Failed Notifications not working?

Anyone have any thoughts? I Really dont want to go down the unistall reinstall route as that sometimes produces more problems than it solves :-(

Pete

Also last night i double checked the advanced settings in the notification tab, to make sure that all the notifications were all ticked, they were but still not working correctly.

Just cant work out for the life of me why its sending emails when the back up succeeds but not when it fails :-(

HELP.....................

Pete,
I'm not sure if I understand correctly, but what I am seeing in your post, is this:

When a backup runs and completes successfully, you get an email notification stating so.
If the backup fails, you are not getting an email notification.
Correct?

My experience with this is:
If the backup starts, and fails, an email notification is sent.
If the backup never starts, no email notification is sent, since the email notification happens during the backup task.
I'm not sure, but the when the scheduler tries to launch a backup task, and is unable to do so, I don't think there is any email notification about this error.

Thanks for the reply, yes that is correct.

The thing is i have my system set up with DriveNoify, exactly how i had it set up using TI 2011, when the external back-up drive wasnt connected and the back-up started TI used to send me an email saying it had failed, but in TI 2012 its not happening.

I tested this by setting a back-up with the drive disconnected, the pc was woken by TI, drivenotify then started and then realised that the drive was not connected, the TI icon in the notification area was going round & round, then after 2 minutes my system went back to sleep as it has been set to, but no notifiaction that the backup failed :-(

It always used to with TI 2011, im sure i would class the above as having the backup start, wouldnt you?

Thanks Pete

Yes I would.
I will do some testing on my system when I get some free time, and let you know of my results.

Thanks that would be great, if it doesnt work then at least i can stop worrying about it :-)

Pete,
Curious as to what settings you are using in the Drive notify.ini file?

What parameters are you using to start the Drive Notify exe file?

Are you using Drive Notify from inside the C2G or just stand alone Drive Notify?

Hi Grover
I am using Drive notify as a stand alone, its in my start up folder, i have converted the ini file to a text file so i can upload it & also i have sent screen shot showing how i have drive notify set up with TI in the Pre commands box, i have to say that this part of the system seems to be working fine, its just the notifications for failure that are not :-(

Pete

A test backup was initiated via the "backup now" option and the target disk was not connected.
After the Drive Notify response, the next thing that happened was a TI Windows asking for a retry or cancel for disk location
After another windows asking for a retry or cancel, I clicked the cancel button as no disk was connected.

2 email notifications received.
First one was notification of a user response needed.
2nd one was of the failure.

As best I can tell, our parameter settings are alike except
yours Prepost reads
C:\DrvNotify\DrvNotify.exe /wait
Mine prepost reads
C:\DrvNotify\DrvNotify.exe /wait:exit
My test was conducted usiing 2013 and XP Pro
Your version of Drive notify is Version=1.2.5
My version of Drive Notify is version 1.2.3
I believe my timeout settings are set to the 2013 default settings.
--------r--------------------------------------

My first email received was this:
"Hold-X640-Thur-Mon Task" is waiting for user interaction.
Description: Stage Description
Information: Error occurred while creating the file.
Details:
To specify another location, click Browse.

My 2nd and final email received was this:
1 Information 9/7/2012 11:04:16 AM Backup reserve copy attributes: format tib; need_reserve_backup_copy false;
2 Information 9/7/2012 11:04:17 AM Operation Hold-X640-Thur-Mon started manually.
3 Information 9/7/2012 11:04:17 AM Operation description: X640-drive notify via c2g.
4 Information 9/7/2012 11:04:21 AM Backup reserve copy attributes: format tib; need_reserve_backup_copy false;
5 Information 9/7/2012 11:04:21 AM Priority changed to Low.
6 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:04:27 AM Child process has exited with code '5'.
7 Information 9/7/2012 11:04:27 AM Execution of user command succeeded: "C:/DrvNotify/DrvNotify.exe"
8 Information 9/7/2012 11:04:27 AM Create Incremental Backup Archive Password Protected From: SATA-P3_E (E:) To file: "X:\test1\test2x.tib" Compression: Normal Exclude: Files matching mask Match criterion: *.tib, *.tmp, *.~, C:\pagefile.sys, C:\hiberfil.sys
9 Information 9/7/2012 11:04:27 AM Pending operation 151 started: 'Creating partition image'.
10 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:04:37 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
11 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:04:37 AM The system cannot find the path specified
12 Information 9/7/2012 11:05:38 AM Reattempting the operation. Error: Error occurred while creating the file..
13 Information 9/7/2012 11:05:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
14 Information 9/7/2012 11:05:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
15 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:05:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
16 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:05:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
17 Information 9/7/2012 11:06:38 AM Reattempting the operation. Error: Error occurred while creating the file..
18 Information 9/7/2012 11:06:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
19 Information 9/7/2012 11:06:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
20 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:06:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
21 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:06:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
22 Information 9/7/2012 11:07:38 AM Reattempting the operation. Error: Error occurred while creating the file..
23 Information 9/7/2012 11:07:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
24 Information 9/7/2012 11:07:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
25 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:07:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
26 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:07:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
27 Information 9/7/2012 11:08:38 AM Reattempting the operation. Error: Error occurred while creating the file..
28 Information 9/7/2012 11:08:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
29 Information 9/7/2012 11:08:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
30 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:08:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
31 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:08:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
32 Information 9/7/2012 11:09:38 AM Reattempting the operation. Error: Error occurred while creating the file..
33 Information 9/7/2012 11:09:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
34 Information 9/7/2012 11:09:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
35 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:09:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
36 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:09:38 AM The system cannot find the path specified
37 Information 9/7/2012 11:09:38 AM Error occurred while creating the file.

To specify another location, click Browse.: ?Retry//?Cancel//
38 Information 9/7/2012 11:19:39 AM Error occurred while creating the file.

To specify another location, click Browse.: ?Retry//?Cancel//: User response:
39 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:19:39 AM Operation with partition '4-0' was terminated.
Details:
Write error (0x70004)
Tag = 0x9D2DE1F088CBC4D7
(0x1E50016)
Tag = 0x1D8EAB676A3F6B8C
40 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:19:39 AM Write error
41 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:19:39 AM
42 Acronis Test Program 9/7/2012 11:19:43 AM Terminated by timeout.

Hi Grover
Thanks for all that, i have just tested it again after doing a repair install of TI, but it didn't go very well, the back up was scheduled for 4.15pm, i sat and watched the pc, it came on as normal and the hard drive light was flashing away, i kept the backup drive switched off to create an error, after a few minutes with the TI notification icon whirling away the pc went back to sleep, NO failure email came through, so i then woke the pc from sleep and as soon as i did i got an email saying the back up task was "waiting for user interaction", i clicked the cancel button and then straight away again i got an email telling me the task had failed.

The log file shows an error at 4.17pm saying "error occurred while creating the file", and then nothing again until i turned the pc on at 5.26pm

i just don't understand why its not sending the email as normal or why the back up task is not finishing before the system shuts down after 2 mins, do you think if i increase the time out it might help?

Pete

Hi
Changed time out to 3 minutes with exactly the same results :-(

Pete

Ok, so ive just done another test, this time with the pc switched on, i clicked the backup now button with the drive disconnected, the backup began, no messages, then after 3 minutes the pc went back to sleep, again no messages or emails, i switched the pc back on and TI was running and in the middle of the screen was a window saying "Error occurred while creating file" to specify another location click Browse.

But why didnt it do this while TI was trying to back up last time??

I forgot to say that im backing up to an external Drive using an eSata connection but thats what i was using with TI 2011

Grover
I have just realised that with the pc switched on and drivenotify running, when i click backup now the drivenotify window is not opening up to tell me to connect my drive? Could this be something to do with the problem and if so any idea how i can fix it??

Pete

Cancel this, ive been in touch with Mudcrab and this is whats supposed to happen the way the ini file is set up :-(

Back to the drawing board

Pete

What help file I have on psshutdown is not very clear on whether the t 120 is applicable to the -d delay.

For a test, try putting these commands into a batch command file and point the post command to that command file. Confirm that the path is correct and you may or maynot need " at beginning and after exe

TIMEOUT /T 300 /NOBREAK
C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/StartMenu/Program/Accessories/SysinternalsSuite/psshutdown.exe -d

Repeat the test with the external disconnected. I have no clue as to whether this will work for you.
The timeout is a new command for win7. the 300 is 300 seconds delays before the psshutdown will be executed.

Grover, thanks for your help, but im not that technical and this is a bit above me i have to admit, i think im just going to leave it as it is, maybe i will have a look at 2013 when the first update comes out but for now ill just have to remember to turn my drive on and check the log regularly.

Pete

I am willing to assist if you wish to try. Whether 2013 will solve your issue unchanged, I am not sure. I would hate to see you update for that reason only.

Is there a reason you do not want the window to just remain open until you either attach the drive or cancel the task? This is the way I have mine setup. Actually, I use a program from within Chain2Gen to run Drive Notify and it has been fool proof in initiating Drive Notify.

Another option would be to use the Windows scheduler and have it perform a reminder function such as open a notepad file or have Paint open a picture just before attach time. There are several ways to construct a reminder to attach the disk.

Hi Grover
i really appreciate it but its just too much.

The reason i have my system set up like this is because the backups occur in the middle of the night, if i leave the back up drive switched on then when TI wakes the pc from sleep to perform the back up drivenotify checks that the drive is connected, if it is the backup goes ahead. If the drive is not connected then the task fails, then i use the pssshutdown command to put the pc back to sleep after 2 minutes.

All this seems to work and when the backup completes successfully i get an email notifying me of that, its just when the back up doesn't complete that i don't get notified (well not until i turn the pc back on again!)

Pete

After more testing, I have concluded that it is NOT possible to get email notificatins about a failed backup until all the timeout error settings have elaspsed on the task in use.

In the 2013& 2011 versions, the least possible timeout period is the 10 minutes default plus possible additional delay via the "error handling" option inside the "disk backup options." The timeout settings is located in upper right corner of the program as part of the extra help area.

In my opinion, on your machine, as no backup is created (target disconnected), the post command is never executed. It is the power settings in your computer which is enabling the computer to go back to sleep--not the post command. When no backup is created, the psshutdown is never executed. For a test, you could change the computer power settings to always on (or change the sleep settings) and see if you get notification of a failed test.

While the below does not change your not getting notification, there is a need to understand the limitations of direct commands when using the pre/post settings. Anytime you want to utilize these pre/post options, there is a better chance of success to place the command inside a batch/command file and simply have TI execute the file with the file containing all the commands. This is the best method I know to work around the limitations of the pre/post command handling. To the best of my knowledge, these limitations have existed on all versions of TrueImage.

Your problem is not these limitations but how the program handles errors and frankly, I do not know how they could do differently. Until the error is registered as an error, no notification can occur and until the timeouts have elapsed which would enable to user to correct for the error, the program is really in limbo until the error finally gets registered (no user correction) and notification does occur after the timeout has elapsed.

One option might be a scheduled reminder at some bedtime hour before you leave the computer as a reminder to attach the drive. I could offer some suggestions if interested.

Thanks again Grover, so would it be possible for you to make a batch file for the shutdown command and ill test it?

But i do have to disagree with you about the post command not being executed as my machine power options are already set to always on & never sleep.

I have just checked the timeout settings and they are currently set to 10 minutes, so if i change the pss shutdown until after 10 mins then hopefully this will give the program time to register the error, yes?

Pete

Hi
i think i may have solved it with thanks to your help :-) , changed the pss shut-down time to 12 mins and set a task, the pc awoke 15 minutes later, the drive was not attached, i then got my first email as below

MyBackup Task is waiting for user interaction.
Description: Stage Description
Information: Error occurred while creating the file.
Details:
To specify another location, click Browse.

Then 10 minutes later i got my second email

1 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:05 AM Stage Description
2 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:05 AM Operation MyBackup started by schedule.
3 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:06 AM Analyzing partition '0-0'...
4 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:06 AM Analyzing partition 'C:'...
5 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:06 AM Analyzing partition '0-0'...
6 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:07 AM Analyzing partition 'J:'...
7 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:07 AM Analyzing partition 'K:'...
8 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:07 AM Analyzing partition 'L:'...
9 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:07 AM Analyzing partition 'E:'...
10 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:07 AM Analyzing partition 'N:'...
11 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:07 AM Analyzing partition '0-0'...
12 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:08 AM Analyzing partition 'G:'...
13 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:08 AM Stage Description
14 Acronis True Image Home 09/09/2012 10:20:19 AM Child process has exited with code '5'.
15 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:19 AM Execution of user command succeeded: "C:/DrvNotify/DrvNotify.exe"
16 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:19 AM Updating backup database: Setting verification requirement for database access.
17 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:19 AM Locking partition C:...
18 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:21 AM Create Differential Backup Archive From: C:\Users\Pete\Documents\
C:\Users\Pete\Desktop\Screenshots & Videos\
To file: "X:\test\MyBackup.tib" Compression: Normal
19 Acronis True Image Home 09/09/2012 10:20:22 AM Error occurred while creating the file.
20 Acronis True Image Home 09/09/2012 10:20:22 AM The system cannot find the path specified
21 Information 09/09/2012 10:20:22 AM Error occurred while creating the file.

To specify another location, click Browse.: ⎂Retry//⎂Cancel//
22 Information 09/09/2012 10:30:22 AM Error occurred while creating the file.

To specify another location, click Browse.: ⎂Retry//⎂Cancel//: User response:
23 Information 09/09/2012 10:30:22 AM Updating backup database: Removing verification requirement for database access.
24 Acronis True Image Home 09/09/2012 10:30:23 AM Terminated by timeout.

The pc then shut down, but looking at the log i cant see anything about pss putting the pc back to sleep? it looks like TI did this, would you agree?

Pete

You wrote:
"The pc then shut down, but looking at the log i cant see anything about pss putting the pc back to sleep? it looks like TI did this, would you agree? "
My opinion is as stated previously, if the the pre backup is not completed, the post command is bypassed and not executed. I doubt whether TI has been programmed to put the computer back to sleep.

My opinion is that the settings in the PC power configuration did whatever it was optioned to do. These settings can be found in the ControlPanel/Power Options/plus whatever the settings are under the configuration which is checked or highlighted. Click the Change settings option and you will see the setting in effect for putting the computer back to sleep. It is user selectable so I do not know what your setting is.

You asked about a batch file. What do you want the batch file to do and I will be glad to assist--within my limitations.

Edit addition:
Discussion of the AutoAbort command as I understand it to be.
DrvNotify.ini file=
AutoAbort=0 or 1
If disk not attached at time of task execution:
If =0, the reminder to attach window will remain open until disk either attached or program cancelled by the user.
Your Verbatium setting has AutoAbort=1 which means
If 1, the reminder to attach Window will immediately close and a TI error message will appear advising a retry/browse/cancel option. This error notification window will remain open until it times out (10 minutes or longer) and then the task will be classified as a failure and go into the log file as a backup failure.

This AutoAbort command will appear either under the user assigned disk name (Vertbatium) and its error code applied. If not listed under the disk name, it may be listed under defaults and its value applied to the task.

Hi Grover
i'm afraid i have to disagree about the power options, my pc is set to High performance, turn off display- never , put the computer to sleep - never, even in the advanced options everything is set to keep the pc on.

Im not going to worry about the batch file for now, just going to see how it goes as it seems to be performing as expected :-)

i think it is definitely pss that's shutting it down as how come after changing the time out settings from 120 to 720 does the operation & error messages perform as they should?

i will keep you updated.

Pete

Hi Grover
Here is my log from my last back up, this time it shows pss putting the pc back to sleep :-)

1 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:00 AM Stage Description
2 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:00 AM Operation My Documents started manually.
3 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:01 AM Analyzing partition '0-0'...
4 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:01 AM Analyzing partition 'C:'...
5 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:01 AM Analyzing partition '0-0'...
6 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:02 AM Analyzing partition 'J:'...
7 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:02 AM Analyzing partition 'K:'...
8 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:02 AM Analyzing partition 'L:'...
9 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:02 AM Analyzing partition 'E:'...
10 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:02 AM Analyzing partition 'N:'...
11 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:02 AM Analyzing partition '0-0'...
12 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:03 AM Analyzing partition 'G:'...
13 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:03 AM Analyzing partition '0-0'...
14 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:03 AM Analyzing partition 'X:'...
15 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:04 AM Stage Description
16 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:10 AM Child process has exited with code '0'.
17 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:10 AM Execution of user command succeeded: "C:/DrvNotify/DrvNotify.exe"
18 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:10 AM Updating backup database: Setting verification requirement for database access.
19 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:10 AM Locking partition C:...
20 Information 10/09/2012 11:10:11 AM Create Differential Backup Archive From: C:\Users\Pete\
To file: "X:\Backups\My Documents\My_Documents_2012-09-10.tib" Compression: Normal
21 Information 10/09/2012 12:08:39 PM The following backups have been successfully created: "X:\Backups\My Documents\My_Documents_2012-09-10.tib"
22 Information 10/09/2012 12:08:39 PM Updating backup database: Inserting new backup version with record ID 0 into backup with ID 16816676159980515746 of backup group with ID 0.
23 Information 10/09/2012 12:08:39 PM Updating backup database: Inserting new volumes into backup version with record ID 0 of backup with ID 16816676159980515746 which is located in backup group with ID 0.
24 Information 10/09/2012 12:08:39 PM Updating backup database: Setting new backup options for backup group with ID 131.
25 Information 10/09/2012 12:08:39 PM Updating backup database: Removing verification requirement for database access.
26 Information 10/09/2012 12:08:39 PM Validate Backup Archive Location: "X:\Backups\My Documents\My_Documents_2012-09-10.tib"
27 Information 10/09/2012 12:30:20 PM Child process has exited with code '0'.
28 Information 10/09/2012 12:30:20 PM Execution of user command succeeded: "C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs/Accessories/SysinternalsSuite/psshutdown.exe"
29 Information 10/09/2012 12:30:21 PM Updating backup database: Inserting new backup version creation information into backup with ID 16816676159980515746.
30 Information 10/09/2012 12:30:21 PM Operation has succeeded.

Hi Pete,
Yes, psshutdown works when the disk is attached. My comments about it not working relate only to when the disk is not attached at time of backup and the task fails. My contention is that once the pre fails, the post never runs. My basis for this comment is that I have run tests with the post to include a batch file shutdown command. Whenever the pre task fails, the shutdown never occurs and there is no indication in the log file that the post file ever run.

If you have everything working the way you want--great and we can leave well enough alone.

Grover

Thanks again for all your help & advice, fingers crossed i will be ok now.

Pete