk into the appropriate drive.
  3. Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop.
  4. Double-click on the icon for your Zip drive or CD drive to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  5. Copy the files and folders from your back-up disk to their proper locations on your hard drive. (Most PC users prefer to store their files in the My Documents folder.)

    To copy a folder to the top level of your your hard drive:

To copy a file or folder into a folder on your hard drive:

If you are asked whether you want to replace files, click Yes to All.

  1. When you have copied all the files from your back-up disk onto your hard drive, close the disk window and eject the disk.
  2. Insert the next back-up disk and continue until you have restored all your files except your Eudora mail and Netscape bookmark files.
  3. When you have finished, close all open windows except the My Computer window.

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Restoring multiple users

If more than one person uses the computer, each individual should be restore their data. You will need administrator access to restore each user. Restore each user's files according the instructions in the Restore your files section. (Most Windows users save their files in the My Documents folder. Each user has a My Documents folder which is located inside My Computer > C: > Documents and Settings > Username folder.)

Also, you will need to know which program each person uses from the following programs:

Eudora Internet Explorer
Outlook 97 Netscape
Outlook 2002/XP Dreamweaver
Outlook Express FirstClass
Word 97 Palm Desktop
Word 2002/XP  

If they use any of these programs, follow the instructions for the program below. For Eudora, Outlook and Outlook Express, the user will need to be present to restore the information stored in these programs.

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Verify that your files have been copied

  1. Double-click on the C: icon inside the My Computer window.
  2. Open each folder into which you have restored files and check to be sure they are all listed.
  3. Close all open windows.

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Restore your Eudora mail

If you do not use Eudora, you may skip this section.

If multiple people use Eudora, you should create a new mail directory for each user and copy their files into that directory.
Note: You may need administrator access, depending on where the user's mail directory will be.

  1. Insert the disk containing your Eudora mail into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer.
  3. Inside the My Computer window, double-click on the icon for your Zip drive or CD drive to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. Inside the My Computer window, double-click on the C: icon.
  5. Drag the Attach folder, the files labeled nndbase.txt, nndbase.toc, In.toc, In.mbx, Out.toc, and Out.mbx, and any other files with the extensions .toc and .mbx from your back-up disk onto the Eudora folder inside the C: window. If you are asked whether you want to replace a file, click Yes.
  6. Close all open windows and eject your back-up disk.
  7. Open Eudora.
  8. Check to be sure your mailboxes and messages appear correctly.
  9. Exit Eudora.

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Restore your Outlook 97 mail

If you do not use Outlook, you may skip this section.

Although Wellesley College does not recommend or support the use of Outlook or Outlook Express due to the vulnerability to Virus attacks, we provide the following instructions to assist you in restoring your computer.

Wellesley College supports FirstClass as its primary email and online conference program. It is possible to redirect your email back into your FirstClass account. You can read and store your email in FirstClass. To learn more about FirstClass, see Getting Started With FirstClass.

If multiple people use this program, each user must log into Outlook and follow these instructions to restore their messages, calendar, address book and other information stored in Outlook.

  1. Insert the disk containing your Outlook back up file into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer icon.
  3. Double-click on the icon for your Zip disk or CD to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. Open Outlook 97.
  5. Go to the File Menu > Import and Export…
  6. Select Import from a personal folder file(.pst).
  7. Click Next.
  8. Click Browse and select the Outlook file backup.pst on your back-up disk.
  9. Click Next.
  10. Select Personal Folders to import from.
  11. Make sure that Include subfolders is checked.
  12. Make sure that "Imports items into the same folder in:" is set to Personal Folders.
  13. Click Finish.
  14. Quit Outlook.

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Restore your Outlook 2002/XP mail

If you have never used Outlook, you may skip this section.

Although Wellesley College does not recommend or support the use of Outlook or Outlook Express due to the vulnerability to Virus attacks, we provide the following instructions to assist you in restoring your computer.

Wellesley College supports FirstClass as its primary email and online conference program. It is possible to redirect your email back into your FirstClass account. You can read and store your email in FirstClass. To learn more about FirstClass, see Getting Started With FirstClass.

If multiple people use this program, each user must log into Outlook and follow these instructions to restore their messages, calendar, address book and other information stored in Outlook.

  1. Insert the disk containing your Outlook back up file into the appropriate drive.
  2. Open Outlook 2002/XP.
  3. Go to the File Menu > Import and Export...
  4. Select Import from another program or file.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Scroll down and select Personal Folder file (PST).
  7. Click Next.
  8. Click Browse.
  9. Navigate to and select the Outlook file backup.pst on your back-up disk.
  10. Click Open.
  11. Click Next.
  12. Select Personal Folders as file to import from.
  13. Make sure that Include subfolders is selected.
  14. Select "Import items into the same folder in:" and make sure that Personal Folders is selected.
  15. Click Finish.
  16. Quit Outlook.

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Restore your Outlook Express mail

If you have never used Outlook Express, you may skip this section.

Although Wellesley College does not recommend or support the use of Outlook or Outlook Express due to the vulnerability to Virus attacks, we provide the following instructions to assist you in the backup required to refresh your computer.

Wellesley College supports FirstClass as its primary email and online conference program. It is possible to redirect your email back into your FirstClass account. You can read and store your email in FirstClass. To learn more about FirstClass, see Getting Started With FirstClass.

If multiple people use this program, each user must log into Outlook Express and follow these instructions to restore their email.

  1. Insert the disk containing your Outlook Express Backup folder into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer icon.
  3. Double-click on the icon for your Zip disk or CD to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. Double-click on the Outlook Express Backup folder.
  5. Open Outlook Express.
  6. Arrange the Outlook Express window and the Outlook Express Backup folder window, so you can see both at the same time.
  7. Within the Outlook Express Backup folder, open the Inbox folder.
  8. Go to the Edit Menu > Select All.
  9. Drag the highlighted messages over the Inbox folder in Outlook Express. The Inbox folder will be in the upper left section titled Folders. When the Inbox folder darkens, release the mouse button. Now, the messages will begin copying over into that folder.
  10. If you have other folders in your Outlook Express Backup folder, you will need to repeat these directions from Step 7 for each of the folders. You will not need to make folders for the following folders: Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items, Deleted Items, and Drafts. However, you may need to create extra folders in Outlook Express that have the same name as the folders in your Outlook Express Backup folder.

    11. To create a new folder in Outlook Express:

    1. Open Outlook Express.
    2. Go to File Menu > Folder > New.
    3. For the location of the new folder, select Local Folders.
    4. Type in a name in the Folder Name: field.
    5. Click OK.
    6. The folder will appear in the upper left section titled Folders.
  11. Once you have finished restoring your mail, exit Outlook Express.
  12. Close all windows.

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Restore your Word 97 settings

If you have not customized your default Word template and/or added words to the Word dictionary, you can skip this step.

Note: You may need administrator access.

To restore customized Word templates:

  1. Insert the disk containing your customized Word templates into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer icon.
  3. Double-click on the icon for your Zip disk or CD to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. In the My Computer window, double-click the C: icon.
  5. Double-click Program Files.
  6. Double-click Microsoft Office.
  7. Drag Normal.dot from your back-up disk over the Templates folder in the Microsoft Office window. If you have created other templates, also drag them over.
  8. Close all open windows.

To restore customized Word dictionaries:

  1. Insert the disk containing your customized Word dictionaries into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer icon.
  3. Double-click on the icon for your Zip disk or CD to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. Insert a properly formatted Zip disk into the appropriate drive.
  5. In the My Computer window, double-click the C: icon.
  6. Double-click WINNT.
  7. Double-click msapps.
  8. If you have a Proof folder, drag it from your back-up disk into the msapps window.
  9. You will be asked if you want to replace the Proof folder. Click Yes to All.
  10. Close all open windows.

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Restore your Word 2002/XP settings

Word 2002/XP settings are saved in hidden folders. You may need to set the folder option to show hidden folders and files.

If multiple people use this computer, you will administrator access to enter each of the users' folder. Follow the directions below for each user folder.

To show hidden folders and files:

  1. Go to the Start menu > Settings > Control Panel > Folders Options.
  2. Click on the View tab.
  3. Under hidden files, make sure that Show hidden files and folders is checked.
  4. Click Apply.
  5. Click OK.

To restore Word 2002/XP settings:

  1. Insert the disk containing your Word 2002/XP settings into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer icon.
  3. Double-click on the icon for your Zip disk or CD to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. In the My Computer window, double-click the C: icon.
  5. Double-click on Documents and Settings.
  6. Double-click the folder with your username.
  7. Double-click on Application Data.
  8. Double-click on Microsoft.
  9. If you have Templates and Proof folders, drag them from your back-up disk over the Microsoft window.
  10. You will be asked if you want to replace these folders. Click Yes to All.
  11. Close all open windows.

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Restore your Internet Explorer favorites

To restore for current user:

  1. Insert the disk containing your Internet Explorer favorites into the appropriate drive.
  2. Open Internet Explorer.
  3. Go to File > Import and Export...
  4. The Import/Export Wizard will open up.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Under left half of the window 'Choose an action to perform', select Import Favorites.
  7. Click Next.
  8. You will be asked for the source of the importing favorites. Select Import from a File or Address.
  9. Click Browse...
  10. A Select a Bookmark File window will open. In the pulldown menu next to Save in, select the appropriate drive.
  11. Select the file that contains your saved favorites.
  12. Click Save.
  13. Click Next.
  14. You will be asked for the favorites destination folder to import into. Select Favorites.
  15. Click Next.
  16. Click Finish.
  17. You will be told that it was successfully exported.
  18. Click Ok.
  19. Your imported favorites will now appear under IE's favorites menu.

To restore multiple users' favorites:
Note: You will need administrator access.

  1. Insert the disk containing your Word 2002/XP settings into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer icon.
  3. Double-click on the icon for your Zip disk or CD to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. In the My Computer window, double-click the C: icon.
  5. Double-click on Documents and Settings.
  6. Double-click a user folder.
  7. Drag the Favorites folder from your back-up disk into the user folder.
  8. You will be asked if you want to replace this folder. Click Yes to All.
  9. Repeat for each user.

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Restore your Netscape bookmarks

To restore bookmarks in Netscape Communicator 4.05 or higher:

  1. Insert the disk containing your Netscape bookmark file into the appropriate drive.
  2. Open Netscape.
  3. Go to Communicator > Bookmarks > Edit Bookmarks.
  4. In the Bookmarks window, go to File > Import.
  5. Navigate to your disk and click once on the Netscape bookmark file to select it.
  6. Click Open.
  7. A new folder will be created in your Bookmarks display called Bookmarks For. Select the entire contents of Bookmarks For.
  8. Go to Edit > Copy.
  9. Click once on the top-level Bookmarks folder to select it.
  10. Go to Edit > Paste.
  11. Click once on Bookmarks For to select it.
  12. Press the DELETE key.
  13. Close the Bookmarks window. Your bookmarks should be updated.

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Restore your Dreamweaver settings

If you have never customized settings in Dreamweaver such as site definitions or additional extensions, you may skip this step.

Note: You will need administrator access to restore your Dreamweaver settings.

  1. Insert the disk containing the Configuration folder into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer.
  3. Double-click on the icon for your Zip drive or CD drive to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. In the My Computer window, double-click the C: icon.
  5. Open the Program Files folder.
  6. Open the Macromedia folder
  7. Open the Dreamweaver 3 folder.
  8. Drag the Configuration folder from your back-up disk into the Dreamweaver 3 window.
  9. You will be asked if you want to replace this folder. Click Yes to All.
  10. Close all open windows.

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Restore your FirstClass downloads

Note: You may need administrator access.

  1. Insert the disk containing the Download folder into the appropriate drive.
  2. Double-click on My Computer.
  3. Double-click on the icon for your Zip drive or CD drive to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  4. Inside the My Computer window, double-click on the C: icon.
  5. Open the Program Files folder.
  6. Drag the Download folder from your back-up disk onto the FirstClass folder inside the Program Files window. If you are asked whether you want to replace files, click Yes to All. [If you have set FirstClass to download attachments into a different folder, skip steps 5 - 6 and drag this folder to its proper location on the hard drive.]
  7. Close all open windows and eject your back-up disk.

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Restore your Palm user folder

Make sure that Palm Desktop software is installed before restoring your Palm user folder. If you sync with Meeting Maker, you will need to setup the conduits again - Configuring MeetingMaker to sync with a PalmOS PDA in Windows 98, 2000, or XP.

If multiple people use this computer, repeat the instructions below for each user.

  1. Open Palm Deskop.
  2. In the upper right corner, click on the User pulldown menu. Select Edit Users...
  3. Click New...
  4. Enter your user name.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Click OK.
  7. Quit Palm Desktop by File > Exit.
  8. Insert the disk containing the Palm user folder into the appropriate drive.
  9. Double-click on My Computer.
  10. Double-click on the icon for your Zip drive to view the contents of your back-up disk.
  11. Inside the My Computer window, double-click on the C: icon.
  12. Drag the Palm user folder from your back-up disk onto Palm folder inside the C: window.
  13. You will be asked if you want to replace the folder. Click Yes to All.
  14. Close all open windows and eject your back-up disk.

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Your files have now been restored. You may use your computer as usual.
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