Acronis 2013 schedule not working properly

I just want to add there is plenty of space left on the disk, 1.3 GB.

Darkkhelmet,

Examine your log file for Feb 13 and 19th to see if it provides any help in explaining what happened during the delay. My practice is to always start with new tasks anytime I upgrade to a new build or a new version. Where are backups being stored? Network, Nas or direct attached?

After reviewing your attachment, I have several suggestions to offer.

1. Cease to use the old task and start a new task. This current task has issues and I am not an advocate of changing setting within an existing task.

2. Point the new task to a new storage folder so there is no intermixing of backup files.

3. Also change the default tib backup file name to your own custom name

4. Change your type of backup from a partition backup to a "disk option" or "disk mode" backup. This is illustrated in signature link 2 below within the very first picture and explanation. This method will include all partitions located on the system disk to be included within the backup.

5. Change the backup scheme to avoid consolidation. Example below in paragraph 9.
I am suggesting you use the "automatic cleanup" method which provides for automatic deletion after the "store no more than x (4) recent version chains is reached. My type suggestion is illustrated below. The example is set to keep 4 chains of 7 files each. Auto deletion (of the oldest 7 file chain) will begin after full #5 or after the 29th backup and would re-occur after each new full backup in the future. You mention consolidation for past schemes but this new one involves only deletion of old backups with no consolidation.

6. As you move forward with your new backups, I would just manually delete each of the old 2012 chains as additional space is needed.

7. One method you can try on the task if it shows 27 versions is to Click the RECOVERY tab (to simulate a recovery) and then work your way through the error messages until they are all cleared. Cancel the Recovery before any actual Recovery begins. If the task is still scheduled, change to non-scheduled or use the task option "remove from list" which will remove the task from the listing (does not effect the actual tib backup files).

8. If you have not done so, you may find it worthwhile to disable the option "Scan for Backups" which occurs each program startup found at this link.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/31895

9. Example from item 5 above.

GroverH,

Wow, that's quite the response, thanks.  Let's see if I can answer your items within the text. The first thing I noticed when looking at the logs is that something called "Acronis Nonstop Backup Service" is running.  That's something I never set up and don't want. I found the configuration for it but can not find any way to disable it.

GroverH wrote:

Darkkhelmet,

Examine your log file for Feb 13 and 19th to see if it provides any help in explaining what happened during the delay. My practice is to always start with new tasks anytime I upgrade to a new build or a new version. Where are backups being stored? Network, Nas or direct attached?

     The log files for the 13th and 19th are normal. Is there something I should be looking for?  I also see something called "sync" in the log but don't know what that is.  Must be new for the 2013 version and I need to find out and determine if I want it and have control over it. I also see a several warnings "Failed to find information about operating system in Master Boot Record." There are three of them for today.  I am backing up to an external USB 3.0 3TB disk for this task.  I also have a monthly task for a full uncompressed backup to a different 1.5TB USB 3.0 disk, and another task for a few folders from a second internal disk.

After reviewing your attachment, I have several suggestions to offer.

1. Cease to use the old task and start a new task. This current task has issues and I am not an advocate of changing setting within an existing task.

      I will do that but what do I do with the old tib files?

2. Point the new task to a new storage folder so there is no intermixing of backup files.

     I will do that

3. Also change the default tib backup file name to your own custom name

     I thought I was using a custom name, the name of the PC and disk I am backing up, Thurston_C

4. Change your type of backup from a partition backup to a "disk option" or "disk mode" backup. This is illustrated in signature link 2 below within the very first picture and explanation. This method will include all partitions located on the system disk to be included within the backup.

     There is only one partition on the system disk and unless there is a need to change to this mode I prefer not to.

5. Change the backup scheme to avoid consolidation. Example below in paragraph 9.
I am suggesting you use the "automatic cleanup" method which provides for automatic deletion after the "store no more than x (4) recent version chains is reached. My type suggestion is illustrated below. The example is set to keep 4 chains of 7 files each. Auto deletion (of the oldest 7 file chain) will begin after full #5 or after the 29th backup and would re-occur after each new full backup in the future. You mention consolidation for past schemes but this new one involves only deletion of old backups with no consolidation.

     It was my understanding that incremental and differential backups automatically perform consolidation. In any event my backup scheme is set exactly that way you suggest. That is 6 incremental backups then a full and store no more than 4 recent chain versions.  It has always been this way and worked properly.

6. As you move forward with your new backups, I would just manually delete each of the old 2012 chains as additional space is needed.

     The problem is that none of the old backups appear in the backup list, only the 27 versions I listed. I have been wanting to delete those old versions but was concerned it would interfere with the Acronis database if I simply removed them from the folder.  I imagine that will take care of itself with a new task and new destination folder.

7. One method you can try on the task if it shows 27 versions is to Click the RECOVERY tab (to simulate a recovery) and then work your way through the error messages until they are all cleared. Cancel the Recovery before any actual Recovery begins. If the task is still scheduled, change to non-scheduled or use the task option "remove from list" which will remove the task from the listing (does not effect the actual tib backup files).

    I am somewhat timid about starting a recovery operation but will if I have to.  I did perform a verify and it completed successfully. I also ran the "consolidate versions" for the backup in question and it split the various versions out but only offered to keep the latest one.  I decided to not take any action at that point but may revisit it.

8. If you have not done so, you may find it worthwhile to disable the option "Scan for Backups" which occurs each program startup found at this link.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/31895

     I have disabled the scan option as you suggested.

9. Example from item 5 above.

1. See item 6.
3. Continue using a custom name but a different name and differnt backup name on each task.
4. Next time you start a new task, then make the change from partition to disk. Your backup size will not change as you have only the one partitions but there are restore benefits when the recovering the disk to an old or new disk.
5. There is no consolidation when automatic cleanup is used as I illustrated.
6. The upgrade should have started you off with no history.
For the old files in the old folder, you can use Windows and manually delete some the older chains.
7. After item 6 has been performed, do try this optiion.
Understand I am NOT asking to to perform a restore but to simulate the first few steps of a restore. From inside the task of 27 backus listed, click the Recover option on extreme right. It will tell you that files are either absent, corrupt and whatever, keep clicking the ignore button until you the errors stop. Then you can cancel the restore simulation. What should occur is the 27 should correct itself. You may have to repeat this "fix" again if the 25 does not correct itself.

General:
I am trying to encourage you to avoid consolidation--even manual consolidation. This is like juggling a 1000 piece puzzle hoping that all the pieces go back together correctly. Consolidation, in my opinion, is asking for trouble.
If the cleanup mode is properly set, backup deletion by the user of future backups should not be necessary, or it it is, it can be done from within the program Acronis Backup .

For the deletion of 2014 backups.
The below is the Acronis Backup Explorer view. It has many options, one of which is the DELETE opton for tib backups.
The user can select the most recent backup for deletion; or if some earlier backups are selected for deletion, then all the newer backups will be deleted as well. One good feature about this DELETE option, is that the program will tell you how many files willl be deleted and the user must confirm the DELETE as wanting to be done.

Note: this deletion of backup relates only to those created by this specific task. If you have other tib backup tasks with tib backup files to be deleted, you will need to open each task individually and delete that group using the same procedure as detailed in the prior paragraph. There is no one single DELETE OPTION that will delete all backup files as any deletion by the program is done at TASK LEVEL.

This link may also be of similar interest.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/48295

I created a new disk based backup task with a new name to a new folder...bottom line is the scheduled backup did not work and I can not perform a manual backup. I also stopped the scheduler for the old backup task. I am still getting the error "Failed to find information about operating system in Master Boot Record. 0xF5E7A826719852C5". This error seems to have started when I installed the 2013 version of Acronis but is not consistent.

You neglected to respond to my questions about sync and nonstop backup. I do not want either of these services running but can find no way to stop them.  I did go to the Acronis site and removed this computer from the synchronization area.  At least I think I did.  It still shows Computer name (Windows Logon)" linked.  This is the only computed I have upgraded to Acronis 2013 so far so this is the only computer that would be on the sync site. If I can't have control over the software I depend on it may be time to look for other backup software.

I resent a company that forces unwanted "features" on me and then gives me no way to control those features.  I absolutely do NOT want ANY of my data in the Acronis cloud and if there is any data there I want to be able to delete it absolutely and permanently and prevent it from happening in the future. If there is you know a way these two services can be prevented from running I would appreciate it even if it's msconfig.

I have attached the old and new tasks

You neglected to respond to my questions

You are posted into the Acronis community forum. 99% of all responses are from volunteers--such as myself.
Support for 2013 version may be available direct from Acronis on a paid basis if your 30 days free support following purchase has expired.

1. A search on your error message shows this link.
http://kb.acronis.com/content/1507

2. Regarding the services
Acronis Non-stop Backup
Acronis Sync-Agent service

There is little adverse effect if you leave both services running as set in the default settings.

You can also open Windows Services and stop the Sync Agent service and change its status to Disabled or Manual

You can open Windows Services and stop the Acrnons Non-stop backup service and chantge its status to Disabled or Manual.

Please don't misunderstand my frustration, it's not directed at you and I agree my choice of words was poor, sorry. I can't thank you enough for all the help and advice you have given me. The error I tracked on the forums site has Acronis recommending the boot sector be repaired. The thing is this only started with the installation of Acronis 2013 and only for Acronis as far as I can tell. The computer boots and runs properly and I have reservations about there being anything wrong with the boot sector.

I deleted the new task I created and created yet another new task with the same configuration. When I choose the backup button it immediately goes to "Time left: calculating". I guess I'll see if it actually does the backup.

Well it's been calculating for more than an hour so I have to assume there is still something wrong. I did download and run the testdisk program but it found nothing.

Why not consider running checking the disk for dfisk errors.
CHKDSK C: /R

chkdsk revealed and corrected a few sectors that it freed up but nothing I would consider important. I am still getting the same warning message and can not perform a backup. I'm stumped.

Stop the presses...I just manually started a new backup from the new task. When I left the previous post the manual backup attempt failed. Wish I had a clue about what was going on.

This is still a possibility.
http://kb.acronis.com/content/1507

Or, also search google on your error message
Failed to find information about operating system in Master Boot Record

Another option would be to boot into the user created Windows Recovery CD and perform a Startup Repair.

Did you try this suggestion?
As written in post #2, here is one suggestion to help remove the too many files issue.

7. One method you can try on the task if it shows 27 versions is to Click the RECOVERY tab (to simulate a recovery) and then work your way through the error messages until they are all cleared. Cancel the Recovery before any actual Recovery begins. If the task is still scheduled, change to non-scheduled or use the task option "remove from list" which will remove the task from the listing (does not effect the actual tib backup files).

Here is a link to a similar issue by another user.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/52625#comment-171037

Or, a surefire way to solve the too many files (27) listed is to browse to the Acronis folder named 'DataBase" and find the file named "archives.xml"
This file contains the history of the backups. Rename this file to "oldarchives.xml"
Understand however, by renaming the file, you will lose all your backup tasks and all tasks will need to be recreated over again.
The actual backup files will remain untouched as they are not in harms way.

Or, if you wanted to try editing a copy of the xml file with Notepad, you could edit and remove all the files listed which do not exist.
The risk is that if the edit fails, you would still need to rename the file and redo all your tasks.

A new day and the same problem persists. The scheduled backup did not start and I can not perform a manual backup. I did follow your suggestion to perform a recovery but there were no errors on the various versions. I did remove one of the old archives and the version count went to 26 but I did not touch the others. I made a copy of all the old versions to another disk and may try just deleting them all from within the task. But this is from the old task that I have disabled. I performed a validate when this mess started and it completed successfully. Is there any way you know that I can perform a full trace on Acronis from the time it starts up? This is very disheartening and I'm close to the point of switching to Symantec or Genie.

I had already performed a google search on the warning message but the only results pointed to the Acronis forums. I know you are recommending rebuilding the boot block on the disk but I can not come to terms with the upgrade to Acronis 2013 being the only thing that has a problem. Especially since the 2012 version did not. Also, this is just a warning not an error and I'm not sure this is the cause of the scheduler issue. At this point I have to believe Acronis is simply trying to point the finger away from themselves to avoid addressing the issue.

I think I found a possible source for the problems I am having at forum.acronis.com/forum/41232 but My computer has different properties for the disks connected to it.  Also, from that post, I get the impression it is a software issue within Acronis that has not been addressed.  Anyway I have attached an image of my disk arrangement.  As you can see the internal SATA device types are listed as unknown but all the disks are listed as MBR type. I will do some testing based on the other post.

One other question, is it possible to downrev back to version 2012 which has worked well for me?

Thanks

Responding to post #14.
At this point with all your issues, if it were me, I would uninstall TrueImge and run the TI cleanup utility and do a fres install of TrueImage.
A clean slate would be better tran trying to isolate the cause of the problems via messages. Sometimes it is just easier and better to start fresh.

Responding to post 15.

I have seen this type error when the disks are connect via a pci controller rather than via the motherboard. This has not caused problems in the past that I am aware of.

To revert to 2012. First step would be a precautionary step and take a full disk image backup via either Windows or the TI Recovery CD.
To revert, You an restore a 2012 backup so you system would be the same as when the 2012 backup was created.

Or, you can uninstall 2012. Run the TI cleanup utility (signature link 4 below) to remove all traces of TrueImage.

Then reinstall a fresh copy of 2012.

Hmmm, the USB 3.0 drives are connected through an add on PCIexpress card controller. This PC does not have native USB 3.0.

Inateck Superspeed 4 Ports PCI-E to USB 3.0 Expansion Card

I tried an experiment this morning. I disconnected the 3TB drive before starting the computer. That drive is my main backup drive. Once the PC was up and running I connected the drive. As soon as the drive was recognized by the computer the Acronis scheduler started the scheduled backup. Acronis is still complaining about "Failed to find information about operating system in Master Boot Record" and now "Sync Agent service error. Restart your computer." since I disabled the service but I don't care about that.

Assuming repeating this procedure yields the same results consistently I have to conclude the Boot Record warning is not the cause of the scheduler problem but it is the external 3TB drive connected to the Inateck Superspeed 4 Ports PCI-E to USB 3.0 Expansion Card. The 1.5TB drive connected to the same card does not seem to be causing a problem.

I want to thank you again for all the support and time you have devoted to my issue. It's unfortunate a resolution could not be found.

Do make sure that the 3T has the latest firmware;
plus make sure the pci controller has the latest firmware plus the latest driver.

Most likely, this is something you have checked but I would confirm.
You might also consider having a dscussion with the pci vendor to see if they have any suggestions.

New firmware for this Seagate Flex drive seems non existent. The Seagate site does not work with their own drive detect app and I am unable to get a reply from their support. It's possible they will respond but I have ordered a new WD 3TB drive just to play safe. One other note, scheduled backups to other drives regardless of how they are connected are working properly. The Inateck card is only about a month old but I will check for new drivers. I still believe it's either the drive or the size of the drive.