Retrospect for Windows 16.5.1.109 cannot start

[Shawn Connelly]

I have Retrospect for Windows 16.5.1.109 (Windows 10 Pro version 1903) and during a recent automatic update of my computer, I started getting this message when Retrospect started:

"Retrospect cannot start

Can't load the configuration, error -802 (typed-space is corrupt).

version 0x0005 found, version 0x0350 expected"

Retrospect quits when clicking OK in the dialog box, so I can't access log files.

Any suggestions?

[DavidHertzberg]

Shawn Connelly,

I'm a Retrospect Mac administrator, and I'm still on 16.1.

Here's why and how to file a Support Case.  If you bought (or upgraded, I think) Retrospect within the last 45 days, you're entitled to free personalized help from Retrospect Tech Support.

[Nigel Smith]

It's *probably* a corrupt Retrospect configuration file (see eg here for the same).

I believe the latest Windows version is still using "Config77.dat", found in "C:\ProgramData\Retrospect" (Windows users feel free to chime in!). Either restore that from a backup or delete, launch RS, and reconfigure.

Worth noting that you'll also find "assert_log" and "operations_log" in that same directory -- these can be opened with a text editor, so you can access the log files when RS won't launch.

[Shawn Connelly]

The instructions Nigel provided were accurate.

Removing the "Config77.dat", found in "C:\ProgramData\Retrospect" directory resolved the issue. No further human intervention required.

[x509]

When you removed Config77.dat did you lose your entire backup history?

I still haven't upgraded to 16.51and I think I'll wait until 16.5.2 or 16.2..

x509