What to do when data is Lost after backing up HDD?

Q: I got a new PS3 for christmas, a slimline PS3 with FW3.41. Since I didn't need my phat anymore, I used the backup utility to back up the PS3 HDD. I then formatted the phat, and gave it to my cousin.

I tried restoring the backup, but it gave an error message. "This data is from another PS3. Backup utility will only be able to restore certain files." It didn't restore anything, not even saves.

Is there any way to get over the different PS3 restriction, or manipulate the data otherwise to get files from it?

A: jailbreak your slim, install gaia and connect your other hdd to a linux based system. because in some cases the ps3 even formats external hdds as ext (rare case but happens from time to time) which means you'd lose your data while connecting to a windows OS. anyways connect gaia with an ftp manager and just copy the folders into the belonging folders of your ps3.

after that connect it to the ps3 again and try to start the recovery system once more, it doesn't matter if it fails, but instead it should be working now!