TRUE IMAGE V9.0 AND XP - PLEASE HELP
When I built my PC about 2 years or so ago, I used Acronis TIH V9.0 to copy the entire contents of my "C" drive to another internal HD so that I would have a "pristine state copy" of my original setup with a clean XP install and all essential drivers, programs etc. (the backup image is the only data on this drive). XP quickly freezes up after each start up so I need to recover my "pristine state" data to restore the XP OS. I have several questions that I hope someone can answer. By the way, I hate Windows. Is it possible to replace JUST the OS? If so, is the Windows folder the only folder I need to replace to recover the entire OS or are other folders needed as well? I have all of my most recent documents and photos backed up to an external drive so if I had to replace the entire drive contents I could move these files back later. Here's what I've attempted so far: I tried to restore under normal windows boot but it froze before I could get past zero% progress. I then loaded the bootable True Image rescue CD I created awhile back. I was unable to run the full version (unkown error 19?) but was able to load using the safe version. I then selected recovery under the task menu. The archive selection window opens with "My computer" and "local disc C" appearing on the left hand column. The drive that holds my backup does not appear so I selected the windows folder from the C drive (current defective OS) but couldn't get the "next" button to become active. I assume this may be because it wanted me to select the windows folder where the "saved" files were backed up. If so, why was the c drive my only available option? When I was able to load True Image directly from Windows, all 3 of my internal SATA drives were available to me. Why not with the recscue CD? My next thought was to try to run XP in safe mode. The standard F8 method didn't offer me a safe mode option (only a choice of drives to boot from), I tried to access safe mode by loading XP then using run/msconfig and choosing safe boot. I was hoping to complete the command before she froze up on me. The OS froze up after the process began but before it could tell me to restart so I had to manually restart and now I can't get into windows at all whether I try loading normally, using the Windows recovery CD or the windows option from the TI rescue CD. Now XP starts to load then flashes a nano second of a blue screen and restarts. This cycle just repeats itself until I shut her down. Is there any way to access msconfig to change back to normal boot? Is there any way to recover my saved data using the TI rescue disc in safe version? Can I get around these headaches without reformatting? Can I boot directly to the saved image stored on my backup drive? I apologize for all of the "can I's" but I'm totally burned out from all of the fruitless reseach. Lastly, if I must reformat and do a clean XP install, can I then replace the entire contents of the reformatted drive with the pristine system data saved on my backup drive? If so, I assume a clean install of TI is needed but what is the procedure from there? I know I'm asking for a ton of help here but I just want to be able to use my Acronis software for its intended purpose so I can get my PC back up and running. Please don't tell me I've wasted all this time and purchased what I thought was the best recovery software for nothing. I had to borrow a laptop to do all of this research and I need to give it back ASAP. PLEASE HELP! Did I mention I hate Windows?....................... Thanks in advance.
Hi Bodgy,
I'm not sure what leads you to believe my problem is hardware related but I respectfully disagree. I would agree with you if the entire system was shutting down but the problem is windows freezing up. It seems to be typical windows BS and has me swearing (again) that my next computer will be a MAC (don't get me started on how I despise windows).
I'm an elctro-mechanical designer by trade and spent many of my early years laying out PC boards and schematics (on a drafting board as well as on early CAD software) so I can tell you without a shred of doubt that after the visual inspection you kindly suggested, the caps look normal as do the rest of the components. Additionally, the PSU is fine as is the HD. I recently removed the HD and externally connected it to another PC. I ran a chkdsk/r and all was well. While connected, I was able to access the drive and copied all of my important docs, photos and misc saved data to another external HD without a hitch.
I had no idea the TI 9 rescue disc didn't support SATA drives so thanks for the heads up. That certainly is confusing though because when booting with the TI rescue disc, it sees the C drive which is also a SATA but it doesn't see the other 2 drives. Doesn't Acronis have a software download to correct this yet if this is indeed one of my problems?
I guess I need to check my BIOS settings but ironically I believe they're already set to see my SATA drives as IDE's. If my memory serves me (which it doesn't always do), that was the recommended setup from the MB manufacturer unless I used a RAID array which I didn't want or need. Anyway, moving on to the rescue disc, let's assume I need a WinPE based rescue disc to see the SATA drives. How can this replace my bootable TI 9 rescue disc? I already have my XP SP2 recovery disc so is there any advantage in using the BartPE or Mustang's WinPE rescue disc over the XP recovery disc?
Can you elaborate on where I can find the the Mustang scripts? I did a search on BartPE and found the website where I can create a that rescue disc. It may be a mute point since windows won't boot now anyway. I still think I may have to reformat and do a clean XP install then replace the new OS with the image created with TI 9 when the system was first built. I'll have a buch of software to reload but at least I'll have all of my essentials, drivers and ISP software.
Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Please reply with your thoughts.
Mick
My thoughts that it is more likely to be caused by hardware rather than software is with XP freezing at boot time.
I'm sure that XP is now corrupted and if you can recall downloading an upgrade or installing another program shortly before your problems started then software based it maybe. Dodgy electrons could well have caused your problem, which would obviously need fixing if you are able to restore your image.
Just one last think on this subject, have you tried running memtest86 for 12 hours or more, just to make sure your RAM modules haven't gone 'iffy'? Don't forget all modern OS's load parts of themselves into RAM and then lock those memory areas from other software.
Have you tried running the Rescue CD in 'safe' mode? This uses DOS and BIOS calls instead of the Linux environment which uses drivers built into the kernel.
Have you tried performing a Windows Repair with the XP CD? This is not the Repair Console option, you need to choose INSTALL and the installer should find that you already have a copy of Windows installed. At this point it should offer to 'recover' Windows, or install a new copy. You choose Recover and Windows will then delete the system files and then re-install them. No installed software will be touched and registry will be remade and will still have knowledge of all programs. You will however lose all downloaded service packs and updates.
I've just realised that TI9 didn't come with the Acronis BartPE scripts that version 11 and onwards do. You'll need to trail through the old Wilders forum for links, you'll also find links to Mustang's website there as well.
Someone else here might be able to help you with the BartPE side of things.
With a WinPE based (you could also download WAIK for Vista and create a VistaPE disk which would be even better) boot disk you would be using the Windows version of TI not the Linux version. You gain drivers and speed, plus a more familiar desktop, then a command line Linux.
See GroverH's links for Mudcrab's guide on making WAIK's into PE's - Mustang used to have a guide on his website as well.
My aplogy for not making it clear that windows was freezing AFTER fully booting and loading my desktop.
That being said. You've left me a few great suggestions that I will explore. I'm going to try recovering the OS as you suggested. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!
Methinks I'm screwed. I just ran the Windows recovery and a message popped up that Windows XP cannot run in safe mode and that setup will now restart. It just keeps repeating so I tried to retsrt without the recovery CD and the same message appears. The bottom line is Windows can't load at all so I can see a reformatting is in my future this weekend. After I reformat, I assume that I can then load Acronis TI 9 onto my C drive so I can restore the image I saved from my original install via the windows interface rather than the rescue CD?
Strange, your latest error message, as the installed Windows Safe mode has nothing to do with the install environment.
Before you reformat - try booting into the recovery console (you'll need to recall your Admin logon here, and blank won't work) and try remaking the MBR and Fixboot.
The installer writes to the MBR a special link to a special file on the hard drive (the name will start with a $) so it knows it has to find the install files etc - hybernation and the reboot after updates work in a similar way.
I would strongly suggest you run memtest86 as something is causing corrupted information to appear on the hard drive - it is also feasible that there is a problem with the drive - download the drive manufacturers test utilities.
You might as well check these things out, as it'll be a real nuisance to restore your image only to have to go through all this again shortly after.
In answer to your last paragraph - Yes!
When I attempted to force a safe mode boot using msconfig, and the OS locked up before it could complete the task, it may have corrupted things beyond repair. It was at that point that I became stuck in the safe mode/restart loop.
Anyway, I booted with the recoverery console and ran fixboot and mbr but it still couldn't get out of the safemode loop so I reformated and reinstalled the OS.Once installed, I ran the Seagate diagnostics and both the OS drive and the backup drive passed every test. I'm now running memtest86 V3.5 and will let that go overnight. I downloaded Memtest86+ V 4.0 but it wouldn't boot so I went back to the V3.5 disc I used when I built the system. If all goes well with the RAM I should be able to restore the saved image tomorrow night. I can't thank you enough for your patience, your knowledge and most importantly, your valuable time. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Thank you.
Memtest 86 (V3.4 not 3.5) showed no errors so all is well as far as I can see. I just installed TI 9 and attempted to restore the saved image from my original build (using the Windows environment not the rescue CD). All internal drives appeared so I selected the one and only backup image I saved for just this type of situation. I got an error saying that "The selected file is not an Acronis True Image Archive". Funny because it has a .tib suffix. I can't tell you how aggrivating this is right now. I'm trying to remain calm and I'm hoping this is a minor setback that can be corrected. Any suggestions on how to proceed from here?
OK - that message means one of two things!
Either you have made the image with a different version (in the case of TI9 it could also be build, Acronis changed the tib format in a later build) of TI or one of the TI Windows drivers is having a problem.
As far as the Windows side of things, I'm afraid I don't have an answer other than check to see if you are using a different build of TI 9 to the one that made the image - others here might have an answer.
I can't recall, have you tried using the rescue CD in it's SAFE mode? With TI 9 that would have been part of the rescue build.
If SAFE mode doesn't work, nor entering any of the command line switches in FULL mode, then my other suggestion would be to try and make a Windows/Bart PE based rescue CD.
I don't think a TI 2010 rescue CD would recognise a TI 9 image (Acronis only guarantee one previous version compatibility).
Unfortunately you can't open a case with Acronis support as your version is too old, hopefully either someone else will have some thoughts or one of the Acronis forum bods will be able to help. If no one posts, you could try PM;ing one of them.
Using the rescue CD in safe mode, only the C drive appears so I can't access the backup drive at all (just like yesterday).
I can try Full mode if there is a command line list that I can access to determine how to proceed. Can I type HELP like in windows for a list of commands?
As for the Bart PE rescue CD, I have no idea what to do with that if I make one.
I'm at work at the moment, but a thought has occured - a long shot....can you mount or explore the tib file?
if you have space, drag it onto your internal drive and just see if TI can now open it.
Both drives are internal so I assume you mean my C (OS) drive. I can copy it to the C and both will open with the TI recovery but It still isn't recognized as a TI image.
I thought that maybe I could clone the image and save it with a new name to see if saving it would validate it but it won't even let me do that since it still doesn't recognize it as a TI image.
I got my hands on a bootable Linux based Acronis TI 9 Rescue image that I burned to CD. I booted to it and tried to restore the image but it it didn't see ANY of my drives so that was a waste of time.
Unless you have any other suggestions, the only unexplored possibility I see is the plug and unplug option in TI. I'm not sure what that's for so I'm going to explore but I don't hold out much hope that the image can be salvaged. It's looking like I wasted good money on the Acronis TI 9 software and a whole lot of time trying to get it to restore a saved image that it created and now refuses to recognize.
If you can, please drop me a line to let me know if you're out of ideas. When you are, I'll have to start reinstalling drivers and so on to get fully up and running again. I won't do that yet if there's even a chance I can recover that image. I guess I should also take the opportunity to consider jumping into the Windows 7 pool before I reload everything. Reformatting again with 7 is a simple task as long as I have to reinstall everything else anyway. What is your opinion of 7 as opposed to XP? Is it as resource hungry as Vista?
I'm already tremendously in your debt for all of the time you've shared trying to help me. If nothing else, you've educated me a bit. Thank you again for your help. I really can't thank you enough for your kindness.
Mick
Mick,
There's a lot of info to go through in this thread, but I'll try and look at it in the morning. I may have some ideas to try.
I certainly appreciate anything you can offer.
Thank you.
I'm racking my brains trying to remember TI9's 'plug and unplug', though I might still have TI9 on an old drive somewhere. If you double click on the tib file, it should be able to open up in Windows Explorer - unless it really is corrupted.
I think 'plug' might have been the old term for mounting, but I'd try the Explorer route first just to see if you can get into the image file, and I should have checked, this is a full disk image we are talking about, not a files and folders backup?
Other than that, Mudcrab's grey cells may come to the rescue.
Do you have another computer that you can put the drive with the image on into?
I found that Plug and unplug will basically allow you to plug (mount) or unplug an image as a virtual drive. Unfortunately, when I tried to assign a virtual drive letter I received this Error message "Cannot assign a drive letter to a partition from the backup archive".
Mounting that image would have allowed me to retrieve data but it's another dead end. The image must be corrupted.
Now call me stupid but how can that image be corrupt when the drive diagnostics say it's healthy and it was never accessed other than to store the backup image when I built her?
Any experience with Windows 7? If so, do you feel it's a better option than XP? I'm not a Vista fan and I know MS will soon stop supporting XP SP1 so I'm sure SP2 and SP3 can't be too far behind. Not that I couldn't stick with XP for a few years but maybe I should consider it while I have the opportunity. Thanks.
Ah no, the error message on mounting doesn't necessarily mean the tib file is cactus.
We move forward!
Which service pack level is your XP using?
Detach any card readers or USB hubs from your ports.
Open up Windows Management (right click My Computer and select Manage), drift down to Disk Management
With DM open, try mounting the tib file and see if for a short while a new mount point is created, it may disappear quickly if one is created.
If it appears and disappears, then I think either the SNAPAPI needs to be updated (not sure to which version at this moment) or Timeounter.exe isn't working as advertised - check in Task Manager to see if there it a Timeounter entry and also there might be one in Windows Services. If in Services check that it is set to automatic and running, also check that RPC is set to auto and running.
I'm running SP2 as loaded from the install disc for now. With the hope that I can recover the saved image, I haven't wasted the time to set up an internet connection or obviously update to SP3 at this time. For that matter, the image is SP2 as well.
I tried to mount the tib file with DM open but no mount point was generated. The tib file still is not recognized by TI so it won't mount it.
No Timeounter entry in Task Manager or Windows Services. In Windows Services RPC is set to auto and is "started".
Mick,
Here are some questions and suggestions (not in any particular order).
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It sounds like you have two different TI 9 CDs. Is that correct? One didn't boot (unknown error 19) and the other one did boot but didn't see any of the SATA drives. Can you please check the Help >> About menu for each one and see what the builds are? (Check the Safe Mode version for the one that won't start in Full Mode).
The image format changed part way through version 9. It's possible that there's a problem because of that.
Do you have any idea of the exact build used to create the image?
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When trying to boot the Full Mode versions, try using the quiet acpi=off noapic Linux parameter option. To do this, press F11 when you get the Acronis Menu (Full Mode, Safe Mode, etc.) and enter the options in the box that pops up. Click OK and then try the Full Mode. Do this for both of the TI 9 CDs and see if anything is different.
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There are three internal SATA drives. Are all drives connected to ports on the same controller? Some boards have two SATA controllers. It's possible that TI Full has drivers for one controller and not the other one.
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Have you checked the BIOS SATA controller mode setting? I know you said you thought it was already in IDE Compatible mode, but could you check for sure? Also, have you tried using AHCI mode? There may be a mode that will work with TI Full Mode (with or without the "quiet acpi=off noapic" options -- try the different combinations).
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Do you know the controller(s) being used on the board? It should say in the manual or in the computer's specifications on the manufacturer's website.
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Regarding the Safe Mode version of TI from the CD:
Have you tried this using different controller modes?
Since the "C:" drive is detected, does the Safe Mode version of TI still report the same error when the image file is on the C: drive?
Does the original backup drive get seen by TI Safe Mode if the drive is connected to the SATA port currently used by the C: drive?
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What is the filename used for the image file? I assume it's a single TIB file.
What size is the file?
Has it always been on an NTFS formatted partition?
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When you try to Mount the image, does TI show the backed up partition correctly for selection?
Before, you said that TI 9 reported The selected file is not an Acronis True Image Archive. When does this happen? Apparently not when trying to Mount it; or was that a different build or from the CD?
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Have you tried using any later version of TI than 9 to Mount, Validate, or Restore the image?
OK. That's alot to digest so let me start with what I already know. First, I made the original rescue CD at the time that I installed TI 9. It's build 3,854. The TI 9 software had not been updated to a new version or build after being installed and the image was created at the same as the rescue CD so I don't see how they can be incompatible but what do I know?
The rescue CD is no longer an issue as I'm booting directly to windows after reformatting and reinstalling XP SP2. My 3 drives are configured as IDE. The Asus P5K Deluxe Mobo uses a J-Micron SATA/PATA controller and it is enabled. The backup image has always been on the same NTFS partition. The drive's sole purpose was to store that pristine system backup image until Windows innevitably crapped on itself. TI 9 was supposed to be my safety net but it turned out to be a boat anchor around my neck. What a waste of time and money.
I tried copying then mounting the backup image to the other drives then tried using TI 9 to both clone and restore the backup image hoping that it would then be recognized but none of those options were possible because the image simply has to be recognized to proceed.
Any of the aforementioned attempts to clone, restore or mount the image is met with the "The selected file is not an Acronis True Image Archive" error. No matter what function I've tried, TI can't recognize its own child.
Last night I created a bootable TIH 2010 rescue CD and it can't recognize the TI 9 file either.
The file looks like this:
F\:Full backup of C drive Feb 2008.tib
It appears as "file type" Backup Archives (*.tib)
It's less than 7.5 GB
As near as I can tell, the P5K Deluxe uses the P35/ICH9R chipset. Are all the drives connected to either the red or black ports that are all grouped together?
The JMicron chipset is used for the IDE and eSATA connections. Are any of the drives connected to the eSATA ports?
Have you tried renaming the image file so it doesn't contain any spaces and doesn't end with a number? For example: mybackup.tib
Did TI 2010 also have the same problem trying to Mount the image?
Hi MudCrab,
The 2010 rescue CD had the same problem mounting the image. You are correct about the chipset and J-Micron controller. All drives are properly connected to the correct on board SATA ports. Renaming didn't help. TI 9 says it's not an Acronis TI archive or is corrupted.
Just for the hell of it, what if somehow the image is from a different build than the installed software and is causing the problem. I don't see how that is even possible but I'm getting desperate. Anyway, if that were to be the case, didn't Acronis account for that possibility and issue a workaround or downloadable patch?
Thanks for your help.
Mick
One last thought......
Since the 2010 Rescue CD didn't help this is probably a dumb question but would installing the trial version of 2010 software be likely to make the image readable, mountable or recoverable or is it most likely just corrupt and a waste of my time to pursue any longer?
Are you able to try all this on a different computer - using TI 9?
Not the restore part, but the mounting or or exploring via Windows Explorer.
Possibly if I connect the drive externally to a laptop but it's not very feasable right now.
TI 2010 may be able to Mount the image. It just depends and the only way to find out would be to try it.
If an early build of TI 9 was used to create the image (and it doesn't seem likely), the later builds should still be able to read it. It was just that there were quite a few bugs in the early builds of TI 9 and it might have caused some "build specific" problems that wouldn't let it be read properly by another build. However, I don't think this is the case here.
A "buggy" early version may be the only way to explain my problem. I know it's bugging the hell out of me. Gentlemen, thanks again for all your time and trouble.
I installed Acronis Home 2009 on XP SP3 and after that it just hungs up. How do I uninstall it and get rid of Acronis 2009. Please help?
Thanks
Besant,
Use the Windows Add/remove programs option to uninstall.
I used the 2009 with xp pro sp3 for over a year with no problems.
Shutoff your anti-virus and malware prevention and try a repair install which is available from the installation program/install option.
Hi Basant,
Did you try booting into safe mode and uninstalling Acronis from there? I tried everything and ended up having to reformat my drive. I took that opportunity to upgrade to Windows 7 64 bit. Best move I ever made. Now I can run 8Gb of RAM and tap into my PC's full potential. The first thing I did after installing my new OS was scrap True Image and buy the much more reliable Paragon Disc Manager 2010 Suite. I can't say that Acronis caused me to have to reformat but what it certainly didn't do was the ONE and ONLY thing I needed it to and that is to be able to read the image it generated and that I saved so that I could simply load that image and be back in business without hassle. It did the exact opposite. I spent days researching and trying everthing that I could find to resolve the issue but in the end, even after reformatting, the image Acronis saved was unreadable. Acronis can't recognize its own files and rendered my saved image useless. All of the time the image sat on my backup drive, I thought I was protected so I can never trust Acronis again after failing me so horribly. I hope you have better luck than I did. Best of luck to you.