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Always running out of disk space for backup

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I have around 0.5TB that I back up to an external 4TB disk.

After a few months backups fail due to the 4TB disk being full.

These are my settings.

What do I need to change please so that the older files are automatically deleted so the disk doesn't keep running out of space.

Thanks very much
Pete

 

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Peter, how big are your full and incremental backup files that make up a complete version chain?

Your settings indicate that you would need sufficient free space to hold at least 3 x full backup files plus 12 x incremental backup files as you have selected to not delete the first version of the backup plus store no more than 1 recent version chains.  Automatic cleanup only runs when a new version chain is started successfully, hence why you will have 3 full backups.

You may like to consider un-ticking the "Do not delete the first version of the backup" and then copying that first version to a different backup disk if you wish to keep it before cleanup removes it.

Hi Steve and thanks for your reply.
Here's a copy of what's on the 4TB backup disk which totalls 3.03TB
Acronis reported insufficient space yesterday for the weekly backup.
Good idea re. 1st version- I do make a copy to a 3TB backup/backup disk off line now and then.
What settings would you suggest to keep the overall size below 4TB and have old versions automatically deleted please?
A couple of months worth of weekly backups would more than meet my needs

I appreciate your help - thanks

Pete

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Pete, thanks for the further screen shot of your backup files, this shows a couple of things that contribute to your lack of space on the 4TB drive.

You have 2 backup files for a different desktop system that add up to over 630GB.

2017-06-18 19_53_07.png

You also look to have modified your backup configuration at some point because your latest backup files have restarted the backup sequence numbering at _b1_ when your previous files were up to sequence _b4_

2017-06-18 19_53_53.png

This also shows that you have encountered a duplicate backup file when creating the latest backups hence why you see _b1_s1_v1-2 for one of these files.

The change to your backup configuration is also shown in that your first post showed you have configured to 'Store no more than 1 recent version chains' but your files image shows you currently have sequences _b2_ _b3_ _b4_ as well as starting again with _b1_ all for the same desktop system, so automatic cleanup hasn't been actioned to limit this to just 1 version chain.

At this point, it may be easiest to start again rather than try to unravel the current backup situation.

I would suggest using the 'Clone settings' option for your backup task which will create a duplicate task with the same name but prefixed by (1).  Don't attempt to run this task yet, but instead go back to the original task and take the further option to 'Remove from list' and only remove the task settings.  Once this has been done, then do some cleanup of your older backups via Explorer to make space on your backup drive, leaving only the latest ones that you want to keep. 

Lastly, return to the cloned/ duplicate (1) Entire PC (DESKTOP-HR6ULB0) task and rename this to make it unique (so that it does not match any of your retained backup files on the drive), i.e. rename to just DESKTOP-HR6ULB0 then check that all other configuration settings are as you want them, then either click on Backup Now or on Backup Later (if you are scheduling this task to run automatically on a later date).

Hi Steve - Many thanks for your comprehensive and helpful reply.

The easiest approach I think would be to format the 4TB backup and start afresh. This is what I have always done over the 20ish yrs I've been using Acronis when the disk is full - but I don't think is the recommended approach and I would like to get it right if possible.

I did a fresh install of Win10 back in Jan, hence the differing PC name.

With the settings I have above - will this prevent the disk becoming full again?

I just want Acronis to delete old files when there's no longer enough room on the disk, rather than not do the backup at all and I only notice a month or more later....

Thanks again and best wishes

Pete

Pete, the only real issue with formatting your 4TB backup drive is the exposure you have by having no current backup files until you have run your backup task again.

Your settings should be fine to store only the one recent version chain, i.e. your full backup followed by 6 incrementals made on a weekly basis, but please remember that automatic cleanup will only run after the next new full backup has been created successfully.

There's not much that changes data-wize on my PC tbh Steve. Having spent much of my earlier career in the game and drumming into the guys the importance of getting the server backups right and proving they work I'm just taking my own medicine :)

And I've still got my (off-line) backup of my backup - just in case

Thanks again for your help I very much appreciate it
All the best

Pete