Cannot open briefcase for back up files

[MJB]

I was using XP until yesterday and I had all my files backed up in a briefcase on a USB external hard drive. I've now installed Vista, but when I go to open the briefcase in the external drive to transfer the files it will not open and I cannot access them

I get this error message..."This briefcase cannot be opened because the disk is inaccessible. Verify that the disk is accessible".

ALL my files are backed up there - please help

[Mick Fisher]

Seems you've to use Windows Easy Transfer to write your files to your usb HDD under XP and then use Vista's Windows Easy Transfer to retrieve said files.

Link

[Raistlin]

It would appear that trying to open the briefcase with a different version of Windows from the one that created it will corrupt it.

The second post in this thread (LINKAGE) suggests that you can delete the hidden 'Briefcase Database' file, then when you try to open it next it would appear that Windows will create a new database file from the contents of the folder. It would seem that these files will no longer be associated with your account/profile/previous briefcases, but that they should be visible.

I'd suggest copying the entire contents of the folder to somewhere safe, and then trying the advice in the thread.

Namely:

- Close any explorer windows that are viewing the briefcase;
- Start a command prompt and cd to the briefcase folder;
- dir /a:h will show "Briefcase Database" (and desktop.ini);
- attrib -h "briefcase database";
- del "briefcase database"

Then try to open the briefcase again.

I've not tried this, as I don't use the 'Briefcase' functions, so I can't verify that it's safe (or that it even works).

Good luck

[MJB]

Thanks guys. It appears I "might" be blessed as I dragged the briefcase from my USB hard drive to my C drive and it opened

I'm assuming it will work for all

Sooooo relieved. We are talking about 14 years worth of photos NEARLY lost......

Originally Posted by MJB

Sooooo relieved. We are talking about 14 years worth of photos NEARLY lost......

Well now's the time to back them up to a couple of DVD's then!!

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by MJB

Thanks guys. It appears I "might" be blessed as I dragged the briefcase from my USB hard drive to my C drive and it opened

I'm assuming it will work for all

Sooooo relieved. We are talking about 14 years worth of photos NEARLY lost......

I'm guessing you did this from explorer?

When you did that you probably had the 'Briefcase Database' file hidden. Because it was hidden you wouldn't have dragged it across with the other files, when you tried to open it from the Desktop windows just created a new database file and sorted itself out.

You've accomplished what the instructions above suggested, but in a different way

Glad you got it sorted, as Lee says you'd better go get them backed up properly somewhere safe now

[rogerdraig]

back up them photos NOW

If they are really important i would archive them on dvd and an external drive

i keep a copy of my photos at my mums ( hopefully both houses cant burn down at the same time )

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by rogermevans

i keep a copy of my photos at my mums

Brave man, I wouldn't let my mum anywhere near a copy of my photo's.....

[TheNorm]

Originally Posted by Rob M

... I wouldn't let my mum anywhere near a copy of my photo's.....

Not even the one of you in a nappy with a dummy in your mouth?

[rogerdraig]

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Not even the one of you in a nappy with a dummy in your mouth?

lol i doubt she even knows they are there they are in my cupboard ( but you know what i mean best keep a copy away from your house just in case )

but you could always use one of these i just signed up for the last one

http://www.jungledisk.com/desktop/pricing.aspx

http://www.humyo.com/pages/en/online...ns-and-pricing

http://www.123-reg.co.uk/online-storage-drive/

if you have no one to trust though i doubt even if mum found them she could unencrypt the disk :p