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Backup on external USB, weekly, running on startup if missed

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Hello,

as in the subject, I should perform a weekly backup of disk partition to an external USB drive. The USB drive is not always connected, the same for my computer, which could not be running on the scheduled day/time.

If such cases happen, I need to perform one of the following actions alternatively upon what is the situation:

1.if computer is off, the task must run at the next startup after its previous missing activity;

2. if computer is running, but USB device is not connected, some notification must come up suggesting to connect the device (this happened on Acronis True Image 2013, which has worked like a charm) to perform the backup.

At the moment, with Aconis True Image 2016 under Windows 10 PRO, I cannot get anything of those actions above.

So, I ask you for the right settings from anyone who is in my same situation.

thank you.

Riccardo.

 

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Riccardo,

The options controlling if a missed task is run at the next startup is found on the Scheduler page in the Advanced settings where you can select this and add an optional delay time before the task is run.

ATIH 2016 Advanced Backup Settings.png

For the scheduled task where the USB drive is not connected, then you will need to use the Pre/Post Commands option on the Advanced Options page for your task.

To do this, first create a simple text file in the root of your USB drive, i.e. E:\BackupDrive.txt - it doesn't need any content in the file.

Next, on your computer, create a small Windows batch command file, i.e. C:\Temp\CheckDrive.bat - and type the following content:

echo off
if not exist e:\BackupDrive.txt 
{
msg * Please connect the Acronis backup drive
}
exit

Now, open the task Advanced Options > Pre/Post Commands then enable Use custom commands and click on the Edit button, then select the CheckDrive.BAT file from where it is stored.

Click on the Test command button and make sure the command works correctly, then click on OK to save the change.  Note: If the Test command fails, then change CheckDrive.BAT to CheckDrive.CMD and try again (rename the actual file as well.

CheckDrive Pre Command.png

CheckDrive Pre Command 2.png