Automatic Cleanup Questions/Problems
Hi,
I'm using TIH 2015 build 6525 for scheduled full backups of a laptop to an external USB hard drive. I have a question and a problem with the automatic cleanup feature.
For the question, I use "Store no more than 5 recent versions" for the cleanup rules. Last week was the first week that a backup process deleted an old backup. Last week backup file ASUS Full Backup_full_b7_s1_v1.tib was created and backup file ASUS Full Backup_full_b1_s1_v1.tib was deleted. I have backup files b2, b3, b4, b5, b6, and b7, which is 6 backup files. Was the current backup, b7, not included in the 5 recent versions because it was the current backup at the time of the deletion of b1?
The problem is that last night the scheduled full backup didn't run because of an error on my part. This morning I connected my external USB hard drive and the backup ran successfully. Backup file b8 was created but backup file b2 wasn't deleted. Do the automatic cleanup rules not apply when the backup doesn't run on its scheduled day and time?
Gary
Right out of the gate, I would recommend modifying your backup scheme to include email notification. This way you can email yourself a log file of each backup task. This will shed light on exactly the steps ATI is taking during each backup task.
Many, many, many, many upset customers regarding the removal of log files with 2015.
Dan,
I have had email notification turned on in my backup scheme. I used it to determine that the three backup files were deleted. I also looked at it the previous week when the backup was run off schedule. I didn't see any error messages related as to why there was no deletion of backup files. I received a message that "Validate Backup Archive" was started and then 30 minutes later messages for closing connections. No attempt to consolidate/delete backups was made.
Gary
Gary,
Here are two links which I suggest you refer.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/75086
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/64640
Whether a backup is run manually or via a schedule does not change how the cleanup works. Cleanup is based solely on number of backups set into the cleanup retention scheme. Acronis tells not tell you but after you create your scheme, leaave it alone without further changes. Chainges usually causes the task not to work the way our are expecting.
You indicate you configured your backup to be
Only FULL BACKUPOS and STORE 5 recent version chains. (Note: if you also checked "do not delete original", that was not mentioned in your discussion)
The program completes the first 5 FULL ONLY BACKUPS. (B1 Full, B2 Full, B3 Full, B4 Full, B5 Full)
Upon completion of B6 full, the quota has been properly exceeded, and B1 Full is deleted to meet the retain 5 quota.
Upon completion of B7 Full, the quota has been properly exceeded, and B2 Full is deleted to meet the retain 5 quota.
Upon the completion of each successive full backup. the oldest Full will be deleted so as to retain the most recent 5 FULL BACKUPS.
If your backup scheme is as you stated (keep 5 versions), and the cleanup is not working as I stated above, then the cause was most likely changes in the task via editing. Once 5 Full backups are on hand, If it does not correct itself (perform deletion of oldest full) followiing each full backup, then I would suggest you start over with a new scheme but once the task is created, then leave it along a make no further changes. If changes needed, stop using the old task and start over with a new task.
Grover,
Thank you very much for the two links. There is a lot of helpful information in them.
In my configuration "Do not delete the first version of the backup" is not checked. When I missed the scheduled backup, the next day I connected the external hard drive and started True Image. I cannot remember if my backup started automatically or if I clicked on "Back Up Now". This is the backup run that didn't perform the file deletes. Everything appears to be working properly now.
I don't believe that I made any changes to the backup scheme, but I did go into Edit Settings to check some of the settings. I didn't know another way to check the settings; no browse option. I'm aware of the problems with changing settings on a backup scheme because that occurred to me with True Image 2013. I had hoped that the problem had been corrected. Thanks for letting me know it is still an issue.
When I created the backup scheme, I clicked on "Back Up Now" to test it, and that may be why it took 6 scheduled backups before b1 was deleted. Since everything seems to be working now I'm fine.
Gary
Does any of the backups have a v1-2 at the end? If yes, that one was a problem in that the name existed.
Whether the backup now or schedule is not supposed to have any effect on the cleanup. When the quota is exceeded, that full backup should have performed the delete. The quota of 5 is not exceeded until the 6th is complete. AFter 6 completes, the first delete occurs. That is normal. The replacment is always completed before the delete occurs.
They all have v1 at the end. The file name format is: ASUS Full Backup_full_bx_s1_v1.tib. The x in the bx has gone from 1 to 9. The scheduled backup is run weekly. The b1 file was deleted on the run where the b7 file was created, and the b2, b3, and b4 files were deleted on the run where b9 was created. The b1 file was created by a Backup Now run, and the b8 file was created on a run that occurred when I connected my external hard drive after a missed scheduled run. I have the email results from all of the runs except the one that created the b1 file. I'm guessing an email wasn't sent because that was a Backup Now run, or I may have deleted it.
Gary
Email notification is only sent providing user sets up the email notification paraments. If configured, manual or schedule does not matter. If the backup is activalted, you should geta pass or fail notice on your email.
Currently, do you have 5 full backups listed in your storage folder, and if another number, what number does the backup scheme read currently?
You can click the edit settings to get information but do not save any changes--just look and then click CANCEL.
Email notification was setup and tested when I created the backup scheme.
I currently have 5 full backups in my storage folder, b5 thru b9, and the backup scheme is: "Store no more than 5 recent versions".
Good. Then you are all set. Each new full that is completed will be followed by the automtic deletion of the oldest full.
If for any reason, you need to perform a restore of your system. Do plan on starting over with a new task and new task name and a new store folder.
Don't plan on using your existing backup task for the continuance of the same set of tib files.
Thanks for all of your help. I hadn't heard about having to start a new backup task, task name, and folder after a system restore. Good to know.