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Empty folder message while attempting to browse .tib files

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Hi... I've just started evaluating (and high probably will gonna buy) ATI 2017 but I have some question about how to search files inside a backup.

I create differents backup sets for my full drive C, for documents and images and for some other folder  I use.

For my drive C I've created first a backup set as "version chain scheme" and this produced a full backup with no more diff files, and immediately a second backup with differential tib backup files as scheduled. After 4-5 backups I changed the scheme from "version chain scheme" to "differential scheme" because I saw that this scheme allows me to keep the first backup checking the "do not delete first version of the backup" option.

I thought that this change would result in a new full backup, but no, at next scheduled backup I obtained another diff files referring to the previous backup.

I don't know it this is a problem or not, if the change could cause something go wrong, but when I try to open whatever tib file of this set via explorer I can see just the first folders hierarchy but when I click on the folder that indicate "drive C" the folder opens showing me a message of "empty folder". This happens for all tib files of the backup, both diff files and full backup file, including the first "alone" backup with non diff file. This happens only on the "entire pc" sets of backup; if I try to open tib files of other folder backup I can see all folders and files stored in the backup.

If I use the "recover files" from ATI app I can see full content of folder C, content that I can't see via explorer.

I hope that you can understand the problem I've described because english is not my language (sorry). Can you understand why I can't browse tib files via explorer.

Just another question: the firt time I try to open a tib file via explorer I was prompted to browse and choose the first file of the set. why it isn't automatically recognized? and what happens if an unwanted wrong selection is made?

Thanks.

Fabrizio.

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I thought that this change would result in a new full backup, but no, at next scheduled backup I obtained another diff files referring to the previous backup.

Hi Fabrizio.

When you edit a backup task, it resets the version chain count.  So, if you have a plan that say a version chain consists of 4 diffeentials that would be 1 fulll + 4 differentials.  However if you make a change after the 3rd differential, Acronis will want to take 4 more differentials before the next full is taken as its goal is to complete the chain that was originally created.  Keep in mind that you need to have a chain limit - by date, by number of differentials (that's my preference) or by size.  I would also suggest turning on an automated cleanup or your disk will fill up and Acronis does not like it if you manually start deleting backup .tib files in Windows Explorer outside of Acronis.  

As an example, I have a backup task with 1 full + 3 diffs.  The schedule runs every other day  - which gives me roughly a week.  I then keep 4 version chains which is roughly 1 month.  When the 5th version chain starts (the 5th full has completed), that means the 1st version chain will automatically be cleaned out... so long as i leave the backup task alone :)

When you double click a backup .tib file in Windows explorer, it should open up so you can navigate it.  Are you getting an error, or is nothing happening at all?  Alternatively to double clicking the backup .tib file, you should also be able to right click on it and choose to "mount" the volume as a drive letter.  Once mounted, it should show up like an external drive would and then be able to copy and paste out of it too. 

Hi Bobbo_3C0X1, thanks for your answer...

First of all I want to say that in all incremental/differential backup tasks that I scheduled, I set also a programmed delete of older version to prevent a disk full problem on the destination. I've just changed the drive C task from "version chain scheme" to "differential scheme" because differential scheme allow me to keep the first backup an start deleting older version from the 2nd on.

If a new full backup is started or not after the scheme change is not a problem for me. The problem is that now I don't know if theese backups are good or not because I can access them only via acronis app and the "restore file" button. Should I need a complete restore I don't know if it works or not.

When I try to access to tib files via win explore I don't get any error... I can open the backup archive and see drive c folder, lenovo folder, system folder and other system's folders, but when I click on drive c folder, this folder is simply empty with a message "empty folder". This happens whatever tib files from the "entire pc backup" I try to open in win explorer.

I've also tryed to mount the tib files as a drive letter but whatever tib file I try to mount I get an error "cannot assign a drive letter to a partition from the backup archive".  I can access to backup content only via acronis app and the "restore file" button.

If it could help you to understand here is the situation of backup files. The s4 tib is the one done after changing scheme. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzskzNHShMbWNWpWXzVWMTdIQW8

Since I'm at the beginning I was also thinking to delete tib files and completly remove ATI 2017 attempting a new clean install so that I can set up again  backup tasks without scheme changes on the run.

Thanks.

Fabrizio

 

 

Fabrizio, I am not aware of any problems with ATIH 2017 when opening / viewing .TIB files using Windows Explorer though this was a problem with ATIH 2016.

Please can you confirm what build version of ATIH 2017 you are evaluating here?  This can be found on the Account page (icon looks like a head and shoulders).  The latest build is #5554 for general release.

Also what version of Windows OS are you running here?

Given you are using a Trial version of ATIH 2017 you can also raise a support ticket directly with Acronis Support for this issue, see article: 18623: How to get Technical Support: Tips, Tricks and Useful Information

2.    Trial product support
- Related to the issue with the trial version of Acronis Products
- free of charge
- valid within trial period
- 12x5
- provided via e-mail and chat
Response time:
-  3 business days via e-mail
 - immediate via chat

Fabrizio, I think this has been a bug in previous versions... did you ugprade to 2017?

Try the recommendation in this post.  Reboot, first, then navigate to %userprofile%\appdata\local\virtualstore\ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Database

and delete any files there.  Reboot one more time for good measure and then try to double click a .tib file and see if it now displays the content correctly or not. 

https://forum.acronis.com/forum/117232#comment-359062

Hi Steve, hi Bobbo... I didn't install 2016 version, I've just downloaded ATI 2017 for the first time few days ago, I have the build 5554. I have a win 10 home desktop lenovo all-in-one and the destination of backups is an external drive connected to an usb port.

The problem to browse tib files with window explorer is only related to "entire pc" backup files... tib files of other folder's backup don't have this problem and I can open/view them with window explorer.

I have to say that the first time I attempt to open the tib files in window explorer I was prompted to locate the first set of the backup as shown in the above thread in Bobbo's message. I've tryied to follow the solution given in that thread but i havent folder   ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Database in the given  C:\Users\[your_username]\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\ .

I think I will gonna wait next full backup to see if this files could be opened with window explorer. 

Thanks for the update - let us know how the fix goes (if it work).  It is not version specific - it is just deleting temporary cached .tib mount files so is safe to delete those on any current version of Acronis.  After doing that, I'd reboot and then try double clicking and Acronis should then automataically recreate the cached .tib mount files in that directory again. 

I've tryied to follow the solution given in that thread but i havent folder   ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Database in the given  C:\Users\[your_username]\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\ ... even activating visualization of hidden folder and system folders

[update]

While I set my power button to hybernate instead of shut down, I've just reboot my desktop and try to open again tib files after a clean boot.

Well... while attempting to open tib files, I was prompted again to "locate the volume with number '1'"... this time, instead to choose the file it asks me, I click on cancel button many times while the message was changing from "number '1'" to number 2, 3, 4 and then again 1, 2, 3, 4... after 8-10 "cancel" command, explorer showed me the tib content and I can browse content in folder "C" as I couldn't do before.

If there were any problem in 2016 version with browsing through window explorer I think that these problem still remain in 2017 version.

Even if browsing in window explorer works with this trick, the "mount" function to mount the backup as a volume, doesn't work neighter after the clean reboot.

There are a couple of issues here - different things that are coming to light as this progresses.

#1 - The can't locate file 1, 2, 3, 4 suggests you have manually moved, deleted or renamed some backup files outside of Acronis using Windows file explorer - have you ever done that? If so, this will cause this issue.  To resolve it, you need to validate the backup and when Acronis warns that files are missing, you must ignore each one (or manually point to their true location to update the database). Once all warning are done, that should update the database and you should be OK in this regard.

#2 - The first suggestion is particularly for the error, failed to locate volume 1, but has fixed other double-click backup file issues I've experienced. %userprofile%\appdata\local\virtualstore\ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Database - there should be something in this folder, but perhaps not if you did uninstall and reinstall.  Are you sure you turned on hidden files and folders and whent to the correct user profile (just to be sure).

#3 The failed to mount issue is resolved with a different patch:  https://forum.acronis.com/forum/116874?page=1#comment-374879 - this is a different issue than you previously described (or I missed it earlier).

.... to resolve all of these, I would start with a clean install using the cleantool - not just removing from control panel, though If you remove from control panel, leftovers may still exist in certain locations.  Start with control panel remove, then run the clean too, reboot, and reinstall "fresh" using the latest installer downloaded from your account (BE SURE to right click and "run as administrator" when running the clean tool AND WHEN INSTALLING ACRONIS), I think everything will work fine.  Full cleantool instructions are here in my other thread:  https://forum.acronis.com/forum/126092#comment-391779

 

 

Hi Bobbo... here is my answers

#1 - No, I've neighter renamed tib files nor moved it and for each backup task I've cecked the "validation at the end" option, so validation is done at each backup. The only thing I can tell you is that the destination of backup is located into an external drive connected to an usb port; the drive is self powered and need to switch on manually; sometimes I forget to switch on togheter to my desktop, but when I've tryed to browse tib files was obviously switched on. ;)  Please note that I have 4 backup tasks, 1 for the entire pc (differential) and 3 for personal folder (incremental) and this problem is only for the "entire pc" backup... for the other 3 backups ATI didn't ask me to locate file 1 etc.

#2 - Yes, I've turned on both hidden file and system file but in %userprofile%\appdata\local\virtualstore  I haven't the "programdata" folder (and obviously have not the subfolder) you say.

#3 - I'm gonna try the patch and will report my feedback.

If I will completly remove and do a clean install what happens to actual backups? I have to delete these tib files and set up again my tasks because the counter will be reset and these backups won't result in the history after the clean instal, I suppose... isn't it?

 

Bobbo_3C0X1 wrote:

#3 The failed to mount issue is resolved with a different patch:  https://forum.acronis.com/forum/116874?page=1#comment-374879 - this is a different issue than you previously described (or I missed it earlier).

This thread/patch seems to be for ATI 2016. Can be applyed to ATI 2017 too?

Yes, it shoud be OK to install for 2017.  I have not seen a newer patch released for 2017, but remember a couple of others posting (those who upgraded from 2016 to 2017) that they used the same patch and it fixed the issue for them again. 

If things don't pan out still, you have technical support with your 2017 purchase and should think about opening a support ticket via chat to get Acronis directly involved.  If there is a bug or issue causing this on your machine, it could show up for others and would be in Acronis interest to identify the cause and/or find a more current fix resolution before they release then next version update. 

I've installed the given patch and reboot. Then I've tried to mount a tib file as a volume but didn't work. I've tried again on the same tib and it worked. I've tried with another tib and didn't work. I've tried again on the same tib and it worked.

It seems that the first mount attempt always fails, but the 2nd works (maybe this worked even before the patch but I haven't thought to try mount twice the sam tib).

Maybe the problem could be due to the usb2 (slow) speed? I've just buyed this desktop but I can't use usb3 ports because there isn't a valid driver for win 10 on this machine for usb3 from intel and the one from microsoft is very poor because goes ko (driver disconnect) while running a transfer at usb3 speed... so I'm forced to connect the external drive for backup to an usb2 port till there isn't a better driver available.

Possibly - strange indeed, but something I'll keep in the back of my mind if others mention similar issues needing to mount twice.  I'm guessing that it's not the driver, but possibly the USB ports power capability.  UsB 3.0 has more power draw and not all ports put off the same amount of power (Surface Pro 3 is one system where this is very noticeable).  You may actually do better with a powered USB 3.0 hub in between or trying to connect your external drive with a Y UsB cable (so that it can get power from 2 UsB ports at the same time - both should be UsB 3.0 though to avoid issues).  Alt4ernatively, try a powered UsB 3.0 case instead if the drive is removable.  You did mention this is a desktop... are there UsB 3.0 ports on the back of the machine you can try instead - those usually provide more power than those on the front ports. 

Sorry Bobbo... maybe I didn't explain very well with my english... when I told that "the external hard disk is self powered" I meant that it has its own ac power cable and doesn't need to get power from the usb port. So this can't result in a power issue.

At the moment I can't use my usb3 ports for peripherals that generate heavy data transfer (such the external hd drive) because after 2-3 Gb of data transferred, the poor microsoft usb3 driver crash and the backup fails, so I'm forced to use an usb2 port that is slower.

I spoke about usb2 speed because I've noticed that at 1st attemp to mount the tib file it "takes lot of time" working (about 90-100 seconds) before get the message that can't assign a drive letter to the volume, but at 2nd attempt it is faster do do mount command (50 seconds) and it works.

Ah, OK.  Not sure why that would be, but at least you have a work-a-round that seems to get you going in the right direction.  What is your computer system make and model #?  What OS are you running and is it 32 or 64-bit.  Perhaps we can help you find a better USB 3.0 driver so you can take advantage of it. 

Well Bobbo... thanks for your interest in trying solving a problem that is not related to this forum...

My desktop is a Lenovo Ideacentre AIO 700-27ISH running window 10 home 64 bit. The usb3 controller is "intel usb 3.0 extensible" and the chipset is "intel 100 series/c230 series".

Now it works with a microsoft usb3 driver because there isn't any driver from Intel for this chipset/win 10 platform. I've already found a workaround to force win 7 driver for the intel usb 3.0 extensible to work on win 10 platform. The workaround is manually editing the inf file of the latest intel driver for win 7, boot disabling driver signature check, replace the driver operating with a vnc software on a remote machine (because during the replacing process of the usb3 driver, stops working also usb2 ports and so mouse and keyboard stops working), disable update of usb3 driver in window update. After all these steps I've finally got my usb3 ports operating at full speed, but... the side effect of this forcing was that webcam stops working, even if in "device managment" the webcam driver seems to be ok. Since I haven't found any other workaround/driver for the webcam I finally decided to restore the system point configuration saved before starting the replacement and so roll back to the original configuration with usb3 ports that can't be used with usb3 devices.

If you are able to discover another working usb3 driver/workaround for this desktop I will make you a monument ;)

So, the website only lists drivers for Windows 7 and XP.  http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/Desktops-and-all-in-ones/IdeaC…

However, there's a Windows 10 system interface application which is interesting: http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/desktops-and-all-in-ones/ideac…

Perhaps it's needed to make things a bit more compatible with Windows 10?  

Other than that, it doesn't look like Lenovo is going to be much help. Nice work-a-round to force the Win 7 driver!  Bummer it breaks the webcam though.  Sounds like it's either USB 3.0 and no camera or camera and no USB 3.0.  What about forcing USB 3.0 and using an external webcam?

 

Yes, I could use an external webcam, but the integrated one is the intel realsense 3d webcam and it's mora than a simple webcam.

I've yet installed the lenovo companion software and the intel driver update utility and both utilities allow me search for driver update but nothing available till now for usb3.

I've also tryied the software you linked in the previous message and nothing happens but the feeling that usb3 driver now crashes faster.

Bummer.  I found one more Lenovo tool - solution center.  Perhaps a last ditch effort? It says it's for the aio700-24ish, but looks to be a general app that should be comaptible across different models.  The only goal with this is that it has a hardware scanning feature so might identify a bad driver or missing driver for the USB 3.0 internface? 

Lenovo Solution Center for Windows 10 (64-bit), 8.1 (64-bit), 8 (64-bit), 7 (64-bit) - Desktops, Notebooks, Workstations

 

Supported ThinkPad Systems

  • All Thinkpad
  • All ThinkCentre
  • All ThinkStation
  • All Lenovo Essential
  • All IdeaCentre

Supported Operating Systems

  • Windows 10 64-bit
  • Windows 8.1 64-bit
  • Windows 8 64-bit
  • Windows 7 64-bit

Summary of Changes

Version 3.3.003

  • ADD: Includes additional security fixes. Refer to Lenovo Security Advisory LEN-7814 for more information
  • ADD: Metrics SDK
  • ADD: LSC 3.3.003 - Integrate LDiag 4.10.001 diagnostics
  • CHG: Update OpenSSL files to 1.0.2g
  • CHG: Remove Current ClickData from InstallShield
  • CHG: Update Build Scripts to copy new binaries
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Setup/Settings - The application is not showing the "Privacy Notice" pop up after updating the version.
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Hardware Scan - after the execution of Hardware Scan the app displays "Final Result Code" in Device Information of View Log and Report
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.002 Rev32 - Snapshot - Startup programs always listed in <Startup> even it's disabled on Win10
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.002 - Click Data - When the user opens the LSC is created Click Data
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Click Data - The application is not creating the click data event.
  • FIX: LSC 3.2.006 - The tray icon displays Hardware Scan alert after the first execution
  • FIX: LSC 3.2.6 - Tray Icon - After open LSC in first time the try icon doesn't appears
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Tray icon - When user disable de notification of windows, the tray icon doesn't disappear
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Tray Icon - Tray Icon is not showing the alerts.
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - System information - In some languages the system information broken the layout
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 – Setup – When you try to use LSC as a guest user, all functionalities do not work.
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Self Update - The LSC does not display pop-up with Self Update
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Scheduler - The "Open Scheduler" button changes the color after clicked first time
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Hardware Scan - In log with tests fail the Date Run it is empty
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Hardware Scan - The date it is display in english when the user executes the Hardware Scan in others languages
  • FIX: LSC 3.3.003 - Hardware Scan - After press to enter in quick or select test, the user can access another screen before the loading finish

I already have this app, but it's only for testing memory, cpu, graphics, internal hd and wifi