External hard drive - Scheduled backups
Acronis Scheduler is unable to find the required file in order to proceed with scheduled backup
Hi,
I store my scheduled backups on an external hard drive which I have to connect & disconnect on a basis. Unfortunately I have to do this in order for my computer to boot up - I simply cannot leave it plugged in. The problem occurs when I plug in my hard drive & windows assigns a drive letter which occasionally differs to the one in that the scheduler looks for to update the archive.
Is there something I change in Acronis or Windows that would rectify this problem?
Thank you.
Unfortunately I have to do this in order for my computer to boot up - I simply cannot leave it plugged in
Why? Is this something you want, or is it an annoyance?
This problem happens frequently in Windows XP. Since you didn't state what version of Windows your are using, I am guessing that it is Windows XP. If you have a task in ATI that points to an external drive and the letter changes, use Grovers suggestion to change it back to the correct one, and than you should be able to run your task. I have several customers who run ATI on Windows XP machines, and I get calls frim them when there backups stop working. We check the drive letter of the external drive first, and if it is wrong I have them change it back to the correct one in Windows Disk Management, and then their task usually runs fine. There is no permanemt fix for this in Windows XP, but there are some third party tools that can help. Also it helps if the external drive has a name assigned to it. This sometimes helps Windows more correclty identify the drive and assign the correct drive letter when removed and re-inserted. Also, if you have more than one USB port to choose from, use the same one every time.
Yes, you can use the Windows Disk Management and assign drive letter x or y or z to the external disk. While changing the drive letter, also assign a name to the external such as
Backup_XI always include the drive letter as part of the volume name. The disk name can be up to 11 characters or less and no spaces.
This disk letter change will necessitate your creating new backup tasks pointing to the new path to the external. Stop using the old task used for the external. Point the new task to an empty folder or sub-folder.
Assigning a drive letter such as x will allow the insertion of a camera or flash drive without interfering with the drive letter x or y or z, etc.
Won't the drive letter change again once I unplug & plug it back in?
Why? Is this something you want, or is it an annoyance?
Unfortunately I have to do this in order for my computer to boot up - I simply cannot leave it plugged in.
My computer doesn't boot if I leaved it plugged in. I do find it an annoyance I would prefer it remained plugged in; I have exhausted every option to achieve this.
Hi James F, I'm currently running windows vista (you were close :-)).
I reassigned the external hard drive letter to the on matching the location of the archive.
Do you get any error message when your machine won't boot with the drive attached?
John,
Matching the external drive letter to the one listed inside the backup is only a temporary fix. The same problem of a drive letter mixup can occur again if the external drive letter is next in line with the other devices.
My suggestion was to assign a drive letter to the external and use a letter at the end of the alphabet so that any insertion of a camera or flash drive or printer or memory stick would not cause a change in the drive letter of the external. I advise against editing an existing task and changing the target path. Assigning a new drive letter to the external will REQUIRE that you cease to use the old task and create a new backup task pointing to the new drive letter assigned to the external disk. I suggested X or Y but the choice is yours.
As for the booting problem, tell us more about your external disk.
Is this inside an enclosure or what? USB or eSata, etc.
Was the external drive ever bootable?
Check the Bios settings for the sequence of boot order.
Normally, you would expect the boot order to be the CD/DVD drive as the first choice and the internal hard drive as the second choice.
Thank you PatL & Grover H, informative as all ways.
Do you get any error message when your machine won't boot with the drive attached?
No, none whatsoever.
My Ext.H.D is a Seagate Free Agent, an enclosed HD connected via USB.
I think you can boot from it, I'm unsure though.
Omitting the Ext.H.D or changing the boot order has no impact
John,
Can you confirm that you don't see anything when the computer boots with the drive attached? Do you see the BIOs doing its thing, but then Windows doesn't kick in?
Or does Windows kick in, but then stops at one point?
In the BIOS. do you have the ability to disable booting from USB devices? do you have the ability to disable the support for legacy USB support?
Pat L,
When I boot-up with the drive attached the screen remains blank/black, & will only continue to boot once I have detached the USB. This only happens when booting from the computer being switched off as opposed to a restart.
I have the option to omit the Ex.Drive but this has no impact leaving the computer to revert back to the initial problem.
Any suggestions please?
John,
I am guessing it is a BIOS settings issue.
When the computer starts, hit F1 or F2 repeatedly to get into the BIOS. Typically which key to hit is briefly displayed. Once into the BIOS look at the different options like:
- USB legacy support,
- enable USB boot.
Try disabling one or the other and see if that makes a difference.