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How to Create Full and then Differential Back

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I am new to Acronis and even though I am an experienced user I am not sure how to set up a viable backup plan.

What I want to do is create a full disk backup using my DVD drive and then do a weekly differential backup.

I create a boot disk and did a full backup but am not sure how to set up the differential one.

I thought I had it set up but it asked fro a new DVD after 12% complete. Since the full backup only needed 4 DVD's there was obviously something wrong so I cancelled it.

I created a new backup and it is almost complete but it is using 3 DVD's so it is hard to believe that it is really a differential backup.

So here are the things I don't understand.

1. What should I select to backup for both the full and differentail backup? Should I only select my C drive? I also have a FAT16 partition, NTFS Recovery and the Acronis Secure Zone.

2. Should the differential backup update an existing archive or create a new archive?

I have tried the differential backup for two weeks now and it creates 3 DVD's every time. It is supposed to create a full on the first time and a difference after that. How can they both be the same size?

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1. For best chances of a recovery in the event you need to replace your hard drive, it is best that you checkmark the disk option when selecting the type of backup to be performed. This type backup would include all partitions except the Secure zone.

2. A full backup is the base for a backup set. Incremental or differential backups can be part of the set, but have no value unless the base (full backup) is part of the folder. A differential backup cannot be restored without its base being restored. A differential backup will contain all changes to the disk since the last full backup. If you are defragging in between backups, that will cause your backup to see the shuffling of data as changes to the disk and make your backup larger than if the defrag had not been done.

3. My individual recommendation and that of most of the regular contributors on this forum is not to use DVD's as your primary means of backups. An external drive (or network drives, etc) is a far better choice as you can hold more and backups are faster and have fewer failures of the backup medium. Data is not written to the DVD in sequence of files, etc but in used sectors on the hard drive. When restoring from a DVD, switching discs can be a nightmare and very frustrating. Please reconsider for any use other than an emergency copy.