Acronis TI 2011 - Best way to make a differential backup (and more times to remove one of differential)
Dear all,
I use boot Acronis 2011 CD to make image of W7system partition (C:), and use Acronis 2011 software to make a differential backup of data partition (E:)
by using ATI2011 sofware I have created one full backup of partition E: and two differential backup. i have now this situation:
23/01/2012 -full backup.tib , size 160GB
24/01/2012 -differential_1.tib , size 2GB
25/01/2012 -differential_2.tib , size 2GB
as indicated in the User Manual, in order to restore a differential backup are sufficient the full-backup and the last differential. right ?
so, i have tried to delete differential_1.tib by using Acronis 2011 software....
my notebook after 30 minutes also stay in remove backup action and on my usb HDD root now appear:
23/01/2012 --full backup.tib , size 160GB
24/01/2012 --differential_1.tib , size 2GB
23/01/2012 -- differential_temp.tib , size >8GB...... (growing up every minutes)
25/01/2012 --differential_2.tib , size 2GB
my question is:
Why so much time to eliminate an intermediated differential backup ?
What is this differential_temp.tib and why its size is so great after 30 minutes ?
i have closed the Acronis-task.exe ed i have removed the differential_1.tib manually.
Do you think it more comfortable to remove the intermediated differential backup manually ?
There will be problems in case of restore ?
would be preferable that Acronis automatically delete the last differential backup every time i create a new differential...it's possible ?
@Scott
i'm not found "number of files to keep ....."
from user guide:
You can configure the scheme by using one of the following options:
1) Create only differential versions after the initial full version - select this item to create only one backup version chain. Automatic cleanup is not available for this option.
2) Create a full version after every [n] differential versions - select this item to create several backup version chains. This is a more reliable but more space-consuming backup scheme.
i have selected option 1).
where is your suggestion "number of files to keep ....." ?
you refer to Automatic version consolidation option ?
I don't mess with diffs/incs -- it ry to keep things simpler, but I think you want the sencond option and tell it to make a new full after one diff, and keep no more than two files.
Create a sbackup for small number fo files and use to test the settings -- saves time.
Create a sbackup for small number fo files and use to test the settings -- saves time.
right !
i try to execute a differential backup with my default options:
1) Create only differential versions after the initial full version
and the system seems to execute a full backup.... very strange !
probabily because i have deleted an intermediated differential backup manually, or i have tried the consolidation options.....
i have made some test as you indicate (with a singol folder backup for fast test)
very strange, if you add on an exist differential backup the consolidation option , and then remove it, ATI2011 create another copy of full backup. if you remove the first copy, the next differential backup fails
Being able to delete the prior differential is a feature we have requested but it has never been part of any of recent releases. Yes, the program only needs any 1 dif plus full to restore but you want to do backups, the program gets totally lost if you delete any of prior difs. The program wants and expects the chain to be ongoing and untouched. If you wish to keep the full plus any single dif in another folder outside of TI, that is possible but if you want the backup to continue on the original task, you will not be able to delete any part of the chain. Sad to say.
This is an example of keeping x number of recent backup chains. You can change the 6 and 4 to fit your needs.
Jam FT,
ATI can easily get confused if you change imporant backup options like the backup scheme, name, destination, or retention rules: the behavior after the changes might be surprising, ATI might lose track of some backups that never get deleted, etc.
It is much better to set up a new task in a new folder when you tweak your settings.
Thank you guys,
i will create a new full backup and next differential with the GroverH's settings above.
i think it is the best way.
however i have made some test , and seems that there are no problems if you create a full backp+ n differential , and keep only the last differential and remove manually the older.
Some others
- For other my security, in order to make image of my Windows7 system partition i use the bootable ATI2011 CD instead of ATI software
Important
I have decided to use the differential backup beacause with my i3 CORE notebook there are some problems to make completed image of the disk
I have dual-boot system XP and W7 with this partition:
C: primary XP
E: logial for Data
F: primary for W7
it is very impossible for me to make a full image of each partition on external USB HDD (each month for example) because i receive a backup operation error (usally when the gauge bar is on 80%). i have tried with some other HDD (PB, Lacie and others.....).
in some others rare cases ,which the full image of 3 partition and .tib validate works good, this takes approximate 3 hours !
so i have decided to make a differential backup per W7 partition (with ATI bootable CD) and E: partition (by the ATI software)
i wish format my notebook disk, create C: and E: partition and restore F:backup on C: (without Master Boot Record), and E: backup on same new E:
(so i remove XP finally)
This is especially so in ati2012 and ati2011 and slightly less so in ati2012. Sometimes reloading ati can clear up a situation where ati orphans a backup file from it's task/setup-rules -- sometimes not. But 2012, although it still has probls in this regard, is slightly better than prior versions that use an internal database to track tibs.
Jam FT,
ATI can easily get confused if you change imporant backup options like the backup scheme, name, destination, or retention rules: the behavior after the changes might be surprising, ATI might lose track of some backups that never get deleted, etc.
It is much better to set up a new task in a new folder when you tweak your settings.
If you can't make a full diskbackup of your hdisk, then making incs or diffs is probably not going to result the ability to be able to restore the hdisk.
Just for your own security, you should run a chkdsk /r on your hdisk to ensure there are no bad sectors open for use. Also, run memsys overnight to ensure there are no weak spots in memory -- such weaknesses might not show up under normal use that doesn't actually employ osme of the farther reaches of memory the way ATI does.
I udnerstand the desire ti makes diffs to reduce backup times, but be sure you can make a full backup.
Also, do a test restore, going through all the steps except the final PROCEED, to ensure you will be able to restore if and when the itme comes.
If you can't make a full diskbackup of your hdisk, then making incs or diffs is probably not going to result the ability to be able to restore the hdisk.
Why you say this ? i make only a system partition backup (actually F:) , my intentions are to restore this partition on new partition C: when i will decide to format the entire hard disk. actually partition F: contains W7 s.o. and related programs. i hope to restore this on new C: and i hope that the link on programs that actually point to F:\ .... will be in C:\ do you think this is not possibile ?
Just for your own security, you should run a chkdsk /r on your hdisk to ensure there are no bad sectors open for use. Also, run memsys overnight to ensure there are no weak spots in memory -- such weaknesses might not show up under normal use that doesn't actually employ osme of the farther reaches of memory the way ATI does.
I udnerstand the desire ti makes diffs to reduce backup times, but be sure you can make a full backup.
i have try all my full disk backup image with bootable CD. In some cases the operation with validation terminated in 3 hours +- , in other (last cases) the backup operation failed. very stranged. my harddisk no have bad sector, howeaver i will check it again. Usally is the validate .tib operation that is very slowly.
Only for the data partition (E: 160GB) i made image from ATI software (for exampe in this precise moment ATI doing a differential backup about full E:DATA partition backup (160GB) that i have made this morning. so, for 117MB of .tib differential the validation .tib process still after 20' minutes on 7' remaing information. The ATI gauge information about remaining times for validation are never accurate and reliable. Now are passed other 10' minute, still doing the validate and always 7' remain are display...very strange. i cannot explain why the full backup + validate are terminated in 3hours, and this simple test of differential backup still doing now after 30'. 5' for processing and 25' for validating. )
Also, do a test restore, going through all the steps except the final PROCEED, to ensure you will be able to restore if and when the itme comes.
There is this possibile ? i have some fear about this test. Can i make it with no problems ? thanks
Also note that with W7, the bootmanager might be in a small active partition marked as "reserved" or "Hidden". You will wlao need to restore this partition to be able to boot from a restoration.
Also note that with W7, the bootmanager might be in a small active partition marked as "reserved" or "Hidden". You will wlao need to restore this partition to be able to boot from a restoration.
i wil remove all partition, format all hard disk, create primary C: and logical D:
and then restore from backup W7 partition on new C: partition WITHOUT MBR
i don't think will be a problems....or not ?
It jsut means that restoring the C: partition might not be enough, yuo may also have to restore the "reserved" or hidden partition -- so you will want to back that up too in case your hdisk goes south and you have to restore to a new hdisk.
@GroverH / @All
"your" settings does not have good approach.
after 2 differential backup (with good result):
1) first_All_Backup.tib 130GB
2) Second_Differential.tib 1GB
i have installated on my partition 2GB of new programs, and after 1 week i have now execute my differential backup settings.
So, after 30 minutes the gauge bar indicate others 1h 30' for the ending process.
the Third_Differential.tib file have 35GB of dimension
it is very very strange, seems that the differential backup does not work good.
i have this settings with also exclude file *.mkv:
Being able to delete the prior differential is a feature we have requested but it has never been part of any of recent releases. Yes, the program only needs any 1 dif plus full to restore but you want to do backups, the program gets totally lost if you delete any of prior difs. The program wants and expects the chain to be ongoing and untouched. If you wish to keep the full plus any single dif in another folder outside of TI, that is possible but if you want the backup to continue on the original task, you will not be able to delete any part of the chain. Sad to say.This is an example of keeping x number of recent backup chains. You can change the 6 and 4 to fit your needs.
Jam,
A differential backup will backup any changes made in the computer since the last full backup. This will include any system restore points and will also include any changes made to the disk using defrag (automatic or scheduled). Explore the differential and see if you can find reasons for the 35GB in size. The next differential will be expected to be larger and it will include any changes made since the last backup.
Process indicator has not validity as to remaining time. Ignore it.
ok thanks.
i have delete firs and second .tib differential backuo and re-create a new differential backup of my data partition. So i have now the first .tib (as full backup) 130GB
my differential backup refer to the data partition of my HHD (named E:)
defrag, system restore and other have no impact on it (i hope).
as describe some posts above, for make my system dual-boot partition C:XP and F:W7 backup, i use the bootale Acronis11 CD. And select only full backup with verify.
so, for data partition i cannot explain why the third differential backup for my E: partition after 30 minutes had 35GB of size (when the only changes with first complete backup (130GB) is about the install of new programs (2GB c.a.) )
i think that the differential backup options is very "delicate". i will re-try with this new differential backup created today. i hope the second , the third and so on will generate a .tib with size inline with the real (+ or - ) changes made on my partition E: (foto, documents, music, video, etc.....)