Pre command does not start, if timer is activated
Hi
Acronis doesnt start my pre command cmd file, but only when the timer is active. If I disable the timer and start the task by myself it works fine. Does anybody know about this problem?
Thanks
Your best chance of success is to create a cmd file (rather than a batch file) with all the commands and then just have Trueimage start the file.
The error is indicating a problem with the commands within the file.
If you wish, post the content of the cmd file (in English) and we might be able to offer suggestions.
One way to trouble shoot the issue would be to temporarily add a pause command as the last line of the file and then have TrueImage execute the file. You should be able to see what error message is involved.
I tried it both ways, with .bat and .cmd but none of them work.
The file should prompt the user to power on the external disk for the backup. There is already a pause command inside the file.
It works just fine if i start the file itself or if I start the task without schedule. Only when the schedule is active it fails.
I'll post the file when I'm at home.
TrueImage does not interact very well with inter-action command.
If the sole purpose of the pre-command file is to remind the user to attach, the external drive, your best chance of success is to use "Drive Notify" which was written just for that purpose.
A program which I use and find really helpful and it works is forum MVP MudCrab's Drive Notify program. This comes in both free format and a paid format ($9).
What this program does is that user adds a link to the Acronis pre/post pre commands when task created. When scheduled backup time arrives, TrueImage starts the backup program which starts Drive Notify. TrueImage will do nothing more until Drive Notify closes
Drive Notify starts and puts a user created message on the screen for you to connect or powerup a specific external device. The message remains on screen until that specific device is recognized as connected; or program waits until user cancels the message which cancels the backup.
The difference between the free and the paid version is that once the message is on the screen, it requires user input (user press the ok button) before Drive Notify will accept and close the screen which starts the backup. User input required even if the drive is attached in advance. Whereas, the paid version requires no user input; once the correct disk is attached and recognized, the Drive Notify window will close. If the drive is pre-attached, the Drive notify window will appear and auto close with no user input. To me, the paid version is well worth the convenience of automation.
Thus, the backup never really begins until Drive Notify has closed so no error message unless you cancel Drive Notify.
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If you are using Windows 7, a new TIMEOUT command ( TIMEOUT /T 120 /NOBREAK ) was added which you could try but not nearly as good as Drive Notify.
You could add the example below which would notify the user to attach the device but if user did not respond, the command window would close and task would end in error. Pause command not used.
Echo Attach External disk xxx
TIMEOUT /T 120 /NOBREAK
If you wanted the computer to shutdown after the backup, this could be added to the Acronis post command inside a batch or cmd file.
shutdown.exe /s /f /t 180 -c "Shutdown in 180 seconds" /d p:4:1
I tried to use Drive Notify but it does not start. I just made a shortcut to test it but it doesnt show anything.
And for the timeout thing. I tried it but it needs to be run as an administrator, because timeout.exe is at system32. It works if I start it manually as administrator but in Acronis it dont because Acronis obviously doesnt start it as administrator.
Why is it not possible to start a simple pre command file with pause?? Makes no sense to me
In order to test Drive Notify, you must set up ALL the parameters otherwise the Drive Notify test is not valid.
http://www.themudcrab.com/drivenotify.php
Drive Notify will show up in under the Processes tab. Drive Notify will work as illustrated by his website. I use it regularly ever since it was created.
The "runas" command might help you with the batch file.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490994.aspx
Which version of Windows and which version/build of TrueImage?
Note part of the Drive Notify instructions
If running Windows Vista or later, do not install Drive Notify into any User or System folder. This includes Program Files, Documents, Desktop, etc. Doing so will not allow the program to function properly. If you must run Drive Notify from this type of folder, you will need to give Everyone permission to access it. This can be done by right-clicking on the folder, selecting Properties and using the Security tab.
Why is it not possible to start a simple pre command file with pause?? Makes no sense to me
Because interactive commands (like "pause" or anything that requires user input) are not supported when programs are run the way a scheduled TI task runs them. TI has always been that way. When you run the task manually it runs the task differently and the interactive commands will function.
Drive Notify is now runnig. But why is the program closing if click the X? Shouldnt it just close the message and abort the Backup? The software then is not running and needs to be restartet before I can use the notification again.
The Drive Notify website is quite excellent with instructions and following the instructions can solve most issues.
Clicking the X is the same as other programs. Clicking the x indicates you want to stop or cancel the program. If you are responding the the message to attach the disk, click the proceed option. For me, I use the paid version so the program auto recognizes when the disk is already attached so I do not have to be around to respond to the notification message.
If you want to use Drive Notify multiple times, it needs to be referenced in each TrueImage task where its use is planned.
The Drive Notify. exe program must be memory resident at time of TI task execution. It can be made memory resident via either your computer startup programs or by using the Windows Task Scheduler to start it just prior to the TI task starting.
I personally use Drive Notify and Chain2Gen as a team which works very well as per my signature below.
Ok I'll try it. My thought was just, if a user cancels the program because he doesnt want to make the backup at this moment, I need to manually restart the Drive Notify software. Even if the program is in autostart it wont start again if the computer just goes to standby and doesnt make a full restart until the next scheduled backup. And the windows schedule doesnt work good either because it needs 10minutes to start a task after a missed schedule. So I just hope nobody closes the program
The paid version has Auto Abort and a Manual Abort options. With the trial version, you should be able to just click Proceed and TI will then abort since it can't find the drive.
Is it possible to try the paid version of drive notify? I sent you an email
Yes, it's possible. I haven't received you email yet. You can send me a PM with your email.