Version Chain and inaccessible files
Greetings -
As the subject line indicates I have two questions that I believe are related. I've been using the Version Chain method of backing up my drives (Full + Differentials), understanding that the chain lasts for 6 months, is then deleted and a new chain started.
Since I have 3 computers, with one on a daily backup schedule, my 4TB RAID device gets filled up before 6 months have passed. This doesn't stop Acronis from starting a new Full back + Differential set though. So, I guess I now have three questions. lol. Why is it holding on to older complete sets if it's going to make a new set? Why not just keep adding Differential backups until it reaches 6 months worth of files?
When I start getting warning signs that the RAID is filling up, I go into each backup folder and delete the oldest set of Full + Differentials. As I understand things, this should not restrict my ability to do a full Restore if needed, as I have at least one Full + Differential backup set remaining.
Assuming that's right (and please correct me if I'm wrong) I should also be able to go into any folder from Windows Explorer, my RAID device software up to the Acronis Recovery function and see as well as retrieve individual files if I want to. Again, if I'm wrong about this, please let know.
I *do* know I can see all the files in my Backups folder on the RAID device, using a variety of tools. They all have file sizes appropriate to their type (Full and Differential.) However, when I try and access the files to do a simple copy and paste, the holding folders say they are empty. I might want to drag an earlier version of a simple file from a backup to compare with a current one, for example. Not really needing a full Restore, just a quick and dirty copy and paste.
So, to summarize:
1. Why does the Version Chain backup method continue to create Full backups before 6 months has expired?
2. Can I delete earlier sets of backups without compromising my ability to do Restores with more current, complete sets?
3. Why can I not see individual files in my backup folders? I want to grab a few without having to do a full Restore.
Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Rick Manasa
Hi Steve -
Thanks for the quick reply, as always. I am using Acronis True Image 2018. My Backup Scheme is the Version chain scheme. I don't know where the Automatic Cleanup settings are to tell you how they're set. Whatever and wherever they are, I haven't changed them.
On your rules:
1. OK, but we're still talking about nothing being deleted for 6 months, correct? I don't see any way to change that anyhow. Looking at the graphic, it appears that when a new Full backup is made, the oldest (but not the original) is supposed to be deleted. Ditto for a new Differential. I have backups going back to November that have not been deleted. Not sure why, but I have an idea.
2. Having enough storage should not be the problem. Even backing up 3 computers, there should be plenty of space to store Version chains for all of them, as I understand how that works.
3. I did not realize this and that could be a source of my problem. Again, looking at the graphic, I'm sure I've hand-deleted the very first Full backup in the chain - the one listed as "Version cannot be deleted automatically". Another clue is that I now get a variety of "Can't find version (x)" of a backup as I attempt to look at things in ATI.
As far as accessing files, this is what has prompted the post. I can see that a backup file is there, but as I dive into the C: drive, Explorer says "This folder is empty." Still need any ideas you may have on why that is.
Once I get this resolved, I'm going to start a whole new set of backups in a new folder on the RAID, and not the touch the first Full backup. I'll also try and remember to do my deleting of older F+D sets from within ATI, as I'm sure I'll still need to do that.
Looking forward to your reply, Steve. Thank you!
Rick
Rick, let's start with the basics here:
In your ATI 2018 GUI, select one of your backup tasks, then click on the Options button to open the configuration settings.
The tabs across the top of the settings panel show the different options, i.e. Schedule, Backup scheme, Notifications, Exclusions, Advanced.
Open the Backup scheme tab, which is where both the type of backup is defined, and where the automatic cleanup options are set.
Please provide a screen image of this Backup scheme page settings.
Hi Steve -
Back to basics we go. Here's the screenshot you requested. Notice that there is not a section for automatic cleanup options.
Rick, ok, the screen image helps make more sense of this issue now, especially as I have never used the Version chain scheme in all the time I have used ATI...! The reason for my not using it is simply that it takes away the level of control that I want for my backup tasks!
ATI2018 offers a range of different Backup schemes where the equivalent one to using Version chain is to use Differential which will then allow you to decide the exact way the scheme works and set automatic cleanup options. See screen shots below:
This effectively uses the same settings of your current Version chain scheme, i.e. that it will create a full backup after every 5 differential backups, but now you can decide just how many of those chains you want to keep before the oldest chain gets deleted.
OK, Steve. Thanks for that. I'll change my setup to mirror yours and we'll see what happens going forward.
I still need to find a way to access the files in my current backups, though. Any idea why I can see the C: drive in each file, but not the contents?
Any idea why I can see the C: drive in each file, but not the contents?
How exactly are you trying to see the contents?
Have you tried double-clicking on the .tib file in Explorer then clicking into the drive & folders as you would normally look using Explorer?
What exactly is your 4TB RAID storage device and how is this connected?
Is this a NAS device?
Let's talk about using Explorer. If I open up the Backups folder and select the specific computer, there is a list of backups there, both Full and Differential. If I double click on the oldest Full (for example,) it shows a backup file (Backup, Day/Date/Time, My-partitions2020-01-11_full_b27_s1_v1.) Double clicking on this shows three drives: C:, System Reserved and NTFS (1-3.)
Now this is where it gets a little squrriely, and I coulda/shoulda/woulda mentioned this earlier, but we were focusing on other things. Double clicking on the C: icon *sometimes* opens up the drive and lets me at the files. Why it doesn't at other times, I can only guess. Maybe I'm trying to access the backups while a new backup is being created? I really don't know. But today, right now, I can get at the files just fine using Explorer.
My RAID device is a Synology DS412+. When I see it in Explorer, it's under the Network icon. I do not have a NAS icon. Looking online at various reviews however, indicates it is a Network-Attached Storage device. So, I guess it is a NAS!
A quick question - Where do I go to change the backup path? I'll poke around until I hear back from you. Thanks, Steve!
Rick, thanks for the further information. I also have a Synology NAS but different model to yours (DS215j) that I also backup to.
My NAS is not shown in Explorer and I do not ever map any Windows drive letters to it as I want to keep it as isolated from my computers as possible to prevent any malware transmission to it.
To access my NAS files, I normally start from the ATI GUI and select a backup task that goes to the NAS, then use the 'Open location' option for that task to have Explorer open to the destination where the backup files are stored.
Once I can see the files, double clicking on one of them will open it up, then double clicking again on any of the items shown continues that open process for that item.
Rick, am not sure of what you are asking with "A quick question - Where do I go to change the backup path?" - what exactly are you wanting to do here?
I don't map the RAID to a letter either, Steve, though I have it pinned to my navigation pane for ease of access. It's still password protected and I've change the log in name as well.
That is yet another way to access the files that I haven't used before. I'll keep that in mind.
My question was about how I would go about changing the backup path. Of course, as soon as I hit Send, i figured it out. Isn't that always how it goes? ;^)
Those files I was looking for appear to have been lost a long time ago, but I can recreate them. Other than that, I think we're good now Steve. Thanks again for your help. Greatly appreciated. Two thumbs up!
Rick, glad to be able to help here, thanks for the feedback.