2 Questions from a learner

John-

We are all learners, really.

Question 1: You can back up all the partitions at the same time into one backup image file. You can even backup multiple partitions on different physical drives into one backup image file (I routinely do this). Or you can back them up individually. But whatever you do, you can restore any or all of the backed up partitions either as a group or separately - TI gives all this flexibility, which does make it a bit hard to learn.

Question 2: All forms of bootable media boot into their own environment, totally separate from any installed operating system, so there is no "Safe Mode", which is an installed OS function. Essentially, all bootable media create a very large ramdisk, load TI into this ramdisk, and runs from the ramdisk. So you can, if you are working with a CD or bootable USB drive of some type, boot without any installed hard drive installed in your system. With a CD, you make sure you BIOS is set or allows you to choose to boot from a CD, then let the CD boot. Various flavors of bootable media differ slightly in how they boot up, but you don't normally have to do anything special - once the CD is booting, the bootable media takes care of things. For the Acronis loader Linux-based bootable media that you make with the bootable media builder, you will go into a menu (and there is a special Safe Mode that has nothing to do with the installed OS Safe Mode), while the ISOLINUX version downloadable from your account will go right into TI. Just try them out to see any differences. And you do your restores from the bootable media environment (you can also do your backups this way, which is what I do).

These questions are not at all stupid, by the way. It is far better to want to gain some understanding of what is going on rather than just expecting "the software" to take care of you and then complaining when it does not work like you expect it to. I hope I did not confuse you further.

John,
Gary's reply contained a lot of very helpful information which should assist you. My response will have some duplication.

1. The type of backup which offers you the most recovery choices is when you have a backup of all partitions on your system disk. This means a backup where you checkmark all the partitions so everything is included. By having such a backup, there is much less hassle when you need to duplicate your system onto a new or larger disk. Having such a complete backup does not mean that you have to restore both partitions every time you perform a routine restore but you do have the flexibility to do so should there be a need. Having a full disk backup also include the Disk ID which can be important for some software programs--such as Acronis True Image or some of Adobe's programs.

After the first full & complete backup, if you wish, subsequent backups could include just the main Drive C should there be a space retention issue. Then if you get into a situation where you need to create a new replacement disk, you can restore the full disk backup which include all partitions; and if that is not current, you can additionally restore the drive C partition only if it is more current.

I personally, perform full disk option backups for every backup (3 partitions) accompanied by a few incrementals which cover any changes to any of the 3 partitions. Then this is repeated with another full backup, etc as the need arises. I perform weekly full backups and daily incrementals.

There are many options so it is difficult to put into just a few words the options that are available to you

2. Boot from the Rescue CD. Choose the full version from the Acronis Menu and the TrueImage backup/restore program will load. Once loaded you can perform backups, restores, etc--essentially mostly the same functions available from within Windows. However, when restoring your system partition to a old or new disk, it is best done when booted from the TI Rescue CD.

Additionally, it is best that some of your backups be validated when booted from the TI Rescue/recovery CD. A validation while within Windows is a good starting point but a validation done when booted from the Rescue CD offers you a better chance that the software loaded by the CD will work without issue. Restoring to a spare disk ahead of time is the best assurance that a restore will work when the need arises.

Thanks guys for all the help and advice.
So my acronis offers an F11 (recovery manager)start up at BIOS reboot (I think that's the way it should be said). So if I get the dreaded blue screen on my startup or it simply will not boot up and I press F11 or insert in the recovery cd, will the laptop or PC alllow me to go to an external hard drive where my backups will be and then re-instate the settings prior to the crash?. I understand now how to recover a previous setting while my laptop is available..but what happens in the event of a complete crash...can I get to the external drive to recover??
Cheers
John

The use of the F11 keys involves the activation of the optional Startup Recovery Manager. I personally do NOT use it and and do not recommend it. The Startup Recovery Manager often times cause conflicts in the keys already assigned to the laptop by the manufacturer. The Startup Recoery Manager is not a requirement and is not automatically installed during installation.

The TI Rescue/Recovery bootable media is bootable and designed to perform an assortment of backup and recovery duties. It is capable of restoring your backups onto either your existing disk or a new larger replacement disk.

In order to use the Resceue/Recovery CD, your computer BIOS must be set so your computer will boot from the internal CD/Rom device. This may already be your current setup but if it isn't, then the bios must be adjusted so it wil boot from the CD/Rom. One quick test would be to insert the CD and reboot and see if the TrueImage Home menu appears.

The bootable CD boots into a standard TrueImage Menu where you select the "Acronis Trueimage Home Full version" from its lists of load options. Once TrueImage loads into memory, then you can select the duties you want TrueImage to perform.

No one can guarantee that your external drive will be recognized by the TrueImage Bootable CD. It is up to you to boot from the CD and perform a variety of tasks such as
validation of existing backup files;
normal backups;
normal restores

If you do not perform some test restores, you will have no assurances that software will perform a restore when you really need it. In the absence of some actual test restores, then validation of the backup when booted from the CD and simulating a restore is an absolute must. Likewise, you can explore or mount a prior backup and perform some test copies of a few files from the backup onto your computer in maybe a test folder, etc.

There are lots of prior postings available for research and one place to start would be to click the link inside my signature for an index of some prior topics.

TrueImageHome (TIH) (both Windows and when booted from the CD will allow you to simulate or practice performing a variety of duties. In the 2010 version, it is practice until you read the screen where you choose either to PROCEED or CANCEL. Click the Cancel button to stop your practice. If you click he Proceed key, you have committed the operation of it actual completion.

Thanks GroverH, that's exactly what i was looking for, thank you so much for your time on this.

regards
John

Hi Again
I tried the F11 and it brought me to the TI recovery window. That was fine and worked.
However, when I treid to loacte the backup file (stored on an external drive on my home network) the TI couldn't locate the backup, although it was on the list of things I did, on the splash screen from acronis. Ohh and it allowed me to do the backup to that location and I can see the backup file on the external drive also.

I validated the backup too.

Does this mean that I have to plug the external drive into my laptop for it to read it as it cannot find it on the network or wirelessly??

Any help would be well receivede

Thanks
john

If TrueImage does not display your backup, use the "browse" function and locate the backup. Right click on the *.tib files and you should have an option to add it to the list--if I remember correctly.

Using wireless for backups and restores is slow and not without problems. But, both Windows and the Rescue CD should be able to find your backups but you may have to browse and point TI to the files. Naturally, everything will work better if your are direct connect to the external.

Remember. If your hard drive has problems or fails, it is the Rescue CD which can restore your sanity. Don't depend on the F11 and it may not be available in the event of problems. Boot from the CD and see if you can find your backup files and validate some when booted from the CD. I cannot stress this point enough. It is critical that you can find your drives from the CD. As mentioned before, perform some tests to make sure the CD will work when you need it. There has been far too many "cries for help" posted on the forum where the backups were made but the CD was never tested to see whether their external drive could be see nor any tests run to make sure it functioned. Different computers have different hardware and you must test your hardware to be sure it will function as expected--when there is a need. The more you use TI, the more comfortable you will become in its functions.

Acquaint yourself with the structure of your hard drive. Use Windows Disk Management graphical view to how many partitions you have and how sequenced. Right Click on your "MyComputer" icon and choose Manage. Then select disk management and look at the picture displayed of your drives. Now might be a good time to go back and reread my first posting about the need for a backup to include all partitions.

Thaks once again for the help and I take on your points. I will make the CD and re-try..a steep learning curve but with all the help here hopefully I will get the hang of it.

Thanks once again
John

You WILL get the hang of it. Click on my signature link below and look at some of the listings. Many good reference links can be found there. Spend some time and look at as many as possible but especially those in #7 and #2 and at least look at the titles of the remaining links.

Ok, so I have just taken my portable external drive and plugged it into my lap top and ran the F11 reboot (I will try on the reboot cd next, which I just made as per GroverH's advice).
Acronis found the external drive and the back up file was there, and I ran through the steps up to "Proceed". All seems well, and at least it found the files needed.
I guess the wireless option, or network option is not available to me, but I can live with that, so long as I can find it simply by plugging in the EHDD.

Thanks once again to Grover and Gary for their assistance

john

GroverH wrote:

You WILL get the hang of it. Click on my signature link below and look at some of the listings. Many good reference links can be found there. Spend some time and look at as many as possible but especially those in #7 and #2 and at least look at the titles of the remaining links.

Hi GroverH
Checking out the links and references now...thanks x 1000 to you

Cheers

John