Restore Question from a neophyte!

Bob,

You need to create a recovery medium. There are 3 types:
- the standard medium can be created with ATI running in windows, or downloaded as an ISO from your Acronis account. This is a Linux version. Create one and make sure it allows your computer to boot, launch ATI from it and restore a couple of files from your backup. If this works, you don't need anything else.

- the BartPE version can be produced as well, but is not necessary if the standard version above works. This version contains windows drivers instead of Linux. You need Windows XP installation files to create it.

- the WinPE version can also be produced if you have the ATI Plus Pack. This is done with official technology from Microsoft and contains windows drivers also.

In summary, you need only one recovery medium and you *absolutely* need to check it works on your computer. Start with the standard version.

Thanks Pat, I appreciate it.
I stay out of town for work during the week, so when I get back home next weekend I'll try to get the ""Idle" status thing worked out.
If I can't, I have an upgrade to ATI 2010 sitting in my account since last year.
Do you think it's wise to go to the 2010 version at this point?

2010 officially supports Win7. If you 2009 version works (including a working recovery CD and validated images), you don't need to upgrade.

Well that's the thing, right now it doesn't work.
It just shows an "Idle" status when I try to run a backup.

Did you change any of your Windows services?

What OS are you using?

Try uninstalling, rebooting and reinstalling. Then start new backup chains.

When you say Services, exactly what are you asking?
Using XP Home

I'll consider the uninstall

Thanks
Bob

The set of services that you see when you run services.msc

Run it and verify that the Acronis services are started. If not, right click on them, choose properties, change the startup type to automatic and see if this fixes your issue.

I'm practicing what you recommended on my travel laptop.
I've created a backup image, and have created the rescue media on a flash drive.

What should I do now to test the image as you recommended here ->
"make sure it allows your computer to boot, launch ATI from it and restore a couple of files from your backup. If this works, you don't need anything else. "
In other words, how to I boot from the media?

I also tried to mount the image but I get the "Can't assign drive letter to the backup archive" error.
Do you know what this means?

Sorry to lean on you, but you've been so helpful so far.

Thanks again
Bob

Boot the computer on the flash drive, launch ATI from it, navigate to your backup, choose restore selected files and folders, choose a couple of individual files, restore them. If you can do this and you validate your backup in Windows from time to time you are in good shape.

To boot the computer on the flash drive, you might have to change the boot sequence in the BIOS (typically you have to press F2 right after you start your computer to enter the BIOS. In the BIOS you should see a section about boot order. Select USB device as first boot item, then restart the computer. If it boots in Windows, review your BIOS settings.

Is this a Dell laptop? Some laptop have partitions that can cause mounting errors (diagnostic/utility partitions, etc.).

Validate your backup within Windows: right click on the TIB file, choose archives -> validate.

The backup that you need to restore your computer is an all-partition disk and partition backup. I.e. all partitions on your system disk need to be in the backup.

Yes this is a Dell laptop.
Is there a work around to mount the image?

I validate my images during the creation of the image.
Is that OK?

Thanks
Bob

You could split your backup into a) all "system" partitions except C:\system, b) C:\system, c) any user partition you have created. Then try to mount the backups. This would verify whether a partition is the cause of the problem or you have some other issue.

Yes, it is perfectly fine to validate when you create the image. I backup everyday, but I validate once a week so that each chain I create gets validated at least once.

I'm going to have to think about what you're saying so it sinks in.

If the image won't mount, is it logical that it won't restore either?

Issues preventing mounting can come from the driver ATI installs to do so, or from issues with the backup. Typically, if the driver works right, but you cannot mount the image, this is a good sign there is an issue with the backup that wouldn't validate. With special partitions, I would say it is a driver issue.

Validate your image, if it validates you have the highest level of confidence it will restore, but not 100%. The only way to get 100% is to restore on a spare disk.

I know the image validated when I created it yesterday.

When i get home today, I'll create another image and take into consideration what you said earlier;
"You could split your backup into a) all "system" partitions except C:\system, b) C:\system, c) any user partition you have created. Then try to mount the backups."

Are these options at the beginning of the image process?

Thanks so much
Bob

I don't know 2009 that well. I guess there is a way to select the partitions you want to backup in a disk and partition backup. If you can only backup the entire disk, my point is moot.

If the image validate and doesn't mount, I wouldn't sweat it. Did you try to mount the image from the recovery CD?

I have not tried to mount the image from the flash drive recovery files.
That's another process I'll need to think through.
I believe I hit F12 to enter the BIOS to change the boot sequence.

So once I change the sequence to look at the flash drive first, it should be intuitive from there to get ITA going?

Thanks
Bob

Yes. If your BIOS is set up to boot on your recovery medium type (USB in your case), it should work. If you cannot see the ATI menu, or if the computer boots to Windows anyway, it means your boot medium is not working.

I'll give it a whirl later.
Who know, it may go without a hitch (--:

I'm sitting here thinking about what I would do if either my laptop or home PC had a drive crap out and am in a quandry.

In this post;
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/22900
You outline some things relating to what I'm thinking about.

So, my newest question to you is,

If you had a drive crash, would you just restore copies/backups of "data files" or would you use an image on a new drive?

What is the main purpose of an "image" anyway?

Thanks again
Bob

If you have a system (OS and/or programs) drive crash, this is the problem for which ATI is the best suited to solve: you restore the all-partition disk and partition backup on the new disk and you are set. You use the recovery CD to do this.

If you have a non-system drive crash, you can rely on a file backup to restore content (but not programs).

Moving from one computer to a different computer is harder. This is the case in the post you reference above.

Your response is noted.
Maybe I should ask it in a different way.
If my home PC crashes, it's on XP Pro and probably time to move on to another operating system.
What would be your thoughts about that situation?

On a side note, I tried to boot my laptop from the flash drive but it wouldn't recognize the flash.
Is there a thread or sticky to give me some insight on that?
I then used a CD and it booted fine, and I restored some files OK, even though the laptop wouldn't mount them.

So, same question,
If the laptop loses a drive, what would you do?
Slap in a new drive, restore the image file, and life goes on?

Thanks and take care
Bob

If you move to Win7 on the same computer, there is no simple upgrade path from XP: you would lose your program and settings, and have to reinstall them. In this case, a clean install of Win7 is preferable.

Try to boot on the flash drive on another computer. We will know if it is the flash drive or the computer. If it is the flash drive, maybe you can try a different brand of flash drive. Or you can visit Mudcrab website and use Grub4DOS http://www.themudcrab.com/

With the laptop it is the same thing!

With the flashdrive, should the recovery files be the only thing on it?

I have attached a screenshot of what I see on my recovery flash drive

I don't have as many revocery files as you, but it makes sense that I wouldn't since my system is smaller right?
I'm guessing mine didn't work because I just threw the recovery files on a flash drive that had other stuff on it.
It should probably be dedicated to the recovery process right?

Also, while I have your attention again, give me a quick response to the difference between imaging and cloning.

Have a good day
Bob

Bob,

When ATI creates the recovery flash drive, it erases everything on it. So you didn't use the create bootable media creator function of ATI, did you?

Bob,

A disk and partition backup (imaging) and a clone use the same technology. The difference is that for a clone, the data that is read from the source disk is directly laid out on the destination disk. The result is a disk. For imaging however, the data is stored in a temporary container before being laid out a new disk at restore time: the result is a file on a disk.

Thanks for the explanation.
So in essence, I could keep an extra drive in the machine and clone to it for use if the main hard drive craps out.
If I remember correctly, I would have to replace the original crashed drive with the cloned one after setting some jumpers and setting it as the master. Does that make sense?

Now I'm not sure how I created the recovery files?
Maybe I copied them from one of the CD's that worked.

Are you a moderator, of just a crazy enthusiast?

Thanks
Bob

Bob,

I'd recommend against using a clone as a backup. The cloning process is pretty long, you may have to adjust your boot manager or keep the drive disconnected and reconnect it everytime you want clone...
Just do a disk and partition backup. When you disk dies, you get a new one and restore on it. It is painless and the core scenario for ATI.

You cannot copy from the CD. Use the same wizard you used for the CD, but select the flash drive as the destination.

I am not a moderator, just a user like you trying to help others avoid the pain of losing precious data.

Well thank you for your time and patience with people like me.
When I get back this weekend I'll try the things you mentioned as to why my home PC stays idle when I try to run ATI.

Have a good day
Bob

Hey Pat

Is there a post or sticky somewhere that would outline the exact steps one would take if a drive in a PC crashes
and one wants to install a new drive in that same machine and restore an image with ATI?

It would be panic time at that point and I'd like to be ready

Thanks
Man, it's hot here in Pennsylvania )--:

Hello all,

Thank you for posting and thanks for all your help Pat.

Bob, let me provide you with the information you require.

There are a couple of KB articles that can be used, you can find them here:

 - Acronis True Image Home 2011: Creating Acronis Bootable Media

 - Downloading Acronis Bootable Media

 - Acronis True Image Home 2011: Disk and Partition Recovery

 - Acronis True Image 2011 Home General Guides

Please let us know if you have additional questions.

Thank you.

I'll take a look at the links, thanks.
Would they apply to my situation where I'm using ATI 2009?

Take care
Bob

You can download the manual here
download.acronis.com/pdf/TrueImage2009_ug.en.pdf

I do have the manual and am reviewing it when I can.
My biggest area of doubt is what needs to be done to a brand new drive when it comes out of the box to get
an existing image on it if my main drive were to just stop working and was dead?

I understand that is needs to be installed in the machine, and some jumpers need to be set along with the
drive being set to master.
In other words, what ir required as far as formatting and setting up partitions etc?

Thanks
Bob

No formatting or partionning is required on the new disk. Check out Grover's guides to restore to a bigger disk and take advantage of the bigger size.

Hi guys

Got back home and took Pat's suggestion and uninstalled / reinstalled the software on the home PC and ATI is running OK again. Thanks a lot!

I read the manual again and have several questions which I'll ask one at a time.
Hope you can hang in there with me.
This is definitely a learning experience, and a fun one at that.

Question one is;

I've run and installed the Bart PE plug in from the "My Account" area.
I've downloaded the Bart PE builder.

Not exactly sure what to do next??
I'm just trying to do everything I can to functionally understand and try all of my recovery options while I don't really need them.

Thanks
Bob

Bob, why are you doing a BartPT recovery disk?

http://kb.acronis.com/content/1506

Just so I understand the mechanics of it in case something goes wrong with the Acronis recovery disk.
I'm a UAV pilot by profession and we tend to always have a plan "B" and "C" I guess.

Am I going overboard, or wouldn't it hurt to understand Bart and ISO procedures?

If your recovery disk works to restore, you are making your life too complicated :-)

It wouldn't hurt to build a BartPE: you will see it is very similar to the default one except that it is a tad slower to boot.

If you want something fast, try to build a recovery flash drive instead...

I did a recovery on a flash drive, but then I got to thinking...

I have several USB devices on a 4 port card, and then a single port on the front of the computer.
Will my recovery files on the flash drive eventually get accessed even though the other four ports
on the card are full?

Thanks Pat, you are a definitely a guardian Angel!
I could never do this on my own...

Bob,

Not all computers can boot on USB flash drives, but most recent computers can. It has to be supported by the BIOS, and the BIOS boot settings need to be right.
Start the computer, press F2 immediately to enter the BIOS. Looks for boot settings. Put USB device at the top of the list. Then plug your bootable USB flash drive and boot the computer up.

I'll give the USB a try today.

OK, on to my next question for you;
On page 19 of the manual there's information on the Recovery Manager.
I didn't use this yet because I'm not sure I understand or like the fact that the program
overwrites the master boot record (MBR) with its own boot code.

What's your opinion on this?

Thanks again
Bob

3.4 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager
3.4.1 How it works
The Acronis Startup Recovery Manager lets you start Acronis True Image Home without
loading the operating system. With this feature, you can use Acronis True Image Home by
itself to restore damaged partitions, even if the operating system won't start up for some
reason. As opposed to booting from Acronis removable media, you will not need a separate
media or network connection to start Acronis True Image Home.

3.4.2 How to use
To be able to use Acronis Startup Recovery Manager at boot time, prepare as follows:
1. Install Acronis True Image Home.
2. Create Acronis Secure Zone on the hard disk (see Chapter 9. Managing Acronis Secure
Zone).
3. Activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager. To do so, click Activate Acronis Startup
Recovery Manager and follow the wizard’s instructions.
If you try to activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager before you created the Acronis
Secure Zone, you will be prompted to create the zone; then the Acronis Startup Recovery
Manager will be activated. If the Acronis Secure Zone already exists, Acronis Startup
Recovery Manager will be activated immediately.
When Acronis Startup Recovery Manager is activated, it overwrites the master boot record
(MBR) with its own boot code. If you have any third-party boot managers installed, you will
have to reactivate them after activating the Startup Recovery Manager. For Linux loaders
(e.g. LiLo and GRUB), you might consider installing them to a Linux root (or boot) partition
boot record instead of MBR before activating Acronis Startup Recovery Manager.
If a failure occurs, turn on the computer and press F11 when you see the "Press F11 for
Acronis Startup Recovery Manager" message. This will start a standalone version of Acronis

The ASRM works fine. As you know it will not work if the disk simply dies. The version of ATI that the ASRM launches is the same as the one on the CD (maybe the Linux kernel changes, but I am not sure), so if the recovery medium works, the ASRM should work.
On some computers, there is already another function that uses F11. In that case, the ASRM will overwrite this function.

I personally don't use it on my desktop because I always have the recovery flash drive nearby. On my laptop, though, it is activated.

Understood, thanks.
I don't think I'm going to deal with it either.

I tried the USB boot but my BIOS is old and won't let me change the boot order to include USB first.
The closest I can get it is third.
No biggie.

My next question is about the MBR and track 0.
Per the dialogue below, how will I know whether or not to restore the MBR or Disk Signatures?.

pg 56
6.3.4 Selecting a disk/partition to restore

Disk and partition images contain a copy of track 0 along with the MBR (master boot record).
It appears in this window in a separate line. You can choose whether to restore MBR and
track 0 by selecting the corresponding box. Restore the MBR if it is critical to your system
booting.
When MBR restoration is chosen, there will be the "Restore disk signature" box in the bottom
left corner at the next step. Restoring disk signature may be desirable due to the following
reasons:

Stay cool
Where are you from anyway?

Bob

Even if your BIOS is old there should be a key to select what to boot on...

In general you don't have to restore the MBR+track0 or the disk signature.

If you restore the entire disk on the same disk, it doesn't hurt to include them. If you restore only one partition, do not include them.

You have to restore the MBR+track0 when:
- the MBR has been damaged by some boot manager or malware, OR
- when you restore to a brand new disk.

You have to restore the disk signature when restoring to a new disk. Remember though that you cannot have 2 disks with the same signature on the computer.

There is a key for me to select boot order, but each option has different choices for the device to boot from and USB doesn't show up in choice #1 or #2. Not until choice #3.

I'm going to print this post when we're done just because there's so much information in it.
I wouldn't know by reading the manual what you just told me. Even though I see it in print, I
still don't fully understand the why of it all.

So that leads me to my next question;

When would I use the "System State" restore and "Application Settings" restore?

I stand properly chastised (botton lip rolled out, head hung low and big toe stirring in the dirt...........

System State and Application Settings restore are a way to protect your system without having to image the entire partition. Just like the native Windows System Protection (restore points), they are file based.

In many cases, restoring the system state and application settings fixes issues after installing a wrong driver, or getting rid of some application that fails, or repairing a corrupt registry, etc.

In many cases, this approach doesn't work to restore the system though. They are left overs, or some software doesn't work well any longer (security software in particular) or the restore doesn't work (because some security software prevents it).

It is still something to try for people who have a large single partition with lots of content.

Most backup aware users partition their system to separate data from the OS+applications. This way, restore the system partition is typically as quick as restoring the system state and/or application settings. This case is almost the default one for SSD disk owners. Since SSD don't require defragmentation, imaging the SSD is a no brainer and the speed of the disk makes restoring even faster.

That's why I don't bother with file-based system restore (whether from Microsoft or Acronis), but I use file-based restored for content.

OK, I'll digest that.

On to the next question;

By the way, without you answering me, and I don't know how many others you have in the que,
but without you, this board would be useless to me as there was only one company response, and
no others. It isn't going unnoticed and I want you to know how much I appreciate this.
It just saves me tons of time and frustration.
Thank you so much.

Anyway, next question;

The manual mentions backing up in a .zip format, but I can't figure out where to select it?
Any thoughts on that?

Thanks
Bob

To select ZIP, you have to use the file backup mode. When you specify the destination, you should be able to select .tib or .zip in the "save as type" box right below you enter the file name.