I can't stop automatic backups
My TI 2014 insists on making a weekly backup with Windows 7. I don't want it to do that. I can't change it to stop scheduled backups or even change it to monthly. I need to go in and delete the back ups every week. Is there any way to turn off this PITA feature?
Hello Pat. I downloaded the schedmgr.exe and ran it. I typed in task zap and hit enter. As far as I can see, nothing happened. It just gave me another command line with a blinking cursor. Am I doing something wrong?
If you follow the instructions, that should be it. If that doesn't solve your problem, move your existing backup files to another directory on the same disk, uninstall, reboot, reinstall, and create some new tasks.
If you have a task which is scheduled and you want to stop the schedule,
here is one method to do so.
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/turn-off-scheduler.jpg
If you need the change the frequency of backups, this is one method.
Or to stop the task from running a schedule, then click the "do not schedule" option from inside the task.
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/turn-on-or-change-scheduler.jpg
In my opinion, the best and easiest method offered by TI to control backup retention is to use the automatic cleanup feature which will perform automatic deletes by the program once the program has reached a user specificed "store no more than X recent version chains."
I don't know whether you are making full only backups, or full plus incremental, or full plus differential.
All 3 copies are covered in link #2 below, with illustrations 11-full, or 11-Inc, or 11-Diff.
Pat, I did a uninstall and re-install of the program and it did not help. Running the schedmgr.exe had no effect.
Grover, I have tried to stop the scheduler as you described. I have attempted to change the schedule to a different day and different time to no effect. None of the options or parameters I set in the program will stay after I close and re-open the program.
I make only full backups and store them on an external drive. The only answer I can find is to use msconfig to remove acronis from services and start up and then enable it again when I want to make a backup.
I am tempted to uninstall 2014 and install my 2013 which worked fine. But I am not sure I can do that as the 2013 was purchased and installed for a computer I no longer own and I used it as the product to enable me to upgrade to 2014. Does anyone have any idea about that? Do you think that would help or will remnants of 2014 be left on the drive which will carry the problem to the 2013?
Oh for the wonderful days of 2011 when the program was simple and worked perfectly on all my computers. Perhaps it's time to just make the jump to another program.
Thank you guys for trying to help.
John,
Remember that with 2014, unlike 2010, each backup listed in the UI is actually a task with its own schedule. When you create a new task, it has a default schedule. You can turn it off and that change should stick for that task when you restart the computer.
But to be clear, you cannot change the default options.
With the get list command, the schedule manager should list the task ID of the task that is running. When you edit the archives.xml file in C:\programdata\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Database you will see the task ID. Do they match?
I have tried over and over to change anything at all in the schedule and none of the changes will stick. I am not sure when you are saying about the get list command.
It says: 1-1 C:\program files \acronis\trueimagehome\trueimagemonitor.exe /shutup
achives.xml says the following:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
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C:\My backups\My partitions\My partitions_full_b1_s1_v1-2.tib
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Wednesday__December_04__2013_3_14_23_PM.log
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C:\My backups\My partitions\My partitions_full_b1_s1_v1.tib
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Monday__December_23__2013_9_55_41_AM.log
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10AD101EFE440FBAB09921C284FD8101
0
0
0
1
0
0
Well archives.xml says way more than that but it doesn't show in the post.
John,
I have tried over and over to change anything at all in the schedule and none of the changes will stick.
As MVP Pat has indicated, the default setting will always be the default setting but the setting can be altered for that specific task. For that specificc task, you can change it to "do not schedule" or you can change the scheduled time to a different date and time. The two links below illustrate how to make that change.
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/turn-off-scheduler.jpg
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/turn-on-or-change-scheduler.jpg
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/delete-tib-file.jpg
After the schedule has been stopped or changed, then the rules below would apply.
The backup task is created once with all the settings (scheduled or non-scheduled) you want and then saved under the "Backup later" option.
After task is completed and saved any and all future non-scheduled backups are initiated by opening the program, placing mouse pointer inside the specific backup task and clicking the "Backup now" option which is located inside task-extreme right margin. Therefore, a repetitive task requires NO repeat task creation of an identical task to backup the same data.
Okay, I think what you are saying is that I can make a backup at any point I want, but that the automatic backup on every monday at such and such a time is a program default which cannot be permanently changed. Is that correct? If so, that is really stupid and no version of acronis up to this one has done that. My 2013 and 2012 allowed me to schedule backups or not. It was my choice. So you are saying the 2014 has removed that choice and has arbitrarily decided that a weekly backup on monday is required? If that is truly what acronis has done, I am completely flabbergasted.
So in your opinion, is uninstalling 2014 and re-installing my 2013 a workable option? Or must I continue to use msconfig to force the program to behave the way I want it to? I really don't mind doing that, but I think people should be warned not to buy or upgrade to 2014 if they wish control over their backups.
This other thread talks about the scheduled not retaining the settings. It should.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/50465
Yes, you can use the clean up utility and reinstall 2013.
Woo Hoo. Merry Christmas. I am a very happy man. I uninstalled 2014 and installed 2012. I had to transfer the license from my no longer working computer to my new laptop, but all went very well. I have it set up to create full backups at my command. Scheduling is off. All partitions are selected. No compression is picked. And it works just fine. I created my boot CD and made my first backup. To be completely prudent I will refuse to allow the program to update itself. Acronis has proved the old sage - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
One question, I am assuming the backups I made with 2014 are no longer usable? It really doesn't matter, I am just curious.
Thank you both for your help. I see by the other thread I am not the only one having the problem. It's obviously a bug in the software. I will warn everyone I can not to upgrade to 2014.
John,
I think what you are saying is that I can make a backup at any point I want, but that the automatic backup on every Monday at such and such a time is a program default which cannot be permanently changed. Is that correct?
No, that is NOT correct. User can control whether task is scheduled or non-scheduled. If the task is to be non-scheduled, user clicks the "Do not schedule" option. This link shows that all of the tasks are non-scheduled which proves the point that user can control whether task is scheduled or non-scheduled.
This next link shows that all of the tasks are non-scheuleded and proves 2014 backup tasks can be schedule or non-scheduled which is user choice..
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/2014-scheduler-off.jpg
The task below was changed froms scheduled to non-scheduled by clicking the "Do not schedule" button.
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/2014-stop-schedule_.jpg
Yes, the default setting for the scheduler is enabled as weekly but it is very easy to click the "do not schedule" option to prevent the task from running and the task will become a non-scheduled task, or change the schedule to something more desirable.
When future tasks are next created, the user will be offered the same pre-scheduled options and fixes as the original offer--accept/change/stop. To prevent a task from being scheduled, the option "Do not schedule" must be clicked.
Remember, that backups are run from a task so it is setting of that task which controls the action of that task. If the task is saved with the scheduler set to "DO NOT SCHEDULE", then no future backups will be automatically performed as no schedule exists. As new tasks are not a frequent occurrence, this default setting is only very minor inconvenience and easily overruled.
My 2013 and 2012 allowed me to schedule backups or not. It was my choice.
It still is with 2014 but you must complete one more step which is to click the "do not schedule" option before saving the task in its original creation.
So you are saying the 2014 has removed that choice and has arbitrarily decided that a weekly backup on Monday is required?
No, nothing is being "forced" on the user. The user still has control over whether the new task is scheduled or non-scheduled. However, you do have to perform one additional step which is to click the "do not schedule" option (1-2 seconds extra) to prevent the default "scheduler enabled" from becoming enabled within any new 2014 task.
The default "schedule enabled is really just a minor inconvenience. I think of that default as a "detour". The default setting forces the user to perform one more step but that step (do not schedule) is easily achieved so the user can create each backup task with settings only of their choosing.
I understand that you have switched back to a prior version but the 2014 scheduler should not be the cause for your switch as backup are not forced on the user. User does need to perform the one extra step (click do not schedule) to prevent a backup task from being a scheduled task rather than a non-scheduled task.
Hi Grover,
I think you must have missed the part where I explained clicking on do not schedule has absolutely no effect. Changing anything in the schedule settings such as the day, the time, or the frequency, likewise has absolutely no effect. I click them, exit the program, and they automatically reset themselves to weekly, monday, 1:30PM. I have no control what so ever. I do have that control in the 2012, and 2013 versions. I am not the only user with this problem. This may not seem like a problem to you and that is fine, it is however a big problem with me. First, I use my computer at 1:30PM on Mondays and I am not willing to give up the resources so an unwanted task can take place. Also, I am annoyed that I must manually delete these unwanted backups. Or I must use msconfig to force the program to behave. I refuse to accept this situation. I will ask for a refund of my money and will not be purchasing acronis products in the future.
John
Hi John,
Be sure and contact acroinis within 30 days of purchase in order to qualify for the 30 day money back guarantee.
I haven't beem able to replicate your problem. Good luck with our other programs.
Grover
Thanks Grover. The 2012 is working great.
Wow! Let's get this straight. I, like John C, wish to chose when I make the image. So, from what is said above, I need to do the following:-
WAIT UNTIL MY choice of back-up has completed and then go back into the program and get up a SETTINGS schedule dialog box and click 'Do not Schedule'. Close the program and TI 2014 will NOT go into operation until I next want it to. It sounds too easy - am I right?
That will not work William. As soon as you close the program, the schedule will automatically revert to it's insistence on a weekly backup at such and such a day and time and it will run it when that day comes. There is absolutely no way to change it. I honestly think Grover is not understanding what we are saying. Or by a stroke of luck, his software actually works the way he describes. Mine does not. But do give his advice a try. See what happens.
The only way I found to stop the backups was to disable Acronis by using MSCONFIG. Then of course I needed to re-enable it before I could make a back up.
William,
As the old saying, a picture is worth a 1000 words. This video may help to clarify. What I wrote still stands. I don't know what John's problem is. The video clearly shows that non-scheduled backup tasks are possible and the schedule can be turned on and off.
http://screencast.com/t/o7CemZSs
edited: Video information
Video: How to use TrueImge Home to create a non-scheduled task.
No sound.
Video storage location=techsmith website.
GroverH Have similar problem
I have a problem similar to to that which is happening above, and I have been reading this to try and sort '14 out before it eats ALL of my Hard Drive.
I clicked on your link http://screencast etc. All I got (after a dire warning that it was an external site and so all bets were off) was a blank page....
That makes it snafu-squared.
I feel aggrieved that I only had less than a month of support & I didn't find out I had a problem until today (14 days too late) which makes it SNAFU-cubed.
Should I start an new thread, or can we continue here ?
( I do hope there is an automatic email to say you have answered......if not then it is S^4 )
please excuse the weird begining - the editor is much like 2014 - non intuitive
Michael,
It would be better to start a new thread all your own. I clicked the link in my posting and the link is still live. You have to ignore the warning which is sayiing you are leaving the Acronis website and Acornis does not provide storage space for video's. The location you are being transferred to the TechSmith website, makers of SnagIt screen capture. Here is a fresh copy of the link. Try clicking it again and ignore the security warning.
http://screencast.com/t/o7CemZSs
you can also follow along on the posting of this thread as it could be beneficial.
You may also want to follow along this link below for something similar.
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/44392
If questions, better to star your own link and ask them there.
Thanks for fast reply.
Will look further when it is daylight ;)
Your new link worked & video came up, but had no sound, was that intentional? -- HUH ???
New thread - ok understood, will do if i need to.
Video has no sound which is intentional as I have no mcrophone plus I did not feel it needed sound as it was created based on the topic of the thread.
Video: How to use TrueImge Home to create a non-scheduled task.
Back to the main theme of the thread, namely the re-occuring scheduling of backups.
I had a message from another tech specialist this morning. He directed me to a web page with a PDF which deals with the problem exactly.
It can be found on:
http://forum.acronis/system/files/non-scheduled_backup_task-creation.pdf
I am currently following his instruction (to the letter, and that is vital) for a routine non-scheduled backup.
I will report back.
See above. this works but the one above doesn't!
http://forum.acronis.com/system/files/non-scheduled_backup_task-creatio…
William,
This is the link to which you refer. Understand that that post and that pdf was written and posted by me- a fellow user. But do be reminded, that I am not tech specialist--just another user trying to help another user..
http://forum.acronis.com/forum/44392#comment-163515
The post to which you refer as "not workiing" can be made to work by RIGHT clicking on the link and choose the "save link as" and save the file to your own computer for viewing local.
See posting above by PAT L where he states the following:
Acronis MVP Volunteer
MVP
" you can download the scheduler manager here. Follow the instructions to ZAP your tasks. This approach has the benefit of leaving your backup definitions intact, except for the scheduling.
http://kb.acronis.com/content/1859"
I am using Acronis ver. 15 and I have the same problem as those using ver 14 where on the schedule site the apparent default setting appeared to be weekly. I changed this to Do Not Schedule. Then when I closed and subsequently reopened Acronis, the setting had been reset to weekly.
Taking Pat L's advice, I downloaded the Acronic utility file - Scheduler Manager and placed it in folder on my desktop. I then clicked directly on this file and it opened in DOS. Following the instructions given for the Schedule manager I typed task zap >enter and closed out the DOS link. This seems to have done the job since I can now open and close Acronis 15 and the schedule setting remains on Do Not Schedule.
This link illustrates how to create a 2015 non-scheduled task as part of the original task creation.
https://forum.acronis.com/forum/71342
============================================
Below for 2014 only:
For 2014 version, a different procedure is needed. Review my link #9 above.
If you follow the instructions exactly, the instruction do work but it is specific for 2014.
Best to print or to have a set of instructions in display for following the steps exactly.
GH1. How to change a backup task from scheduled to "Do Not Schedule".
GH2. How to enable a backup task schedule or change a schedule time..
GH3. How to create a non-scheduled backup task on the first try.
