Strange thing going on with my passport. Backed up my current laptop successfully but when I try to recover data on new notebook ‘utilities’ tells me there’s no back up to restore. Admittedly it’s years since I used it so had to refresh my memory by reading back up part of manual again. Am I missing something silly? I know the data is there because the dashboard confirms it. Whilst I’m waiting for a response to this post I’ll go back to the manual re recovery and see if it’s something basic.
What software did you use to backup?
When you backup, the software usually remembers where so if you restore, it defaults to that location. You new laptop won’t know where that is so you usually have to “browse” to the backup file location.
Hmmm. The software I used wasn’t available when I first bought my passport, it begins with an A. The difficulty with where the files are stored e.g. Drive E when I unlock the passport, is if I try and open the files expect I will get a message from Windows 11 asking me how I want to do it. I won’t know unless it prompts me to software beginning with A so I’ll try that and see what happens. Don’t have a huge lot of hope given that I used same software on both and one saying the data is there on my old laptop and software on new laptop saying it isn’t. Well the dashboard and software on old laptop says it is, didn’t download dashboard onto new notebook. I noticed on the WD website that there is an alternative software for back up and recovery so I could give that a whirl I guess.
If the backup utility doesn’t recognize the backup, try accessing the My Passport drive directly through File Explorer. Look for backup folders (often named “WD Backup.swstor” or something similar) and check if you can manually copy the data from there. Else, you might have to use data recovery software.
Yes I’ve done that but not clear what’s what and what program windows suggests to open the files. I back up entire laptop but my new notebook has Windows etc on it already for example but my docs might be in that file. Also I’m now getting a corrupted file message and when I went to do a deep diagnostic test the passport locks after 10 minutes. I’m really stuck and wondering whether I’ll have to lay out more money to buy another passport.
I won’t speak for the others but I’m not a mind reader and there are a bunch of backup software titles that start with A. So which one it is?
Are you just double clicking on the backup file and expecting the software to launch or Windows to ask what software to use?
When you do a backup, the software typically knows what it backed up and where’s the backup location. Your new one does not. So open the backup software and in the “recover/restore” function, it should allow you to browse to the backup file location.
I can’t be more detailed as I don’t know what specific software you are using.
In any event, since you just got a new laptop, there’s a good chance restoring your old laptop (the entire drive) will not run due to different hardware and drivers. I would suggest doing a backup of the new laptop before you mess around with it further.
Most backup software allows you to mount the backup image as a virtual drive. You can then copy specific files from the image to your new drive.
I do beg your pardon but it is the one on the WD website Acronis I think it’s called. I’ve tried just clicking AND going to the specific files via file explorer. That’s the issue when I open the Acronis it tells me there is no back up and when I go to the specific files on the passport drive I don’t know what software to use to recover them. Apologies if I haven’t made myself clear in previous posts. I have also taken every piece of advice kindly given and applied it to the letter. I also have already done a back up of my new laptop but thank you for the warning about different hardware and drivers etc. TBH that was also what I was worried about when going direct to files via file explorer as I’m not sure what it will recover that I need and what it won’t. In the past all I have really backed up are my documents, photos and favourites for firefox but I know tech has moved on significantly from then so thought backing up the entire PC might help with all the new stuff you have to ruddy set up when u get a new latop i.e. passwords for websites, apps etc. Apologies but I don’t understand your last sentence at all but I do appreciate your time trying to help me.
