Differential Backup
Hi.
I do my backups, normally, with option DIFFERENTIAL. If I am correct, I understand that differential backup, copy only the difference between the first -full- backup and the actual situation of HD. I prefer differential backup, because I want to delete the backup after the first full backup and before the last differential. But, this is not possible because the program ask the precedents backups to do the next schedule differential backup. Why this happened?
Thanks in advance
I can't find any information about how to create a differential (or incremental) backup from an existing full backup. I don't want to schedule any backups and I don't want a new "scheme"; all I want to do is manually create backups. I don't like that Acronis doesn't make it easy to do manual backups.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Michael,
As you want only to add to an existing backup, you leave yourself few choices. How was the current backup created?
You can use the Recovery CD which has the option "add to existing archive". This option is found on the "Target Backup Archive" screen.
Later in the program just prior to starting the backup, you will need to open the options section along the left margin and choose the differential as the type backup wanted. This link can help a little but the example points to a new backup rather than adding to an existing.
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/forum/2009/11/5940/example-folder…
From within Windows, a task is needed to create any backup. The task does not need to be a scheduled task but can be run manually either by opening the program and click the "BAckup now" option, or by using the program to create a desktop shortcut. A shortcut enables you to click the shortcut icon whenever you want to run a backup so opening the program is not necessary to achieve a backup either full or diff.
For more details on setting up the Windows mode backup task for manual or scheduled use, click on link #2 below and follow the illustrations 11-Dif. Do be sure and read all the text associated with 11-Dif.
My suggestion is never to edit an existing task as the results are rarely as expected. Create a new task whenever corrections are needed and point the new task to an empty storage folder. Illustration 11-Dif provides for automatic cleanup so manual deletion is not needed.
Correction to link:
Link address should be
Click on Link 1 below and locate index item #3-BB.
The original backup was/is created in Acronis True Image Home v2012. Previous versions made it easy in that I just selected the original full disk image backup file as the target and then selected the incremental or differential option instead of the full option and it would "add to" the original backup.
As long as I don't have to create a saved task & schedule it, I'm OK using the Custom Scheme as you suggest. To be honest, when I first looked at your tips page, "How to create/manage backup tasks" above, I didn't see the link to click in order to get all the pictures & examples. That makes it easier to understand, thank you. (http://forum.acronis.com/forum/28705)
It seems that with each new version of Acronis, I find it harder to do the things I used to be able to do with ease.
Thanks for the help & suggestions.
You do have to create a saved task but you do NOT have to have it be a scheduled task. The backups can be initiated manually, either via the program (backup now) or by clicking a desktop shortcut.
As your create the new task, you need to be sure and do two things.
1. The new 2014 default is for the task to be scheduled, before you save the task, go into the scheduler and change the schedule to "do not schedule". If you accidentally are not able to disable the default schedule, this can be changed later. See link below.
2. To create the desktop shortcut, after you finish creating the task and it is saved, then place your mouse pointer inside the task (which will be listed on your main screen) and click the gear wheel (extreme right) and click on the "more" option, and click on the "Create shortcut" option. This will create a shortcut on your desktop and the name of the shortcut will be the same name as you assigned to the backup task. Then, anytime you want to create a backup, you can either click the shortcut, or option the program and click on the"Backup up Now" option.
Create desktop shortcut:
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/create-desktop-shortcut.jpg
How to turn scheduler off or on.
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/turn-off-scheduler.jpg
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/turn-on-or-change-scheduler.jpg
I do recommend that your backup type be a "disk mode" backup as illustrated in the first parts of link #2 below.
It just makes restores easier with a better chance of success as it make sure everything you need to create a replacment disk is included within the backup.