Issues with images saved to network storage and server

Using the latest versions of Acronis True Image Home 2010 and 2011 with Windows XP, I can backup files to NAS and/or to servers with verification at the end with no problem. However, when I try to do a manual validate or restore from a .tib file residing on a NAS or server (mapped drive letter) it fails immediately saying the image is corrupted. However, copying that image to a USB drive and plugging that USB drive into the computer with the Acronis software works flawlessly.

Also, the idea behind excluding files is nice, however, what would be NICER is the ability to exclude directories. For example, on my PC I have a terabyte of videos of shows I've recorded from TV that I do not want backed up, but I don't want to erase them. On the other hand, I have home videos (in another directory) that I do want backed up and they share the same file extensions. My image would be a LOT smaller if I could exclude specific directories.

A temp file clean-up tool, such as TFC.exe (http://johnsonyip.com/wordpress/2010/10/22/tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-old…) running before Acronis also saves gigs in wasted backup space - it would be nice if this were an option prior to running the backup. Or, once again, the ability to exclude the numerous temp file and internet cache and even the system restore directories would be less destrucive and a bonus feature of the ability to exclude specific directories.

Also, the interface on 2010 is worse then 9 Echo, and the interface on 2011 is worse then 2010. Its like the interface just keeps getting worse. Go back to the original interface or offer users the choice of which interface they want.

One other nice feature would be to allow me to load SATA drivers without having to restore the entire image all over again. As it is now, if Acronis cannot find the drivers it needs for the hard drive controller or other hardware when utilizing Universal Restore, it comes up with a request for me to point it to the location of the driver for the specific PCI number. I have no idea what this device is and i don't care unless the machine won't boot. So I ignore it, reboot the machine and if it fails to boot, then I realize its the hard drive controller driver and I have to start the restore process all over again.

Thank goodness for this shortcut with the UBCD4Win!
http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/07/09/move-windows-xp-hard-dri…
(the first half of this can be ignored, scroll about halfway down to part b and follow the steps and it works quite well!)

If they can do this on a free product, why can't Acronis?

At least with Windows Vista and 7, Microsoft provides this free tool to run BEFORE you clone that makes Universal Restore unnecessary on those operating systems.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976

Finally, I have a ton of Gigabyte H55M-S2V motherboards with the Intel H55 Express chipset and I am cloning the old workstations to these machines with AHCI enabled and Acrons True Image Home 2011 build 6696 (the latest as I write this) STILL doesn't recognize it! I have to continually provide the 'F6' drivers manually and point Universal Restore to their location BEFORE I begin the restore process. How about some more regular updates for hard drive controllers that don't require a full update of the software that could be released more often, like they do at DriverPacks.net, for example? How many months after a chipset is released does Acronis need to get a copy of the driver?

For all of my XP clones, I am going back to Echo Workstation 9. Its easier, faster, more robust and doesn't have the flaws mentioned at the start of this message. It's just sad to see one of my favorite products lose it's way and not have anyone at the company do anything but deny it and justify their apparant arrogant de-evolution of this product.

Carey Holzman
Computer America Show