Backup Size & Time to Complete
Subscription advantages...
- Technically it's cheaper, especially if you like to keep up with the current versions each year. This is debatable at times, but depends on when pricing discounts are available when purchasing. You'll notice that the base price is roughly $10 cheaper than a perpetual license. Upgrades are generally cheaper too. With a subscription (renewed) you'll always have access to the latest versions and support.
- The cloud storage that comes with it - also depends on when you purchase though as promo's can give you more free space at different times of the year when you purchase a standard subscription. For someone who needs a large chunk of cloud storage, something like the NG subscription which has newer ransomeware protection, might be a sweeter deal since it also comes standard with 1TB of cloud storage.
- Free upgrades for major versions. About once a year Acronis has a major release in late summer/early fall (2015, 16, 17). If you purchase your subscription in say April, then every year, you'll get a free upgrade to the next major release.
- If you do have enough cloud space, then you get the benefi of offsite disaster recovery backups
- Telephone support in addition to email and chat
Subscription disadvantages
- Currently, when the subscription ends, the ability to to backup ends with it (unless you renew again) - I'd say this is where most people will decide if subscription is right for them or not (that, plus the need for cloud storage). I'f subscriptions would not limit this functionality, I think more people would be inclined to use them.
- ISP's and backup/restore speed. If you live in an area that only has DSL or low-end cable offerings, it might be too slow to be useful. Cloud/offsite should be a secondar or third recovery option, but some people have chosen to use it as their 1st and/or only and then get upset when it takes days, instead of minutes to restore.
These may help as well:
https://kb.acronis.com/content/58522
Steve & Bobbo,
Okay back on track: I don't really understand this System Volume Information thing and I heard back from Mamood.
First about the SVI. After, adding the 5555 patch, I have had two Inc backups.
1. The Backup on the 17th, (according to TreeSize) shows the SVI was 119.3GB, 97 files, and 42.4% of Parent.
2. The Backup on the 18th shows te SVI was120.6GB, 98 files, and 42.7% of parent.
Using TreeSize on the C: drive finds: 86.2 GB, 98 files, and 31.3% of Parent.
A listing of the Restore Points show none added since the 15th.
See attached screenshots for above. What am I missing?
Secondly, I missed Mamood's telephone call but he didn't leave any contact information. He later e-mailed this to me:
*************
Hello Ronald,
Thank you for your response and shared Acronis system report unable to download so please upload to FTP.
I tried reaching you via phone "(xxx) xxx-xxxx" but it when to voice mail. I have gone through with the shared forum link (https://forum.acronis.com/forum/128524).
System Volume Information is where the system keeps Windows restore points and Acronis True Image 2017 do not back them up and do not restore them.
Acronis True Image is ignoring the "Exclude System Volume Information" command in the C: drive backup (but not in the G: drive backup) because C drive is primary partition where it stores the operating system (Exclude System Volume Information is stored on C drive).
Tree Size shows the following:
C: Full -- System Volume Information = 220 files, 21 folders, 254.7 GB
C: Inc -- System Volume Information = 221 files, 21 folders, 255.4 GB
Might be windows has created some restore points so you have changes in the size of System Volume Information.
If you created sector-by-sector backup, the program copies both used and unused hard disk sectors and the backup file will usually be significantly larger.
I would suggest you to create new entire backup and share the result.
Following is the article on Acronis True Image 2017 Entire Computer Backup:
https://kb.acronis.com/content/58570
Please let us know whether this resolved the query.
Please upload the reports on the following FTP:
If the issue persists, please gather the following reports for further investigation:
1. Capture a photo of the error message (if any) 2. Acronis system report: http://kb.acronis.com/node/58820 3. Process monitor log: https://kb.acronis.com/content/2295
4. Screenshot of Windows Disk Management (Click ‘Windows+R’ key and type diskmgmt.msc);
Link to the FTP account:
KB article on how to upload files: http://kb.acronis.com/content/5991
Direct upload/download link (for FTP clients):
Username xxxxxxxx
Password: xxxxxxxx
I look forward to your response and feel free to contact us for any further questions.
--
Best regards,
Masood Ahmed
Support Engineer
Acronis Customer Central
**********************
He seems to be suggesting that I go back to a "Entire PC" backup in opposition to what you have advised unless I completly missed what he's saying. In any event, I have been there done that. Bobbo, I have not made your suggested "fixes" yet but will try to find time this weekend.
Any pearls of wisdom would be appreciated... especially as it relates to my SVI confusion.
Ron
Ron, thanks for the latest update on this saga. You don't look to be making very much progress here and I am not sure that Masood has understood the issue that you are reporting!
To my reading, he is suggesting creating a new full backup, but this does not have to be an Entire PC one (even though he has referred you to the User Guide pages in this area).
The point in making a new full backup would be to separate this to an individual disk drive at a time, and also proving whether you still see SVI data being included in the backup or not. If not, then this would suggest that the original backup task has a problem that is causing it to ignore the configured exclusions in this area.
If you haven't already done so recently, it might be worth doing a Disk Cleanup using the Windows utility for this, and selecting to clean up System files too and see how this cleans up any stale / obsolete SVI data too.
I do not remember seeing any indication of your backup tasks running in sector-by-sector mode but worth checking the log files to ensure that this is still the case. ATIH would switch to using sector-by-sector if any disk issues are encountered, such as bad sectors etc.
PS. Please edit your post to remove your telephone number.
Steve,
<blush> I can't beleive I missed the personal data... again.
Anyway, here is the last Log (seems to me to be creating partitions):
log uuid=93F17D7F-CE20-4305-9AB3-CCD4353084CA; product=Acronis True Image; version=20.0; build=5554; task=94FB84EC-F878-4127-A90B-ABA4C7769B5C; task_name=C Drive Partitions
Start= 2/18/2017 5:30:12 AM
id=1; level=2; module=100; code=0; date/time=2/18/2017 5:30:12 AM
message=Backup reserve copy attributes: format tib; need_reserve_backup_copy false
id=2; level=2; module=100; code=2; date/time=2/18/2017 5:30:12 AM
message=Operation C Drive Partitions started manually.
id=3; level=2; module=100; code=0; date/time=2/18/2017 5:30:18 AM
message=Backup reserve copy attributes: format tib; need_reserve_backup_copy false
id=4; level=2; module=316; code=0; date/time=2/18/2017 5:30:18 AM
message=Operation: Backup
id=5; level=2; module=100; code=11; date/time=2/18/2017 5:30:18 AM
message=Priority changed to Low.
id=6; level=2; module=11; code=1008; date/time=2/18/2017 5:30:19 AM
message=Create Backup Archive From: Disk 1 To file: P:\My Backups\C Drive Partitions.tib Compression: Normal Exclude: Files matching mask Match criterion:
hiberfil.sys
pagefile.sys
$Recycle.Bin
swapfile.sys
System Volume Information
*.tib
*.tib.metadata
*.~
*.tmp
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Temp
C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp
C:\Users\DefaultAppPool\AppData\Local\Temp
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache
C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache
C:\Users\DefaultAppPool\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Opera Software
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Opera Software
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Opera Software
C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
C:\WINDOWS\CSC
id=7; level=2; module=1; code=504; date/time=2/18/2017 5:30:23 AM
message=Pending operation 172 started: 'Creating partition image'.
id=8; level=2; module=1; code=504; date/time=2/18/2017 5:31:43 AM
message=Pending operation 172 started: 'Creating partition image'.
id=9; level=2; module=100; code=0; date/time=2/18/2017 5:35:55 AM
message=Writing incremental version to file: C Drive Partitions_inc_b2_s4_v1.tib
id=10; level=2; module=1; code=504; date/time=2/18/2017 7:18:48 AM
message=Pending operation 172 started: 'Creating partition image'.
id=11; level=2; module=1; code=504; date/time=2/18/2017 7:21:36 AM
message=Pending operation 172 started: 'Creating partition image'.
id=12; level=2; module=100; code=0; date/time=2/18/2017 7:21:36 AM
message=The following backups have been successfully created: P:\My Backups\C Drive Partitions_inc_b2_s4_v1.tib
id=13; level=2; module=316; code=6; date/time=2/18/2017 7:21:38 AM
message=Operation has succeeded.
id=14; level=2; module=103; code=0; date/time=2/18/2017 7:21:42 AM
message=The e-mail notification has been successfully sent.
id=15; level=2; module=103; code=0; date/time=2/18/2017 7:21:43 AM
message=Batch operation has completed successfully.
Start= 2/18/2017 5:30:12 AM
Finish= 2/18/2017 7:21:43 AM
Total Time= 01:51:31
Ron, the latest log file looks absolutely normal for a backup of your single disk drive & partitions including C:
The only point to consider is the suggestion from Rob earlier in this thread about adding an extra Exclusion to have both:
*System Volume Information*
C:\System Volume Information
Did this latest backup include the SVI data?
Did this latest backup include the SVI data?
Yes, it did. See the above Screenshot - (treesize_-_18_feb.jpg).
I will, now, take the time to try Bobbo's suggestions and we'll see what it looks like tomorrow.
OK, will await your next installment tomorrow Ron.
Steve,
No joy here.
I added C:\System Volume Information to the Exclusion list -- ran Backup.
SVI = 121.8 GB, 99 Files, 12 Folders, 43.3% of Parent
I added *System Volume Information* to the Exclusion list -- ran Backup.
SVI = 123.4 GB, 100 files, 12 folders, 43.6% of Parent.
I deleted System Volume Information from the Exclusion list -- ran Backup. (FWIW, this run caused a "Full" backup.)
SVI = 123.7 GB, 101 Files, 12 Folders, 43.7% of Parent.
The only difference I see is a slight increase in size and an incremental increase in file number.
Interesting that the program will not let me add System Volume Information back into the Exclusion List. Strange.
Ron
Ron, can you post a copy of your backup task script file (.TIS) from C:\ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Scripts - you will need to rename the file to .TXT to post to the forum (but copy it to somewhere else first). You will need to open the files in Notepad or similar and look for the task name at the top of the file where you will see it in XML phrases similar to below:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<batch>
<version>1.0</version>
<uuid>33FA0A08-59F1-417D-9937-9D3D01F368F8</uuid>
<display>Docs</display>
Below this will be other XML sections (obscure your email address / password if present for email notifications)
Check in particular the following settings:
exclude_by_mask="false" exclude_hidden="false" exclude_system="false"
The first of these should show as being "true" for exclude_by_mask for the exclusions below to be effective and you should see the following default entries unless manually deleted in the GUI.
<file_mask pattern="hiberfil.sys" />
<file_mask pattern="pagefile.sys" />
<file_mask pattern="$Recycle.Bin" />
<file_mask pattern="swapfile.sys" />
<file_mask pattern="System Volume Information" />
<file_mask pattern="*.tib" />
<file_mask pattern="*.tib.metadata" />
<file_mask pattern="*.~" />
<file_mask pattern="*.tmp" />
Steve,
Here ya go.
(Comment required. <chuckle)
Ron
Ron, all looks OK to me apart from just one line where you have:
<file_mask pattern="*System Volume Information*" />
In my files I see:
<file_mask pattern="System Volume Information" /> (without the *'s at each end).
Not sure if this should make a difference but is the only thing that stands out as being different.
In my files I see:<file_mask pattern="System Volume Information" /> (without the *'s at each end).
Yeah, that would be the line that I deleted and cannot put back in... it is part of the "Default" items. (It is the line that Bobbo replaced with the *SVI* entry.)
Ron, you can edit the line in the .TIS file and just remove the bracketting *'s from that entry - probably best to close the main GUI then reopen again after the edit then see if it shows again in the Exclusions tab.
Steve,
Okay, that did it. There are all three varieties in the Exclusions list now.
Ron
Steve,
There has been some action on the part of Acronis. Here is an e-mail I received from Udyam Rai and my response:
***************
Hello Ronald,
My name is Udyam, Priority Support Engineer from Acronis Customer Central.
I would like to inform you that we have released an update build of Acronis True Image 2017 (8029), where the issue has been fixed. I would suggest you to update the product to the latest build and let us know if this resolves your issue.
Please download Acronis True Image 2017 new build from the following link:
http://dl2.acronis.com/s/AcronisTrueImage2017_8029.exe
Note: The shared link is valid for 14 days with unlimited downloads.
Also, you can download the latest build from your Acronis account at any point of time. Please refer the following Knowledge Base article about downloading the installation file from your Acronis account:
https://kb.acronis.com/content/2900
Please refer to the below Acronis True Image 2017 video tutorial link which has all the information about Installation, activation, creating backup, performing clone operation, entire PC recovery and creating mobile backup:
http://www.acronis.com/en-in/tutorials/ATI2017/
Also you may refer to Acronis True Image 2017 FAQ:
https://kb.acronis.com/ati2017/faq
I look forward to your response.
--
Best regards,
Udyam Rai
Support Engineer
Acronis Customer Central
************
Udyam,
This may have worked. The Backup file (Inc) was ~30GB smaller than the previous version(s). However, I am unable to confirm that the "System Volume Information" was not included. An attempt to "Mount" the .tib file resulted in a "Cannot mount the backup because its versions are stored in various locations" message so I cannot look inside the file.
(FWIW, I am able to Mount other backup .tib files from other hard drives created around the same time with this new version of TruImage.)
Please advise.
Ron
*****************
I will post the results of whatever happens next
Ron
Ron, glad to hear of some progress but hope that you get a complete resolution to the issue reported here.
I haven't seen any issues since upgrading to the latest build 8029 but haven't fully tested all aspects of it since upgrading yet. My current system is on New Generation but that is still running 6116, so waiting on the upgrade for that version still.
Steve,
Finally, we have solved it and <blush> it was so simple. Without going into the details of all the many "solutions" Acronis Techs and I tried, I will skip to the final step:
******
Hello Ronald,
Thank you for your response.
I had checked with our resources, suggested to run check disk on C drive and perform new backup task of c partition or drive.
Please follow these steps to run check disk on command prompt:
1) Run as admin the command prompt.
2) Copy and paste this command chkdsk c: /f /r
<snip>
Best regards,
Masood Ahmed
Support Engineer
Acronis Customer Central
**************
Masood,
I can confirm that the "chkdsk" procedure seems to have solved the issue. See attachments.
Also, the "full" backup only took about 20 minutes rather than the several hours as before:
2017-03-08 01:30:02:899 19376 I00640000: Backup reserve copy attributes: format tib; need_reserve_backup_copy false;
2017-03-08 01:30:02:902 19376 I00640002: Operation C Drive Partitions started by schedule.
2017-03-08 01:30:39:665 19376 I00640000: Backup reserve copy attributes: format tib; need_reserve_backup_copy false;
2017-03-08 01:30:39:674 19376 I013C0000: Operation: Backup
2017-03-08 01:30:39:681 19376 I0064000B: Priority changed to Low.
2017-03-08 01:30:40:374 19376 I000B03F0: Create Backup Archive From: Disk 1 To file: "P:\My Backups\C Drive Partitions_inc_b5_s6_v1.tib" Compression: Normal Exclude: Files matching mask Match criterion: hiberfil.sys, pagefile.sys, $Recycle.Bin, swapfile.sys, System Volume Information, *.tib, *.tib.metadata, *.~, *.tmp, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Temp, C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Temp, C:\Users\DefaultAppPool\AppData\Local\Temp, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache, C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache, C:\Users\DefaultAppPool\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Opera Software, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Opera Software, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Opera Software, C:\Users\Ronald Boyd\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles, C:\WINDOWS\CSC
2017-03-08 01:30:40:404 19376 I000101F8: Pending operation 172 started: 'Creating partition image'.
2017-03-08 01:31:58:331 8792 I00640000: Writing full version to file: C Drive Partitions_full_b6_s1_v1.tib
2017-03-08 01:32:04:965 19376 I000101F8: Pending operation 172 started: 'Creating partition image'.
2017-03-08 02:59:30:607 19376 I000101F8: Pending operation 172 started: 'Creating partition image'.
2017-03-08 03:01:52:045 19376 I000101F8: Pending operation 172 started: 'Creating partition image'.
2017-03-08 03:01:52:406 19376 I00640000: The following backups have been successfully created: "P:\My Backups\C Drive Partitions_full_b6_s1_v1.tib"
2017-03-08 03:01:53:461 19376 I013C0006: Operation has succeeded.
Thank you for all of your help.
Ron
**********
I hope this helps others... well, no I don't... I hope no one ever has the same issue. <chuckle>
Ron
Ron, thanks for posting the feedback and conclusion of this issue. Filesystem issues can certainly cause some strange problems but this is a new one to me too, so one to file in the old memory banks!