cannot backup two disks into two separate files
Hi all
After upgrading to Acronis 2014 I am having troubles creating backups.
My computer runs Windows 8.1 64bit.
I have two hard drives, and I create full backups for each disk, and save them into the same folder on my external drive. First backup which I call C(Win81)_25_Sep_2014_18_56 is created fine (Acronis adds some garbage to the file name like 'b5_s1_v1' but that's OK), but shows versions=22 (?). After creating backup for second disk (named BIG_DISK_25_Sep_2014_19_09) - if I close Acronis and open it again, both backups are present in the list but first is marked as 'not backed up yet' with no Recover option. And second backup has Versions=23. It looks like Acronis treats these two backups as consequential versions of the same backup without noticing that they were created for different physical disks. Also, second backup has 'total size' bigger than my two hard drives put together. I never had this issue in previous version of Acronis: all files that I created before are still listed as available for recover, have proper total size and versions = 1, as it should be.
Can anybody tell me what is going on? What am I doing wrong?
I attach screenshot of the Acronis list after second backup is done. Picture also shows my old backups for disks MEDIA(M) and BIG_DISK(G) - both ready for recover.
Thank you
PS
I tried to create backups into different folders (as in the picture), with the same result.
Thank you GroverH for the response.
Sorry, I don't understand this. What do you mean by '23 files do exist in the mind (TI database) of the program'?
I don't use scheduled or reusable tasks. My backup is a one-time job. When I want to backup my disk I start TI, create full backup task indicating which disk I want to backup, assign backup name (normally adding time stamp to the name), set other parameters like compression level, and run it right away - only once. Next time it will be different disk/filename. I want each of my backup files to be unique and self-sufficient. It is not supposed to have different 'versions' inside. That's why it is called 'full', not 'differential', not 'incremental' or anything. I don't want TI to create in its 'mind' any links between my current backup and any other backup that I created before or will create in the future. When I create next backup of the same disk or another disk, I don't want TI to establish any logical connections with previous backups.
When I create a backup task for disk G, what makes TI think this is the same task as my previous backup of disk C - even though I specify different target folders and different backup names? This never happened before, with previous version TI 2010. I disabled scheduled tasks, and created my backups one by one - I can still see those files in the TI list. (BTW, yes, I used some of them when restoring my disks after crash and migrating from hard drive to SSD).
So, now you saying I cannot do the same with TI 2014, in other words I don't have control over TI's 'mind'... Well, unfortunately I cannot rollback to TI 2010 which has compatibility issues with Win8.1, so I will have to use some other app like Macrium or something else. (Too bad I don't think Acronis would refund my 2014 upgrade).
If your 2014 upgrade was within the past 30 days, maybe you would qualify for an upgrade to the 2015 version which would be more suited to your backup methods.
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Beginning with the 2012 version, TrueImage switched to database tracking so it 100% different than 2010.
Each time you create a new backup, this will create a backup task which will appear on your main menu. There is no option to prevent the task from being saved and appearing on your main listing of tasks. This task will either be automatically scheduled to run again; or can be saved into a non-scheduled task if you take special steps to save the task as non-scheduled. If you wish, you can keep these task listings on your main screen; or they can be removed from the listing. It is your choce.
Remove task from listings.
GH20. Remove Single Task from Task Menu Listing
If you begin each backup using this step, there should be NO association with prior backups. I would suggest that you store each backup in its own storage sub-folder. If you wish, use one master folder with each backup going into a sub-folder on that master.
Fig 01- First stop in backup creation is the creation of a task.
Please review my signature link 2-1.
The picture 8 is important to you as each time you create a new backup, you will need to change the default scheduled task to a Non-scheduled task.
Picture 17 is also important to you in that you will need to make sure the task is being saved as non-scheduled. Here, you can click the
"Backup now" option to initiate the actual backup and the task will be saved to your main screen for you to either keep or remove task from listings.
The name of the actual backup file (picture 5) can include the @date@ if you wish the file name to include the date. Put a dash or underline before and after to keep separation _@date@_
Another option would be to use the TI Recovery CD and run each of your backups when booted from the CD or usb stick. You really do not even need TI to be installed as any restore should be done from the CD anyway.
I believe you can make 2014 do what you want it to do but you will need to follow the steps above.
You can basically ignore the tracking if you do not reuse the backup tasks.
You may want to clear everything off you main menu and start over with no prior tasks listed. If you wish to do so,
this next link can help. This does not effect your actual backup files which will remain in their storage folders.
GH55. Delete Database History Archives.xml.-- Start over with no tasks listed. Create all new tasks.
Good luck from another user.
GroverH,
Thanks again for the detailed explanation.
I checked your links. The problem is I do everything as you recommend: I create new backup task in disk mode, select disk #1, assign unique task name and unique target folder, push 'Do not schedule' button, and click Backup now button. Backup is created OK. Then I create NEW backup task, select disk #2, again assigning new unique name etc etc, and the second backup is created OK. I can see both files in their respective folders - and I notice immediately that the second file name has a 'bn_s1_v1' suffix with n incremented by 1 comparing to the first file. Somehow, my second full backup task is treated as a next version of my first backup task. After exiting and re-starting TI, first backup invalidated as 'not yet run'.
If it works like this, it is impossible to create two different backup tasks, because every next task is considered by TI as a next version of the first, even though everything is different: task name, selected disk, target folder, etc. Even if I save first task as an 'incremental' or 'differential' - why I cannot create new backup task that starts with b1, version=1 and is not linked to previous task?
That's what I cannot understand.
Change your procedure from "Backup now" to "Backup Later". Then open the new task and click the "Back Up Now" option.
You are getting the "not backed up" because you have created a scheduled task and the schedule has not been executed.
Creating the task initially as a "do not schedule" should eliminate that message.
If you in-advertently save the task as a scheduled task, then change the task to "do not schedule.
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 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!
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.
The actions you are seeing is not normal. Standalone backup are possible.
Questons:
Were these same tasks in use with the prior TI installation or were these created all new with 2014?
Have you restored any of these backups?
As I told you before, I don't have any problems when creating / executing a single backup: I create a task as 'DO NOT SCHEDULE', then press 'Back up now' button, wait for 15 minutes and backup of disk #1 executes just fine. When complete, it is listed properly in TI, file looks good on the external drive. I can exit TI and re-start it again, that backup still appears fine in the list, AVAILABLE FOR RESTORE.
It is when I create SECOND backup task for my disk #2 that I start having troubles:
- Backup name increments version number from previous backup, even though disk is different and backup name is different.
- It executes fine, and when complete, both backups show up in the list properly, but when I exit TI and re-start it, FIRST backup becomes unusable (showing 'not backed up yet'), while SECOND one looks OK - at least it is available for restore (it shows wrong total size but that's another story).
That's why I am saying, that I cannot create TWO different backups. Second one somehow overrides the previous. My guess is that TI treats second one as a next version of the first, which is very strange.
Alex, not to hijack Grover but can you provide a screenshot of your destination directory?
I will try and replicate the issue you are having. While that's happening, can you post a screenshot of your destination directory?
At this point, my suggestion would be to un-install 2014 and ruin the cleanup program. (signature link4 below).
This will not affect your tib backup files but all task will need or should be recreated.
I have 2015 installed so I cannot perform an new actual test using 2014. The 2015 version produces a B1 each time a new task is created.
The actions you are seeing is not normal procedures. When you create a new task and new backup, the fiirst backup should be a standalone and be a B1, S1, V1 when the task is run the first time. Each time a new task is created via the first step of selecting the figure 1, post 1 above, the resulting first backp should be the B1, S1,V1 setting. As you are not getting that result, I would start over with a fresh installation.
David,
Feel free to enter the discussion. Others comments always welcome. Two heads are often better than one.
Grover
Thank you GroverH
I will try to uninstall and start from the scratch... But, you say 2015 produces B1 for every new task - does that mean 2014 DOES NOT do that?
Daniel,
there is nothing interesting in my destination folder (see picture). I tried to direct files to different folders - didn't help, filenames and behavior were basically the same, with smaller Bn numbers ...
I am looking at the two screenshots you posted, and something doesn't add up.
In the screenshot you attached to your original post it shows the task C(Win81)_25_Sep_2014_18_56 having the backup location of "X:\BACKUP\Acronis 2014\" but the task BIG_DISK_25_Sep_2014_19_09 has the backup location of "X:\BACKUP\Acronis 2014\BIG_DISK\"
In the screenshot you attached to your last post it shows both files located in the "X:\BACKUP\Acronis 2014\" folder
can you post a screenshot of the "X:\BACKUP\Acronis 2014\BIG_DISK\" folder?
After reading and re-reading the posts in this thread, I have chewed on what it is that you are doing and I confess that it seems to be overly complicated. Acronis has the functionality to make what you are trying to do VERY easy.
That being said, I would like to see a screenshot of your Backup scheme (Disk Backup Options) for each task ... I have attached an example
Daniel,
I've moved the file after first post trying to check if it affects TI's list of available backups. But this picture corresponds to my first test, though file names were different (with earlier time stamps). I started with single destination folder, created two backups. Then noticed TI only shows last of them. Then I deleted both files and tried again, this time using separate folder for BIG_DISK. Same problem. That's when I posted my first picture. Then I realized that having different destination folders does not help, and moved BIG_DISK backup to Acronis 2014 folder.
I don't see anything complicated in what I am doing:
1) I create not-scheduled task to backup my disk C, and run it. It works fine.
2) I create second not-scheduled task to backup my second disk BIG_DISK, and run it. It works fine.
There is nothing complicated up to this point, right? I just want to have separate backup files: one for each of my disks.
That's what I did yesterday - the same routine I did many times before in Acronis TI 2010.
After completion of the second backup, I checked the TI's list, destination folder, closed TI and went to watch my favorite show on TV.
When I came back an hour later and re-started TI, I noticed that my first backup (for disk C) is shown in TI's list as 'not backed up yet'. That's when I realized there is a problem and started posting my questions. (good thing is that my backups only last about 10-15 minutes so I could make few experiments in one night). Now I am tired of this. I cannot post the screenshot of my backup scheme that you requested because I uninstalled TI 2014 already, but believe me, the schema looked pretty normal, very similar to your example and in line with what is recommended by GroverH.
As he suggested, I will probably do it over again someday, but not now.
Thank you
But, you say 2015 produces B1 for every new task - does that mean 2014 DOES NOT do that?
I have no way of knowing. As I mentioned in post, I do not have 2014 installed so cannot perform a testing using 2014. I believe you are the first to post this behavior since 2014 was released. If this were frequent problem, this would have been reported numerous times. I believe TI 2014 can produce standalone backup but I don't know why it will not do so for you. This is why we keep asking for settings, etc. We are trying to see the actual settings to determine what is wrong.
I noticed that my first backup (for disk C) is shown in TI's list as 'not backed up yet'.
As I mentioned in earlier postings.
When you see that message, your task was saved as a scheduled task the message intent is to tell you the scheduler has not yet been used.
If you look at the destination folder for that backup file, you will find the file exists and TI knows it exists. The message is just an FYI saying no backup has been produced by the scheduler. It is NOT saying you have no backups. You can make that message go away by changing the task scheduler from scheduled to "do not schedule". Better yet, You can prevent the message from ever appearing by saving the initial task as a "do not schedule" task and using the "save later" option so the backup is initiated from the completed task via the Backup Up now option inside the task, as shown above in "Figure 17.
Alex,
I am curious about
How was 2014 installed?
Was it installed overtop of 2010; or was 2010 uninstalled first.
Did you use automated update or did you install 2014 fresh or overtop of existing?
Also, have you performed any restore of drive C since 2014 was first installed?
Which build are you using of 2014?
GroverH,
I did not worry much about 'not backed up yet' status. What I worried about was the absence of 'Recover' option for that file (see my first picture). Yes, file is there, but it does no good if I cannot use it for restore.
Anyway, bottom line is that from yours and Daniel's comments I realized there is something wrong with the installation. So I have uninstalled TI 2014 completely. Maybe, I'll try 2015 version later.
Thank you
Alex
The lack of a recover button in the task does not mean you cannot restore the file. There are multiple ways. You can add the backup file via the method shown in Gh21; or you right click on the tib file within Wiindows Explorer and choose the TrueImage/restore option; or you can boot the the TI recovery CD and restore when booted from tghe CD.
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.
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Be sure and try the trial version of 2015 before you purchase. Some like it and many do not.
Alex,
I am curious about
How was 2014 installed?
Was it installed overtop of 2010; or was 2010 uninstalled first.
Did you use automated update or did you install 2014 fresh or overtop of existing?
Also, have you performed any restore of drive C since 2014 was first installed?
2014 was installed on the top of 2010, not so long ago. I don't remember details - most likely I just ran installation program and followed the prompts.
I did not restore any of 2014 backups yet.
Thank you for the follow-up. I believe there is a really good chance that a fresh install (after running the cleanup utility) that the problems you have described would not longer exist.
Before you do anything more, take the time to boot from one of your TI Recovery Cd and when booted from the CD,
create a fresh backup of your disk, or at least of drive C Windows partition so that you have a safety valve recovery in case you do not like 2015,
If you only did an uninstall of 2014, take the time to run the TI Cleanup Utility so that ALL remmants are removed before installing 2015 or 2014.
If you try and do not like 2015, do run the Cleanup utiliy again to return to a fresh system.
Of course, a restore of your Windows Drive C from any of your prior backups will put your restored partition back to whatever version of TrueImag was iinstalled at time of backup.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
Where is the Clean Up utility and what does it do? I have already uninstalled 2014, can I find Clean Up on the bootable CD? Is it enough to remove some files/folders etc?
My signature link #4 contains a link to the TrueImge Cleanup Utility.
It removes Acornis stuff from the registry and files which may be left behind by the uninstall progams--both current and past installation.
Often times, this left behind items are not readily apparent to the user. Because you have had problems with the normal methods, my suggestion is that vif you plan to install TrueImge (any version) in the future, that you run the cleanup utility sometime prior to your new installation so is not affected by remnants of prior installs.
As suggested before, I would take time to do a backup before running any cleanup program by any vendor.
It just pays to have a recovery option (a plan b) anytime you make changes to your computer.