Acronis rescue USB hangs

Let's see what the log shows. If the entire application is hung though and you can't cancel or do anything, it will be difficult to grab it.  There is a Log section on the left side of the interface - if I remember correctly, you just right click in the log entry and can then will have the option to export it somewhere like your USB drive - I'll have to go back and test this (been awhile, sorry).  

How long did it actually hang for?  Sometimes it's doing it's thing, but the estimated time to completion is way off as it fluctuates between larger files and smaller, nested folders/files where performance for read/write drops.

You might also want to run chkdsk on your source and destination drive (use chkdsk /R for automatic repair if it does find an issue) as bad sectors on the drive can be a sticking point at times. You'd be surprised how many times this identifies the issue and resolves it.  

Also, just my recommendation, but I'd use the WinRE rescue media instead of the Linux media.  It seems to be a lot more compatible with current Windows drivers for the local system and if using Windows 10, a whole bunch of other default drivers that come in handy for different hardware too.  OK, the E6400 is probably 8 years old, but it won't hurt and might help - I had a 6410 and then a 6440 so am pretty familiar with the line and have had great success backing them up and restoring them). 

You can also try out building the WinRE with the custom MVP tool - I think you'll like the layout, features and tools a lot more than the default interface.  Just curious, but what is the main OS on the 6400 - is it still Windows 7 or Windows 10?

Nothing occurs to me that is likely to help. If you created the directory as part of the specification of the backup then it is possible (but unlikely) that the directory is not being created. Try creating the directory on the external drive before booting into the recovery media.

Found this in the Acronis Knowledge Base: 

Note: WinRE/WinPE-based bootable media is required to recover system backups, stored on an exFAT-formatted disk.

So it may be that the external drive has exFAT and will not allow the backup to be created - however I would have expected an error message rather than the system to hang. Same goes if the directory was not created. Or it could be that the directory name contains an invalid character. 

Ian

>> How long did it actually hang for? Several hours. I finally had to power off.

>> instead of the Linux media ... I'm using WinRE

>>the E6400 is probably 8 years old ... it has always backed up using the executable so I would not expect the problem to be the age of the computer.

>>what is the main OS on the 6400 .... it is Windows 10

>>chkdsk /R ... For drive C I have scheduled it for the next reboot but when I tried that on my 2nd partition I get a message from Acronis Active Protection, it says Possible ransomware detected (but the 2nd partition has nothing on it). I then told Acronis that chkdsk.exe is safe and it is checking now. I'll get back after that is finished and the reboot has time to check drive C. It will take 79 hours for /R to run on the 4TB external drive G.

>> directory is not being created ,,, what directory? The target for the backup has the directory already created (G:\Acronis Backups\Dad) and I want the new backup to be G:\Acronis Backups\Dad\e6400_190418. That should create a directory called e6400_190418. Is that the directory you speak of? You could be correct that it is hanging while creating that directory. ATI sees all of the other backups on G:\Acronis Backups\Dad.

>> it may be that the external drive has exFAT ... the external drive is a Windows 10 drive. I have already made several backups using the executable ATI. CHKDSK G: /R shows it to be NTFS.

Hi EddyQ ,

 If you running a Desktop Computer with Windows 10, you should include the operating system information like 64-Bit Build 18875.1000.

Also, if it appears to just hang with no information and no errors, then open up Computer BIOS and go to the Hardware Monitor portion of BIOS. Take a Digital picture of the output. If the 12 Volts shows under 12 Volts, replace the Power Supply.

Dell Laptop Computers do not have a Hardware Monitor in BIOS.

>> Windows version - I'm running Windows 10 Pro, version 10.0.17763 build 17763.

I'll check the BIOS after the CHKDSK /R is finished.

Eddy, if you had a hang when using the USB WinRE rescue media, then the only real suggestions that can be offered are as follows:

Try waiting out the hang to see if it will resolve itself - base any wait time on how long you would expect the full backup to take normally, then add on another hour or two max.

Try using the same USB WinRE media on a different PC, if available, and check that it works OK there?  If all works fine then you have narrowed down the hang to the original PC.

Return to the original PC and try making a series of smaller backup, starting with something simple like a few folders, then working up to backing up a single partition.  Check the results of each activity by clicking on the Log option shown in the main ATI media menu. 

If you still see any hangs or other unusual issues, then try to disconnect anything that isn't needed for the backup to run, remove any SD cards, optical media, external devices etc.  Try to simplify the PC to the minimum configuration.

Download and run dedicated disk diagnostic tools provided by the drive manufacturer on their support site to check the whole drive, not just those with drive letters allocated to partitions.

Eddy,

If you are trying to add another folder (\e6400_190418) to the existing one for this backup then you need to create that folder prior to attempting to run the backup to that location.

To do that you would need to navigate to (G:\Acronis Backups\Dad) then look for a button labeled New Folder.  Click on that to create the (\e6400_190418) folder.  Once you have done that then the backup name can be generated and the backup task can then be run.

I'm not wanting to create a new folder, I thought you said Acronis was trying to do that. Also Dad is already a folder so given your thoughts Acronis should have created a .tib called e6400_190418.tib. I tried it with the Rescue DVD and that works just fine. After that finishes I'll make a new thumb drive and give that a try.

Steve Smith:

>> Try waiting out the hang to see if it will resolve itself ... I waited a really long time and the screen, which is in the middle of switching from the backup selection window to the next window, is itself frozen. One window is a little transparent and the next window is trying to overlay it. There is no disk activity also. I waited a few hours and it did not change.

>>Try using the same USB WinRE media on a different PC ... I had this problem before but was using the USB created on my e6440. Someone told me to create it on the e6400. I just got around to that.

>>try making a series of smaller backup[s] ... I will try that after I make a new USB Thumb drive (the one I'm using could be marginal). I need to wait about  2 hours as the backup is now occurring with the DVD Rescue media.

>>try to disconnect anything that isn't needed ... there is nothing else connected except my mouse. I'll try removing that.

>>Download and run dedicated disk diagnostic ... I'll try that but keep in mind that the DVD is working just fine.

Sounds like it could be the thumb drive then.

However the main download .iso is Linux. Is your dvd the default or did you build WinRE on DVD now?

Easy test would be to build a winre iso instead of usb and see if it behaves the same as the originalo winre usb or not. 

Sounds like it could be the thumb drive then.

However the main download .iso is Linux. Is your dvd the default or did you build WinRE on DVD now?

Easy test would be to build a winre iso instead of usb and see if it behaves the same as the original winre usb or not. 

Hi EddyQ ,

Have you checked the Power Supply?

I created another Rescue Media using a new thumb drive and it doesn't hang anymore. Thanks to everyone for your ideas. Sorry about all the hassel. 

EddyQ, glad you got it sorted. Strange things can happen with USB drives; so it is always a good idea to try with a different USB drive … unfortunately did not occur to me to suggest that possibility.

Ian

Glad it's sorted out.

Sometimes it's just a bad write or bad hardware.

I'd try doing a disk part /clean on it, then initialize in disk management as FAT32 and do a full format (nit a quick one) and see if it works after that.