I have SimpleTech drive that I used Storage Sync to back up C drive. Took drive to work and since all the files are 'bpa' cannot open them. I compare this to a simulation of what I bought the drive for - in case my pc crashed - so I totally don't why these files can't be either converted/opened from another pc when the drive is in. Help!

did you purchase the storage sync program youmight not be able to download that version again unless you pay for it
if you can or want another free backup utility
save this to a document then click on it to open and download second back up free edition

http://dw.com.com/redir?edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3000-2242_4-10405044&ontId=2242_4&lop=linktitle&ltype=dl_elite_gen&pid=10999341&mfgId=6272401&merId=6272401&ttag=lst-4&destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.cnet.com%2FSecond-Backup-Free-Edition%2F3000-2242_4-10405044.html

hope this helps

Go to task Manager > processes tab and find the StorageSync program and end process. Unplug the drive, shut down the PC, replug and start up the Pc and try again.

Does the hard drive get recognized by the computer? Your best bet and probably only bet would be to remove the hard drive inside from the external casing and plug it directly into a computer and see if you can retrieve any thing that way. One good program I know of is file scavenger. But the drive has to be working enough to actually work on a computer. Beyond that you would have to send it to a professional that deals with data recovery. I ALWAYS recommend that any important files be backed up. This means the files are saved in two different spots. So if one is lost or stops working you have the back up to use. Hence the name back up. If you need any further assistance let me know.
Thanks,
Lee

An external storage-device has four major components:

* the USB cable

* the power-adapter

* the disk-drive inside the enclosure

* the USB-to-disk-drive adapter inside the enclosure.

One of these components has failed.

Try a different USB cable.

Try connecting to a different USB port on your computer.

Try connecting to a USB port on a different computer.

Take a "multi-meter" and measure both the voltage and amperage output from the AC adapter, and compare with the specifications on the label on the adapter.

Open the enclosure, and remove the disk-drive, and then connect it as a "slave" disk-drive in a desktop computer, to see if it works at all.

Purchase a new, compatible, disk-drive, and install it in the enclosure, to "revive" your external storage device.

Get the part-number and serial-number from the label on your disk-drive, and access the manufacturer's web-site, and use "check warranty status", to see if they will replace the device, at minimal cost to you.

There exist commercial "data recovery" services that can try to repair your device, just long-enough to rescue and copy your files.
For example, see: https://services.seagate.com/index.aspx?lng=en-US for a "no data - no charge guarantee".

An external storage-device has four major components:

* the USB cable

* the power-adapter

* the disk-drive inside the enclosure

* the USB-to-disk-drive adapter inside the enclosure.

One of these components has failed.

Try a different USB cable.

Try connecting to a different USB port on your computer.

Try connecting to a USB port on a different computer.

Take a "multi-meter" and measure both the voltage and amperage output from the AC adapter, and compare with the specifications on the label on the adapter.

Open the enclosure, and remove the disk-drive, and then connect it as a "slave" disk-drive in a desktop computer, to see if it works at all.

Purchase a new, compatible, disk-drive, and install it in the enclosure, to "revive" your external storage device.

Get the part-number and serial-number from the label on your disk-drive, and access the manufacturer's web-site, and use "check warranty status", to see if they will replace the device, at minimal cost to you.


There exist commercial "data recovery" services that can try to repair your device, just long-enough to rescue and copy your files.
For example, see: https://services.seagate.com/index.aspx?lng=en-US for a "no data - no charge guarantee".

The external storage device has several major components:

* USB cable

* external power-supply

* disk-drive inside the enclosure

* USB-to-disk-drive adapter inside the enclosure.

Try a different USB cable.
Try a different USB port on your computer.
Try a USB port on a different computer.

Take a multi-meter, and measure the output voltage/amperage of the power-supply,
and compare with the specifications on the label of the power-supply.

Open the enclosure, and remove the disk-drive, and attach it as a "slave" drive in a desktop computer, to see if bypassing the USB-to-disk-drive adapter bypasses the problem.

Look at the label on the disk-drive, for manufacturer, product-number, serial-number, and manufacture date. Access the manufacturer's web-site, and use "check warranty status" to see if the warranty still is valid. If so, the drive can be replaced, at minimal cost to you.

Buy a new, compatible, disk-drive, and install it in the enclosure, to "revive" your external storage device.

Search online for a professional "data recovery service". For a significant fee, they can repair your disk-drive, just long-enough to copy your files to a new disk-drive.

> icon does not show up on the desktop or finder

A major "clue" that one component of the external storage device has failed, namely:

* USB cable (try a different one)

* disk-drive inside the enclosure

* USB-to-disk-drive adapter inside the enclosure

* optionally, the external power-supply that connects to the enclosure

Use a multi-meter to verify the voltage/amperage output of that power-supply.
(Not all external storage devices need such a power-supply.)

> can it be saved?

Partially. Disassemble the enclosure, and remove the disk-drive.

Purchase a new, compatible, disk-drive, and install it in the enclosure, to "revive" your external storage-device. (Compare it to a heart-transplant -- same body, new heart.)

Backup software compresses the files and encodes them to an image file made up of a series of sequenced files. The same software you used to do the backup should have the restore options needed to locate desired files. SimpleTech website shows Fabrik to be the name of the backup software.
If you utilized, there's also an online backup site used to store files. Following link is the users guide:
http://www.simpletech.com/support/guides/user-guides/60000-00168-001.pdf

did you use special software or windows backup?? try to use the same software to restore your files. In windows you need to restore your files to special folder, you give it a name. then you open the folder and there you have your files.
Make sure you log on as the same user who backed up the files, of course one who has the right to restore the files.

It is just like any other disc drive. You can set up folders to store your music. You can store music, files, videos, whatever you'd like.
It should be assigned a drive letter like d: e: or f: You can simply copy your music files to it.

Be more specific as to to how you are trying to use the Simpletech drive to store music.