ABR 10 server for windows Universal Restore Option not available?
We have recently purchased the Acronis Backup & Recovery 10
Server for Windows with Universal Restore and start using on
one IBM Server. When we wanted to try out the restoring to
a machine using SATA hard disks (IBM Server using RAID hard disks),
the Universal Restore Option just don't show up (see attached abr1)
We can continued to restore to the SATA disks successfully but if going to boot up from this test machine, Windows Server 2008 R2 will keep rebooting during startup stage (even if select Safe Mode) assuming the OS trying to boot from RAID drivers and not SATA controller. I believed we need to get the Universal Restore Option working to solve the os rebooting issue on dissimilar hardware.
Btw the Boot Media was created correctly with UR and one other
thing is I couldn't choose Data Type: Disk as Disk1 not selectable
(see attached abr2). Help needed. Many Thanks.
Why are all volumes shown under "Dynamic and GPT" on fig 1? Is is EFI system booting from GPT?
Yes is using EFI System, full server installation done using the IBM ServerGuide DVDs.
Is that the problem I couldn't see Universal Restore Option when wanted to test restore to
another computer? But the IBM server now in full operation I will not be able make any changes.
Is there a way I can overcome the Windows Server 2008 R2 keep rebooting while loading on
the test machine using SATA disk? I can see that all files been restored correctly on each partition
just that I couldn't get Windows load beyond starting stage. Thanks.
It may be the problem - http://kb.acronis.com/content/5684 . Features that doesn't involve tight interaction with boot code like ASRM, AUR seem to work. If the target system is BIOS, I'd try (assuming that system) to install a 2008 R2 on the new machine, then from the bootable media restore the system partition volume to the system volume of the fresh installation, and then back up the new system again, hoping that after that it will recognize the backup of a mbr disk and offer the UR option.
http://kb.acronis.com/content/5684
Acronis products do not support systems with Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI).
Support of EFI-based systems may be implemented in future.
If really thats the case, meaning if my current server got problem and need to be restored, the image we been backup all along will be useless - not able to boot up at all.
If it is on a single disk, not RAID, you can always pry it out and connect to some live system or a BIOS-based machine.
I managed to try out a workaround to get the W2K8 R2 to boot up and
running on a test computer using SATA disks (Actual active server running
on IBM ServerRAID controller). The whole process required some steps and
thinking by buying AB&R 10 with UR can simplify the restore job process
not knowing that Acronis products do not support systems with Extensible
Firmware Interface (EFI). And until now there isn't any Acronis support provide
me an alternative solution on this - very disappointed.
Hello all,
Thank you very much for your posts and your kind assistance.
KC, I will do my best to assist you.
Please accept my apologies for the delay and the inconvenience.
At the moment there is no workaround that we can suggest for EFI, however, we are planning to support in the next version of our corporate software.
Just in case, I noticed that you were expecting Acronis Universal Restore to be prompted, however, I have noticed that you are performing recovery in Windows. Acronis Universal Restore cannot be used in Windows, you will need to create a bootable media. Please check this article for additional information.
If you have additional questions, please let me know.
Thank you.
I have been using the bootable media created with UR, using Windows just to do
screen captured to be posted here. Awaiting a solution or update from your side.
Thanks.