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Make Backup when external HDD is connected

Thread needs solution

i'm using true image 2018 on win10 64bit.

didn't find anything but a post form 2013 that it's not possible, so i thought i'd post my concern here:

is it possible to make a weekly backup on my external HDD and for the case that my HDD is not plugged in on the set backup time, start it as soon as my HDD is plugged in again?

 

SOLUTION:

so since you apparently can't use autorun on HDDs i found another solution, which perfectly worked for me:

https://superuser.com/questions/219401/starting-scheduled-task-by-detec…

created a powershell-script which runs the backup-shortcut on my HDD. then i set up this script in windows task scheduler with trigger "at log on" and made attributes "-windowstyle hidden -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -File "C:\my_path\AutoBackup.ps1"

so now it runs the script in the background and if i plug in my HDD it starts the backup automatically. Just set up a reminder in my calendar so i won't forget to plug in my HDD.

0 Users found this helpful

Bernhard, welcome to these User Forums.

In principle you can do as you ask but this assumes that your external HDD is recognised as a valid type to allow the option for this to be presented in the Backup settings.

The setting in question is found on the Schedule settings page, in the Advanced section:

  • If you schedule a backup to a USB flash drive or validation of a backup that is located on a USB flash drive, one more check box appears: Run when the current device is attached. Selecting the check box will let you perform a missed operation when the USB flash drive is attached if it was disconnected at the scheduled time.

The alternative method would require that you setup a Windows autorun.inf file that would in turn launch your ATI backup task when the drive is connected.

See webpage: How to create a desktop shortcut for your backup task  and  webpage: Creating an AutoRun-Enabled Application for more information on the alternative approach.

"Selecting the check box will let you perform a missed operation when the USB flash drive is attached if it was disconnected at the scheduled time."

did that, but when the backup was scheduled for example at sunday1 2pm and i plugged in the HDD on sunday1 3pm acronis would say "next backup on day sunday2 2pm. so that didn't work.

 

your alternative method seems interesting. so i just put the autorun(whoch runs the shortcut) and the shortcut onto my HDD and set no schedule in my backup, right?

 

gonna try that and report back.

thanks in advance :)

so since you apparently can't use autorun on HDDs i found another solution, which perfectly worked for me:

https://superuser.com/questions/219401/starting-scheduled-task-by-detec…

created a powershell-script which runs the backup-shortcut on my HDD. then i set up this script in windows task scheduler with trigger "at log on" and made attributes "-windowstyle hidden -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -File "C:\my_path\AutoBackup.ps1"

so now it runs the script in the background and if i plug in my HDD it starts the backup automatically. Just set up a reminder in my calendar so i won't forget to plug in my HDD.

Bernhard, glad you have found a solution that will work for you, thank you for sharing the method you have used.

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Comments: 7092

Hello Bernhard,

Some users have already requested this feature for Acronis True Image (internal ID for reference TI-110672). I've added this thread as a +1. 

Thank you!