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USB 500gb HD for Backup - Should I make it Acronis Bootable?

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USB 500gb HD using as backup destination for Acronis Images.

There are two partions on the drive:

Partition 1  - Active, Primary  NTFS 3gb  (was a Recovery Partition when the HD was in the laptop. Switched to an SSD

Partition 2 - Primary NTFS 560gb - Used for backup images.

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I was thinking I would try to make Partiton 1 bootable to the Acronis Software.

Would that acceptable?

Should I leave Partiton 1 active?

Should I delete all files on Partition 1 first?

Thank you.

PS: Then when I set the Bios to boot off the first USB HD, I could boot off partition 1 into Acronis.

PSS: I had to change the disk ID on this drive because it was not recognized due to a conflict with the new SSD in the laptop. A google search found the dos prompt commands for that.

I have https://kb.acronis.com/content/1526 bookmarked.

Also https://kb.acronis.com/content/56610  Acronis Bootabl Rescue Media

Also if the acronis bootable OS is on Partition 1 will Acronis find and recognize the backups on Partition 2?

Would it be better to make a backup with bootable USB media to a single drive/partition?

 

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I would discourage you from trying to make your USB drive bootable. I don't think it is possible ot have WIndows boot on a USB drive at all. It might be possbile to use some tools to make a USB hard disk bootable. It is certainly easy to do with USB flash drives.

In your case, simply reformat your disk and create a single volume for backup destination purposes. Then create a USB bootable flash drive directly with Acronis True Image (ATI). Boot the computer on this rescue/recovery medium to make sure it operates normally and can see your disks normally.

 

Pat,

I don't want it to boot windows. I want it to boot the Acronis Bootable Media (Linux OS), only after I have set the Bios Setup to boot off USB HD first.

Normally I just want to plug this drive in and make backups, I don't want it to use it as a bootable.

I was thinking I could put the Acronis Bootable Media on the very small first partion, and when I set the Bios Setup to boot the USB HD first, it would boot into Acronis using Linux on the USB HD.

Then the question would be would I be able to access the other drive on the USB HD with Acronis?  I think so.

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Right now I am thinking it might be better to keep this simple using the USB key, but I mustn't lose it!  and just reformat the USB HD.

 

OK, but you will have to use a third party tool like YUMI to make your USB disk bootable, and it will boot into the ISO of Acronis. You will need to make this happen on a different partition, because these bootable systems typically require FAT32 file system, and FAT32 has limitation with big partitions and/or limit the file size (which can be a hassle with large backup files).

There is a risk that you won't be able to boot on the disk though, because it depends on how the disk declares themselves to the BIOS/OS. With Flash drives (removable drives), typically no issue. With other USB disks, your mileage will vary.

 

Pat L,

Thank you for taking the time to explain.  I would have to format the first smaller 3gb partiton to be Fat32.

Then do what you say above using the ISO image.

I think it might work, but I think I'll just be sure to keep track of that special 2gb flash drive that is Acronis Bootable!

Better to keep things simple, ....agreed.   I will just reformat the drives and then do backups.

Thank you.

Rick