Bootable media or ISO -- change with every build?
Regarding Acronis Ture Image Home:
1. Must new bootable media be created for each build?
2. Does the download-able ISO version change with every build?
3. When is the ISO image preferable to the program-created bootable media?
4. If the Plus Pack is already installed, will that be incorporated into the bootable media created from inside the program, or would it a require a separate ISO or download-able program from the website? Again, would it change with every build?
Also, a older version CD is not guaranteed to restore a newer version backup.
Bootable media or ISO -- change with every build?
Colin, I don't think all three answers to #4 can be yes. If the answer to the first part of question #4 is yes, then the second part would be no, and vice versa:
If the Plus Pack is already installed, would that (namely, Universal Restore) be incorporated into the bootable media created from within program? If it is, then a separate ISO or download-able program would not be necessary, except for added insurance. [If it (Universal Restore) is not incorporated, then a separate ISO or download-able program would be required.]
Just to be clear, is the website's Bootable Media download different for each build?
If new bootable media should be created for every build, are most people using re-writable CDs or just throwing away the CDs from previous builds? [Are re-writable CDs as reliable as burn-once CDs?]
Bootable media or ISO -- change with every build?
Colin, I don't think all three answers to #4 can be yes. If the answer to the first part of question #4 is yes, then the second part would be no, and vice versa:
If the Plus Pack is already installed, would that (namely, Universal Restore) be incorporated into the bootable media created from within program? If it is, then a separate ISO or download-able program would not be necessary, except for added insurance. [If it (Universal Restore) is not incorporated, then a separate ISO or download-able program would be required.]
Just to be clear, is the website's Bootable Media download different for each build?
If new bootable media should be created for every build, are most people using re-writable CDs or just throwing away the CDs from previous builds? [Are re-writable CDs as reliable as burn-once CDs?]
If the Plus Pack is already installed, would that (namely, Universal Restore) be incorporated into the bootable media created from within program?
If you update the build of ATI, you need to update the build of the Plus Pack as well. Once the Plus Pack is installed, you can create the bootable media that incorporates the Universal Restore. So, the answer to your question is yes.
If it is, then a separate ISO or download-able program would not be necessary, except for added insurance. [If it (Universal Restore) is not incorporated, then a separate ISO or download-able program would be required.]
The bootable media that you download from the web site *under the Plus Pack* section does contain the UR feature as well.
Just to be clear, is the website's Bootable Media download different for each build?
Not necessarily, but possibly. The ISO contains a linux based version of ATI that might or might not be updated when the Windows version changes. Vice versa, it is possible to use the ISO of a later build, without necessarily updating the Windows version on your computer. The problem is there is no way to know whether the bootable media has changed or not.
If new bootable media should be created for every build, are most people using re-writable CDs or just throwing away the CDs from previous builds? [Are re-writable CDs as reliable as burn-once CDs?]
You don't have to update your bootable media. Try to update it if your current bootable media doesn't work on your computer. In most cases, people have to update their bootable media when they install ATI on a new computer and they end up having Linux driver issues on that new computer. Sometime just getting the latest bootable media for their version (latest build) solve the issue. Sometimes, they have to go to a new version (not build) to solve the issue.
If your bootable media works, don't change it!
Also be aware that every time the build changes, the online Bootable Media download does change or changes at least that the bootable media version will have the same build number as the main downloaded file. The build number will match between the bootable media download and the main download.
There is no guarantee that a backup created by build #2 can be restored by a CD created for build #1. According to Acronis documentation, user is advised to keep current media builds. Many of the long time users of Acronis keep all the old TrueImage CD's on a spindle for possible use because we have many old backups which may need them.
"Many of the long time users of Acronis keep all the old TrueImage CD's on a spindle for possible use because we have many old backups which may need them."
I thought newer versions and builds were supposed to be backward compatible, so old backups could be accessed and restored using newer versons/builds of ATI (but old versions of the program cannot restore backups performed using newer versions of the program).
dr.rocket,
I don't know about you but I don't trust any current program to always be compatible with a program created in the past. Forum threads have indicated that there are occasional issues with restoring individuals older backups. For me, I would rather keep the CD's and reduce the risk. It's a matter of personal preference.
GroverH,
But how would you know which build of bootable media was for which backup? Is there even a way of knowing with which build the backup was made? I tend to doubt it. I suppose using bootable media of the latest build for the particular version of ATI would be a good strategy to attempt, if necessary.
Dr. Rocket,
Include the version or build number in the image name and then write the build and version number on the CD.
So you could have an image which is named 'my_c_v2011_6868.tib' or add that to the image contents field and read that before recovering.
dr.rocket,
As for recording the info onto the CD, some use a Sharpie and others like to print such as here. http://forum.acronis.com/forum/7306#comment-16981
I personally make a practice of including my serial number on at least one of the builds for each version.
As Colin mentioned in the preceding post, this is one example of one of my backup folders showing the version and build number. I use a different storage folder for each of my tasks and I create new tasks for each build.
This particular examples shows a custom backup scheme with automatic cleanup:
Do not delete the original
full plus 6 differentials before another full.
Retain 3 chains.
One more diff will be created before the next full. Automatic cleanup has not begun yet as the retention rules are yet to be fulfilled.
Seems like an option to have ATI add the build number to the filename would be a good addition to the drop down add-on's list in the setup. But I'm sure there are other bigger fish to fry.
Mr. Pisky,
Yes, I thought it important to me because I keep some of my backups for a long time which is why I do include the build manually. But, if you always use the most recent build for the bootable media, it will read most of the recent older backups.