Disk Images are combined into one big backup file
Help!
I'm running ATI Premium and for some reason my disk images, which were being backed up as a single file are now being combined into a much larger file. I've checked the settings that I have on my home PC, which runs the same program, and I can't find any difference. Obviously I misconfigured something but I just can't figure out what it is. Can anyone help?
Thanks!
Chris
Christoper,
GH-Storage's request WOULD be very helpful.
If I had to guess, one machine is performing partition level back ups, and the other is performing full disk image back ups. Or, the retention settings for one task are different from the other. Are you running the same version of Acronis on both machines?
Okay, here's the screen capture. I'm running Windows 7 Professional. The premium version supposedly allows you to restore an image from one computer to another, regardless of their differences. I bought it off Amazon.
As you can see, everything was going along fine through August, and then it started storing them in one big file. I also don't get the listing for backups that have not been done yet.
Any help you can provide would be much appreciated.
Chris
Chris,
Thank you. That was helpful but what we asked for is a copy of the folder containing the tib files sorted in date time.
What showed us may illustrate your problem in that it seems you have multiple backup tasks with the same task name,
which would be confusing to both the program and the user.
Each task name should differ somewhat so there is no exact replication of the same name.
I suggest you create a new backup task with its own unique name.
You are using 2014 and there is lots of help at
https://forum.acronis.com/forum/56872
and
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/3426
Note;!!!!! To restore to a different machine, you need the added opton of Universal Restore which asks for driver information for the new computer at the end of the restore.
Find the appropriate item in this link
http://www.acronis.com/en-us/support/documentation/ATIH2014/index.html#…
Click the "HOw-to's" at this link
https://kb.acronis.com/content/44382
Okay, here's the screen capture you asked for. In the backup options, there is a checkbox for "reset to initial settings." Could that help solve the problem? Just wondering ...
I did as you suggested - renamed the backup job -- and got the same result. I attached a capture of the tib folder. I also took a capture of the reset to initial settings screen. I hope this helps.
Also, it looks like I didn't properly attach the first tib folder file. I have now.
Chris,
I think I can help.
Your backups are not combined. All you really need to do is some file housekeeping, and delete the associated tasks. If you want to keep the files, you need to move them to another folder. If you don't want to keep the files, then you can delete them using ATI 2014. I have some screen grabs to demonstrate.
To delete the files and/or tasks, Right click on the task...Picture 1
Then you can select Whole Backup, which will delete the task and associated files. Or you can select Settings Only, which will only delete the task. If you only delete the task, then it may reappear if you don't move or delete the associated files...Picture 2
If you decide to keep the files and move them to another folder, then you need to check the Add Backup Button and make sure the Auto Search at Startup is not selected (it will be checked, but greyed out when not selected). Also, if you perform a Search now, and ATI finds the files you moved, it will display them, just like you have now...Picture 3
Some recommendations:
It appears you are using "Partition mode" for your backups. Picture 4
Personally, I prefer "Disk Mode", for various reasons, but especially for your boot disk. A backup performed in Disk Mode is much easier to restore, if that ever becomes necessary. Picture 5
You should also consider using a Custom backup scheme. GroverH explains them very well in the link below.
https://forum.acronis.com/forum/100416
Hope this helps.
Regards,
FtrPilot
Okay, here's what I did. I first copied the files to another hard drive (I'm always a little nervous about losing data using the move command), and then created a new directory and moved the files there. When I tried to delete the existing jobs and backups however, as you suggested, I got the "deleting backup" message and revolving circle. I then decided to just delete the settings for those existing jobs and backups, and that worked. I'm going to try another backup today following your suggestions and let you know what happens.
Thanks for your help!
Chris
Well, I followed your directions as best I could and did a disk image backup as you suggested, but I STILL got the same result. I attached a screen capture. I just want to do full disk backups that will always say Version 1. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Will I need to delete all the existing backup files that are linked together? I'm so frustrated.
Sorry, I meant to send you this image instead :(
Chris...don't give up yet, one more thing to try.
ATI uses cross referenced data files. There is a file that you can delete (or rename) which should fix your problem. The only caveat is it will probably delete all of your tasks, so you will probably have to recreate the tasks that you want to keep (run).
Call up ATI2014 and delete the tasks you don't want to keep. Exit ATI2014.Wh
The name of the file is archives.xml. So, in Windows explorer, do a search in C:\ for archives.xml. It should show up in an Acronis sub folder. Rename the file archives_save.xml. Then run ATI2014 and see what you have.
Like I said earlier, this will probably remove all of your tasks, so you will have to input a new task.
When you run ATI2014 the second time, it will create the archives.xml file. If you navigate back to the folder, you should have an archives.xml and an archives_save.xml. If something strange happens, you can rename the archives_save.xml file back to archives.xml and the program will revert back to the screen with all of your tasks.
Let me know how this works.
Regards,
FtrPilot
Actually, I found two files that are identical in different locations. Should I rename both?
Screencap included.
Since they both have the same date/time stamp, I would rename both.
As "FtrPilot" suggested, the creation of new xml file should help but it is best to stop all 3 acronis services before performing the renaming of the xml files. You can reboot later to get them going again.
GH55. Delete Database History Archives.xml.
GH55A. Acronis services
Well, FtrPilot, you seem to have saved the day. For some reason, the two database files seem to be linked, because when I changed the name on one, the other changed as well. I didn't get GH's message until after I had done this, but the files now all appear in the backup list separately, each as "Version 1." I haven't done a backup yet -- my brain is a little too fried at the moment, and that's when I usually make mistakes working with computers, but so far so good.
Here's hoping the backups go well. I will follow your advice from previous posts.
Thanks also to GH.
One final question: Is it worth it to upgrade to 2016 from 2014? I usually get a 3-computer version and with the backup DVD they are offering it for $60, if I am reading things right.
PS - If you don't mind my asking, do you have a first name? You already know mine.
First name is Randy...
I am glad you got this done...success is sweet.
Before deciding on ATI2016, go to the ATI2016 section and read some of the complaints. ATI2016 has a completly changed user interface, some features removed, some features added. My plan is to stay with 2014 until I have to upgrade to Win 10... June, 2016. 2014 has its issues, as you are certainly aware of, but I am comfortable with 2014. I have 2014 working well on my setup. So at this point in time, I cannot recommend 2016.
GH is a 2016 user...perhaps he could weigh in on the advantages of 2016.
As "FtrPilot" suggested, the creation of new xml file should help but it is best to stop all 3 acronis services before performing the renaming of the xml files. You can reboot later to get them going again.
GH55. Delete Database History Archives.xml.
GH55A. Acronis services
GH...Excellent information & links...I will include in future posts when this situation arises with another user.
Regards,
Randy
Blogging as FrtPilot
Thanks, Randy. I am sort of the old school of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." I know in the past when upgraded Acronis whenever a new version came out, there were new builds being released practically weekly. Plus I really don't care for the fact that they limit tech support to 2015 and nothing earlier. They make a good product but they're not exactly a customer-friendly operation. I'll stick with 2014 too for now.
Thanks again for your help. It's good to know you guys are out there.
Happy New Year
Chris
Chris,
I recommend bookmarking this page or saving the information from the 2 links above on the proper way to delete Archives.xml in a Word document or a txt file. I am confident you will need to delete Archives.xml some time in the future.
Regards,
Randy