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Error when trying incremental backup

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I have ATIH 2011 and I tried to add an incremental backup to one of my existing backups. I already have a full plus two previous incrementals of this backup on my external drive. When I started the backup, I received the following error:

"An error occurred while opening the file"
"The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect."

No idea what it was telling me. I ran a full backup instead and that plus the validate worked. I then started an incremental for my second internal drive and that went without incident. I went back to try to validate the problem backup and received another error regarding Acronis not being able to find the final media. It gave me the option of browsing for the final media and I then pointed it to last increment (file#3). The validate then proceeded. What went wrong here? It seemed to have lost track of the last file for that backup. I hate to have this happen when trying to restore a backup. Before I started the initial backup, I deleted some old backups (through ATI) to give me some more room.

JohnD

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Curios. sounds like an incorrect file reference either on your part, when setting up the inc or ATI's. IF you already had a task to to create incs, then did you just tell that task to run again or did you try to make a new task to add to the existing set -- the latter might be the problem.

I start my backups manually. They are set up to do incrementals on existing backups. I just click on the "Back up now" button for that particular backup. I already had two previous incrementals on that drive's backup. I never had a problem before with this procedure. I had no problem with the backup for my second drive that I ran next.

Probably the easiest thing to do that is most likely to help you is to to restart the installer and select repair, Move you existing backups to another directory or disk. delete the existing tasks and create new ones.

I will see what happens when I run my next backups. I have no backup tasks. Everything is "on demand", either full or incrementals.

JohnD

John,

I understand your backup procedures is to use the "Backup Now" option to create your backups. While you are not using scheduled tasks, you are using the backup tasks and your resulting backup follow the whatever rules set forth in those tasks.

The user settings within each backup scheme (of each task) is the controlling factor in how many full or full plus incrementals backups are created.

Experience for many of us has shown that editing an existing task may produce unexpected results. As a result of this inconsistency, many of us suggest that when a task is created, it be created with the final settings and not subject to any further editing. If your problems continue, you should consider creating new tasks. Using one folder to receive several backup tasks has produced issues for others as well as myself so I avoid mixing backup files inside one folder. Instead, make it a practice of an individual folder or sub-folder for task.

When creating a new task, it is NOT recommended that your old backups files be deleted--simply use a different folder for your new tasks.

Here are some examples of custom backup schemes. Many users have reported that keeping "X" number of backups seems to be more trouble-free and avoid using elapsed days or disk space as retention criteria.

Access to custom backup schemes
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/arthur/access-…

Full type backups--change the 4 go whatever number of full's you want to keep.
Pressing the "Backup now" for this task should produce 4 full backups on a revolving basis..
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/2012-5545/2012…

Full plus incrementals--
Change the 6 incremental and 4 recent chains/version to fit your own needs.
If parameters set to 6 & 4, Pressing the "Backup Now" for this task 7 times should 1 full plus 6 incrementals or 1 complete version or chain before the task is repeated.

http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/2012-5545/2012…

Full plus differentials--
Change the 6 differentials and 4 recent chains/version to fit your own needs.
If parameters set to 6 & 4, Pressing the "Backup Now" for this task 7 times should 1 full plus 6 differentials or 1 complete version or chain before the task is repeated.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/2012-5545/2012…

Examples of one sub-folder per task.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/2012-5545/fold…