Backup Contacts, Messages, Settings Etc.The Nokia 5800XM has a backup feature embedded. You can program it to be automatic, such as daily, weekly etc. and remember this because I strongly recommend you to activate this after the any recovery to save yourself.
Indeed these files have the .arc extension, but I've never been able to open it on the computer and remember, these files are not compatible with PC Suite. Copy these backup files elsewhere on your PC. and keep it safe, it is in such situation that you are pretty nervous and you make bad mistakes, losing your last chances to recover piece of data.
Have your memory card of your Nokia connected directly to a PC, back it up using simple copy or ZIP of the entire card. Now you should have find your .arc files in the Backup folder (hidden folder) of the memory card.
For these kind of backup, I do personally recommend you to backup Contacts, Messages, Settings, Calendars (Optional) and Bookmarks (Optional) and do not backup your personal files (User Files).
To backup from phone:
1. Go to the standard Nokia File Manager.
2. Click on Backup.
3. Then Options -> Restore.
4. Select the desired, such as Contacts, Messages, Settings etc.
5. Click "OK" to start backup process.
To restore the backup:
1. Go to the standard Nokia File Manager.
2. Click on Backup.
3. Then Options -> Restore.
4. Select the desired, such as Contacts, Messages, Settings etc.
5. Click "OK" to start restore process.
My personal advise is to never trust any electronic devices for your valueable data. Remember, these mistakes are not done by the device itself, its always our mistake and lack of precautions.
Added on December 25, 2009, 2:03 pmYou might need to reset your phone (hard reset) it has been guided in the front page of the thread

.. bring to NCC even after the hard reset method fails.
Im using v31.0.101 without any problem

for nokia .arc backup file, it can be open with the "noki" software but trial version have limited the total extract function.