ADSM/TSM Network Backup for Windows: Restoring Files

Note added March, 2009: We have seen several cases where people have restored files from one Windows PC to another Windows PC (both of which use NTFS file systems) and then they can not access the restored files or folders on the new PC, even if they are logged in on an administrator account. Our Windows guru says the problem is small but important difference between the administrator accounts on the two PCs.

This IBM Support page, How to take ownership of a file or a folder in Windows XP, explains how to fix this. While the page is specific for Windows XP, it also applies to Vista.

1. Open the Backup Archive GUI Client:
   Start -> Programs -> Tivoli Storage Manager -> Backup Archive GUI
2. If you are not using Passwordaccess Generate, enter your ADSM password.
3. Click on Restore.
   
4. Your backed up files can be found under File Level. Navigate through the directory tree by clicking on the boxes with the pluses -- + -- in them to expand a directory, to locate the file(s) you want to restore.
   
5. To select a file or a whole subdirectory to restore, click on the gray box next to its name; a black checkmark will appear in the gray box. You may select any number of individual files to restore this way or click by the name of a directory to select all the files in that directory and all subdirectories.
6. If you do not want the very latest backed up version of your files, click the Point In Time button to enter when you want your files restored from. An example of when you would want to do this is if a file became corrupted by a software bug, a virus, or a simple typing mistake, before your most recent backup; specify a point in time here before the corruption occurred
7. Click the Restore button.
8. You will be asked to Select destination for restored objects. Either choose Original location, or specify some other location. Click the Restore button to continue.
   
9. It may ask File already exists - replace? or File is Read-Only - force overwrite?
   Your choices are Replace, Do not Replace, and Cancel; Overwrite, Do not Overwrite, and Cancel. You also have the choice of Apply action to all remaining files. And there is help. Click what you want to do with the file(s).
   
10. Now the actual restore operation will take place. There may be some delay (5 minutes is typical) during this process when your restore operation will appear to be hung. Just be patient -- it is waiting for your turn to use a tape drive, mounting the tape(s) that contains your files, and locating them on the tape.
11. When it is done, it will say Restore completed and let you see a detailed report of what it restored.