Create simple backup task that will save (not overwrite) multiple backups
Hello all:
I used to be quite active in the Acronis forums at the old Wilder site a couple of years ago. I'm quite familiar with configuring and using Acronis True Image Home versio 11, but not so much since.
My friends with laptops want to do backups, but it needs to be super simple for them. Plus, they're not connected to their external backup drive at predictable times, so setting automated backups doesn't work. With ATI 11, here's what I did for them:
I created a Backup Location as a folder on an external hard drive, and gave that Backup Location either a maximum size quota or a quota of maximum number of retained backup images.
I created an Acronis True Image scheduled task, but set those tasks not to run automatically but instead to to be launched manually. To make it simple for users, I created a batch file to directly launch the scheduled task, with a shortcut to the batch file.
When the task is run, a full backup image is written to Acronis' default "Backup Locations" directory.
This method allowed multiple backups to be retained, until the set quota is reached, but still allows a user to launch the backup just with a click (of the shortcut to batch file).
example of batch file to launch the ATI task:
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\TrueImageHome\TrueImageHomeService.exe" /script: "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Acronis\TrueImageHome\Scripts\204CA232-DABA-4955-B30E-CBF7A83F2722.tib.tis"
I, and others, had hoped that one day Acronis would include such functionality within the product so that we wouldn't have to mess with script paths and .bat files. I recently looked at a friend's system with Acronis True Image Home 2011, Update 3, and it still doesn't have this functionality. It does have a simple One-click Backup, but it saves only a single backup image, overwriting it when a new backup is created.
QUESTION
What about the current version of Acronis True Image Home? Does it offer the functionality I described, where a backup can be configured to run from one or two clicks without waiting to launch the application, and will save multiple successive backups?
Interesting. It sounds as though Acronis has finally added in that ability that a few of us worked so hard to jerry-rig in earlier versions and documented in the forums.
When I tried version 11, I had hopes that it had added that functionality, but sadly it had not. And, the one-click backup saving only a single backup and overwriting each time is, IMO, a less safe backup routine.
Yes, I would certainly do a full image before installing the new version. And yep, I always avoided Secure Zone. In fact it's surprising that I ended up so devoted to Acronis True Image, as my first experience of it was bad. I installed it, back in version 5 or 6 maybe, and followed the manual's recommendation to install the Secure Zone. It ended up somehow corrupting my entire system which was totally unrecoverable in spite of the efforts of Acronis Support. Ever since, I always advised forum members and friends against the evil Secure Zone.
I'm glad to see your familiar name and face here at the new forum.
Thanks for the information and screenshots of 2012. It sounds as though it is finally worth upgrading. Your guides will be very welcome. :)
Anything else major I should be aware of, as far as differences between version 11 and 2012, or welcome new features?
Also, does 2012 read and restore from version 11 images?
(I mean version 11, not 2011)
Version 2012 has and should restore the old version 11 backups but to be safe, it would be good to do a test restore on a test disk. Also, you can use the 2012 trial program as a test and the trial CD can be used for a trial restore of 11. The changes are too numerous to remember let along list. It will require the use of the manual. Note along the left margin, there are several 2012 helps which can be very beneficial. If you decide to buy, I would suggest you buy the full program rather than the upgrade version--although both are the same. For some upgraders, there is an length of serial number issue between the short serial of 11 and the very long serial of 2012.
The Bootable media CD's are still much less complicated and some users work exclusively from the CD.
Image-1 A few of the 2012 newer features used in task creation. A task must be created before a backup can be run either manually or via schedule.
Image-2 File exclusions
Image-3 View of disk View when you want a disk option backup
Image-4 Where and how a name is assigned to the backup file.
Image-5 An assortment of backup options
Image-6 A user completed task before a backup has run.
Image-7 Show existing tasks.
Image-8 Show user task details after many backups completed. Hover mouse pointer over each date to see details as to backup type, date, etc.
The Bootable media CD's are still much less complicated and some users work exclusively from the CD.
I used to work that way, for over a year, always booting from the recovery CD when I wanted to run a backup. I eventually stopped due to the inconvenience: it isn't possible to do any other work on the computer when imaging using the recovery CD. I like
to the convenience of just launching a shortcut which then starts a full image to external HD.
[Several of us in the old forums worked long and hard to create that shortcut functionality, especially to get it to work under Windows Vista's admin restrictions. I'm pleased to see it now built in to the new 2012 version, but it won't have the same sense of personal accomplishment. ;) ]
Version 2012 has and should restore the old version 11 backups but to be safe, it would be good to do a test restore on a test disk. Also, you can use the 2012 trial program as a test and the trial CD can be used for a trial restore of 11.
What do you have in mind as far as a test disk and trial CD? Do you mean that the downloadable 2012 trial can create a recovery disk, and you suggest using that to restore one of my version 11 images to my computer's boot drive?
If you decide to buy, I would suggest you buy the full program rather than the upgrade version--although both are the same. For some upgraders, there is an length of serial number issue between the short serial of 11 and the very long serial of 2012.
Thanks! That's exactly the sort of expert non-Acronis-documented info I was looking for. I remember at the old forums a few of us knew many such tricks about the software that were not documented by the developer.
And thanks for those links and screenshots. Really useful stuff!!!
What do you have in mind as far as a test disk and trial CD? Do you mean that the downloadable 2012 trial can create a recovery disk, and you suggest using that to restore one of my version 11 images to my computer's boot drive?
My preference for a test would be to replace your existing system disk with a blank disk and then use the 2012 trial bootable CD for the restore of the v11 backup.
The good news: Yes, the 2012 trial version download does include the capability to create a bootable Recovery CD.
The bad news: The 2012 trial version must be installed first to be able to create the CD.
If you choose to buy the product either before or after the trial, once you have registered your serial number, it is possible to download a bootable media download file which can be used to create a bootable CD without being forced to install first. I have been trying to convince Acronis management for a very long time that the installation of the trial version should not be a requirement in order to have access to the trial CD. The trial version CD is limited to restores. Clones and backups are not possible from the trial CD. I believe such a trial CD exists and you might try contacting Anton at the link below requesting such a file.
http://forum.acronis.com/messages/new/71
Just be sure and make the full backup before you uninstall version 11.
I am one of those people that use just the core backup and recovery features. I do not use the online backup or sync functions so I have not commented on those features. I hope you do find the screen captures helpful. All are mine made for the specific purpose of trying to help TIH users to better understand the capabilities of the program. If you have some time, click on the top line of my signature below and check out item #3 plus be aware of the existence of MudCrab's links and the links of Mark Wharton (you know as K0lo)
Let me know if I can help further.
Grover
Grovers status = Inactive 1. Grover's New Revised Guides 4. 2014 Cleanup 2015 Cleanup 5. Attachments/How 7. TI 2015 FAQ.
2. Create BKU Tasks > 2011_2012_2013 2A. Using 2014 6. Help 2016 2015 2014 2013 8. Stop Scan for Backups 8A. ATIH Video's
3. Create new disks-Guides. 9. Register/Downloads 10. Mustang's New Guides 11. Les Seiler's Backup Video