True Image 2014 Backup to Multiple External HDD's
Afternoon,
We're currently in a trial of True Image and we are wanting to use one job to backup to two external Hard drives that are used on alternating days.
Is this something that can be done or do two jobs need to be created for it to work.
A bit more info:
Drive 1 is plugged in on Monday, we run the standard incremental backup job, it does a full backup to the drive.
Drive 2 is plugged in on Tuesday, we run the same job again and we want it to continue with the incremental backup job and add the files that have changed to the image on Drive 2.
Drive 1 is plugged back in on Wednesday, run the same job and another incremental backup is taken of the changes done in the day.
Hope this makes sense!


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You will definitely need a separate backup task for each target disk as the backups will only occur to the disk which was attached at time of task creation.
Each target disk should have its own unique volume name and a different disk letter (x,y,x) can help visual recognition but not required.
The tasks can be either non-scheduled (run task manually) or can be scheduled via the weekly schedule assigning the weeks day used to each disk.
Note: The backup would NOT be on alternating days but would be pre-assigned to specific days of the week. You don't mention how many days of the week this schedule would apply to so it is possible the same disk might be used two day's in a row if schedule does not apply to every day.
As the tasks will fail if the wrong disk is attached at backup time, you may want to consider using some sort of check system or notification system to remind the user to make sure the correct target disk is attached.
Disk Verification checks
One method might be to use Windows Schedule and have it display a reminder message.
Another method would be to create a short reminder batch file for each task and have the program run the assigned batch file as part the Acronis Disk backup Options/Advanced/Pre-Post Pre Commands. The batch program would remind which disk should be attached or even check to make sure that the correct disk actually attached, and this message would display as part of the beginning of the backup but the backup would not begin until the check has been made.
Or, another option is what I designed for this type situation. Link below.
https://forum.acronis.com/forum/42887
Or, another option would be to use MVP MudCrab's Drive Notify program which is installed as part of the Pre-Post Pre Commands. This program displays a message and also checks to make sure that the specific disk is attached which is tied to that task. If the correct disk is not attached, the backup cannot continue until the correct disk is attached. Details on this program can be found on my signature link 1 below and then browse to index item 4-A.
Reminder that the first backup for each target disk will be a full backup.
Disk 1 would be Monday=Full. Wednesday=inc or Dif with all changes since Monday backup. Friday-Inc or Diff with all changes since Wednesday backup. Sunday=all changes since Friday backup.
Disk 2 would be Tuesday=Full. Thursday =Inc or Dif with all changes since Tuesday backup. Saturday=In or Dif with all changes since Thursday Backup.
Depending upon when you wanted the next full to occur, the backup scheme could be adjusted differently on how many inc or dif to perform before the next full.
I would discourage your use of the default Incremental backup scheme as it has no ending definition and depends upon user intervention.
A better backup scheme would be a Custom backup scheme using either Dif or Inc as the backup type. The attached examples are two guidelines. Do understand the difference between the restore requirement for the Incremental as compared to the differential backups. I prefer the less stringent custom/diff as it only needs two files for a restoration to occur; whereas, restoring an incremental requires all prior files (in that chain) created prior to the inc being restored.
GH12. Create Custom Incremental Backup Scheme. 6 Inc, Keep 4 chains or adjust number.
GH13. Create Custom Differential Backup Scheme. 2 Diff, Keep 2 chains or adjust number.
The fact that you are using the trial version leads me to assume that you are not familiar with the 2014 version. I would encourage you to review my signature link 2-A which is a 2014 guide on how to create a backup task. Attention is called to the ending of that guide which has multiple illustrates of how to use specific task functions.
I would also encourage you to be aware to the Acronis help file
http://www.acronis.com/support/documentation/ATIH2014/#22735.html
And be aware of the new tib file naming rules used by the program which adds a suffix to your own name of choice.
http://www.acronis.com/en-us/support/documentation/ATIH2014/index.html#…
Edit/Added:
It would also be possible to use the Monthly schedle option and assign the old day to disk 1 and the even days to disk 2. But even then, there could be some times when the same disk is needed 2 days in a row at month end/start new month.
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We do have kind of the same situation here.
Normal PC which acts as a (File-)Server. Acronis True Image 2014 installed.
The goal:
One Full Backup every night. Rotating USB Discs from Monday to Friday. One for each day.
ATI2014 should do a full backup to the USB Disc and delete the backup from the week before.
The current situation:
It does a full backup every day. But has problems finding the previous backup file. Which not only gives ugly error messages (although the inital backup is fine), after some time the discs are simply full. So no Backup then :(
Kind of ironic because it works flawlessly in the Serveredition on mulitple Servers.
Is this something the "Not Server" Edition simply doesn't support?
Or am I missing something?
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The answer is already in this thread. Backups to multiple external drives require multiple backup tasks, one for each drive.
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Ok. Thanks. I just thought if it works in the Server Edition with one job it would work the normal version as well.
I will try the suggested solution and let you know how it goes!
Cheers
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My response was specific to TrueImage Home 2013 and 2014.
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