Creating image from bootable CD without any OS dependence???
Hello
I had purchased a new computer based on Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. However I understand that Windows 7 does not support Acronis True Image 11 Home, which I purchased two years earlier.
I don't want upgrading it into Acronis True Image Home 2010, since I am reading hear that it's full with bugs and may cause different problems.
I also don't want to pay again for this software.
Someone told me that for using Acronis TI only for backup (and restore) image, I can use it from my bootable CD, without installing it!
In that way, the software had been load from the CD before Windows, so actually there is no dependence which OS controlling the computer.
I would like to ask if it is really true…
Thanks
Thank you Gary for this kind explanation.
I just didn't understand why I need this ISO image from the link you gave here.
I already have an Acronis bootable CD which I create from the TI1.
The content of the CD looks like this:
(see pic attached)
Isn't it what I need for launching TI before Windows starts?
And one more thing- Is it possible that not all drives will be seen?
This looks like a Acronis loader Linux bootable CD - it will load the ramdisk, and the kernel is the Linux kernel.
There is a possiblity that the bootable CD you created from TI 11 won't see all the drives - this needs to be tested. The ISO image from your account could have more up-to-date hardware drivers that may have a better chance at seeing all of your drives. I think it would be good to have both options available. You won't know until you try, and creating the CD from the ISO image is very easy. Both the bootable CD created with TI 11 bootable media builder and the ISO image downloadable from your account are Linux based, but differ slightly in how TI operates. Myself, I had no problems at all with the TI 2010 ISO image, but it took some effort and altering of parameters to get the Acronis loader version made by the media builder to work properly, and I have fairly old hardware. So this is just an option available to you.
The bootable CD will load a Linux operating kernel instead of Windows - just make sure your BIOS lets you boot from a CD.
I like having various options, which I why I have a number of different versions of bootable media - Acronis loader version from bootable media builder, ISOLINUX version from downloader ISO from my account, BartPE, and WinPE versions. And I have three different methods of booting these - from CDs, from a USB flashdrive using Grub4DOS, and from an external USB hard drive using Grub4DOS (you can find more information about Grub4DOS in Grover's True Image Guides: http://forum.acronis.com/forum/3426 if you are interested).
Gary you absolutely correct.
I tried to make a backup in my new computer using that Acronis bootable CD, which I already create from TI1.
Unfortunately it didn't recognize my internal hard drive. I tried to do the same with my older computer (with Vista), and this time it did recognize all drives.
So now my last chance is to create another bootable CD, this time according to the link you gave here. If this will not work, I will have no choice, other than to seek for alternative backup software.
Just one question please- is it important which media to choose for that bootable disk?
CD or DVD, RW or R?
Thank you
Update:
I had downloaded the ISO file, burn it on a DVD-RW (with closing the disk)
Then I insert it into the DVD drive and restart the computer.
It read the drive for one second but then started Windows.
Acronis True Image doesn't showed up
Is you computer BIOS set to boot from CD first?
Burn the file to a CD-R or DVDR. RW discs have had issues in the past.
thomasjk
Yes, the computer BIOS had been set to boot from CD first
GroverH
If you are right, then I will had to leave the all process for tomorrow, since I don't have any blank CD-R or DVDR at that moment in my home.
By the way, is it recommended to burn the ISO image with InfraRecorder as mentioned here:
http://kb.acronis.com/content/1810
Or is it better to use my Nero 8?
If Nero 8 is better, please write me how should I do it (step by step)
Thanks
With Nero, you don't want to create a data disk. In my Nero Essentials, I have an option Image, Project, Copy and Disc Image or Saved Project. This will tell it to burn an image - otherwise it will just burn the ISO image as a file, which sounds like what is happening. So Nero can handle images. Does this help?
I have attached a screenshot of what my Nero version looks like.
The free program "ImgBurn" also works exceptionally well to burn an iso image; as well as create an iso image from an already burmed cd.
Or, use the TI Create bootable media and make a flashdrive into a substitute for a Rescue CD.
Thank you guys.
Seems that GroverH was right. The problem was with the disc/
Today, I burned the file on a CD-R. this time Acronis TI loaded properly , also all my drives had been identified.
I made the backup, and at end it was a message that the backup process completed successfully.
However, due to many problem reports founding here in the forum, I am not trusting this backup.
The question – is there any way to know if the backup will work properly?
Or the only way to test it, will be in real time, when I will need to restore it?
And the big questions:
due to the fact that these backups are so important for me (I don't have the time nor enough knowledge to format my hard drive and to install Windows, drivers and all other software)- do you recommend me to get another backup software (like Norton Ghost) and made another backup, so I will be 100% settled, in case that Acronis backup will failed?
Did you validate the backup? I always do this as part of the backup procedure. You must do a validation - if the image file does not validate, it is worthless.
The only real way to know is to restore TO A SPARE HARD DISK (this is the recommended procedure). Myself, I don't have any spare hard disks laying about, and I found restore to work by needing to do an unplanned restore after messing up my system. You perhaps should acquire a spare hard disk to do a restore with in order to prove it to yourself. But the same goes for ANY backup software, not just True Image.
Does Norton Ghost guarantee 100% that it will always work? I don't think so. I would recommend getting a spare drive before I would recommend having another backup software, since it would be a good idea regardless of what software was used.
If you have some time for reading, check out the listings in item #12 of my signature index. You will find that many of the regular contributors to this forum use a variety of methods to achieve duplication of backups. None use only one program or only one method.
The only real test is to perform a real restore to a test drive. Most certainly your first backups should be validated when booted from the TI Rescue CD. Since it is the TI Rescue CD which is the recommended tool for system restores, it is the Rescue CD validation which is the most important--Windows validation has lessor security since it is not Windows that must do the system restore.
Gary
What do you mean by validate?
I just now receive this new computer, so my first backup is a clean installation of Windows and drivers.
After that, I will start to install all my other software and required codec's.
When I will see that everything works properly, I will make a second backup.
I also don't have a spare hard drive, and even if I'll had one, it wouldn't help me because I can't insert the drive into the computer myself, to test how it's works…
So the only thing that I can do, is to use another software to make a second backup.
It's not necessarily have to be Norton Ghost. I heard about some other good free software like Clonezilla or DriveImage XML.
did anyone work with these two? Which one is more effective and simple to use?
GroverH
Unfortunately my English is poor, so I didn't understand everything
Anyway I am going to make a second backup with another tool…
Validation is a procedure to check and see if the backup is good. This should always be done after a backup. Here is an excerpt from the True Image 11 User's Guide, Page 43:
5.3.9 Additional settings
1. Validate backup archive upon operation completion
The preset is disabled.
When enabled, the program will check integrity of the just created or supplemented archive
immediately after backup. When setting up a backup of critical data or a disk/partition
backup, we strongly recommend you to enable the option to ensure that the backup can be
used to recover lost data.
To check archive data integrity you must have all incremental and differential backups
belonging to the archive and the initial full backup. If any of successive backups is missing,
validation is not possible.
___________
This is an option in the backup wizard, although validation can be done separately. When you have an image file selected (when setting up for a recovery), you should be able to right click to get a shortcut menu, an option of which is Validate. You don't have to carry out the full restore, which can be cancelled, but you can use this to carry out a validation.
Gary,
Did this Validation can be done from the Bootable CD I made?
If yes, can you please write here step by step how to do that?
hope that I am not asking too much.
My English and technical knowledge is very limited, so I must have clear and well detailed instruction …
Thank you!
Yes, the validation can and should be done by the bootable CD. I don't have True Image 11, but the procedure should be similar.
After TI starts, begin the Recovery wizard for a full disk recovery. At some point, you will need to select a TIB image file to restore - you may need to Browse to find it. When this file is selected (highlighted), right click on the selection and a shortcut menu should appear. One of the options is Validate or Validation - it will probably have a green checkmark next to it. Select this option and Proceed with the validation.
Grover knows more about True Image 11. Perhaps my description is wrong for TI 11.
Ok, thank you Gary
In that case I will wait for Grover response, because I am afraid to make a critical mistake:)
Avi,
This is how Acronis describes validation:
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/5566#comment-11833
To validate an existing backup archive (xx.tib) using the V11 Rescue CD, boot from the Rescue CD and choose "Validate BAckup Archive" option from the main CD menu Then browse to the new backup file ( xx.tib) and select it so that the xx.tib file name appears in the "File Name" window. Click Next and follow the Validation Wizard. Once you press the Proceed option, validation will begin and the time needed to validate will be about the same time as it took to create the backup. You should get a successful completion window when validation is completed.
Since you are new to TrueImage, you need to read some references and then do some practicing. Our forum responses cannot be a substitute for the practice and reading. Gary has referred you to reference links several times. Answers to many of the questions can be found in the index or by searching the forum archives.
One of the best helps for you, and as a starting point, would be to read the backup guide and the additional restore guide--both applicable to V11 and both listed as item #7A inside my signature index below. The backup guide shows how to access the Validation screen listed in sample image B9 and how to select validation so it occurs during the actual backup.
One of TrueImage best features is that the user can simulate or practice the program functions. Note the sample image B10 inside the Backup guide. Note that on this screen there is PROCEED option and a CANCEL option. The practice can be just practice (until you reach this screen) providing you click CANCEL when you reach this screen during your simulation or practice. If you click the PROCEED button, you selections will be acted upon and there is no stopping the process. Remember, click Cancel for practice and Click Proceed when you want to actually initiate the selections you have made during that particular practice run.
As you know, version 11 does NOT support your Windows 7. You are making a big mistake in not performing tests to assure that the backups and restores will be successful when there is a real need. This restore testing does require an extra disk. The requirements for this best begins with having the correct type TrueImage Backup as illustrated by this sample attachment.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/forum/2009/12/7027/Disk-op…
The resulting "disk option" backup file (the *.tib archive) can be stored on a external disk (or other alternate location).
Once you have the proper backup which includes everything on the system disk, then the test can begin:
1. Remove your Win7 disk and install the new test disk in its place.
2. Bootup using your TrueImage Rescue CD (created via iso).
3. Perform a "disk" option restore as illustrated by this sample attachment.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/forum/2009/12/7027/disk-op…
4. Shutdown and remove the external disk containing the backup file.
5. Reboot with only the new disk attached and hope for the best but be prepared that it might not work. The purpose of your test is find out if it will.
6. Because V11 does not support Win7, your choice of future restores is limited to restoring the entire disk as shown in the sample above. You will NOT be able to restore only the single Drive C because V11 does not support the Win7 type installation--unless your tests should prove something different. Most of the volunteers trying to help you have more current versions of TrueImage installed so answers to specific questions about V11 might be difficult to obtain from these volunteers.
Win7 had not been released when version 11 was released. Unless you test and obtain successful results, it is very unwise to place your faith in using TrueImage Version 11 to maintain backups and restores on your Win7 machine.
Acronis video's for Version 11
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/video10/
Acronis User Guides
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/download/docs/
Good luck with your reading and your testing.
GroverH
Thank you for the nice explanation and help.
It's appeared that the DVDRW in my new computer is defective. Now I understand why it can't be able to read the first bootable CD which I made.
A technician should be arrive to my house, and replace it with a new one.
When this issue will be arranged, I will make a second backup with another tool, and I will also try making this validation thing, as explained in the beginning of your post.
More than that, I don't think that I will able to do.
As I had mention before, my English in not good to understand the guide, and also my technical knowledge is very limited…