1st Backup

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This is my 1st post

Is " The primary drive runs Windows Server 2008." and
"There is a Drive and an Drive and we run Raid Level 6 " the same physical device?
You need to backup system volume (+100 mb system partition if present) where OS files are located and all virtual disks. If disks' vhd files are located on the system volume too, you need to exclude them from the backup in order to not backup the same data twice. Run chkdsk before backup. If you're going to rebuild you RAID using existing disks, check that the backup can be restored before you rebuild - volume-by-volume on a spare new virtual drive or a physical disk on some other machine.

Thank you for your reply.

Here is the situation:

We have 8 drives in a Raid 6 Array. One of the drives failed and I replaced it; however the rebuild failed so I am now running in a Raid 5 situation.

Diagnostics shows Read errors on drives 5 and 7 so I suspect that is the problem.

I tried to install the Acronis backup software, but it failed with a DLL not found error cannot find management server, etc. I plan to run a chkdsk /f to try and resolve this.

This is the management server (We only have 1 Server) and below I ask about the correct option(s) to choose during installation.

Question 1: Durng the installation should I choose option 1 or Option2 or both? I am sorry I do not have the options in front of me, but option 2 includes virtaul drives so I chose both option 1 and 2 (or is only option 1 necessary since the virtual drives are located on the same server on the >E> drive). The 3rd option has to do with remote backup only.

Question 2: Server boots into a Windows Server 2008 environment which contains Drive and Drive . Drive contains the Virtual drives.

There are 3 Virtual drives which I access through Hyper-V.

I need to know step by step instuctions on the proper backup and creating an image of the system that will restore all data.

1st of course I have to get the backup software installed, and I hope running a chkdsk /f on the drive will fix this installation problem.

I do not have a backup server to test on unless I could use a regular computer? We certaintly do not have a backup server in a 8 disk raid 6 array.

Use an External drive maybe to look at the stucture??

I don't have the software installed yet, but hopefully I will after running a chkdsk /f on the primary drive . Then I will be able to ask more intelligent questions involving the backing up of system volume. (Server configuration is described above).

Thank you again for any info or direction you can give me.

First, about installation and assuming that at the moment you have to perform an emergency migration,

I tried to install the Acronis backup software, but it failed with a DLL not found error cannot find management server, etc. I plan to run a chkdsk /f to try and resolve this.

If installation failed, get msi log (the same for ABR 11 as for ABR10) http://kb.acronis.com/content/1639
, post it here.

If the options screen is 'install1.png' then I recommend to install bare minimum, select almost-hidden 'custom' option in the bottom select, select 'agent for windows' (with agent core 'parent' check box checked automatically) and 'Management Console' (which is possible to install on another computer instead should it refuse to install)

There are 3 Virtual drives which I access through Hyper-V.

Still not clear. Are there Hyper-V virtual machines running or virtual drives are 'mounted' in the same system? Can you post a screenshot of windows 'disk management' snap-in?

What is build number of the installation package you have?

Finally, about 'what to backup'. I don't know if you have maintenance window or possible downtime, but (when I get the software installed) I would stop all VMs or unmount vhd's , copy them (VMs or vhd's) as files to some location, then (run Acronis 'manage this machine' desktop shortcut, click' create backup plan', select the volumes that contain the rest of the data ( if vhds are on the system volume, add them to exclusions)
http://www.acronis.com/support/documentation/ABR11/index.html#738.html

Then, especially if the system (boot) volume is located on the RAID disk too(**), you need to check that bootable media sees it (do it after the backup is created). Download .iso of bootable media from you account, burn it to a CD, go to 'backup', switch to 'files' mode and check that there a file tree you expect to see. If not, you need to create WinPE-based media adding drivers for your RAID (do you have them at hand).

** - it was a question. Is it? Or RAID is only for data, but Os boots from other disk?

Install1.png is exactly what I see. I chose the 1st 2 options - Backup this Machines data and Centrally Monitor, etc.

This is a single server that boots into WIndows Server 2008. It contains Drive C (The operating system) and Drive E which contains the Virtual drives.

I access the virtual drives on drive E through the Hyper -V Icon and Hyper -V has the 3 Virutal Machines Listed.

I plan to run a chkdsk /f very early tomorrow morning (on Drive C). This is a heavily used server so downtime is well - downtime for everybody.

I just wanted to clear up the configuration question so that you understand.

I don't anticipate chkdsk /f will blow up the system, but if you think it might, maybe I should try tbe Manual option you described first.

Let me know your suggestions and let me know that you understand the configuation of this stand alone server.

I will provide you the log requested tomorrow morning.

Thank you....

I wanted to add that the Server is running fine right now so I want to take all precautions necessary.

Perhaps choosing the manually configure option and trying to get a good image of the system 1st is the best path.

I do not understand what you mean by downloading *.iso file of bootable media from my account and burning it to CD means? I don't have a bootable media created anywhere yet - but that is what I want to create 1st along with a good backup.

To make it clear - Everything (Operating System and Virtual drives) are in a Raid 6 Array containing 8 Hard Drives. 1 of the drives failed to rebuild so I am in a Raid 5 situation. The C drive contains OS and the E drive contains the 3 Virtual Servers.

I want to get a good solid backup before I try a chkdsk /r; thus the reason for trying a chkdsk /f to correct any problems preventing Acronis from installing.

So, if you understand my configuration now, was I correct during a regualr install to choose the 1st 2 options during the installation as I described in the 1st sentence of my previous post?

Bottom line: I need to image this Server before doing a chkdsk /r. I believe a chkdsk /f is safe, but I would still like to have a Recovery CD and solid backup.

Thanks for your input and profesional opinion.

I do not understand what you mean by downloading *.iso file of bootable media from my account and burning it to CD means? I don't have a bootable media created anywhere yet - but that is what I want to create 1st along with a good backup.

It is for restore process. After you rebuild the RAID you get an empty disk that you need to partition and restore the backups to. It's done by booting the server from Acronis bootable CD - containing kind of live linux and Backup&Recovery running on it. It's important to make sure that drivers included there recognize the RAID array before you begin the restore. After you register your serial number there https://www.acronis.com/my/products/registration/ , you'll be able to download an .iso file from there.

So, if you understand my configuration now, was I correct during a regualr install to choose the 1st 2 options during the installation as I described in the 1st sentence of my previous post?

I think you don't need to centrally monitor it. Option '1' will also detect Hyper-V and install agent for hyper-V.

a chkdsk /f to correct any problems preventing Acronis from installing.

It's not disk errors (if any) preventing Acronis from installing. But they may prevent backup or recovery.

I got the software to install and chose Backup this machines data.

Now when I go to backup now it does not list the tape drive as a possible destination...