New! Grover's How to Backup 2014 from within Windows

New! 56872: Grover's How to Backup 2014 from within Windows

Fig 01- A backup task should be created to store repeat backup settings

Fig 02- Partition mode backup.
By default, Backup Mode opens into Partition Mode (not all partitions selected). My recommendation is the Disk Image type backup which requires the " Select Disk Mode" be clicked.

Fig 03- My Preferred "Disk Mode" Backup.
Select the Preferred Disk Mode Backup so ALL partitions will be automatically included in disk image backup which will help to ensure that you can Recover your system to a new disk.

GH58. Difference between Partition Mode & Select Disk Mode backups.

Fig 04- Select Storage Target Destination so user can change/control settings locations.
Select Target Storage disk. Create Custom Storage Folder.

Fig 05- Assign folder & tib backup file name..
Assign custom name to TIB backup file.

Fig 06- Change schedule from default setting.
Assign desired schedule.

Fig 07- Create schedule & scheduler settings.
Adjust scheduler custom settings.

Fig 08- Change task from scheduled to Non-scheduled.
If desired, change the default scheduled task to a non-scheduled task.

This example shows how to save the task as a Non-scheduled task.

Also see lower part of figure 17 to save as Non-scheduled task.

Fig 09- Select Disk Backup options.
Begin to set an assortment of Disk Backup Options.

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The backup scheme offers many different types of backups and how many stored. Accepting the program default backup scheme will cause you grief later. Take the time to create a custom backup scheme with automatic cleanup as per one of these examples.
The next 3 pictures illustrate what I recommend because each example provides for automatic deletion cleanup of the oldest chains. Look at each example before you decide. Later editing of an existing task is not recommended. Editing a task will cause you grief!

Fig 10-1 Create Custom Scheme-FULL Store 4 Full Backups.
Create a custom full backup scheme with automatic cleanup (deletion) of old backups.

Fig 10-2 Create Custom Scheme-Full + 6 Incrementals-keep 4 chains.
Create a custom full plus incremental backup scheme with automatic cleanup (deletion) of old backups.

Fig 10-3 Create Custom Scheme-Full + 2 Differentials-keep 2 chains.
.Create a custom full plus differential backup scheme with automatic cleanup (deletion) of old backups

Note on all schemes:  if option "Delete chains older than X days,  the auto delete will not begin until oldest chain and the next full has been completed and elapsed days exceeds X.

Fig 11- Set Advanced options.
Set advanced options such as password, validation, comments, etc.

Fig 12- Set Performance Settings.
If needed, adjust performance settings.

Fig 13- Set e-mail Notifications.
If desired, be e-mail notified of task results.

Fig 14- Set Backup Exclusions.
If desired, set any files or folders to be excluded from backup.

Fig 15- Confirm/adjust final scheme settings.
Last chance to modify custom backup scheme before save.

Fig 16- Confirm/Modify Task/Backup Name.
.Last chance to modify task (backup) name as it appears on main menu.

Fig 17- Save Settings--Finalize Task.
Save task as your choice--scheduled or non-scheduled. Backups can be added manually from inside the task using the "Back Up Now" option--from inside the newly completed task!

Fig 18- Show task created.
Show resulting task created from features selected during creation.

Fig 19- Typical Task-features.
Example of some Task option settings.

Important: Once the task is in use, do not make any changes other than schedule changes and that can be done from the main menu without editing the task.
If change of settings needed, consider stop using that particular task and start a new task with all the new settings and point the new task to a new folder with new backup name or a name different than the prior task so as to avoid any confusion either by you or the program.

                    New!   Illustrated Examples of Assorted Functions

Take the time to review these as each is an illustration of situations or options you will encouter. GH1. How to change a backup task from scheduled to "Do Not Schedule".
GH2. How to enable a backup task schedule or change a schedule time..
GH3. How to create a non-scheduled backup task on the first try.
GH4. Illustrate Manual Backup Now option or Repeat backups.
GH5. How to delete backup files using Acronis Backup 'Explorer'
GH6. How to use the MOVE backup option. Move target to a new location.
GH7. How to create a desktop backup shortcut from an existing backup task.
GH8. How to view or set somewhat hidden advanced scheduled backup settings.
GH9. How to view or change error timeout settings frequency.
GH57. Assorted task features.
GH58. Difference between Partition Mode & Select Disk Mode backups.
GH10. Scheme-Single Version Full.
GH11. Create Custom Full Backup Scheme.Keep 4 versions (chains) with automatic cleanup. The 4 is user choice.
GH12. Create Custom Incremental Backup Scheme. 6 Inc, Keep 4 chains with automatic cleanup. The 6-4 is user choice.
GH13. Create Custom Differential Backup Scheme. 2 Diff, Keep 2 chains with automatic cleanup. The 2-2 is user choice.
GH14. Custom Differential Backup Scheme . 6 Diff, Keep 4 chains. & folder
GH15. Online partition properties.
GH16. Validation Settings (chains).
GH17. Consolidation Settings-Example 1.
GH18. Consolidation Settings Example 2.
GH19. Remove ALL TASKS from Task Menu Listing
GH20. Remove Single Task from Task Menu Listing
GH21. How to add backup files to the listing of backup tasks for assorted uses
             such as validation or recovery or add missing files to backup tasks.
GH22. 38609: Grover's Alternate method to shutdown computer after backup.
GH23. 39528: Grover's How to Register or Download version 2013-2014 Files
GH24. Les multiple Backup-Now Listings
GH25. Understanding differences between Inc and Dif for Safety
GH26. Select log file to view. Explore many different ways to view log file.
GH28. Select validation at time of backup.
GH29. Stop USB caching.
GH30. Main Menu Example
GH31. Save Log File
GH32. How to clone backup task for reuse or duplication. Also, save custom tasks for reuse again.
GH33. View universal restore option.
GH34. Example of saved custom schemes.
GH35. Set up e-mail notify
GH36. Set up Charter e-mail notify.
GH37. Keep 10 inc's. Store X.
GH38. Example files type backup.
GH39. How to custom name folder or tib file name.
GH40.
GH41. Control Scan for backup settings.
GH42. USB prevent sleeping.
GH42A. Set WD My Passport Sleep Timer to Never Sleep.
GH43. USB Set caching/quick removal on usb disks.
GH45. How erase files before backup.
GH46. Use "TreeSize Free" to compare 2 partitions sorted by folder size.
           Treesize Download link    View sample screenshots
GH50. CD Disk option backup.
GH51. CD Disk option restore.
GH52. Use of Categories option in File backups or exclusions.
GH53. Access Universal Restore via Windows.
GH54. Access Universal Restore via the Plus or Premium CD.
GH55. Delete Database History Archives.xml.
GH55A. Acronis services
Easy way to find posting by yourself or others.
---------- More User Pointers: It has been my experience that many of the problems are induced by user due mostly to lack of clarity or detail of the user manual. If the program is not working as expected, sometimes deleting the old history file (archives.xml) GH55. Delete Database History Archives.xml.
GH55A. Acronis services
and starting over with all new tasks and DIFFERENT TASK SETTINGS is the most practical solution. Here are some suggestions that I would offer to get the program to manage your backups successfully. For example: File deletion: as 2014 retains a history base and tracks all movement of the backup files . Often times the user deletes tib files using Windows explorer rather than from within the program which causes a mismatch of information GH5. How to delete backup files using Acronis Backup 'Explorer'
or, user will edit or make changes to the backup task after the task has begun to create backups. While editing is allowed, the results almost never work as expected. My rule is to avoid all configuration edits. Schedule changes can be done from the main menu without opening the edit settings window. or, tib files from several tasks put into the same folder. This is allowed by the program but is confusing to the user and often the program. The rule I practice is each task has its own unique name and its own unique storage folder. This rule helps to prevent user confusion of names and locations and helps when troubleshooting is needed. or, the program will only perform backups if the storage disk has the same drive letter and disk ID as it had when the task was first created. Thus, the backup task will only succeed if the original storage disk and the drive letter path exists at backup creation time. Sometimes the insertion of a flash drive or camera can cause the drive letter to change on the storage disk. To prevent this type drive letter change, user can use Windows Disk Management and pre-assign a drive letter such as 'X or Y or Z" to the storage target prior to creating the initial or new backup task. or, user accepts the default backup scheme which is usually the poorest of choices and often leads to too many backups and no controls. A much better choce of backup shemes is the to use automatic cleanup and avoid any use of consolidation. My preceding guide (Figure 10) illustrates how to set the parameters on a custom backup scheme so the program does its own deletion of old backups.