True Image 2015 deleted my System Reserved partition!
Having decided that 2015 is not for me, at the moment, I decided to revert to 2014.
I chose to perform an image restore, of an operating system, (pre installation of 2015) from within windows (8.1 - 64 bit), using the restore option in 2015.
What a Catastrophe!
The 2015 restore sequence appeared to run as normal, closing down my PC, starting up in the restore screen, and running through as expected; specifically, restoring both my C drive and the System Reserved partition!
However, when my PC booted up!
Oh dear!
A Black screen, with a message about Boot-manager, or something missing!
It took me two days to realize what had happened, trying everything I could think off!
I started by trying to restore my operating system, using a 2014 bootable media; again trying to restore the pre 2015 operating system - This sequence, again ran as expected, but again, a Black screen of death!
To cut a long story short, I decided to reinstall Windows 8 (Not 8.1 - I only have the Windows 8 DVD).
This appeared to work - I say appeared, as I could boot into Windows 8 - I could also, upgrade successfully to Windows 8.1!
I thought that I had resolved the issue, until, I again tried to bring my operating system up-to-date, by restoring my Acronis image of the pre 2015 operating system - Again, the Black image of death!
Oh, dear!
I had to again re-install Windows 8, from the Windows DVD - Yes, I could boot successfully into Windows!
This time I took a closer look at what I had installed; I opened up Disk Management !
What did I find!
On the top level, the first bar contained my "Operating System (C)" followed by an Unallocated Partition - Not System Reserved, as I would expect - The System Reserved partition, is normally in front of the Operating system partition!
My conclusion!
I believe that 2015 deleted the System Reserved, partition, and failed to replace it during the restore process!
This has never happened with previous versions of Acronis TI - A procedure, I have performed 100's of times!
The end game!
I again commenced the process of re-installing Windows, with the Windows 8 DVD, but this time, I chose the option to delete the partition, containing my previous operating system - this effectively created one unallocated space on this SSD.
After this, Windows 8 installed correctly, and after upgrading to Windows 8.1, I was then able to restore my pre 2015 image of my operating system; this time using my 2014 bootable media
Opening Disk Manager, I now discovered that System Reserved was on the first partition, with my Operating System on the second partition!
So I am now back up and running, and have learned a lesson - Only recover my Operating System, with a bootable media, that has been proven!
2015, is not for me, at the moment!
Hi Colin,
Thank you for your response!
Yes, I agree with you that restoring an operating system should always be done, with the bootable media.
In fact, I also use the bootable media for creating my images of the operating system - I considered this more reliable, but up until now have had no evidence to support this!
However, since Acronis have provided these facilities, in 2015; specifically, to carry out these functions, live from within Windows, I believe that they should work, reliably!
As the saying goes, It should do what it says, on the tin!
My mistake was to try them out!
Back to your questions: - "What type of image had you made, a complete disk or....?"
I'm a bit of belt and braces man!
My "Operating System" and "System Reserved" partitions are on a dedicated Solid State Drive, "C", with all of my personal folders on a 1 TB hard drive!
I have two external USB3 drives, onto which, I have created Acronis FULL only backups (no differential, or incremental, additions), of:-
(1) My "Operating System" and "System Reserved" partitions - I believe this what you refer to as a complete Disc backup!
(2) My "Operating System" partition, only!
(3) My "System Reserved" partition, only!
I have created Acronis images of (1), (2) and (3) above, for
(1) A clean copy of Windows 8.1, with no personal software loaded
(2) And repeated, for several stages, of backups, with varying degrees of software and hardware installed! ---- I have one, with Acronis, 2013 installed, one with Acronis 2014 installed, but I have not created one, with 2015 installed!
As I said, I'm a bit of belt and braces man!
Back to your questions, again: - " If you explore the image do all the partitions show up?"
From the attached images, partitions are not viewable, in Explorer, but are, with Disk Management!
As you can see from the latter, taken with my fully operational system, I have normal partitions, in the correct location.
However, when the problem was present, (cannot show you this), the first partition was occupied by my operating system, and the second was Unallocated!
I can only assume that Acronis 2015 had deleted both partitions, during the restore activity. Then had installed the operating system on the first partition, but failed with the restoration of the System Reserved, partition!
I'll have to check as far as 2015 is concerned, but, in earlier versions just imaging the Os/System partitions did not always result in the MBR (not sure what TI does with GPT partitions) being included. Only a complete disk image copied the MBR and disk ID into the image.
This might be where 2015 let you down. This is not to be confused with earlier version restoring partitions to their wrong locations with GPT disks, that now works correctly in 2015 as far as I'm aware.
I think for the OS disk, you should include complete disk in your backup regimen. That way depending on the failure you can restore just the various partitions or where there has been a fatal disk failure or a new disk the complete disk.
Hi Colin,
Thank you for your latest message.
As a near 80 year old, I am getting a little confused by all of the terminology!
At the moment I have 2014 installed, and as such cannot check out the backup options, on 2015, specifically, with regard to backing up a disk, rather than partitions!
However, with 2014, if I open up "Backup & Recovery" and then "Disk & Partition Backup", I cannot find an option to back up a dedicated disk, only partitions.
By opening up "Disk & Partition Backup" I find that "Operating System" and "System Reserved" are both selected by default - see attached!
Rightly, or wrongly, I have presumed that I have backed up the disk, by using the default selection.
Whatever, in the past, I have never experienced any problems, just restoring the "Operating System" partition, without restoring the "System Reserved" partition
Brian
Brian,
2014:
When looking at the disk/partitions option, click on the 'switch to...' blue text at the top, this will change what you see from a listing of partitions to a listing of disk drives. The disk drives will have the name of the disk manufacturer. Select the disk required (either disk 0 or disk 1, disk 0 is the one you want normally), this will then image the complete disk.
2015 is similar, but will look different due to the changed graphical display interface.
Look at this link from Grovers' guides, which might help.
Hi Colin,
I am most grateful to you for coming back to me on this subject; things are much clearer, now!
As you can see from the attached, I have found the "Switch to Disk Mode" option!
The most useful link, from your message, I found was this, below, which may be useful to other readers, of this topic!
https://forum.acronis.com/forum/28705
Interesting to note that the originator, of the above article, recommends a dedicated folder, for each backup - Not something I have done!
I shall experiment, using this method later, today, again using the bootable media!
Kindest Regards, and thank you for your help!
Brian
Back again, Colin,
After further investigation, it would appear that you do not have the option to select between Disc, or Select Partitions, in the Bootable media; this only applies to the within Windows version!
I have attached a copy of photographs taken, with the bootable media in operation
Regards
Brian Taylor
Brian,
It is annoying that the recovery interface is not the same as you see in Windows, but in this case, the option is still there just presented differently.
In your case all you need to do is select Disk 3 as per your photograph. It should perform the same function as the Windows version. I'm not sure though about the disk signature. I normally make images in Windows and restore via the recovery media.
Just make sure the two partitions stay ticked as well.
Yes, a little annoying, and a little confusing, Colin!
Just as an experiment, I have backed up, using both methods (Live, within Windows, and using the bootable media); three times; once to each of my hard drives!
When I check Properties, of each one, I find that the number of bytes, is different - Size in MBs, varying between 18.2, and 17.9!
Interestingly, the backups, created with the bootable media, were always smaller (only marginal) than the corresponding one (that is the backup image, on the corresponding drive), created live, within Windows!
I cannot account for these small differences, but it is a bit worrying, that the ones created with the bootable media, were always smaller - This begs the question, does selecting the disc option, within Windows, include something, which the bootable media misses out!
I cannot account for these small differences, but it is a bit worrying, that the ones created with the bootable media, were always smaller - This begs the question, does selecting the disc option, within Windows, include something, which the bootable media misses out!
Probably not, the differences might be due to:
1. In Windows, Windows will be writing to the disk being imaged in the background. This would cause a slightly larger image.
2. Linux and Windows will count bytes slightly differently.
If the figures you quoted really are only megabytes and not gigabytes, it is hard to say if 300kB is of significant importance or not with out examining the actual image contents at a disk level.
I received a notice that the backup (2014) needed to go to the current version. I purchased the upgrade and ran a new backup only to find it removed all traces of Windows (any version) from the hard disk. Yes each step was followed correctly, and this left me less than pleased. I have turned my pc to the reputable dealer I purchased it from, and they are going through the arduous task of putting windows back around what appears (I hope) to be my existing program files. If not, a term of school is lost as is my hope to complete my course. And since I purchased the 3fer of acorn is backup, I am stuck with a product I no longer trust....Please pray that my other programs survived, rebuilding my system was not something I thought needed to be done on a simple backup.
I received a notice that the backup (2014) needed to go to the current version. I purchased the upgrade and ran a new backup only to find it removed all traces of Windows (any version) from the hard disk. Yes each step was followed correctly, and this left me less than pleased. I have turned my pc to the reputable dealer I purchased it from, and they are going through the arduous task of putting windows back around what appears (I hope) to be my existing program files. If not, a term of school is lost as is my hope to complete my course. And since I purchased the 3fer of acorn is backup, I am stuck with a product I no longer trust....Please pray that my other programs survived, rebuilding my system was not something I thought needed to be done on a simple backup.
Daniel,
How did you perform the upgrade, via the True Image update or downloaded the complete installer file?
Did you have a Secure Zone or ASRM enabled?
Did the PC ask for a reboot?
When you tried to boot exactly how far did you get?
Was another drive plugged in after the reboot.
This is very strange, I honestly can't see how upgrading has caused the problem you bave.
The only thing I can think of is that the drive lost its partition letters. Did you try temporarily installing your drive into an external USB case and see if anything showed up on another PC?
You've lost me at " 3fer of acorn backup', what were you meaning to say?
Darn that autocorrect and my inability to proof this comment...I meant 3fer of acronis backup as I had just purchased the three system upgrade.
Your questions....as best as I remember:
I turned off the firewall and the security features...against my better judgment
When finished yes after download and after backup
After backup immediately asked for device containing bootable media. Placed in key and began a loop of restore start up command and fix options
Yes, but only when asked for...
I know my way around most software , and have spent years helping others understand hoe easy most features are....this boggled my mid, I have never met a program which deleted with pinpoint accuracy an entire operating system. Definitely not on my ' to be used again' in the future until I know the event does not get repeated....to ensure this I have changed over the hard drive, and I guess I suck up the financial and physical loss as random act of God....this sucked....
Daniel