How do I recover files from a backup from a computer that crashed
My old computer crashed, and I am not able to boot. My files on the crashed computer were backed up on an external hard drive using Acronis True Image 11 Home. How can I recover files from the backup and save them on my new computer? Do I have to purchase a new copy on True Image, or is there a way to extract the files? I still have the True Image bootable CD and serial number that came with the original Acronis product.
Thanks for your help. Sorry I'm such a novice... I currently own the old True Image 11 Home that was installed on my old machine. Exactly what software do I need to download onto the new PC, from Acronis website I assume? I'm hoping to avoid buying new software.
Hello Patrick and Michael!
Thank you for finding time to open the thread and share your concerns with us! I will be glad to help you.
Michael, thank you for your assistance!
Dear Patrick, you can install the product you have on your new computer and perform the restoration of the files as mentioned in the User's Guide, Chapter Chapter 6. Restoring the backup data, p. 45. You can also either explore or mound the image in order to extract the required files from it. You can find the instructions in the Chapter 13. Exploring archives and mounting images, p.83.
Should you need anything else or have any further questions - feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience, we will be happy to help you!
Thank you!
Patrick,
If all you are wanting to do is to copy some of your files/subfolders from your MyDocuments folder onto your new computer, you should be able to boot from your old rescue cd and perform a file restore of those files.
You will need to reinstall any programs on your new system but data files from those programs can still be restored.
What you restore from the CD depends a lot on what type of files these files are.
Another option would be to get a extra hard drive and use the old CD to restore the backup to the new disk. Then you could copy old frile to your new system.
Be sure you make a backup of your newest system before you make any changes or restoed to it.
Keep in mind that if the new computer is running Windows 7 you shouldn't install (or try to install) TI 11 on it. You could install TI 2011 Trial and restore the files or you could use the TI 11 or TI 2011 CD to restore the files.
Keep in mind that if the new computer is running Windows 7 you shouldn't install (or try to install) TI 11 on it. You could install TI 2011 Trial and restore the files or you could use the TI 11 or TI 2011 CD to restore the files.
Just wondering why he shouldn't install TI 11 on a Windows 7 system.
Because TI 11 doesn't support Windows 7. Quite a few users reported some major problems with it in Windows 7 as well as problems removing it to install a newer version. If you're using Windows 7 and want to install TI, use TI 2010 or TI 2011 as these are supported by Acronis on Windows 7.
Because TI 11 doesn't support Windows 7. Quite a few users reported some major problems with it in Windows 7 as well as problems removing it to install a newer version. If you're using Windows 7 and want to install TI, use TI 2010 or TI 2011 as these are supported by Acronis on Windows 7.
Thanks MudCrab
Your statement caused me to be more confused! Isn't TI 11 the same as TI 2011? I'm using TI Home 2011 and it seems to work fine thus far and the website says it's compatible with Win 7.
Isn't TI 11 the same as TI 2011?
Donnie,
The current version is 2011.
Before that was the 2010 version.
Before that was the 2009 version.
Before that was version 11.
So, always use the full version id so you will not get wrong answers.
Thanks. I'm new to Acronis, so I wouldn't know a past version a subatomic quark!
Donnie,
Click on my signature index below or click on Grovers Guides listed on left margin of this webpage. The informtion there can help to make you a fast learner,
Thanks GroverH!
I'm already feeling good about having Acronis being a safety net in the event something bad happens to my laptop HDD. I'm paranoid about loosing years of work and a computer that won't work due to software issues. Between Acronis and SugarSync (free) I'm confident I can get everything back if something goes wrong. I've noticed the great support on this forum as well.
Donnie,
Just remember, that normal TIH 2011(without plus pack) is geared to recovering your existing system. If you have the right type of backup, you can use it to restore your system to a new disk for your existing computer. Should you want the flexibility to restore to a new computer with different hardware, then the Plus Pack is geared to that possibility. Although if moving to a new computer, installing the programs fresh is often the best approach and then copying only data files from your backup.
The best type of backup to have in case of hardware emergency is one that includes all partitions on the disk so that everything is included within the backup. Too often, only single partition backups are performed and this makes it much harder (depending upon skill level) to have a successful creation of a new disk--should the need arise.
Now would be a good time (no crisis) to get a extra hard drive and practice your recovery procedures because you never know whether the procedures work until actually performed in a real test.
GroverH,
Thanks again for the good info!
I do have a 1 TB external HD that I back up to. I have run several backups using the "disk mode." Fortunately I've not needed to restore anything yet. I think you are saying that I should do a sector by sector back up and not simply a disk mode backup--is that correct?
If Acronis can get my system working again (even if it's a few days old), SugarSync will automatically start downloading the most current Word, pics and other changing files.
I think I will test a restore one day when I have time to kill if things don't work out well. I already have used the bootable disk to see if that works.
I think you are saying that I should do a sector by sector back up and not simply a disk mode backup--is that correct?
No, a sector by sector backup is not necessary. The disk mode is fine as it includes all your partitions.
One chore when helps is to boot from the Rescue CD and have it validate one or more of your full disk backups. As the Rescue CD is the restore mechanism, validation by it provides more security that the backups are not corrupt.
My suggestion of another test disk was a replacement for your internal hard drive. Without the test disk, then your test restore would be putting your normal hard drive at risk if something goes wroing. Or at very least, try to copy or restore some data files from the backup onto the your system drive.
Okay, that sounds good. Thanks a lot for the very helpful counsel on this.
I will be transferring my Acronis license from my XP machine to the new Win8 machine. The XP backup files are on an external disk which Win 8 will also use. Will Acronis , should I ever need to get back to an old xp file, be able to retrieve a file from the old xp backup files and not get confused between the two sets of backup files?
The above discussion seems to say that I should be able to do that.....I hope.
Thanks, Bruce
Keep the XP backups in a separate folder. When you create backup tasks for the new PC, set them to backup to new folders, one per task.
Much appreciated....thanks!