Acronis True Image 2015 does not start backup on scheduled time
For the past two weeks, I have great difficulty setting up Acronis True Image 2015 to start backup on a daily schedule. The problem is that True Image 2015 consistently start the backups at the wrong time. Here are the details:
System: Dell Inspiron desktop with Intel i3, 4GB RAM, 1TB HDD, and Windows 8.1, 2 external hard drives directly connected to the PC's USB 3.0 ports. The computer is only connected to the Internet when we need it to (for instance, to activate/update Acronis True Image 2015). We also install Avast! anti-virus to protect the system when it is connected to the Internet during Windows updates. Other than that, the system is disconnected from the Internet. The PC, and the external hard drives are two weeks old.
We installed Acronis True Image 2015 two weeks ago, installed the updates for Acronis, and activated it. We performed two test backups to see how long it would take to complete a full system backup. Each time, the test backups take 15 minutes to complete.
We did a third test backup: full system backup with auto-shutdown. Again, the backup completed after 15 minutes and turned the system off. So far, so good.
Before we set up the daily backup schedule, we checked the system's time and time zone, and both are correct. We schedule Acronis to do 2 daily 'Entire PC' backups: the first one at 8:30 p.m. on the first external hard drive. The second one at 9:30 p.m. with auto-shutdown on the second hard drive (even though we know the actual backup time is only 15 minutes, we set the scheduled backups at one hour apart, just in case). The scheduling of the backups went smoothly, without any error. Also, as of 8:00 p.m., everybody has left the office.
We double-checked the settings: Acronis confirmed that the 1st backup starts daily at 8:30 p.m. and the 2nd backup starts daily at 9:30 p.m.
And yet, for the past two weeks, Acronis did not start the 1st backup until 5 a.m. and the second at 9 a.m.
Please help
Side note: we have been using different versions of Acronis True Image for 9 years now, and we have never encountered this issue before.
@GroverH - Thank you for the quick response. When I configured Acronis, I did make sure that the option 'run when idle' is not checked. I will check the Acronis log file on Monday. Acronis has been performing the 2 daily backups without any error. It just did the backups at the wrong time. I will check the Power Management for USB Devices as per your advice. Thanks again!
Under the scheduler/advanced settings, what other settings do you have checked?
Is the computer powered up during all 24 hourst?
When the backup does not run at the scheduled time, how is the computer shutdown? What time? Is it as shutdown or is it just a user logoff?
When is normal startup time for the computer?
Proir to the 8:30 pm start backup time, is the computer in active use prior to 8:30?
It appears to me that this could be a sleep type issue.
@GroverH - Here are the settings:
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1st backup settings:
- On the 'Schedule' tab: Daily at 8:30 p.m. - Expand the 'Advanced settings', also on the 'Schedule' tab: Checked on 'Prevent the computer from going to sleep/hibernate'. Under 'Missed backups', checked on 'Run at system startup with delay in '0' minutes'.
- On the 'Backup Scheme' tab: 'Backup Scheme' is set on 'Custom Scheme'. 'Backup Method' is set to 'Full'. Checked on 'Delete versions older than 7 days'.
- Did not select anything under the 'Notifications' tab.
- Did not select anything under the 'Advanced' tab.
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2nd backup settings:
- 'Schedule' tab: Daily at 9:30 p.m. Expand the 'Advanced settings', also on the 'Schedule' tab: checked on 'Prevent the computer from going to sleep/hibernate'. Under 'Missed backups', checked on 'Run at system startup with delay in '0' minutes'.
- 'Backup scheme' tab: 'Backup Scheme' is set on 'Custom Scheme'. 'Backup method' is set to 'Full'. Checked on 'Delete versions older than 7 days'.
- Did not select anything under the 'Notifications' tab.
- On the 'Advanced' tab: Expand 'Computer shutdown', checked on 'Shut down the computer after the backup is complete'.
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- The office workers use the computer from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., everyday. Prior to Acronis, they shut the system off when they leave for the day.
- Now, with Acronis, they were instructed to leave the system on after they leave the office, because Acronis will perform the first backup at 8:30 p.m. (which according to our backup tests, took 15 minutes). Then, the 2nd backup will start at 9:30 p.m. and will shut the system off automatically. We also ask the workers to not log off the system and just leave it on the 'Desktop'.
- Anyway, we double and triple checked the system's time zone and time settings, the Acronis' scheduled backup times and they are all correct. On Acronis True Image 2015, on the left pane, it shows two scheduled backup. When we click on the 1st backup, Acronis will show 'next backup start at 8:30 p.m.'. And when we click on the 2nd backup, it says 'next backup start at 9:30 p.m.'
- Yet, for the past two weeks, the first backup started at 5:00 a.m., then the 2nd backup started at 9:00 a.m., then it shut the system off (not log off) around 9:15 a.m.
- I also use Acronis True Image 2015 on one of my PC at home and it does not have this problem.
- I agree with you that it could be a sleep type issue, so on Monday, I will check the PC's 'Power Options' settings to make sure that 'Put the computer to sleep' is set to 'Never'.
- Thank you again for your advice!!
Look especially at the enclosures for the usb3 disks. Many of the newer enclosures have their own power timing options.
The target disks may not be online at the preferrred backup time;.
One option which you could make work would be to start over but
1. Set up a new non-scheduled task to do the first backup.
2. Create a desktop shortcut to that task so the last person leaving could just click on the desktop shortcut to start the first backup.
3. Create a new non-schedule task to do the 2nd backup with its shutdown option.
4. As part of the fist non-scheduled task, put a simple batch file in the Pre/Post Post command file
to start the 2nd backup.
The way it would work
A user manually starts the backups by clicking a desktop shortcut (TrueImage is cloosed)
Backup one completes and the 2nd backup is automatically started by the batch command file in the first task post command option.
When 2nd backup completes, the 2nd task shuts down the computer.
@GroverH - The external hard drives are Western Digital External Portable Hard Drive USB 3.0. I will check to see if Western Digital have any update for these drives. I will check the PC's Power Settings on Monday. Your idea of the batch file seems like a great idea. If you don't mind, would you show me on how to do it? I have never done that before.
Again, thanks a million!
Start with the Program menu/start menu.
Check if you have a Western digital menu entry.
See if there is a Western Digital utility listing.
I'' try to dig up a few references on the batch file.
@GroverH - Based on your idea of a batch file in the Pre/Post command file, I created 2 non-scheduled tasks without having to create a Pre/Post batch file on a test machine and it works! Here's what I did:
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Task #1:
- On the 'Schedule' tab, checked on 'Do not schedule'.
- Select 'Custom scheme' on the 'Backup scheme' tab. Select 'Full' on 'Backup method'. Checked on 'Delete versions older than 7 days'.
- On the 'Advanced' tab, expand 'Computer shutdown' and checked on 'Shut down the computer after the backup is complete'.
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Task #2:
- On the 'Schedule' tab, checked on 'Upon event' and checked on 'System shutdown or restart'.
- Under the 'Backup scheme' tab, same settings as Task #1.
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- The last person on the computer clicks on the first task, which will run the backup, then shutdown the system. The second task will trigger when the machine is shutting down.
- I tested it twice and it works!
-Thank you again for all your help!
Do continue to monitor the success/failure of this procdure. Hopefully, you have set up the notification opton so you can get an email on the success/failure of each task.
In addition to the power settings to check, also check the device Manager.
Check the Device manager settings as shown in this diagram.
In my tests a short time ago, I could not get the computer to reliably create a backup at shutdown.
Yours is a system request and it may work but do monitor the results.
@GroverH - I want to thank you for your patience, professionalism and expertise. I've used Acronis for nine years now through its various iterations over the years. I love Acronis because it works - it has saved my PCs at work and at home many, many times. Imagine having to rebuild the system from scratch whenever the hard drive failed! Anyway, this issue is a first for me. And again, I thank you.