Howto do backup generations (GFS-Grandfather,Father,Son) with Acronis TI. (chain2gen)
Read post 150. I added some corrections and followup.
Just to make sure the corrections are not missed, I have added them below.
-----------------------------------------------------------
what is the path to the actual set0 storage folder.
For example, if the path is X:\FOLDER1\TRISH\SET0\BACKUP.TIB
THEN THE PATH
set TARGET_GENERATIONS_FOLDER="\Trish\"
MAY NEED TO READ
set TARGET_GENERATIONS_FOLDER="\FOLDER1\Trish\"
(the set0 is implied and not used within the parameter file)
The path is X:\Trish\
I originally had the UNC set to:
X:
and the folder parameter set to:
\Trish\
That failed.
So I took that leading slash and appended it to the end of the drive letter. That also failed.
The original setup, was the following:
X:
\
So the root of the X: drive contained all the backup files. Each user was mapped to their folder on the server.
Finally, I did try the full path:
\\servername\backup_drive_share\Trish\
It also failed.
When I say failed, I mean that the pre-processing command failed on the backup task. Everything else worked fine. The parameters verified fine, the pre-processing ran and created all the directories I specified, but invoking the pre-processing command failed from the backup task.
I will do the test you mentioned to see if the trigger file is created. Thank you.
Based on what you have written, this is the settings I believe the parameter file is expecting
set TARGET_GENERATIONS_FOLDER=\Trish\
set TARGET_UNC_N_DEVICE=\\servername\backup_drive_share
Thank you.
I tried those settings (the full path) when my mapped drive was causing the backup to fail. They also caused the backup job to fail, just like when I had it configured to use the mapped drive.
For now, I want to check the trigger setting tonight to ensure the option 1 is set to 0. I think it is, but want to check and make sure.
Last night, after I unchecked the "Abort task if this command fails" box, I got no errors in the e-mailed log. I will attach the log from last night. I don't know why this is, but I will perform the trigger file test tonight as well, and make sure the trigger file is created. I suspect it will be. At that point, we will just have to wait until Monday morning and see if it triggers properly and moves the old backup generations like it's supposed to.
This was the log from last night:
Please notice that before I quit last night, I reverted back to F:\set0 which means my UNC is F: and the folder parameter is simply \
============================
1 Information 6/16/2011 9:38 PM The "TrishBackup" operation started
2 Information 6/16/2011 9:38 PM Analyzing partition 0-0...
3 Information 6/16/2011 9:38 PM Analyzing partition 1-1...
4 Information 6/16/2011 9:38 PM Analyzing partition C:...
5 Warning! 6/16/2011 9:38 PM Priority changed to Low priority
6 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Execution of user command succeeded: C:\chain2gen\trishchain2gen\Acronis_PreProcessing_task.bat
7 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Analyzing partition 1-1...
8 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Analyzing partition C:...
9 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Specified file does not exist. (0x40011)
Tag = 0x64A31B1B5AFDA98C
10 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM The base backup archive file DTW-Trish-.tib for appending incrementally is not found. Backup was started in the full mode.
11 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Create Incremental Backup ArchiveFrom: Disk 1To file: "F:\set0\DTW-Trish-.tib"Compression: Normal
12 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Pending operation 126 started: "Saving partition structure"
13 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Pending operation 129 started: "Creating partition image"
14 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Pending operation 129 started: "Creating partition image"
15 Information 6/16/2011 9:39 PM Locking partition C:...
16 Information 6/17/2011 12:50 AM Operation has succeeded.
Ok, I changed it to the full path name, as you suggested, and it seems to work now.
Only thing I can think of is I must have had some sort of typo in the path, because I tried it before and it failed. I'll keep an eye on this, but I think we'll call this working now.
It's good to hear of a successful conclusion.
I have been using C2G from the very beginning of its design and free offerings on this forum and have found it very problem free if the installation is free of user errors. I am unable to test any network of NAS situations but they seem to function without issue when properly setup..
Hi,
I'm using c2g for a few weeks now, a part from a ATI2009 issue I have (http://forum.acronis.com/forum/22074) which I hope/assume has nothing to do with c2g, it seems to work OK
however, I'm still plagued with the horrible ATI filenaming "bug" :
after the first set :
maximus_d_dw_v3-1.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-2.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-3.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-4.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-5.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-6.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-7.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-8.tib
when the weekcycle has kicked in, and c2g moves the old set to /set1, cycles to a new one in set0, I get this :
maximus_d_dw_v3-81.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-82.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-83.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-84.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-85.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-86.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-87.tib
maximus_d_dw_v3-88.tib
I did not change the task after the initial creation
any ideas what I'm missing?
Thanks
OLCE,
The naming issue is TI and I have decided it is something I just have to accept. You can create a new task to a new folder with a new different name and it will work for a while but for no apparent reason, the naming issue will crop up later.
This naming issue mostly surfaced in 2011 version but did sometimes exist in the 2010 and 2009 versions.
As for your other posting, you naming issue here may be carrying over into the other issue. As the 2nd full has a bad file number, this could indicate that TI is believing the full to be an incremental--thus the metafile has become confused..
The error indicates this file is missing from the set0 folderf
\set0\maximus_c_dw_v3-.tib"
which is true because it exists in the older set3 or so folder.
This would seem to me that the database metafile has become corrupt.
If it were me, I would create a new task with a new backup name into an empty set0 folder. If you have existing set folders, I would rename the main folder so TI does not see them every time it opens the backup folder. I believe by creating a new task, your error message would disappear--at least for a while.
I am currently using with the most current 2011 version and did use it with both 2010 and 2009 and I have not seen your error message in any of my usage.
GroverH,
thanks for the feedback, it was a twist I didn't think of before.
I'll try to "start everything from scratch" (up to cleaning the acronis db) this week, and keep you posted
Olivier
With Acronis True Image 2012 is there still a need for these scripts ?? Cheers.
A good question - on the surface everything would suggest the answer is probably no, at lest for folks wanting a simple straightforward GFS backup. However experience leaves me somewhat cautious when it comes to Acronis marketing material since reality frequently does not live up to the marketing hype.
I have a TI2010 system which runs flawlessly with C2G, and on another system I have TI2012 - at first it seemed TI2012 was working as desired, but it soon became obvious it was not doing what I intended - whether this is due to me misunderstanding how it is supposed to work, or maybe there is some hidden corruption in the Acronis DB which is not obvious I seem to be having the usual problems in getting TI2012 to live up to its promises. This is in addition to the ongoing issue that the end user interface still seems to leave quite a bit to be desired.
I thought I had set up a simple system to run with two generations of backups - a new one each week and incrementals each day, with no more than two chains being kept - however this did not seem to work, and I got some very strange names being generated into the bargain.
Right now I will continue to run TI2010 with C2G on my system where there is important data while I try to work out whether TI2012 is actually working or not on another less important system, so my answer would be take care - if your data is important stay with TI2010 and C2G for now while you check out TI2012 thoroughly.
Hi:
I have been using ATIH2010 with Chain2Gen (ver. 2.6.2) with great success since July of 2010. I recently bought a new computer running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. The literature about ATIH2012 seemed to indicate that ATIH2012 is now capable of doing what ATIH2010 required Chain2Gen to do. Because of that, and to "keep up with the times", I bought ATIH2012 with PlusPack.
A few questions:
1.) Will ATIH2012 actually fulfill its promises and do on its own what ATIH2010 required Chain2Gen to do?
2.) Is ver. 2.6.2 of Chain2Gen the latest build, and will it work with ATIH2012?
3.) Would I be better off running ATIH2010 with Chain2Gen on the new computer running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit?
Many thanks to GroverH and oracledba for developing Chain2Gen. It really made ATIH2010 useful.
Wendell
(79 years young)
Hi Wendell
Let me first echo your thanks to the developers of C2G - it was a terriffic job, and as you said made the product useable.
For the life of me I just do not see why the Acronis folks cannot implement the logic of C2G (I doubt the C2G developers would object, but I could be wrong) - after all it works, and it works brilliantly well. Each new release of TI seems to stagger somewhat drunkenly towards the objective that C2G has already achieved, but never quite makes it. Its not even as if the TI developers do not have other things to worry about like their GUI which still leaves a lot to be desired.
Like you I succumbed to the Acronis offer and bought an upgrade for one of my licences including the Plus Pack, but as I tried to indicate earlier I'm not yet convinced it is achieving what it promised. The TI2012 code is running on my XP Pro system. I keep my TI2010 code running on Win 7 HP 64 bit with C2G. I don't know if you have two systems but if you only have one I would suggest you stay with C2G for now - it works, it does what you expect and those are two very important things to know if you have important data on the system and you ever need to recover it. Peace of mind is worth a lot.
For my part I am going to keep watching out for other folks comments and I'll keep playing with my TI2012 on the XP system to see if its just me that hasn't quite understood some subtelty somewhere.
So my responses to your questions?
1.) Maybe - I'm not sure yet
2.) I believe it is the latest build and I see no reason why it should not work with TI2012 - the same interface points appear to be there.
3.) I would stay with TI2010 and C2G if that Win 7 systm is your only system, or holds important data.
regards
Bernard
Thanks Bernard for some very appropriate comments and welcome to Wendell.
First, let me clarify. The creator and developer of C2G was OracleDBA. My role was mostly part of the documentation, part of the testing and the idea for the meshing of C2G with Drive Notify via the Acronis Pretask.bat file.
As far as I know, there is no developing in process or contemplated regarding any updates to C2G. C2G already will work.
If your version of TIH will work on your system, then C2G will work if properly configured., it will work with 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, and Win7.
I am currently using C2G with version 2012-6131 with an XP Pro SP3 desktop
and version 2011 with an Windows 7-64 Asus laptop
and have used C2G daily with each version since the 2009 version.
2012 Storage folder results of a single partition backup.
2012-Storage folder results of a files only backup
Most features offered by C2G are NOT currently offered by TIH including 2012. The closest match is in the keeping of x number of backups. TIH lumps all the backups together in one folder whereas C2G keeps each chain in a separate folder. C2G and TIH work together but when TIH is standalone, there have been reports on the forum of users needing to re-create new TIH tasks after the TIH database gets confused. Some users could say that TIH works standalone for some but not for others--as it relates to keeping x number of backups or based on disk space.
If you are moving to 2012, there is nothing that prevents you from using both C2G for some tasks and testing TIH for other tasks. This gives you an opportunity to test both. C2G does not use an install file so there is no installation. The user sets the C2G parameters and places these parameters inside the TIH task--as per instructions. If C2G is properly set up, it will function with TIH and Windows. I personally use both TIH and C2G (with Drive Notify) for my personal backups. I need to keep both in use in order to keep uptodate with both.
And Wendell, its nice to see you younger folks are interested in C2G.:)
Win7 Home Premium 64 bit, ATI Home 2010 build 7.160, and C2G v2.6.2
When I am home my PC is on 24 - 7 and every night an overnight batch runs which on Saturday's runs ATI with C2G. CGI was set for 2 generations staring a new one on the first Saturday of each month.
When I travel, some times for two or three weeks at a time, my PC is off. After I return the overnight batch runs but when I have been away over the first Saturday sometimes a new generation does not start. I have solved this problem by adding to my batch a comparison of the current month to the month of the last "tib" file and forcing a "New Chain" if they do not match. I have now set c2g to "TRGR_ON_MAX_TIB_CNT=5" since there is a maximum of five weeks in a month and removed all other options.
The batch addition follows and probably can be improved on. Suggestions accepted:
M = current month, LASTM = month of last "tib" = LASTF
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] FOR /f "tokens=2 delims=/ " %%M in ("%DATE%") DO SET M=%%M
[2] DIR /O:D /B "\\NAS\AcronisImages\i7\set0\*.tib" >D:\Test.txt
[3] for /f "tokens=* delims= " %%a in (D:\Test.txt) do (SET LASTF=%%a)
[4] DIR "\\NAS\AcronisImages\i7\set0\%LASTF%" > D:\Test.txt
[5] FINDSTR /C:%LASTF% D:\Test.txt>D:\Test2.txt
[6] FOR /f "tokens=1 delims=/" %%M in (D:\Test2.txt) DO SET LASTM=%%M
[7] DEL D:\Test?.txt
[8] IF %LASTM% ==%M% GOTO RunATI
[9] START "" /WAIT "C:\Users\Eric\Documents\Batch Files\chain2Gen_v2.6.2\!_FORCE_NEW_CHAIN.bat"
[10] :RunATI
....batch continues with commands to run ATI....
I've been using the C2G backup files for a LONG time. It has been running successfully with Win7 Pro 64 and until today has been trouble free.
Today was backup time for my C (08:05 PST) and E drives (10:0 PST5). The E drive backup went flawlessly. However the C drive did not.
Today activated the Trigger file and moved all the SET x files down as specified. However, the full "new" backup of my C drive to the SET0 directory failed. Looking at the log file it successfully locked Drive C at 08:06:49. Then I received the following Error message at 08:08:15
Operation with partition "2-0" was terminated.|Details:|Run list corrupt (0x7001C)| Tag=0x89D94B01B483E221
Does anyone have any insight as to why this might have failed. The E drive uses almost the exact same script.
Thanks.
Rick
This "Run list corrupt (0x7001C)" error is normally a problem with the MFT or file system on the source drive. Open an elevated command prompt (cmd.exe - run as administrator) and use Windows disk checking tool to find and repair the errors. Use the following syntax: "chkdsk X: /r" without the quotes, substituting "X" with the source drive that is having the issues. Then try the backup task again.
James
Many thanks James. I ran the /f /v switches and it seems to have worked! I was able to make a successful backup of C:
Tomorrow morning will be the ultimate test. Hopefully the incremental will work as expected.
Thanks again.
Rick
check the drive again in a few days. The disk errors could be flukes or could be the drive going bad. Keep at least one old backup around.
Thanks James & Scott. Now there's some good news and some bad news.
The Good news! I took the opportunity to replace a 4+ year old HDD with a brand new SSD of about the same size. I cloned the drive and it worked perfectly.
Now the bad news. Unfortunately, when I try the C2G with any of my pre-programmed task I get the following error message:
Cannot find a partition with the path\local\hd_sign(00030466)\part_sn(003E9AA512003EB0)start(307403.....
The script files have not changed. The mapped drives and drive letters have not changed. Access to the mapped drives is not restricted.The NIC address is correct for an existing licence. I'm wondering if something to do with the licence info got lost in the cloning?
Thoughts appreciated. Thanks
Rick
PS: The SSD is F-A-S-T!
More likely it's a prob with dealing with SSDs but one of the C2G users will have to respond.
What version are you using. If ati2013 you might consider not using c2g anymore.
Thanks Scott but an upgrade is not an easy task. I'm using a Seagate version of Acronis backup software. The C2G script has been a perfect solution for my system using this (Seagate calls it BlackArmor) software.
The SSD has so many advantages that I'd hate to see this as a show stopper.
Thanks again.
Rick
Tell me this. can you make a backup and set up a restore without using c2g?
The version can't be too old if you want to work with SSDs.
Your timing is perfect! I just finished a test and YES I can make a backup without using C2G.
Rick
Well, that narrows things down. You can try it again both ways to confirm c2g has the issue. Then it will be up to the c2g guys to help.
I've also done a chkdsk on the new drive and no joy.
At 10:03 am PST a C2G bkup of one of the virtual drives failed. I'm going to build a test with a scheduled backup (the previous one was unscheduled) and I'll report back.
My TEST backup was scheduled for 10:22 PST. It worked perfectly.
I have had no problem using C2G/TIH2010 with SSD's. On one machine, it is the only drive (2x512 MB in Raid0) and on the other machine it is the system drive (C: =128MB SSD; D: =RAID0+1 (4x256MB HDD)). So I doubt there is a problem using C2G and SSD's.
My suggestion would be, instead of troubleshooting, put your most recent backup or three in a safe place, then re-start setting up C2G and TIH from scratch as a new task.
Thanks Ron.
One question - Excuse my ignorance but, what is TIH?
Rick
Thanks Ron.
One question - Excuse my ignorance but, what is TIH?
Rick
True Image Home
I have had no problem using C2G/TIH2010 with SSD's. On one machine, it is the only drive (2x512 MB in Raid0) and on the other machine it is the system drive (C: =128MB SSD; D: =RAID0+1 (4x256MB HDD)). So I doubt there is a problem using C2G and SSD's.
My suggestion would be, instead of troubleshooting, put your most recent backup or three in a safe place, then re-start setting up C2G and TIH from scratch as a new task.
I would concur with the experiences of user Ron. I do not believe this problem is specific to C2G. My suggestion would be the same as Ron.
Create a new task or tasks using the new 2013. Create the task fresh. Do not use the Clone task feature. Point the target folder to be a new sub-foldler which is empty of other backup files.
You can expect the same success from C2G as before--or at least that has been my experience.
Some call Acronis True Image ATI and some call it TIH because it used to be called Acronis True Image Home.
Ron/Grover:
Problem solved!!! I rebuilt ALL the tasks as you suggested and it looks like we are back to normal.
Many thanks to all who responded.
Rick
Good to hear. Unfortunately, corruption can creep in when trying to edit an existing task, so creating a new task from scratch frequently has to be done.
More likely it's a prob with dealing with SSDs but one of the C2G users will have to respond.
What version are you using. If ati2013 you might consider not using c2g anymore.
Scott,
Just curious, what part of ATI2013 is different that would make a person consider not using c2g? Maybe I missed something but the backup schemes look no different from 2012. C2g is great but it would sure be nice if I could configure backup generations natively in ATI without the painful consolidation process.
jgkurz,
It really depends upon which features of C2G you are using.
Click on item #2 below in signature and look at figures 11-full or 11-inc or 11-dif.
These are illustrations which will work in 2013 if options chosen as per example.
I believe most users of C2G like it because it works and once you get the hang of setting up the parameter file, it is quite easy to use.
As best I know, this is the only feature of C2G which will work in TI.
This morning I encountered a backup problem. The error message:
Locking partition C:
Operation with partition "2-0" was terminated
Details: Run list corrupted (0x7001C)
Tag= 0x89D94B01B483E221
Operation was completed with errors
I rebuilt the backup task under a new name/file and it bombed with the same error messages.
Thoughts/guidance appreciated.
Thanks,
Rick
I don't think your question has much to do with this thread on chain2gen. But I searched the knowledge base using your error message, and found this article: http://kb.acronis.com/content/14260
I would suggest you look through it and see if it applies.
Thanks. I just did CHKDSK and it "seems" to have resolved the problem.
Thanks for the reply.
Rick
Well after 5 days of successful operation I have a new problem. Yesterday, Monday, I successfully did a FULL backup as scheduled and today was a scheduled incremental. I received the following errors approximately 30 seconds after starting the operation:
Error time:date Child process has exited with code 99
Error time:date Execution of user command C:\Chain2Gen\xxxx.bat failed. Error code 1
Any thoughts? In the interim I'll rebuild the task and see if that solves the problem.
Rick
I rebuilt the task and got the exact same error?
Next I'll restore a copy of the xxx.bat file.
Rick
Rick,
Anything different?
Have you upgraded TI? or Windows?
Have you restored your system from a backup?
How old is the task in question? this is a fairly recent or any old task?
Was the task created with the same version of TI in use?
Have you check the security or permissions on the bat files.
Right click on file and properties and look at the security.
If you have two tasks using C2G, each task must have its own folder for C2G.
Not sure if any of this can help but just a general review of current status. We know that C2G has not changed so we have to look elsewhere.
Thanks for the suggestions Grover.
Same version of Acronis
Win7 64 .. who knows if it has done a significant update. (Other Chain2Gen functions on additional partitions are working?)
No restore
Old task
Same version
BAT files not changed.
Security unchanged
The Chain2Gen works when backing up other partitions (other than C:) and a complete backup of C: can be done manually. The Chain2Gen for other partitions is on the other specified partition.
As you had 5 days of success, not sure exactly where to begin. I think I would restore the entire C2G folder from prior backup so you would have an exact match for the C2G folder being used by this task.
Perhaps you hare having disk issues. I know you just checked the disk for errors but I believe I would recheck again.
If the disk is going bad, the disk check will find more. The error check results can be found in the Windows Events.
CHKDSK C: /R
Thanks so much for chain2gen. I'm trying it out now because TIH 2011 does not seem reliable or robust in it's equivalent functions and it's good to have one backup set per folder. I'm using TIH 2011 for partition backups, and separate sync software for backing up files and file generations (AutoVer and FreeFileSync).
I do have some questions though.
Currently my Chain2Gen is set to create one new backup set each week, starting with a full backup on Tuesdays and keeping 10 weeks worth of backup sets. TIH 2011 is scheduled to backup once per day.
1. I want to keep my backup sets including incremental backups for only 3 weeks, but keep full backups (only) for the remainder of the 10 weeks. In other words I want the following (once I've been using chain2gen for more than 10 weeks).
Set0 - is to contain 1 full backup + up to 6 daily incremental backups
Set1 - is to contain 1 full backup + 6 daily incremental backups
Set2 - is to contain 1 full backup + 6 daily incremental backups
Set3 - is to contain 1 full backup + 6 daily incremental backups
Set4 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set5 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set6 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set7 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set8 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set9 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
a. If I manually deleted the incremental backups from Set4 to Set9, would that cause any problems for TIH 2011 when browsing, exploring or recovering from the various backup sets?
b. Can chain2Gen automatically remove the old incremental backups from Set4 to Set9, or how could I use some pre or post processing command to do that?
2. These are backups of my C and D partitions to my E partition, all on my internal drive. I want to repeat the same daily backup regime to an external drive; so I have a mirror set of backups in case any backup set(s) become corrupt. The external drive is always connected when backups run. How can I do that - do I need to create two Chain2Gen source folders?
[ Note - the E partition is not itself included in any TIH backups - it is not needed for a working system. Every 4 weeks, I manually sync the backup sets on the E partition with a 2nd external drive in case of internal drive failure ].
3. Before Chain2Gen I tried copying my backup sets from my internal drive to the external drive (using FreeFileSync); but TIH 2011 got confused when locating backup generations; so I started scheduling 2 separate backups within TIH 2011. Do I still need to do this when using Chain2Gen? Perhaps it is safest in any case to do fresh backups instead of merely copying backup sets?
4. I don't have a problem with the time required to undertake backups, even my full backups complete in under 30 minutes because large data such as video files are not included in my TIH backups. I'm using incremental backups to save disk space. In that case, is there any advantage in scheduling the internal / external full backups on different days? Currently they both run on the same day (Tuesday).
5. Separately - am I correct that I don't need to do a full disk backup in TIH 2011 to get the disk signature / MFT / partition table etc included in the backup? In other words, could I recover my system (C and D partitions) in case of a disk failure despite only having C and D partition backups that don't include my E partition? (Note - I don't need E to be recovered because it is not needed by the system and I have permanent backups of all the data held on E.)
[ Note - My C partition is for Windows 7, D partition is for Data, and E partition is for backup sets and video files or other large files that don't change often. The data on E is permanently backed up to an external drive, the backup sets on E are copied to an external drive every 4 weeks.]
Thanks for the reply Grover. The disk is less than a year old and it's a SSD. I think it's okay. I realize, of course, that disk failures in less than a year are not unheard of ;-(
I have done one thing that "seems" to have worked. My NAS backup of the C drive is located on the following path: \\BA-xxxxxD\Rick_BkUp\C_Drive. Also, \\BA-xxxxxD\Rick_BkUp\ is mapped as driive W:
Originally my C backup went to the full drive location (\\BA-xxxxx etc) and failed. My back up of the other virtual drives on the same disk went to drive W: and they all worked.
Last week I recreated the C drive backup task and directed it to drive W: Well it's a week later and today my C: backup rolled over to SET1 and did a full backup, without incident, on set0. It has functioned for a week without an error.
Hopefully whatever gremlins were at work have now been put to rest.
Thanks again for the help.
Rick
Sorry for the duplicate posting. I received a Gateway error and resubmitted.
Adrian,
You wrote the following and hopefully, I have responded to your questions.
Thanks so much for chain2gen. I'm trying it out now because TIH 2011 does not seem reliable or robust in it's equivalent functions and it's good to have one backup set per folder. I'm using TIH 2011 for partition backups, and separate sync software for backing up files and file generations (AutoVer and FreeFileSync).
I do have some questions though.
+
Currently my Chain2Gen is set to create one new backup set each week, starting with a full backup on Tuesdays and keeping 10 weeks worth of backup sets. TIH 2011 is scheduled to backup once per day.
+
1. I want to keep my backup sets including incremental backups for only 3 weeks, but keep full backups (only) for the remainder of the 10 weeks. In other words I want the following (once I've been using chain2gen for more than 10 weeks).
+
Set0 - is to contain 1 full backup + up to 6 daily incremental backups
Set1 - is to contain 1 full backup + 6 daily incremental backups
Set2 - is to contain 1 full backup + 6 daily incremental backups
Set3 - is to contain 1 full backup + 6 daily incremental backups
Set4 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set5 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set6 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set7 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set8 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
Set9 - is to contain 1 full backup only (the 6 daily incrementals removed)
+
a. If I manually deleted the incremental backups from Set4 to Set9, would that cause any problems for TIH 2011 when browsing, exploring or recovering from the various backup sets?**No more than already being done by the moving of files from set 0 to set1. This is being done without permission of Acronis. The TI backup scheme is set to all inc (no limit) after the first full so each full is unexpected by TI.
+
b. Can chain2Gen automatically remove the old incremental backups from Set4 to Set9, or how could I use some pre or post processing command to do that? **Not automatiacally. YOu could create a simple bat file and have it run as a post command. The bat file would delete all inc on set4. The first delete of 4-9 would have to be manual and then the bat file would keep 4 empty after being moved from 3.
+
2. These are backups of my C and D partitions to my E partition, all on my internal drive. I want to repeat the same daily backup regime to an external drive; so I have a mirror set of backups in case any backup set(s) become corrupt. The external drive is always connected when backups run. How can I do that - do I need to create two Chain2Gen source folders?** Yes, C2G needs its own set of individual folders for each backup task is is assigned. I have C2G stored in one master folder and multiple copies in sub folders and each task has its own C2G sub-folder.
+
[ Note - the E partition is not itself included in any TIH backups - it is not needed for a working system. Every 4 weeks, I manually sync the backup sets on the E partition with a 2nd external drive in case of internal drive failure ].
+
3. Before Chain2Gen I tried copying my backup sets from my internal drive to the external drive (using FreeFileSync); but TIH 2011 got confused when locating backup generations; so I started scheduling 2 separate backups within TIH 2011. Do I still need to do this when using Chain2Gen? Perhaps it is safest in any case to do fresh backups instead of merely copying backup sets? ** Better to have the 2nd set be created by a backup task. If computer copied, each copy would need to be validated separately. If you have the room, I would suggest the 2nd set be diff rather than inc.
+
4. I don't have a problem with the time required to undertake backups, even my full backups complete in under 30 minutes because large data such as video files are not included in my TIH backups. I'm using incremental backups to save disk space. In that case, is there any advantage in scheduling the internal / external full backups on different days? Currently they both run on the same day (Tuesday). ** Your call based on computer in backup use time. The backups should be validated. Even validation occasionally when boogted from the CD would be a valid safety precautions. All restores of drive C should be done when booted from the CD. Any restore should be followed by an empty set 0 so the next backup would be a full backup starting a new chain.
+
5. Separately - am I correct that I don't need to do a full disk backup in TIH 2011 to get the disk signature / MFT / partition table etc included in the backup? In other words, could I recover my system (C and D partitions) in case of a disk failure despite only having C and D partition backups that don't include my E partition? (Note - I don't need E to be recovered because it is not needed by the system and I have permanent backups of all the data held on E.) **Have you looked at your system via the Windows Disk Management graphical view. Does your Win 7 system have any non-lettered recovery partitions? If yes, this Recovery partition should be included with the Drive C backups. Also take note if the non-lettered partition is marked as "act" which is the active boot partition.
+
[ Note - My C partition is for Windows 7, D partition is for Data, and E partition is for backup sets and video files or other large files that don't change often. The data on E is permanently backed up to an external drive, the backup sets on E are copied to an external drive every 4 weeks.]** If you restore your backups to a new disk and you plan to include the data partition, you will need to add this partiton manually and then copy the data into it from your alternate backup source. You may also need to use the Windows Recovery CD and do a Startup Repair.
+
GroverH.
Many thanks for your excellent advice - gives me confidence to go forward with my plans.
I reformatted my laptop shortly after purchase removing hidden partitions, so I only have three partitions - C,D,E with C being the OS partition and the only active / boot partition. In that case I believe there should be no problem trying to restore just C and D, with as you say then manually re-creating E?
Do you know in what circumstances a Startup Repair is needed and if there is anything I can do to avoid the need for that or to do it quicker than via the Windows install DVD? It's not a problem though, I remember having to do this from previous TIH restores (long before TIH 2011).