How can I retrieve my software and files from my back-up drive. I backed up my files and software to a back up drive and I can't find it.
Already Tried: my back up drive is portable passport drive with 1 tb of memory? Can you help me I need to recover my tax forms and I don't see them.
Hello. My name is XXXXXXX. X will be your Primary Care Technician and I can assist you with your question.
How did you originally back them up? did you use the software that came with the drive?
Do you see anything on the drive?
yes I just connected the back-up drive to my laptop and started the back up. i did it several times over several months. i wipe out my laptop hard-drive. now i want to retrieve my files and software and I can't seem to find it.
yes. there are many files on the drive but I do not see the one I am looking for.
Have you tried doing a search for them?
yes I did do a search for them but the files I discover had a white icon and when I tried to open it, the computer said it could not open it or have the software to open it.
Is that how you originally backed the files up?
with the software?
I just ran the back up in control panel and assumed that all my files were backed each time I ran back-up.
I see.
I saved all my tax forms now I can't open them. I did use turbo tax software. I had another software that i bought thru downloading it from the internet and now i don't see how I can get it back. I did the backup several times.
What types of files do you see on the drive.
Do you see a "user" folder
I'll check and get back to you quickly.
ok
I see only user manuals but no user folder.
the user manual file is for the passport drive and it has many abbreviated file names.
Do you see any other files?
Or just the passport user manuals?
Do you see any old files that you recognize?
What operating system is on your computer?
yes I do see all my documents files and folders. Even though some of the files in some of the folder will not open
That where you tax files should be... in those folders.
Are you sure you didn't do your taxes online?
By default, TurboTax saves tax files in the My Documents > TurboTax folder.
no I did not do it online. I can see the turbo tax folder and the file that I want to open say tax document and it says window doesn't open this kind of file.
OK, good
Then you do have it.
You would need to install turbotax first, then run turbotax
Then file>open and browse to that file
I would make a copy of it and open the copy
do I have to install all the software that I had before I will be able to open file generated by those software. what will i do if I don't have the software?
I am installing turbo tax now. When I browse do I use turbo tax to open the file?
Yes... that's what you created it with, correct?
Like I said, I would recommend making a backup copy of the file.
Just to be safe
I created with turbo tax but I am not sure how I saved it.
OK... then that's correct
it would have been saved with same
Would you like me to wait until you can verify that you are able to load it?
please wait a few minutes.
I open the file but it is the wrong file. I can't find the 2011 file.
Oh...
Well, only you know where that might be.
I can not find my 2011 tax form anywhere. shouldn't it had back up with the rest
If it was in your documents folder, yes
The only other thing I can suggest is enabling the viewing of hidden files in case it's hidden for some reason.
To do this, when you are in file explorer, browsing files, click organize>folder and search options and click on the view tab.
Find view hidden files and folders and check that.
Is there anything else I can do for you?
yes. is it possible to retrieve it from my hard drive since clean it out. I am using vista.
what is file explorer?
where can I find file explorer?
It's where you browse your files
Can you help me?
What do you do when windows cannot open your file?
As we went through before.... you must have the software installed and you must open it from the software.
If it doesn't know what to open it with, it can't
I have been helping you for nearly three hours
ok. I know. Is there a way to retrieve stuff from my hard drive after cleaning it out. Please this is the last question.
I really appreciate all your help.
You mean the computer's hard drive? If everything has been removed?
It might be possible, but very expensive.
If you filed electronically, you can get a PDF copy of your return by going to intuit.com
I will try and do that. I did file electronically. Thanks very much for all you help.
You're welcome
have a great night
you too.
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Experience: 20+ Years Experience in Field. MCSE, ICCP, CNE, Greenbelt