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Keep getting failed backups showing in log for an old, non-existent incremental backup task

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I have had a problem for a while where backup is failing to find the version of an incremental back which was deleted from my hard drive by mistake many weeks ago.

When I first noticed the problem, I deleted the original backup task in TI and created a new one. This new task is working fine but I keep getting errors reported in the log for the original one. It is as if a 'phantom' task is still trying to run.

I have attached a screenshot from the log.

For example. for each day of the week I see two backups being reported in the log file, the first one failed and the second one passed. For the first one, is always the same file name and it always fails with a 'failed to find file' error:

The file name for the failed backups are always the same..
'OUTLOOK_ACCOUNTS_inc_b3_s6_v1.tib'

The second backup which is reported in the log is a different incremental version each day, with a full backup being created every fifth day. The settings which I have for this (working) backup are as follows:

*) Create a full version after every 5 incremental versions
*) Delete version chains older than 7 days

Can someone please help me to get rid of the 'phantom' backup task?

Thanks in advance for your help

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There are seveal methods but lets start with the easiest.
In the Acronis folder, there is a folder named "scripts".
Each of these is part a backup task.
Open each of the files (there will only be a few) using notepad.
See if you can determine which task is the phantom task--mostly based on the backup name.
If you find it, move the file into another folder temporarily and see that cures your issue.

If you should decide in the future for whatever reason that you need to start a new task,
I would discourage the use of "Delete version chains older than 7 dayis" and instead recommend in its place, the use of the "store no more than x number of chains"
The "delete versions older than x daiys" involves consolidation and that has been reported to cause quite a few issues.

GroverH,
thanks for your help, however I am unable to find the 'scripts' folder. Is this supposed to be under the installation directory? Here is the Acronis hierarchy on my machine:

c:/Program Files (x86)/Acronis/TrueImageHome/x64

I am using True Image 2014 Premium Build: 6673

C:\ProgramData\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Scripts

You may need to change the Windows settting to show all system files.

I had to enable the display of hidden files and folders but I can now see the script files.

However, the three scripts seem ok and correspond to the three backup tasks which I created in TI. There doesn't appear to be one which corresponds to a 'phantom' one.

Looking for the file/folder names in the three script files I see:

1st script file:
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_full_b1_s1_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s2_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s2_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s3_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s3_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s4_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s4_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s5_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s5_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s6_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s6_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s7_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s7_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s8_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s8_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s9_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s9_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s10_v1.tib
F:\My backups\MyBackup_Documents_and_Pictures_inc_b1_s10_v1.tib

2nd script:
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_full_b6_s1_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s2_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s2_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s3_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s3_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s4_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s4_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s5_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s5_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s6_v1.tib
F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_inc_b6_s6_v1.tib

3rd script:
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_full_b6_s1_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s2_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s2_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s3_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s3_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s4_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s4_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s5_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s5_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s6_v1.tib
F:\My backups\My_Backup_of_C_and_D_inc_b6_s6_v1.tib

None of these appear to correspond to the phantom backup.

Is there anything else I can check?

In each task, the last and next to last entry are identical. If this is not an typing error on your part, There is a good chance, one or the other in each task could be a problem.
Does date and time help

If it were me, I would stop using the existing tasks and begin fresh by clearing the database history. This involves the deletion of the archives.xml file found in the Acronis folder labelled Database. This will not affect the tib files but the tasks will be deleted

GH55. Delete Database History Archives.xml.

Afterwards, create all new tasks. Use a different task name for each task and put each task into its own sub-folder.

I would suggest you consider using a different backup scheme so to limit the number of inc files (safety precaution) and set the scheme up with automatic cleanup. I prefer not to use the option based on elapsed days as that involves consolidation. Instead, I prefer to use the option "store x number of recent chains". This enables the program do its own deletion of old backups.

GH12. Create Custom Incremental Backup Scheme. 6 Inc, Keep 4 chains. The 6-4 is user choice.

Sorry, but I am not sure what you mean by the last and next to last entry are identical, I see that apart from the first entry (which is the 'full' backup), the lines are as identical pairs. Anyway, these were copied and pasted from the files, I did not type them by hand, so they are a true record of what are in those files.

I cant figure out anything from the dates of the files.

Interestingly, now I look at the 'OUTLOOK' related script again I see that it has changed, the only reference to the file location now appears as follows:

F:\My backups\OUTLOOK_full_b7_s1_v1.tib

I guess that is because it must have done a backup tonight and wrapped round and did a full backup this time (next one should be incremental)

Thanks for all the tips on clearing out the database, etc, it is a great help. Unfortunately I wont be able to get on the computer until tomorrow evening.

GroverH,
I have deleted the database history archives, as per your link port reference GH55
I have not created the new tasks yet as I am a little unclear about what a 'version chain' comprises. For example, if I set up the following:

Custom Scheme
Backup method: Incremental
Create a full version after every 5 incremental versions
Store no more then 2 recent version chains
Schedule to backup at 9pm every day

Am I right in thinking that I will end up with..

Full -> Inc1 -> Inc2 -> Inc3 -> Inc4 -> Inc5 -> Full -> Inc1 -> Inc2, etc ....

And, is the set of files, Full, Inc1 thru Inc5 considered a 'version chain'?

If so, then am I correct in saying that I should see a maximum of 12 backup files? (two version chains)

Thanks for your help

bbear wrote:

If so, then am I correct in saying that I should see a maximum of 12 backup files? (two version chains)

Thanks for your help

Correct

Yes. but, do remember that the program completes the replacement creation before deleting the old chain so you need storage space for the 3rd full to be created before the first chain of 6 files will be deleted. Youn don't see the creation first but it happens and the need for the extra space is real, othwerwise,you wil get a full disk error message if the space is lacking for the temporary extra full.

So, the next new full (backup #13) is created before the oldest chain of 6 files will be deleted.

Edit-Added: More detail provided.
Custom chain=1 full plus 5 incremental. (chain = 6 files)
Automatic cleanup=Store no more than 2 recent version chains.

GH12. Create Custom Incremental Backup Scheme. 6 Inc, Keep 4 chains. The 6-4 is user choice. Can be changed to 5 and 2 as per below.

Backups 1-13 will be completed.
First deletion will occur instantly after backup #13 (Full b3) has been completed. Version chain 1 of 6 files will be deleted. Backups 7-13 will remain.

Backups 14 -19 will be ccompleted
Second deletion will instantly occur after backup #19 (Full B4) has been completed. Chain 2 (backups 7-12) will be deleted. Backups 13-19 will remain.

Backups 20 -25 will be ccompleted
Second deletion will occur instantly after backup #25 (Full B5) has been completed. Chain 3 (backups 13-18) will be deleted. Backups 19-25 will remain.

Procedure continued.

Many thanks for your help, the backups now seem to be working properly. Removing those xml dirs appear to have been what was needed.

Thanks also for the extra detail on the backup scheme which I am using. For anyone from Acronis reading this I would like to say that I find the program very flexible but confusing when using these 'advanced' settings. Because I treat TI as a 'set and forget' type of application, there is always a learning curve every time I have to go in and change things or create new tasks.

I dont know how practical it would be but I would find it really useful if the application could display the chosen backup scheme in the form of a flow diagram .. 'A picture is worth a thousand words'