SS trashes my Upload, *.hma file?

[mrsoul]

I was uploading a PCM file of a show I recorded (without backing up mind you) and the XP system had a serious failure and rebooted in the middle of the upload. Now I only have a file with a *.hma extension that is about the same size as my previous track sitting in my Optimized Hi-MD folder. I tried copying it and tried to open it with SS and got the message about not being able to import these type of files. Lame.

Looks like I lost the complete 1st set. What a royal pain in the ass. I sold a MXD-D400 deck and a Sharp DR7 just so I could have Sony destroy all of my recordings. Thanks Sony!

Anybody know what I might be able to try with this *.hma file? I'm not sure where I was with the upload since I step out for some groceries and came back to find the CPU had restarted with a fatal error. I then made the mistake of letting SS recheck for transfer rights on the track that still showed on the Hi-MD. It then proceeded to kindly delete the track altogether. Brillant. Just absoultely a pain. I can't believe how lame this software is. I have already uploaded 4 complete shows in PCM without any problems and now this. Just makes me see red.

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

[mrsoul]

The *.hma file I mentioned in the first post is 466MB and was created just before my computer restarted. That's just too big of a file not to have something useful.

When I tried to open it with TR's temp recovery program it showed the time length to be exactly 46:17 which is how long the first set was. So, this must be the 1st set in some encrypted format.

2 questions:

1. Anybody want to see if they can open it? If you have some experience with this type of project or can help, let me know how I can mail it to you.

2. What is the best way to get in touch with Sony regarding this problem and trying to resolve the issue? Phone? What number? Email? What email? Web help? Where? ( I know that is really more than 2 questions, but thanks for the help).

Mark

[mrsoul]

This is the file name that is in my Optimized>HiMD folder that is 466 MB in size with the same date and time as the upload snafu

02030000020001072BCB000059FC1187398CC05E.hma

Any clues?

[Christopher]

Read some of the discoveries in this thread.

[doclloyd]

for kicks, you could try renaming the extension to .oma and see if anything comes of it in SonicStage. It may be the same file type info.

[mrsoul]

Can't get anything to open in SS. It's the same old "Can't import a file with this extension, etc". I actually tried to use a unDelete program last night but all of the programs could not read what was seen as a "virtual drive" on the Hi-MD. Does it make any difference for the recovery that the Hi-MD does not have the file any more and only my PC folder with the 466mb *.hma file?

[ksandbergfl]

  Quote

for kicks, you could try renaming the extension to .oma and see if anything comes of it in SonicStage. It may be the same file type info.

I don't have a HiMD with recording (optical or line in), so I'm not sure... but I'm guessing that the HMA file you have is simply the raw ATRAC data off of the HiMD disk. I bet that Sony's upload flowchart is:

#1. copy the raw ATRAC data from the HiMD onto the PC, into a *.HMA file

#2. generate the OMA keys, etc. and build the OMA file from the ATRAC data in the *.HMA file.

Since your PC crashed before Step #2 could be finished, you're kinda SOL.

If you're handy with bits and bytes, you might be able to get away with this:

#1. record another song on your HiMD.

#2. upload it to your PC as normal. Let SonicStage create the OMA file and register it with SonicStage

#3. Using a hex editor like WinHex or HexEdit, copy the raw ATRAC data from your HMA file into the new OMA file... overwriting the ATRAC data that's in the OMA file.

I've had good luck doing step #3 with getting ATRAC data off the ATDATxx.HMA file on the HiMD disk... but I've never tried it with a 466MB file... plus I've never seen the *.HMA file you talk about.

If the file is really really important, you could burn it to CD and mail it to me, and I'll see what I can do. Send me a private message if you're interested.