How Can I Rip Open A File Created By The Microsoft Backup Instruction?

I did a full system backup using the Microsoft Backup instruction. I directed the backup to go to an external usb drive which it seems to have done. Two weeks later I had a C drive crash. When I tried to reload the backup using the restore command, it would not work. Is ther any way of ripping open the backup files to get some if not of my personal data back? I am run XP pro w/Service Pk 2

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