[RESOLVED] Rescue Disc setup and verification questions
Newbie here.
Have 2 rescue discs created following directions in Acronis Tutorials: 1) using ATIH2012 Home; and
2) ISO from Acronis. ISO image created using ISO recorder.
I'm reasonably certain I followed directions correctly.
I don't know how to verify either rescue disc. The problem may be because I don't know how to change the BIOS to make sure that CD is specified as the first boot device in BIOS.
Here is what I do with these 2 discs: put them in CD-rom drive: nothing happens.
I know I've done something wrong but I don't know what it is. How do I fix BIOS to boot from these discs? Is this what's causing all my trouble.
Thanks, Lyn
Issue resolved here.
Some computers offer another option which is easier to use. You can try it and see.
1. Boot the computer and within the first 0-5 seconds of the boot start, press the ESC key several times in upper left corner.
If this works on your computer, the key to success is how quickly you press the ESC key.
2. If this works on your computer, pressing the ESC key will cause a modified BIOS window to open whereby you can
choose the cd/dvd device as the boot device.The window will also list the hard drive as a boot device.
3. If the TI CD is in the CD tray, the compute will temporarily boot from the CD as part of the bootup.
4. This procedure is not a permanent changes and eliminates the need to make a permanent change in the BIOS and this procedure can be used every time you wish to boot from the CD.
Another reference to how to permanently change the BIOS settings can be found it my signature index item 2-U.
thanks for your replies
Using escape key worked to boot from ATIH2012 rescue disc without changing boot order in BIOS.
No files could be recovered. The external hard drive that has all my backup files was listed with a diferent
file name but same partition letter.
error message: Acronis cannot detect vol. 1 of ..... couldn't find any files.
The other problem is Windows keeps loosing my backup drive (H). I need to unplug it completely, restart, then
re-plug in my backup drive to be recognized and seen in Disc Management. I don't know why this is happening all of a sudden.
All the backup up files on H-drive can be read using Windows Explorer but not from Acronis. Strange.
I probably screwed up something and may need to start over again, but at least I know how to boot from
rescue media.
Is this a good way to start over? ===
Reformat H-drive (again) for NTFS to delete all files (came as drive for MAC OS, I have Windows)
uninstall-clean-reinstall ATIH2012
recreate all backup data
create new rescue disc using ATIH2012. ISO disc will be OK.
I'm taking a nap.
Try connecting your drive to a different USB port. It could be that the port is losing connection. Or, try a different cable, as that could be the problem. If the drive connection is intermittent, that could explain why Disk Management cannot always see it, and this would cause problems when making Acronis backups or when restoring/validating.
You do not need to keep making Recovery Media disks. If your current one works (seems that it does, as you booted from it) then you need not make another unless a new version is released that you want to use.
Since you use Windows, yes NTFS is certainly the preferred drive format.
If the name assigned to your backup drive is
Eagle1T-H
this is the volume name you should see as the disk containing your backups when choosing the disk containing your backup files.
Acronis may assign a different drive letter so it may read like this if Windows should assign drive letter X (or some other letter) to your external.
Eagle1T-H (X:)
The temporary assignment of a different drive letter is normal when booted within the CD. Your assigning a name was for this purpose of disk identification so you would choose the proper disk based on its name--not the TI assigned drive letter.
TrueImage will only see backups made the the same version or made by a prior version.
An older version CD (2011) will not see backups created by a newer version (2012), etc
Added:
As you have indicated that TrueImage has assigned a different drive letter to the Eagle1T-H, this mean (if the *.tib exist), they will be found under the drive letter assigned by TI--not under H. When you first boot into the CD, none of the backup files can be found the locations listed, you will need to browse to your backup folder inside the drive letter assigned by TI--or you may have a "Refresh backup list" option.
As I wrote before, don't be in too big a hurry to delete the backup files until you have some proven replacements. Dry restoring a couple files using the "Explore" procedure as illustrated by this pdf link or other illustrations within the pdf.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/guides/2012_co…
Tuttle is right on about the possibility of a problem by cable or connection. I have seen some loose connections where the power cable plugs into the external disk. Be most careful there. Be sure that the external is powered up before booting into the CD.
At some point in the future, should you reformat the Eagle1t_H, I would suggest that you use the Windows Disk Management and assign a specific drive letter to this is and use a drive letter such as x,y or z and you will need to reapply the name Eagle1T-X.
The relettering would help to prevent Windows from assigning a different letter if CoolMax should be attached. It is best that the backup task point to a removable drive with a fixed drive letter so the insertion of a flash drive or camera does not cause a drive letter change in the backup drive--which is why the letter assigned to Eagle1T be specific and toward the end of the alphabet.
really appreciate your replies.
I'm happy to report I have successfully restored some files using rescue disc.
How did this happen? I needed to start COMPLETELY OVER. I deleted EVERYTHING.
Also re-formatted external drive again for NTFS. Named partition G_FORCE (same name manufacurer uses), and Windows lettered it H-drive.
I chose to let that letter remain as H. I am able to easily identify this hard drive during recovery regardless of what letter it has.
An interesting note: my Acronis Full Backup actually has a snapshot. That did not occur before. Verification worked. (well
it did before too). My external hard drive is always recognized...there are no problems with USB cord. I was able to select
" do NOT delete first copy of Full Backup." Could not do that before. I chose not to select e-mail verification because that never
worked.
During file restore testing I was unable to restore a few individual files. The ENTIRE first full backup was being restored to a second
external hard drive I have so I cancelled the process out of fear I would loose all these files from my backup in Acronis. A number of
files (Program Files) that were transfered to this other HDD I left there and checking my backup files in G_FORCE (H) drive, these files are OK,
nothing is missing. So I'm set to go.
I have copied files using Windows Explorer from my Acronis Backup files on H-drive to my primary compouter, CD, and my other
hard drive. I wont transfer them, they need to stay there.
Finally, the process of recovering files (between restart and before compouter completely reboots) is rather confusing. Perhaps this is why
I was recovering an entire backup rather than a few files.
At times I can be dumb as a box of rocks and know I made this process a lot more difficult than necessary. Thank you for you
help and patience with me. Lyn
P.S. if anyone is able to mark this post as closed or SOLVED, would you please do that. Thanks.
Thank you for the update. It is always nice when something works as promised.
You can add "solved or closed" to your title. Return to the the very first posting on this thread and choose the Edit option at the TOP of the Window very near your name. While in edit mode, you can change or add words to the title.