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Restore data disk after crash - two options

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1. It is about the Data disk

2. I have one Acronis backup task with incremental backup schema (once a month full base backup and then every day incremental backup)

3. (I used to work with Symantec Ghost backup, so I'm sorry to ask a following questions) In a case of a disk crash, how I'll restore the disk? I mean, need I first of all to restore a base (full backup) from an incremental cycle and then to add incremental backups one after one?

4. To be on the safe side, I have added one more Acronis task - full Data disk backup. It runs in the middle of the incremental backup cycle.

5. A next question as also about restore. Definitely, first of all, I will restore Data disk from this full disk backup. Then I will have to add a number of incremental backups from the incremental backup cycle, depending on crash date. My question is similar to one from (3) - how do I need to add incremental backups? One after another, or there is another option?

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Valery,

For an Acronis data recovery, you have different options.  If we are just talking about data (files/folders, music, documents, etc.), you can simply double click on an Acronis .tib file and it will open in Windows file explorer. Then you can copy/paste directly out of it.  If doing this, I’d recommend you paste to a temp location first for the recovery and then do a finally copy/paste from there to ensure you don’t run into a permission error trying to copy/paste directly to an original location where files may be actively locked by an application or permission conflict.

If you need/want to restore an entire disk (especially the OS disk), then it is best to do this from your Acronis Rescue Media.  Regardless if you choose to do this from Windows (not recommended for an OS disk since it will need to reboot and load up the Acronis Linux rescue media environment anyway and could cause boot issues if it fails to do this if something like Bitlocker encryption of secure boot is enabled in the bios) or the rescue media, then you just pick the file you want to recover from and it will do the rest.

You do NOT need to restore a full and then subsequent incrementals.  Just pick the most recent (or desired) incremental .tib file and it will do the rest to restore it to that point in time.

Likewise, if you want to use the file (data) recovery from clicking on a .tib and using copy/paste to restore from it, just click on the desired .tib file or the .tib with the time stamp you want to use and that’s it.

This can also be done in the Acronis GUI by selecting the date of the backup you want to restore from and it will do the rest. 

Hi,

Thank you one more time for a so detailed explanation! As you know, "Experience Is The Only Cure" :-) 

Definitely, I have build a Rescue media on CD and on flash memory (to be on the safe side) and checked both, booting my PC and finding all 3 backup folders - daily data & system incremental, system full and data full. You know, to be 100% sure, I have browsed TIB files as well. I worked as IT Manager a lot of time, so I do not believe in anything, before I check it myself :-) 

Definitely, my question was regarding restoring disk after crash. And yes, I checked browsing TIB files from backup folder to restore one or more files. This way I worked with Ghost, to restore files or folders. It worked with Acronis well, but I must told, it is a little bit too slow. But, on the other hand, you do not do it every day!

Thank you especially for following very important advices:

- when restore data disk from a full backup, to do it with Rescue media, if possible (and at home it is always possible!)

- when add files from incremental backup to fill the gap between a full backup (once a month) and disk status on the last incremental backup day, "just to pick the most recent (or desired) incremental .tib file and it will do the rest to restore it to that point in time"

And advice to use an intermediate location, when restoring files from a system disk backup on-line (I mean, when system is running), is just great! Thank you.

Best regards,

Valery

Excellent.  Yes, the rescue media is great for doing a full disk recovery.  Like you, I believe in test and verify before fully believing :)

That said... if you have a spare disk, an ideal scenario would be to remove the original OS drive (to pull it out of the equation and make it easily available to return when done without giving any cause for accidental overwrite), then install a backup, old or spare drive.  I know this can be annoying in some systems, but generally isn't too difficult - especially with the help of Youtube.

Then, use the rescue media to restore to the new/temp drive.  Shutdown the system when complete, boot to the bios and ensure the disk has the 1st boot priority and then attempt to boot to the OS.  If it boots up, check it out and make sure all is expected.  And if it is, you know that not only are your backups good, but your chance of recovery is good. 

The most disheartening situation is when people only attempt to recover (in any backup program), and find that the recovery went wrong, or that they needed to do something particular to make it work correctly (like ensuring they boot the rescue media in the proper mode:  UEFI or Legacy).

If we can test before a disaster has occurred, and also test on a spare drive that does not impact the original data, there isn't much risk involved, but a wealth of knowledge and experience in the process gained.

"Great minds think alike" :-)

It's very sad, but most people and, what is more sadly, System managers, use to think that if backup worked all is OK. As we both know, backup is only about recovery!  And not only recovery, but recovery of what you need and when you need it. It is so simple, but I saw a lot of cases, when disaster recovery plan (if it has been written at all)  has not been tested, including recovery.

So, your suggestion is great and very reasonable, definitely based on your own long experience.

I will tell you a secret. I have prepared an old spare external disk to test both system and data full disk restore. I'll did such tests with my previous HP Pavillion PC and now will do with my new Dell Inspiron 3670.

It's never late to learn, even at my old age 

I wish you all the best and thank you very much.

Valery