WIN 8 Differential Backup Fails

If you have not restarted the system, do that and then try the backup again.

I shut the PC completely down every night so it has been restarted in between the backup attempts. BTW, I use to do this exact same backup with WIN 7 and True Image 2011.

Try creating a completely new backup task pointing to a new empty folder on the destination drive and see if it is related to the task, or Acronis itself. If you get the same results with the new task, you could do a repair install of 2013 by starting the 2013 installation .exe file and choosing a repair install. This will re-install the Acronis SnapAPI drivers that control the "locking" of the drives/partitions for backup purposes.

I created a new backup task and pointed it to a new empty folder with the same failing results. I did the same thing with one of my personal folders and it created a full backup and a differential backup just fine. I did do a repair, rebooted and tried again with the same results. It did work on the "Recovery" disk when I removed the "C:" disk from the backup. When I remove the "Recovery" disk from the backup and leave in the "C:" disk it fails immediately after trying to lock partition C:.

Normally this is caused by a third party application that has the volume locked if not an Acronis True Image error. Doing the repair should have corrected the issue if the Acronis drivers needed to be updated or re-installed.
What application and security software do you have installed that was not installed when the first full was created?

I'm running Vipre Antivirus by GFI. However, I just checked and the original Full backup was done a full day after I installed Vipre (see below). I did turn Vipre off and received the same results. I'm including a doc of my programs. Since this is a new install there aren't very many yet. Most of them were installed before I did a backup.
Win_8_Differential_Backup_full_b1_s1_v1 11/3/2012 10:10 PM Acronis True Image Backup Archive 96,498,185 KB

Carol,

I don't see any problems with what you have installed.
Can you post a screen shot of your Windows Disk Management screen showing your drive partitions?

Attached.

MVP James will respond upon seeing your post but a suggestion and a couple questions.

1. It would help you in future recoveries f you were to assign a name to your current drive C.
Click on Computer
then RIGHT click on Drive C.
Select properties.
Type a name into the open Windows. My suggestion for a name would be
Win-8_C
or
Windows-8_C
Save the changes.

2. Questions: Has the problem task ever been edited?
3. When creating the backup task, are you selecting individual partitions? or are you selecting the entire disk while in Disk mode. This link shows the best way to select the entire disk for backup. This option is available by clicking the option "switch to disk mode".

http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/2012-htb/2012-…

This is an example of how to set up differential backups. Change the 6 and 4 to fit your needs.
http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/2012-htb/2012-…

1. I have renamed the drive to Win-8_C.
2. Yes, after it failed and I have created new tasks - none of which work.
3. I was selecting individual partitions. I have followed the suggestions and created a new backup (new task and new output folder on J:). It failed once it got to the locking step of the C: drive.

I have attached a copy of the event log and the email notification info.

First, I suggest you get a new current backup. Boot iinto the TI Recovery CD and create a backup when booted from the CD.
This link will show you how although it was created for the 2010 version, it is mostly the same as 2013 CD.
Just be sure and checkmark the disk option and not the individual partitions. Once the disk is checked, all partition will become checked.

http://forum.acronis.com/sites/default/files/mvp/user285/guides/2010-ti…

The above should get you a full and complete backup. Be sure and check the validate option as shown in the guide above.

Later, Can you stop or turn off any Virus or malware checking program and try to rerun the backup inside Windows by clicking the Backup Now option.

You might also want to consider perform a disk check for disk errors on all partitions.
From a command prompt (hopefully a Win 7 command will still work on 8)
This could take several hours.
CHKDSK C: /R

Carol,

Are you selecting all of the partitions on disk 0 in your task?

Is so, create three new tasks, one for each partition individually.
Then run each one to see exactly which partition is not able to be locked.
I want to be sure that the "C" drive is the problem partition.

Also could you open task manager and provide a screen capture of the Startup Tab?.

Her attachment show Roxio is installed so this could be an issue if one its programs is running while a backup is created. I forget the specific name of the Roxio program which does the re-writable and attempts to run all the time.

Ok, first I created an Acronis recovery CD, booted into it and created a full backup successfully. I uninstalled Vipre totally, rebooted, reran the backup task and it failed again on locking the C: drive. I have run each partition individually. Only the C: drive failed, although the "unnamed partition" and the "Datapart1" folders on the target disk were empty. The "Recovery" folder had data in it. I have attached the info.

Thank you guys for helping me through this. I so appreciate your help!!

Carol,

Thanks for the info posted so far.

A couple of things to try.

Open a elevated command prompt by pressing the Windows Start key (to get to the Windows tiles screen) and typing "cmd.exe" (without the quotes), when you see "cmd.exe" on the left hand side of your screen, right-click it and select "Run as Administrator" from the bottom of the screen. Once you have the elevated command prompt open, run Windows Disk Check on the "C" drive by typing "chkdsk c: /r" (without the quotes). This will require you to set it to run on the next boot. Do so, and reboot your system and let Windows check your disk for any file system errors. This may take quite some time on your drive (an hour or more possibly).

After the system finishes the disk check, and boots up, try and run the failing task again.

If you still have problems running the task to completion, please provide us with the following:

Take a look at this application from Windows Sysinternals http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
At the bottom of the web page, you can run the program from a live server. (You can also download this handy utility and keep it for later use.)
Please run the program, and save the results (after the scanning is finished - only takes a moment) as an .arn file then zip it up and attach it to a post here for us to look at.

James

The program Grover is thinking of is InCD and it has been known to upset True Image in the past. I would suggest disabling InCD after getting James F the information he mentioned and see if True Image bursts into life as far as your 'C' partition is concerned.

I just updated my post above.

File is attached.

I am ready to reboot and run the chkdsk. Will try the backup task after it finishes. I didn't see InCD in program files or processes, etc. I'm not sure where to look for it.

Carol,

I will review your posted results and get back to you.
We can use autoruns to disable some items to check if any are causing the lock issue if the disk check does not help.
I need some sleep as it is 3:18am in the US where I am.
I'll check back in the AM at some point.

InCD will not be on your system, I believe it is a Nero product not Roxio.

James F wrote:

InCD will not be on your system, I believe it is a Nero product not Roxio.

Smacks head - of course it is - but Roxio has 'Drag to Disk' which is a similar utility.

MVP James indicated he would check in later. For now,
I tried to read your autoruns zip attachment in post #18 but the program would only display my configuration and not yours.

Another approach might be to look at the startup items in MSConfig. A more detailed link is below if you need more info about MsConfig.

http://www.computerperformance.co.uk/win8/windows8-msconfig-utility.htm

Into the Run window, type MSConfig and press Enter

A Windows should open which reads System Configuration with 5 tab columns.
Click on the Column labelled "Startup"
Each item checked is being started at Startup.
Examine the checked items and see what you have listed under the Roxio path such as Drag to Disk.
if Drag To Disk is listed, uncheck the item.
Before you exit the program
Click on the column labelled "General"
Recheckmark the "Nomal Startup" so this item is highlighted or selected before you close the program
Click Apply
Click OK to exit the program and reboot the computer.
----------------------------
After the reboot,
reopen MsConfig same as before
Click on the Column labelled "Startup"
Re-examine the listing and confirm that Drag to Disk remains unchecked.
Before you exit the program
Click on the column labelled "General"
Recheckmark the "Nomal Startup" so this item is highlighted or selected before you close the program
Click Apply
Click OK to exit the program and reboot the computer.
-----------------------------------------------
Note: If Drag and drop was still checked on the recheck process, then you will have to open Roxio and uncheck the Drag to Dsk startup settings from within the Roxio program.

Advise us of the results.

If Drag to disk has been stopped, Reopen Windows TrueImage and click the "BACKUP NOW" option to create a new next backup.

Edit: Note to all.
In the initial post, a full plus differential is being done, why does the word "incrmental" appear in line labeled as 6

Grover,

The Startup Items in Windows 8 have been moved to Task Manager.

Grover,

In post #10 she did indeed try a differential backup. Looks like both the incremental Test Backup in the first post as well as subsequent differential tasks are failing with the same "lock" problem.

You should be able to open the autoruns.arn file she posted by using the "File Open" option in Autoruns.exe or double clicking the *.arn file. (Works fine on my system).

I have some ideas but need to know the results of the backup task after running the Disk Check.

James

Yes, the autoruns opened on my Win7 system but wouldn't in XP . Her data shows Desktop Disc Tool by Roxio running at start which may need to be unchecked.

I won't post any more right now so as not to confuse the issue. You should continue.

My point about the incremental message was that line 2 shows the backup to be a diff and but line 6 says inc???

Ran the chkdsk. retried the backup with only the C: disk and it failed again with the usual messages. Yes, I did try both a differential and an incremental backup earlier both failing on the lock.

Carol,

Can you post your Windows Update history?

I'm trying to get a timeline of events from before and after the successful backup.

James

Attached.

Carol,

Thanks for he post. I am really busy today, and will get back to you in a while with some suggestions to try and resolve the issue, or find a workaround. I believe that you may have at least one service or program running that may be the cause the "lock" issue, but can't be sure until you do some testing.

An additional piece of information would be helpful.

Open Device Manager, double-click the hard disk that contains the "C" drive, open the driver tab, select the Drive Details button, and post a screen capture of the information displayed, it may be of some use.

James

James,

I have attached the driver details for the hard disk.

I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me sort through this.

Carol

Carol,

Thank you, the Windows updates look to be fine and the disk drivers are correct.

I'm still in the process of studying the autoruns file you posted.

James

Carol,

Before we make any changes, be sure you have a current backup of your system.
(Obviously made from the Rescue Media)

Lets start with disabling the following items using Autoruns.
These can be re-enabled after testing.

Open Autoruns.exe and then click "File" and then "run as admistrator.

Remove the checkmarks from the following items:
(Do not delete the items!)

Under the Logon Tab -
Absolute Notifier
Desktop Disk Tool

Under the Services Tab -
Absolute Notifier
RoxMediaDB10
rpcld
rpcnet
Session Launcher
stllssvr

Under the Drivers Tab -
GearAspiWDM
PxHlpa64
RxFilter

Close Autoruns, and restart your system.
You may get some complaints upon startup, but continue anyway.
Try and run the backup task again and post your results.

James

James,

Well, we got TI's attention. Now it won't come up. The TI Startup screen appears and it says "Loading, please wait..." and nothing ever happens. I totally shutdown and tried it again with the same results.

Carol

Carol,

Try doing a repair install of 2013 while the system is configured as is. Then try the backup again.

Post you results.

James,

No change. TI still won't come up.

Carol,

Lets re-enable the items that have been disabled and reboot. Then lets get True Image back up and running again before trying anything else.

Did you add the Lojack program to your system, or did it come with it pre-installed?

James

James,

Ok, it's back up and running.

Lojack came pre-installed. However, after installing WIN 8, the Absolute Notifier icon and program seemed to be missing so I downloaded Absolute Notifier from the website. Before I did that I had logged on to the website and made sure that my pc was still in contact which it was. I just couldn't see it on my pc anymore.

Carol

Was this an upgrade to Windows 8 from a Windows 7 system?

Yes. I chose the option to start fresh - not to save (reuse) anything.

I'm glad to here that you did a new install. That is by far the best way to get Windows 8 up and running properly.

I'm shooting at straws here, and I normally don't like to do this type of work in a forum. I am a computer technical support specialist and run my own business. I am a little uncomfortable asking you to enable and disable services and startup items on your system. With that being said, I will continue to offer support as I can, but it may be a good idea to have Acronis take a look at this issue as well. I have noticed that several of the applications you are running do not officially support Windows 8 (but probably run okay). The Roxio software is one. (It's drivers are dated 2009 on your system) http://corel.force.com/roxio/articles/en_US/Master_Article/000015286-Wi…
Normal troubleshooting usually involves the process of elimination to pin point the problems with any system.
Using the autoruns is the best way for you to troubleshoot your installation, since you can make changes easily.
I would continue to experiment with the items I have listed above. Try just the drivers items (maybe even one at a time), rebooting between the changes and testing Acronis. Then move on the services items doing the same.

As an alternative, you could uninstall the programs you installed in reverse date order and test Acronis along the way.
The Creative and Epson products would be my first choices. If you find that Acronis then works after removing a program, re-install the rest and continue to test without installing that particular program until last.

James,

I uninstalled Roxio but it had no affect. The backup still died on the lock. Of any of the products I would have suspected Roxio as I have had a hate relationship with it ever since my Dell XPS and VISTA.

I will do as you suggested with eliminating the items one at a time.

I worked for 34 years in the IT industry but it was almost all in the IBM Mainframe arena in the Systems (hardware and software) and Quality Assurance areas (a little programming as well) so I'm use to troubleshooting and experimenting. My problem is that I came into the pc environment using DOS and then hired PC people while I continued to support the mainframe so I'm not as comfortable experimenting but as long as someone points me in the right direction I'm willing to give it a shot.

Carol

James,

I removed Creative Sound Blaster with no difference to the backup. I also did the drivers and services one at a time. When PxHlpa64 is unchecked it is the one stopping TI from loading. However, none of them allowed the backup to run. Will continue working on uninstalling programs.

thanks,

Carol

According to Microsoft that file belongs to Roxio. From what they say it lives in the upper filters entry in registry, just where the True Image filter also lives.

The Microsoft remedy isn't one I would take lightly, so I'll leave it to James F to see where to go from here.

Just a final note - I ended up reinstalling WIN 8 and all of the software. I performed a backup in between each software install. The backup worked each time. The only thing that I did different from the original install was changed the order of software installs, didn't try to install Print Shop, which failed the first time due to .NET framework 1.1 being required, (and no, it wouldn't work with any higher versions), reinstalled the Lojack software entirely instead of just the Absolute Notifier, and changed my HomeGroup settings. I did test different HomeGroup settings after installing all software and it didn't make any difference - the backup always worked. So, at this point whatever was causing the prevention of TI from locking the C: partition has disappeared. The only issue I have left are scheduled backups not running but I am following "35455: True Image Home 2013 Scheduled Back ups don't run in Windows 8" and am trying the latest suggestion of turning Fast startup off.

Thanks to everyone for your time and thoughts on my behalf!!