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New user question: Backup interupted

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Full backup with 6 daily differentials - The second full backup started as scheduled on the 8th day but when I chcked the next day the computer was frozen. I had to actually use the power button to get shut down and restart. I've had the computer for almost a year and never had it lock up like that. When I restarted it, it apparently restarted a full backup (see the attachment) Any advice/suggestions. I remember reading somewhere the significance of "-2" at the end of a file name but can't find it now

 

 

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The -2 is because the file with the same name already exists.  Basically, it was using that name when the system locked up, but because the system froze and was restarted, it did not complete that full and it was the next name to be used as a full is the next scheduled job.  That first version without the -2, is likely no good and you should be able to manuall delete it and then run a validation task to make sure the database is updated (just in case).

It looks like you're doing daily differentials?  I'm curious why your diffs are so large (150Gb+ each diff backup) - do you defrag a lot or do you generate that much data change each day?  

Thanks Bobbo,

I suspected that was the answer about the -2 but wanted to make sure. regarding the size of the differentials, I wondered that also. I definately do not generate that much change daily. Last nights differential, the first after the last full was about 64Gb so perhapsLast week I did do something that generated a lot. I'll keep an eye on it.

Thanks again

 

I believe I found part of the problem. I had apparently accidentally turned on the windows 10 file history but had not chosen a valid back-up target. It therefore was saving those historical files to the C dive and Acronis was backing them up a second time.  I also have my NAS target mapped to a drive letter. Could this cause Acronis to back it up also?

There is a bug in 2017 5554 that if you have a NAS drive mapped in Windows and also connected in Acronis, Acronis doesn't like the credentials if you go to edit them or make a new backup to the NAS (using the same NAS logon information of course).  If you are using the NAS with a mapped drive letter, you probably should apply the hotfix to alleviate that particular bug.

https://kb.acronis.com/node/59051

  1. Replace TrueImage.exe and ti_managers.dll with fixed versions

Good deal finding part of the large backup size, that could certainly do it.

As for other large files that may be in your backup, make sure you do have pagefile.sys, recycle bin, hiberfile.sys etc. in your exclusions.  Those can be quite large and have no purpose for the backup since they are temp files created with each logon or include deleted files. Other files that can increase your backup - Outlook .pst's or other mail files that constantly change, but are associated with a single file.  Itunes device backups eat up a bunch a space if you take phone backups a lot. I exclude those and do a seperate backup for those on occassion.  (the iTunes backups live in %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup)

If you are using the default Entire PC backup task scheme then it is possible that the application might backup the mapped drive.  If you are using a disk/partition task scheme then only the selected disk/partition would be included in the backup.

Thanks to both Bobbo_3C0XZ1 (again) and Enchantech it's working great now. I did the following:

1-Replaced TrueImage.exe and ti_managers.dll with fixed versions

2- Turned off the windows 10 file history

3-Switched backup from the default Entire PC backup to the C drive only

4-Stopped backup to mapped drive and now backing up to NAS

5- Oh yeah also got rid of World of Warships which I discovered was over 30GB when backed up. Its not worth it IMHO

The result: 

1-The full Backup went from 172GB to 66GB

2-The first differential was only 273 MB.

3-The second differential was  2GB. Perhaps installing Civilization V had something to do with that. (I need something to waste time with)

 

 

 

Good deal. Yeah I'm sure the game added some to the next backup. The diffs will grow over time (until the next full) as content changes. 

Do you have automated cleanup turned on to keep backups in check without filling up the drive over time? 

Yes after 3 chains.

I am only sorry I did not partition the drive when I first bought the PC last year so I could have had the OS on its own partition as I did when I built my previous PC. I had used Paragon disk manager to do the partitioning but its an older version not compatable with Windows 10. I never liked their backup and will not upgrade it just to do the partitioning. Any sugestions?

If I get really ambitious, I might run the Dell recovery to Factory, then reinstall programs and restore my latest backup. of data. Just need to make sure I have complete inventory of programs and data before I start. I would probably also do a complete system image before anything.

I do have a bootable rescue media CD

 

I would suggest MiniTool Partition Wizard which offers a free version and also a bootable ISO version.  Many of us here on the Forum use that tool.

Like Enchantech, I used MiniTool Partition Wizard to partition my Dell laptop's drive into C: for OS, D: for user data, and E: for music. I also deleted the Dell Recovery partition.

Dell Recovery partition is useful only to restore the PC to its original factory state. Once you begin installing software and using the computer, such a restore is much less useful and much less appealing.

I removed my Dell Recovery partition and thus freed up almost 20 GB of disk space. But, first I used Dell's backup utility to create the Recovery image to a USB flash drive (you could also choose three DVD-R disks), which could be used restore to Dell factory state if I ever sold the PC. I also moved boot files from Recovery partition to the OS partition.

But, with ATI, the Dell Recovery disks aren't even necessary if you use ATI to create a pre-boot backup image. I also did that (belt and suspenders).

Thats what I should have done as soon as I got my Dell XPS a year ago. I had made a similar set up on my 10 year old homebuilt which was still running XP. It was suddenly giving me all kinds of issues so I was under pressure to get on the new system and just started migrating to it without thinking about creating multiple partitions first.

What I don't know is once I create the additional partitions what is the best way to move the installed programs and Data from C: to where I want them

 

You can use any number of tools to copy from one partition to another. I often use Robocopy. You could even use Windows Explorer, though it's not as robust for larger transfers with large number of files. If you have critical data, you might want to run a checksum before and after, to ensure that everything was copied correctly. I like corz checksum for that.

Thanks Tuttle,

My problem is that in 2003 when I changed careers, leaving the IT department to become a professional EMT, I was using XP and Novell, I avoided upgrading my home system until last year when I got the Win 10 Dell. As far as Win 10 goes I am a real novice with just enough knowedge to make me dangerous.

What I am not clear on is what needs to remain in the OS partition. For instance do the Users and application data folders stay or can they be moved and will the OS find them? What about Program File and Program Files (X86)

As long as you have a recent backup (just in case), Minitool parition manager free is awesome at on the fly partitioning.  You can install it as an app and run it fom Windows, or download a bootable .iso and use it wile the disk is idle.  I've used it offline and online with no issues (so far - but have used it quite a bit).  

Yes, don't mess with any user files/folders, OS files/folders, program files/folders. Only move DATA - things like word documents, pictures, music, movies.  That should help a lot.  You can then work on things like moving .pst's (outlook email files) if you have them and thigns like iTunes media databases or iTunes device backup files that nest themselves in the user profiles.  ONLY MOVE DATA though - leave apps, profiles and the OS alone and on keep them on C:

Leave Program Files and Program Files (X86), as they are part of the system (OS + installed programs). Leave the Users folders, as they are system-created and strange things can happen when trying to use them elsewhere. I simply store my files elsewhere, on my Data partition.