Unable to Restore Validated Backups
Running Acronis Ver 11.0 Build 8053, I have been using this version for many years and always worked flawlessly.
After changing the motherboard and CPU, and doing a fresh Windows XP SP3 install, I can no longer restore any image. All other software works perfectly, EXCEPT ACRONIS, which is what I need most.
Here are the details:
XP shows all drivers and everything functioning in Device Manager, Acronis shows all drives present in Windows Explorer. I can do as many backups as I want and they all backup successfully and checked with the validated backup archives.
The Bios recognizes all drives and Sata mode selection is set to IDE, cannot use AHCI mode with XP since it will blue screen. The HD is Sata and functions perfectly.
I’ve tried restoring through Windows XP with the reboot method and the Recovery CD, both methods fail.
Acronis loads, then displays the operation progress screen, that screen remains for about 1 minute, then the system reboots without restoring. I have uninstalled & installed Acronis numerous times and cleaned the registry entries, it still does not work.
The motherboard is an Asus P8H67-M Pro with a Pentium I5 Processor, also using a PCI Express Video card.
Bios and all drivers have been updated. The Bios is the new EFI type with mouse control.
I suspect the restore problem is Bios related but unable to determine what is causing it.
I’m not sure, but It seems like it can’t find the hard drive to restore the image back.
I am at my wits end with this having spent over 30 hours troubleshooting. Acronis is my most treasured software that has saved me numerous times, I must have this working. Kindly don’t suggest a newer version since I’ve tried the newest trial version and that too fails. A friend of mine has version 11 installed on a 64 bit Windows 7 OS and it works fine.
Any suggestions of what could be causing the problem are sincerely appreciated.
Thanks for the reply.
I realize V 11 is old but it still remains my favorite and works with Window 7 64 bit as Microsft acknowledges it. IIt worked fine before the new I5 processor and motherboard, The old motherboard was a socket 1156 with an Intel I3 clarksdale processor.
The new recovery cd created with the fresh Acronis install behaves identically as doing a restore through a reboot in XP. As I stated "Acronis loads, then displays the operation progress screen, that screen remains for about 1 minute, then the system reboots without restoring".
I have built 4 computers without any problems so I'm fairly knowledgeable,I have a lot of patience, but I am really getting frustrated.
What else do you think it can be?
Well, it couldn't possibly restore anything if you hadn't yet selected a backup archive to restore or a target disk to receive the restoration. If your description is accurate, it fails when loading before you've been able to do anything.
It does sound rather like the old Recovery Media doesn't support your new hardware. I tried an older Recovery Media with my one-year old laptop, and it was able to boot but often had trouble recognizing disks. The 2012 Recovery Media worked somewhat better, but still very slow and wouldn't recognize external drives unless connected at just the right point. The latest 2013 Recovery Media works much, much better.
I understand the wish to continue with older software apps, as they're familiar and there's no incremental cost. Heck, I use Office 2000 on Windows 7 64-bit (it required a bit of tinkering, but now it works well). But, backup and recovery are mission-critical tasks, so you need something that is reliable and fully compatible with your setup.
As far as selecting the backyp archive, that's not a problem, I've done it hundreds of times.
I understand what you saying about the old version, but I'v tried the trial version with the newest Acronis Trial version and get the same results. I do believe the versions are backwards compatible meaning a newer version can back up a .tib file generated by an older version. So by using the latest Acronis version it should be able to restore the image created with Ver 11.
The old motherboard and procesor were two years old so not that old and ver 11 worked perfectly.
Do you think it could be video driver related? I used the same PCIE video card that worked on the old motherboard. I am wondering if I try to use the I5 on board video if this may solve the problem.
As far as selecting the backyp archive, that's not a problem, I've done it hundreds of times.
I'm confused. When I asked you to detail the steps you took, you didn't say that you were able to select a backup archive. You said only:
"Acronis loads, then displays the operation progress screen, that screen remains for about 1 minute, then the system reboots without restoring".
So again I ask:
Please explain clearly and in sequence exactly what happens when you boot to the Recovery CD and attempt to restore.
If we don't know exactly what you did and what occurred, then we can't accurately diagnose.
My apologies, I should have been clearer, after all these hours my mind n0 longer functioning properly.
Boot order is 1st boot CD, then hard Drive.
Insert recovery disk, boots to recovery disk and starts acronis loader.
I am now receiving th
is message where before it just shut down.
Error E000101F4
Acronis has not found any hard drive disks.
Edited: Folllow Up
Thinking perhaps the recovery CD was defective, I just burned a new one.
Rebooted and still get the same error E000101F4 message.
This sounds like an issue where the Rescue Media does not have support for the hard disk controllers on the new system board.
This sounds like an issue where the Rescue Media does not have support for the hard disk controllers on the new system board.
Sounds logical but it even does it if I try to restore through the reboot process while in XP which has all the controllers that windows needs the restore fails.
I did a search for Error code E000101F4 and found a band aid fix.
You must have Sata controller in IDE mode for windows to boot or else it would blue screen, but this also disables the recovery using the Recovery disk since it is looking for IDE device and can't find one.
From the search the solution I found was to insert the Recovery Disk, then reboot, and immediately enter Bios.
Once in Bios, you must change the Sata controller from IDE to Sata.
Then reboot, the recovery disk now finds the archived backups, although the drive letters are completely off. I found the proper folder and restored the desired file. When restore finished
I had to immediately go back into Bios and change back to IDE or the boot would blue screen.
Once back at IDE mode the System rebooted and the image was restored. A very difficult way to do it but in an emergency it can work.
It has to be something in these new EFI bios's since the system worked as it should on the old motherboard using a conventional bios setup. I will need to investigate further to see how I can correct the problem. I suppose Windows 7 would be a solution but I like things simple and don't need all the bells and bloatware Windows 7 has, I'd imagine Windows 8 will even have more.
If anyone else is using a system that has the EFI type bios and running XP, please advise if Acronis works properly for you and what version you are using.
This sounds like an issue where the Rescue Media does not have support for the hard disk controllers on the new system board.
Sounds logical but it even does it if I try to restore through the reboot process while in XP which has all the controllers that windows needs the restore fails.
I did a search for Error code E000101F4 and found a band aid fix.
You must have Sata controller in IDE mode for windows to boot or else it would blue screen, but this also disables the recovery using the Recovery disk since it is looking for IDE device and can't find one.
From the search the solution I found was to insert the Recovery Disk, then reboot, and immediately enter Bios.
Once in Bios, you must change the Sata controller from IDE to Sata.
Then reboot, the recovery disk now finds the archived backups, although the drive letters are completely off. I found the proper folder and restored the desired file. When restore finished
I had to immediately go back into Bios and change back to IDE or the boot would blue screen.
Once back at IDE mode the System rebooted and the image was restored. A very difficult way to do it but in an emergency it can work.
It has to be something in these new EFI bios's since the system worked as it should on the old motherboard using a conventional bios setup. I will need to investigate further to see how I can correct the problem. I suppose Windows 7 would be a solution but I like things simple and don't need all the bells and bloatware Windows 7 has, I'd imagine Windows 8 will even have more.
If anyone else is using a system that has the EFI type bios and running XP, please advise if Acronis works properly for you and what version you are using.
To be clear, Windows XP does support SATA AHCI mode (even in RAID mode) with the correct drivers supplied during installation, (using the F6 option or adding the drivers via a slipstream method to the installation media). I have an HP system running Windows XP SP3 on an Intel SATA AHCI RAID array with no problems.
The UEFI firmware that is on newer system boards works with XP with no problem. UEFI firmware sometimes creates issue with bootable media, and there are sometimes options present to switch between legacy BIOS and UEFI mode on some system boards. I have found that booting the system to bootable media works better on some systems if the firmware is set to legacy BIOS instead of UEFI. After using the bootable media, it is best to reset the firmware back to UEFI mode. UEFI mode is necessary if using Vista (64 bit) or higher and using a greater than 2TB drive as the boot drive.
Changing from IDE to SATA AHCI/RAID (or the other way as well) mode will definitely cause a blue screen when booting Windows (any version), as Windows was installed with the drivers for one or the other, and changing the controller mode requires different drivers in Windows.
James,
Many thanks for your help, I sincerely appreciate it.
The mobo does have option for legacy ROM bios or EFI compatible in the boot menu. It was always set to legacy.
Interesting that you say your HP works with AHCI enabled. At this juncture I am totally exhausted for an old man. I think I will do a freah XP SP3 install and load the Achi/Raid drivers I have downloaded from Asus for my Mobo since it works for you. A new install with the AHCI drivers may be better then spending countless hours trying to fix the Acronis problem.
Two questions I will will start the new install.
1-Should I configure Bios to use Legacy Rom or UFI Compatible before the installation.
2- What media should I have the Achi/Raid driver on so I can installwith the fresh XP installation, CD or flash drive, there is no floppy in the PC.?
Edited-
I Forgot to ask will Acronis now work both using Acronis Windows based restore, and the recovery disk, or only the recovery disk?
Also when the install is completed with the raid drivers can I set it to Sata mode or must it still be IDE to avoid the BSOD.
I would start the new install by setting the firmware to the factory defaults. Only changing settings from the defaults to reflect your configuration. (for example no floppy drive, etc.) The default mode will be easier to reset back to if your system needs to be setup from scratch again. Many systems will default to IDE mode, but I would recommend AHCI mode for the hard disk controller if possible, but in your case, unless you are comfortable with slipstreaming a Windows XP install disk and creating a new one with the drivers added to the installation media, it may be best for you to stay with the IDE mode.
The problem with XP and AHCI drivers is that unless you have a floppy drive, you would need to slipstream the new drivers into the installation media which requires some knowledge of the procedure or at least following directions provided on the web on how to do it. It does require some time and preparation before hand, but is not that difficult to do, if you wish to pursue that route.
James,
Thanks for the the useful instructions, I did have two more quetions added to my previous post that I edited. Kindly answer them if possible.
Rather than go through all the trouble of slip streaming I have another option. My other PC has a floppy that I can remove and install in the new PC. Fortunately the MOBO I have is one of the few newer ones with a Ide header. I will copy the Ahci drivers to a floppy and install them while doing the new install.
Before the install I will set the Bios to default except change the mode from IDE to Sata, will this work?
Sorry for all these questions but I want to get it right.
William,
The IDE header will not run a floppy disk drive. If your system board has a floppy disk controller header, then you could connect the floppy drive to your system and use a floppy disk with the drivers on it for use during the Windows XP install.
Changing the BIOS settings to the defaults except changing the disk controller mode from IDE to SATA would be the prudent way to leave the BIOS settings for doing a new install. Once you set the disk controller mode, you should not change the settings, this is where you will run into problems.
All system disk / partition restores should be made from the recovery media not from within Windows. You can use Acronis in Windows to restore files and folders as well as partitions that are not marked active or system without issues. Any time your restore your system drive/partition from Acronis within Windows, Acronis will have to restart into the Linux based recovery environment and then try to do the restore. It is always best to do system recovery/restores from the bootable Rescue Media.
Your best course of action is to slipstream your SATA drivers into the Windows XP media and perform a clean install.
Take a look at some of the links on google on how to slipstream with nLite. Search google for "slipstream sata drivers into windows xp using nlite"
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=slipstream+sata+drivers+into+windows+xp+using+nlite
James,
Don't you ever sleep, 0014 post time, I did the slipstream before your post.
I found out the hard way after yanking the floppy drive out of my PC and attempting to connect to the IDE header on the new motherboard I discovered the cable connector was larger and wouldn't work.
I then Googled and used the maxeasyguide link to slipstream Sata drivers into the XP install.
I downloaded the latest Intel Sata drivers from Asus, the motherboard manufacturer.
I checked the new XP slipstreamed created CD and the Sata drivers were there in the root directory along with two LAST SESSION .ini files, one of them indicated: [GUI Run Once] then under drivers it displayed the Intel Sata drivers that I installed with Nlite.
It showed both the IAAHCI and IAStor .inf files
It appears the slipstream was done properly since the run once does instruct to install the drivers.
Now for the bad news, leaving the Bios settings at default, only changing the mode to Sata I began the new install. I was unsure to press F6 at startup so I did and then came the screen to install from floppy.
Since that was wrong, I did another feesh install, I letting XP go through the normal install.
I later discovered the Sata drivers did not install and Acronis does not work. Looked in Device Manger under Ide/Atapi Controllers and discovered the two Serial Ata drivers loaded, it did NOT display and AHCI drivers.
Obviously something went wrong either with the NLITE slipstream or the Intel drivers downloaded from the ASUS download site for my motherboard.
I'm sorry to be a PITA but do you have any suggestions of what I could have done wrong.
I don't know when you will be able to respond, in the mean time I will continue to do Google search on what I could have done wrong with the slipstream or improper Sata drivers.
These are the drivers I downloaded for my Asus P8H67-M Pro Motherboard. There were two folders for drivers in the download, both 32 bit and 64 bit, I installed the 32 bit drivers into Nlite
Version 10.5.0.1026
Description Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver software V10.5.0.1026 for Windows XP 32bit & Vista 32bit & Win7 32bit---(WHQL).
Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver software V10.5.0.1026 for Windows XP 64bit & Vista 64bit & Win7 64bit---(WHQL).
Make Intel AHCI/RAID Driver Disk Windows XP 32bit & XP 64bit & Vista 32bit & Vista 64bit & Win7 32bit & Win7 64bit---(WHQL).
File Size
251,85 (MBytes) 2012.03.13 update
William,
The drivers that you injected using nlite are only needed for the Windows XP installation media to "see" the hard disk controllers and SATA hard drives when in AHCI mode during installation. Since you could install Windows XP (while the system was in AHCI mode) after slipstreaming the SATA drivers, then the slipstream worked correctly. Remember that AHCI is an operational mode of a SATA drive and controller combination. The slipstream added support for the SATA controller in AHCI mode.
Windows XP (during install) looks at the hardware in your system and installs the drivers it thinks it needs. In your case, the standard SATA drivers (as opposed to standard IDE). Did you check to see which manufacturers drivers were installed for the SATA controllers? (Device Manager / Driver Details / for the SATA controllers). Your system is running in AHCI mode with these drivers if your BIOS is set to AHCI mode. If you want to install the Intel RST drivers, you can do so after downloading and running the Intel chipset update utility. This helps to correctly identify the SATA controller so that the RST drivers can be installed. (This may be more trouble than it is worth, as you may not gain any additional performance over the standard SATA drivers.)
James,
I don't think the Sata drivers were installed.
You said:
"Did you check to see which manufacturers drivers were installed for the SATA controllers?"
I don't see any Sata controllers in any of the tabs. I think they should be in the "SYSTEM DEVICES"section, but they are not present there or in the IDE ATA/Atapi section.
Could the problem be that the XP disk I used already was slipstreamed years ago with Nilte with SP3.
When using Nlite, does all the slipstreaming have to be done at the same time, or can one add to a already slipstreamed disk. There are no .ini files on the disk I used with SP3 slipstreamed, but as stated the new Sata slipstreamed has two .ini files.
I'm getting exhausted and not thinking clearly anymore. I am in the process of creating a new disk and then will try a fresh install and confirm while Bios set in AHCI that the install goes properly.
Edit Update:
I was wrong (Having Massive Senior Moments) when changing Sata to AHCI in bios and attemping to do new install with Sata slipstreamed CD I get get BSOD.