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simple request

Thread needs solution

I've seen several threads about people whose differentials are every bit as large as their initial full - I have the same problem, and I'm starting it suspect it has to do with a not so intuitive (to me at least ) user interface.

Here's what I want to do: create differential File Backups. It's a simple thing, but I have to admit, Acronis has me stumped - I create a differential job with a schedule, and the next one comes along and it's the same size - and it's not caused by not disk defrag, that's turned off.

Question: how (in ATH 2011) does a differential job know which full to look at if you can't specify the tib? Maybe I'm not pointing at at a full.....

Question: What's the step-by-step procedure for creating a scheduled differential File Backup job that works?

thanks in advance...
BA

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I found a thread about exactly this issue of how to get a Differential backup to find a Full to reference, but it appears to be for an earlier ATH version:
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/4154

..in it, the user provides instructions, including a key step:
"4. Here is where you are asked for Backup Archive Location. Select the name of the full backup that you just created. Click next."

...but most importantly, he lays it out:
"Sorry Acronis, but it was not explained very well and maybe something needs to be done with the interface when differential is selected to force picking the correct choices. Perhaps picking differential first and then force the user to pick the full backup filename and not let them put in their own filename."

This is exactly what I'm looking for in 2011, a clear straightforward explanation as to how to get a Differential Backup to see and reference previous Full Backup - but in the ATH 2011 user interface, I'm not able to "Select the name of the full backup that you just created", I can only select only a folder... and that doesn't work, the ATH 2011 differential doesn't see the Full backup .tib that's in fact sitting there, so it the Differential Backup creates another Full Backup. sigh.

...I should add that my differentials-that-are-as-big-as-fulls have a parenthesis at the end -- foobar(1) rather than foobar1,
if that's any clue...

I think the post you refer to is itself referring to ABR10 not TI 2011.

In your case, you should be selecting incremental for the first files, this will cause TI to make a Full, then it will subsequently make incrementals.

Differentials would be the same. You could of course use the new 'chain' option, which will do it all for you.

Just to check - you only want a files and folders regime not a complete disk or partition image?

1. Select File backup.

2. Select files and or folders that you want backed up.

3. Select the destination for the tib file.

4. Click on Version chain. From the drop down box select Custom.

5. From the drop down box on the Custom Scheme form, select either Incremental or Differential depending on what you want.

5a. Choose whether you want only 1 full and then only inccrementals or differentials thereafter or select the Create a full after so many child backups.

5b. Decide if you need to use Automatic Clean Up.

6. Click OK

7. Decide on a name for the backup if you don't want to call it 'MyBackup'

8. Either schedule the back up via the schedule button, or select a one off manual run from the large Backup Now button. I would suggest you want to make a scheduled backup.

Hi Colin
Thanks for writing back, but that's exactly what I did - I selected my files, selected a Custom/Differential knowing it would make a Full the first time. The next scheduled run happened, and instead of getting a "foobar1.tib" Differential, I got a "foobar(1).tib" file that took 6 hours and was 176GB - a bit bigger than the preexisting Full of the same name in the same place.

Differentials do not work (for me).

OK, in that case, either something has caused TI to pause and has confused it, or the database has got out of wack.

If you run the task manually does the same problem occur? I'm not usre whether updating the scheduler would help.

Download the Acronis < a href = "http://forum.acronis.com/forum/7034#comment-22246"> task zapper this will delete all tasks and reset the database.

Perform a repair install of 2011.

***edited html link****

I tried the utility. the first step went fine. The second step "schedmgr service stop" (and the three next ones, btw) failed with this prompt:
service
uninstall
rror: 5 (0x5) - Access is denied.

..so I ran cmd as admin. I was able to do the first 4 steps but the last "schedmgr service start" failed with this prompt
service
start
Error: 2 (0x2) - File or Reg item not found

so then I tried to start the service via Windows Computer Management, and I get this:
"Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified"

So now what? I have to say, nothing personal but I don't have a lot of time or inclination to make a hobby out of backing up my computer, and not only am I getting frustrated at the time it's taking, on top of that I'm getting nervous about using Acronis now, because this level of shakiness is hard to tolerate in backup software, I need to depend on my backup.

Was it only the second backup created that results in another "full-sized" file? In other words, does the third backup create a much smaller file?

Has the Do not delete the first version of the backup cleanup option been enabled? If so, it results in another Full being created for the second backup and then it starts creating Differentials.

Since each 'differential' backup takes 8 hours, I haven't had the chance to try it again and again.

I don't see "Do not delete the first version of the backup cleanup option" anywhere in the backup settings, where is it? I certainly didn't select it myself.

I just tried to "backup now" to see what would happen, but evidently the Acronis utility I just ran has broken my installation somehow, "backup now" is non-functional.

You have to select the Create a full version after every ?? differential versions option. Then turn on automatic cleanup. The option is in that section.

This is not selected by default, but does produce the same output you're getting. Just made me wonder if it was being selected. You could test a smaller backup set (just a few files) and see if you still get the problem. Maybe it's something specific to what you're backing up.

You may need to reinstall (or repair install) TI.

I didn't have that selected. Will look at my options and then possibly reinstall. If successful, I'll write back - if you don't hear from me I've moved on to another solution.

hello fromJC,
i also have a "simple request": please use a meaningful subject. :)
so i suggest you go to the top right corner, click on "edit" for your initial posting and change the thread's subject line from "simple request" to something like "ATI 2011 - differential backup?".

my intention is not to be in any way offensive. i'm just giving this recommendation to make this forum more "usable" to the community - i.e. to make it more searchable and browsable.

thanks, philipp