Vista - pc doesent reconize my external hardrive after syste recovery

comuter had a virus and did a system recovery when i go to system files restore, it has the date and time of my last backup and right k-drive present, but also a message saying, the backup file could not be found check your hardware configuration or restore from a differnt backup, error (ox8100001a) i have a hp vista home premium 32 bit i am also a novice so would appreciate any help or advise in plain talk this is new to me and have spent days trying to get my files back any help would be greatly appreciated thanks...patch41

so have you been making your backups to your external hard drive? just wanna make sure i get your story straight. and when you try to run the recovery its not finding the backups you made?

hi, thanks lukeroberts for your reply i did a system recovery which took me back to the factory settings but i had my personal files backed up to a external hardrive i have run a system files restore but it gives me the message as i described it has the date and time of my backup correct but i cannot get any further thanks for any help you may be able to give thanks...patch41

try running the restore through safe mode and do tell wat happens. if you have any errors still, you can run a system repair from the windows dvd if you still have it.

hope some of that helps