ABR10 accessing local network

Update:

Since I need to get a backup anyway, I'm using build 13762 using a SATA drive slaved off the Mobo and using an external USB hdd. However in both instances the backup will not progress.

It starts, but the progress doesn't advance and if I stop it after 45 minutes or so, there is no data written to the backup .TIB fill.

Does this mean I'll have to purchase yet another version of Acronis? This will be the third time in as many years.

Another update (sorry) It does appear to work on the external USB, however there is NO activity on the progress bar until it's done so I couldn't tell if anything was happening. Bug?

Anyone?

Hi Bill. I too started using Vostro 260's and Optiplex 390's and the BR10 boot CD doesn't recognize the network cards in either. I wasn't aware that earlier versions recognized those NICs. To be honest regressing backward is not an option.

Acronis doen't seem to be too concerned about it. I have had lengthy discussions about their boot CD and NIC updates. They took 8 steps backwards. It use to be that they put out interim releases of the boot CD with updated NIC drivers. Not any more. They only update NIC drivers on the boot CD when they come out with new builds. Several people have reported the problem with the Vostros and Optiplexes but Acronis just doen't seem to much care.

Then you have double indemnity. BR10 has to be close to end-of-life with, my guess, no more builds to come so chances of getting Acronis to update the NIC drivers on the BR10 boot CD are probably pretty close to zero. Bad move on Acronis's part. I too am done spending any more money with them. This boot CD / NIC driver issue was the straw that broke the camel's back as far as I am concerned.

It is a real pain but I purchased a Intel Pro 1000/CT PCIe NIC and every time I want to make a backup with the boot CD (or restore) I have to take the case off and pop in this Intel NIC because it is one of the few that the BR10 boot CD recognizes.

Of course you could always pay them yet more and upgrade to BR11 but even then, since they only come out with new builds maybe once every six months, the boot CD will only work until they come out with new computers with new NICs :)

Hi Jim and Bil

Sorry to hear about the issues you are facing, have you tried creating a WinPE based boot CD with the required NIC drivers included at yet?

If not it’s a very easy/simple process now with both ABR10 (later builds) and ABR11 as Acronis have removed the need for you to do any command line work manually and have automated/scripted the entire process which is great and many of our customers love the simplicity and how easy it is to create a WinPE disk along with adding the required drivers.

Here is some details on how to create a WinPE boot CD...
http://www.acronis.com/support/documentation/ABR11/index.html#1220.html

I've also recently made some screenshots for another user on the process, here is a link to the forum post were I've uploaded them to if required: http://forum.acronis.com/forum/25017#comment-77345

All the best!

Datastor, thanks for the info. But that's a lot of effort to make something function that should function out of the box.

That's like me buying a car in 2010, but since the engine isn't compatible with the new fuel, I need to replace the injectors and cylinder heads to make it work.

I replace computers on an average of 18 months, I would like some software that will work. I understand that everything has an end of life, but I just bought this a little over a year ago.

I think I'll do what Jim has done. I have an old 3com NIC. It's only 10/100, but it'll work.

Is there another product that I can try other than Acronis? There's Norton Ghost. Anything easier to install NIC drivers into it?

I agree Bill and to add insult to injury the WinPE procedure is not all together there. I know you keep pushing the WinPE disk Datastor but for the price we pay and the maintenance we pay for the software Acronis should keep the booot CD's updated very often.

It would be much simpler (and customer responsive) if Acronis (one person) would periodically update the boot CD as opposed to thousands of end users having to mess with WinPE to get the product they paid for to work as advertised. WinPE is a "work around" not a fix. I for one have been inundate with Acronis "work arounds" and the boot CD is simply one more example of Acronis miss-steps.

Hi Bil and Jim

Sorry to hear you are still having issues, I understand it can be frustrating when things do not work. The main reason I mention the WinPE boot CD is allot of our customers love this feature and find it a very good selling point and we have gained many customers from other products due to this feature. The reason for this is hardware is always changing and no matter what vendor/product you go with you will always face some systems you will run into driver issues with, but having the ability to create and include your own drivers into the boot CD’s can be a big advantage. I would still highly recommend you take a look into this feature as it has been made very easy to use in ABR11 and later builds of ABR10 (no scripting or command lines are required any more!)

I will also definitely make contact with a local Acronis contact I know about your suggestions about Acronis trying to update/maintain the Linux based boot CD and provide updates more often but as mentioned above it’s impossible for any vendor to include support for every piece of hardware (be it brand new, current or old) there is always going to be some compatibility issues but getting it updated more often will definitely help out but the WinPE method I still believe is the most reliable and best method in avoiding these issues.

Hope that explains things a little better but as mentioned above I’m going to see if I can pass your comments and this forum post onto a contact in Acronis to get it looked into.

All the best!