How to clean up the consolidation archive log

https://forum.acronis.com/system/files/19-task-featues.jpg

Note the gear option in upper right corner of your main TI menu. The log file there.
Note the reset option to reselect any working task as a main or single reference.

The log file can be edited in notepad or any text editor. All or single entries can be removed. File can be saved or deleted.
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As part of my personal rules and my recommendation to others, here are few:
1. No changes to task once in use except for schedule changes which can be done from main menu without task editing. Once task created, leave it alone. If changes needed, create a new task with the changes and stop using the old task.
2. Avoid all consolidation options which involves the merging of data from one file into another file. Too many problems.
3. In backup scheme, always use a custom scheme and one that uses automatic cleanup using the option to "store x number of recent version chains" as per the examples below. Let the program cleanup by the deletion of old files (rather than merging) with retention based on user scheme settings of store X...". Avoid the automatic cleanup options based on elapsed days or disk size limits.

I have found these guidelines and settings work when followed.

GH11. Create Custom Full Backup Scheme.Keep 4 versions (chains). The 4 is user choice.
GH12. Create Custom Incremental Backup Scheme. 6 Inc, Keep 4 chains. The 6-4 is user choice.
GH13. Create Custom Differential Backup Scheme. 2 Diff, Keep 2 chains. The 2-2 is user choice.
GH14. Custom Differential Backup Scheme . 6 Diff, Keep 4 chains. & folder

Hello Grover,

Thank you for the suggestions. Furthermore, our tasks are now consistent with the recommendations in your links. Nevertheless, as a new user, the archive log file is a little bit of an enigma. Would you mind clarifying some of the following questions:

1. You refer to the "reset option to reselect any working task as a main or single reference". We don't see any such option in True Image 2014? The only 'reset' option we see is to 'Reset All Filters". What did we miss?

2. You mentioned that the log file could be opened in Notepad. Where is the log saved so we can find and open it?

3. In the True Image event viewer, file content is expanded, contracted, details are shown in a separate panel, events are filtered, and events are displayed on a calendar. Is it possible for the viewer to perform these actions using a log in notepad text file format? Or is there more to this log file than meets the eye?

4. Links in the detail panel of the log appear to be broken. When we select the knowledgebase article referred to in the log details for an event, the webpage cannot be opened and displayed. If we cut and copy the event code from the log into the knowledgebase search field (on the website), it still doesn't find the knowledgebase article. This brings into question the reliability of these recommended links.

5. The archive log is somehow relevant to the consolidation feature and requires us to select entries from the log before proceeding. What happens to consolidation when the log is outdated or incorrect?

6. What if log entries, or the whole log for that matter, is inadvertently deleted? How can it (or can it?) be re-created from the image file on disk?

Thank you for helping us understand these aspects. Finally, we have noted, with a little concerned smile, all of your cautions regarding the configuration of Acronis True Image backups. Shouldn't this attract the attention of Acronis? You are certainly a credible user, have researched these anomalies, and provided some excellent recommendations. But shouldn't this alert Acronis to the fact that areas of their application are broken or dysfunctional and need some attention?

Thanks, keep up the good work!

1. Yes, that is the reset option to which I referred. Clicking reset option enables the user to choose which backup tasks to view logs.
2. see note below.
3. The notepad view can be difficult. The easiest view is from within the program using the log file gear access.
4. Not sure.
5. Not sure exactly what to which you refer. I refuse to use consolidation so have never seen what is asked.
6. If file deleted, the fill will be recreated empty. A log file can only be replaced via a restore from a backup.
7. As Acronis rarely ever responds on the forum, I am not sure anyone from Acronis ever reviews what I post, or aware of what problem the user posts. In my opinion, their support is geared to first 30 days free support, and then to paid support. If they were aware of what I post, they would fix more of the issues quicker or implement some of the prior suggestions offered by users on the forum...
If you have not done so, you will find my signature link 2-A and item 3 of assistance.
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Note: View files location
To view Acronis fles, you will need to change the View option so system files can be seen.
Control Panel/Folder Options/View
Hidden Files and Folders should be changed to
Show hidden files, folder and drives
I also check the option "show full path"

The Acronis meta history file of all backups. Can be edited or deleleted. If deleted,
all tasks will be deleted and you will start over with an empty listing of tasks.
TIB backup files will be untouched.
C:\ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Database\archives.xml
GH54. Delete Database History Archives.xml.
GH55A. Acronis servicesEasy way to find posting by yourself or others.
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Source files on backup tasks. Readable in Notepad.
C:\ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Scripts
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Log files. Can be edited in Notepad. Unwanted can be removed via the edit.
If total log file deleted, it will be recreated as new and empty of old tasks.
If old information needed, a restore of all or spedific log files perhaps based on date.
C:\ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Logs
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Acronis Temp Storage--Clear frequently--especially if issues.
C:\Users\Your user name\AppData\Local\Temp
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