XP home backup utility

[Anna]

Yes, Anna I would like to have these step by step instructions,
Cheers-Herb.

Here they are...

Step-by-Step Instructions for Using the Acronis True Image Program to Backup
& Restore One's Hard Drive...

Using the Acronis True Image program there are two different approaches one
can take to back up the entire contents of one's day-to-day working HDD,
i.e., the operating system, all programs & applications, and user-created
data - in short, *everything* that's on one's HDD...

1. Direct disk-to-disk cloning, or
2. Creating disk images

By using either of these strategies the user can restore his or her system
should their HDD become inoperable because of mechanical/electronic failure
of the disk or corruption of the system resulting in a dysfunctional
operating system.

In undertaking either of these two backup & recovery processes you're
dealing with two hard drives - the so-called source & destination disks -
the source disk being the HDD you're backing up and the destination disk
being the HDD that will be the recipient of the cloned contents of the
source disk or the recipient of the disk image you will be creating.

When using either process it's usually best for most users to use an
external HDD as the destination drive, i.e., the recipient of the cloned
contents of the source disk or the recipient of the created disk image. This
can be either a USB or Firewire or SATA external HDD. While another internal
HDD can also serve as the destination disk there's an additional element of
safety in using an external HDD since that drive will be ordinarily
disconnected from the system except during the disk cloning or recovery
process.

The following are step-by-step instructions for using the Acronis True Image
9 program to clone the contents of one HDD to an external HDD. (The steps
are essentially the same using the newer ATI 10 version):

1. With both hard drives (source & destination disks) connected, boot up.
Ensure that no other storage devices, e.g., flash drives, ZIP drives, etc.,
are connected. It's also probably a good idea to shut down any programs you
may have working in the background - including any anti-virus anti-spyware
programs - before undertaking this disk-to-disk cloning operation.

2. Access the Acronis True Image 9 program and under "Pick a Task", click
on "Clone Disk". (In the ATI 10 version click on "Manage Hard Disks" in the
"Pick a Tool" area and on the next screen click on "Clone Disk").

3. On the next "Welcome to the Disk Clone Wizard!" window, click Next.

4. On the next "Clone Mode" window select the Automatic option (it should
be the default option selected) and click Next.

5. On the next "Source Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct source
HDD (the disk you're cloning from) has been selected (click to highlight).
Click Next.

6. On the next "Destination Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct
destination HDD (the disk you're cloning to) has been selected (again, click
to highlight). Click Next.

7. On the next window, select the option "Delete partitions on the
destination hard disk". Understand that all data presently on the disk that
will be the recipient of the clone will be deleted prior to the disk cloning
operation. Click Next.

8. The next window will reflect the source and destination disks. Again,
confirm that the correct drives have been selected. Click Next.

9. On the next window click on the Proceed button. A message box will
display indicating that a reboot will be required to undertake the disk
cloning operation. Click Reboot.

10. The cloning operation will proceed during the reboot. With modern
components and a medium to high-powered processor, data transfer rate will
be somewhere in the range of about 450 MB/min to 800 MB/min when cloning to
a USB external HDD; considerably faster when cloning to another internal
HDD.

11. When the cloning operation has been completed, a message will appear
indicating the disk cloning process has been successful and instructs you to
shut down the computer by pressing any key. Do so and disconnect your USB
external HDD.

If, however, the destination drive has been another *internal* HDD, see the
NOTE below.

12. Note that the cloned contents now residing on the USB external HDD take
on the file system of the source drive. For example, if prior to the
disk-cloning operation your USB external HDD had been FAT32-formatted and
your XP OS was NTFS-formatted, the cloned contents will be NTFS-formatted.
There is no need to format the USB external HDD prior to the disk-cloning
operation. Similarly, there is no need prior to the disk-cloning operation
to format an internal HDD should you be using an internal HDD as the
destination drive .

13. Restoration of the system can be achieved by cloning the contents of the
data residing on the external HDD to an internal HDD through the normal
disk-cloning process as described above.

NOTE: Just one other point that should be emphasized with respect to the
disk cloning operation should the recipient of the clone be another internal
HDD and not a USB or Firewire external HDD. Immediately following the disk
cloning operation the machine should be shutdown and the source HDD should
be disconnected. Boot ONLY to the newly-cloned drive. DO NOT BOOT
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLONING OPERATION WITH BOTH DRIVES CONNECTED.
Doing so is likely to cause future boot problems with the cloned drive.
Obviously there is no problem in this area should a USB or Firewire EHD be
the recipient of the clone since that device is not ordinarily bootable in
an XP environment.


Disk imaging:
The following are step-by-step instructions for using the Acronis True Image
9 Program to create disk images for backup purposes and using those disk
images for recovery of the system. (The steps are essentially the same using
the newer ATI 10 version):

Note: The recipient of the disk image, presumably a USB external HDD or an
internal HDD, must be a formatted drive and have a drive letter assigned to
it. Recall that in the case of a disk-to-disk cloning operation as
previously described, an unformatted or "virgin" HD can be used as the
destination disk.

Before undertaking this disk imaging process it's probably best to close all
programs running in the background including your anti-virus and other
anti-malware programs.

1. With both your source and destination hard drives connected, access the
Acronis program and click "Backup" on main menu.

2. The "Create Backup Wizard" screen opens. Click Next.

3. "Select Backup Type" screen opens with two options:
a. The entire disk contents or individual partitions.
b. Files and folders.
Select a. and click Next.

(In the ATI 10 version four options will be listed: My Computer, My Data, My
Application Settings, and My E-mail. Select the My Computer option and click
Next.)

4. The "Partitions Selection" screen opens. Disk 1 and Disk 2 are listed
with their drive letter designations. Check the disk to be backed up -
presumably Disk 1 - and click Next.

5. An informational message appears recommending an incremental or
differential backup if original full backup had previously been created.
Since this will be the first backup we will be selecting, just click OK to
close the message box.

6. Next screen is the "Backup Archive Location". In the "File name:" text
box, (in ATI 10 version it's the "Folder:" text box) enter your backup drive
letter and enter a file name for the backup file, e.g., "F:\Backup 11-19".
The Acronis program will automatically append the ".tib" file extension to
the filename. Click Next.

7. "Select Backup Mode" screen opens. Select "Create a new full backup
archive" option and click Next.

8. "Choose Backup Options" screen opens with two options:
a. Use default options
b. Set the options manually

If you select the b. option, you can select various options listed on the
next screen. Two of them are of interest to us:

Compression level - Four options - None, Normal (the default), High,
Maximum.

There's a "Description" area that shows the estimated size of the backup
archive depending upon the option chosen, and the estimated "creation time"
for each option.

(In this example, the actual size of the data to be backed up is 20 GB).
None - 20 GB and estimated creation time of 1 hr 40 min
Normal - 11.96 GB " " " " 50 min (Default)
High - 10.46 GB " " " " 1 hr
Maximum - 10.2 GB " " " " 1 hr

Backup priority - Three options - Low, Normal, or High
Low - "backup processed more slowly, but it will not influence other
processes running on computer." (Default)
Normal - "normal speed but backup process will influence other processes
running on computer."
High - "normal speed but backup process will strongly influence other
processes running on computer."

(As an example, I selected Normal (default) compression level and High
backup priority. The backup archive totaled 15.8 GB compressed from 20 GB;
took 16 min 15 sec to create. Creating a disk-to-disk clone would probably
have taken no longer and possibly a bit faster.)

NOTE: You can set the defaults from the Acronis Tools > Options > Default
backup options menu items.

9. "Archive comments" screen opens allowing you to add comments to the
backup archive which you can review during the Recovery process. Click Next.

10. The next screen summarizes the backup operation to be performed. Review
the information for correctness and click the Proceed button.

11. The next screen will display status bars reflecting the progress of the
backup operation. After the backup operation finishes, an informational
message will appear indicting the operation was successfully completed.


Incremental Backups (Disk Images)
1. After the initial backup archive has been created you can create
incremental backups reflecting any data changes since the previous backup
operation. This incremental backup process proceeds considerably faster than
the initial backup operation. This, of course, is a major advantage of
creating disk images rather than undertaking the disk-to-disk cloning
process. Then too, since these created disk images are compressed files they
are reasonable in size. And because the incremental disk images can usually
be created very quickly (as compared with the direct disk-to-disk cloning
process), there's an incentive for the user to keep his/her system
up-to-date backup-wise by using this disk imaging process on a more frequent
basis than the disk-cloning process.

Note that you must create the incremental backup files on the same HDD where
you stored the original backup archive and any subsequent incremental backup
files.

2. Access the Acronis program as detailed above and move through the
screens. When you arrive at the "Backup Archive Location" screen, click on
the original backup archive file, or if one or more incremental backup files
were previously created, click on the last incremental backup file and
verify that the correct drive letter and file name are shown in the "File
name:" text box. After clicking Next, the program will automatically create
a file name for the incremental backup archive file, using the original file
name and appending a consecutive number - starting at 2 - at the end of the
file name. For example, say you named the original backup archive file
"Backup 11-19". The first incremental backup file will be automatically
named
"Backup 11-192" and the next incremental file "Backup 11-193", etc.

3. On the following "Select Backup Mode" screen, select the "Create
incremental backup" option, click Next, and proceed through the screens as
you did in creating the initial backup archive.


Recovery Process (Disk images)
We'll assume the recovery will be to either a non-defective HDD that has
become unbootable for one reason or another, or to a new HDD.

The recovery process utilizes the Acronis "bootable rescue media" (CD) that
you created when you originally installed the Acronis program. If you didn't
create that bootable CD at that time, you can create it now from the Acronis
program by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue Media" icon on the
opening Acronis screen and simply going through the screens to create the
bootable CD.

Note: If the recovery will be made to a HDD that is still bootable and
you're able to access the Acronis program on that drive, then you can
undertake the recovery process without the need for using the "bootable
rescue" CD.

1. With both the drive containing the backup disk images and the drive you
want to restore connected and with the bootable rescue CD inserted, boot up.

2. At the opening screen, click on "Acronis True Image Home (Full Version)".

3. The program will open after some moments. On the "Pick a Task" screen
that opens, click on "Recovery".

4. The "Welcome to the Restore Data Wizard!" screen opens. Click on Next.

5. The "Archive Selection" screen opens. Navigate to the drive containing
the backup archive file(s) and select the last incremental backup file or
the original full backup file if no incremental backup files were
subsequently created. Ensure that the correct drive letter and filename are
entered in the "File name:" text box. Click Next.

6. In the Acronis version 9 program, the "Archive Date Selection" screen
opens. Select (highlight) the last incremental backup file from the listing
and click Next. This screen does not appear in version 10.

7. The "Restoration Type Selection" screen opens. Select the option,
"Restore disks or partitions" and click Next.

8. The "Partition or Disk to Restore" will open. Click on "Disk 1" and click
Next.

9. After some moments the "Restored Hard Disk Drive Location" screen opens.
Select (highlight) the HDD to be restored and click Next.

10. On the next screen select the "Yes" option to delete all current
partitions on the destination HDD. Click Next.

11. On the next screen select the "No" option and click Next.

12. On the next screen you have the option to validate the backup archive
before restoration. Click Next.

13. The final screen before the restoration operation begins will open.
Confirm that the information as shown is correct. Click Proceed.

14. Click OK when following completion of the recovery operation a message
appears indicating a successful recovery operation.

15. Remove the Acronis bootable rescue CD and close the Acronis program. The
system will reboot. A Windows "Found New Hardware" message followed by the
"System Settings Change" message box may appear on the Desktop. If they do,
click Yes for a reboot.

Note: While the Acronis program is not designed to clone individual
partitions - it can clone only the entire contents of one HDD to another
HDD - you can backup & recover individual partitions through the disk
imaging process as described above.
Anna

 

[Uncle Ben]

Thank you Anna, this is very helpful. ATI is excellent but when it comes to
help files and documentation, a little boost here and there can be helpful.
Your write-up here provides a valuable quick reference guide. Very good.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I really doubt about the already running programs such as the real-time
antivirus protection (usually on systray). Can Imaging backup them and
restore as well?

Yes, it can. This is because running programs like A/V apps run from files
on the hard disk. They don't really create files or documents in memory
that can be saved the way that, say, word processors do; such that if the
system suddenly loses power data that hasn't been saved to disk is lost.
Imaging programs copy disk contents at a low level, as I understand it below
the "file" level, and so get everything on the disk and most importantly, in
the correct location on the disk. This location is critical to making a
drive bootable on restore.

Regular backup programs don't copy or restore the file locations, which
makes them unable to restore a drive to bootable condition even if they do
get all of the hidden and system files. Imaging programs are designed to
do this as a basic function.

With a properly created image, you can put a brand-new drive in a system and
have it up and running exactly as the sytem was at the time of the image, in
under an hour.

In the event that you have to restore to a new system (say, if the system
was badly damaged or stolen), you'd restore to the new system and then
simply boot from the XP CD for the new system, and run a repair install to
bring the image's XP version in line with the new hardware on the new
system. All your data and apps will be there and working. Repair
installs take perhaps half an hour, but bear in mind that you often cannot
do them from "restore" CDs that OEM's provide. In future, try to keep
this in mind when you purchase systems.

I've limitted connection at home and regarding to Windows
updates (that really-really many updates now), that's the basic reason why
I
wanna backup my windows.


I've the Acronis True Image Home 10 (latest version) trial. I've tried to
create full backup of my C (where Windows, Doccuments and Settings and
Program Files installed). But, because I just have one DVD-R, I canceled
the
job then move to Nova BACKUP which is not full restore the backup.

In my view, doing full backups - all files - with simple backup utilities
is a waste of time because they cannot restore a system to bootable
condition, and if you're doing a complete backup, that's probably the goal
you have in mind. Use these utilities for selective data backups.

I also feel it's best to image to an external hard disk that is not always
on, and on filtered and backed-up power, so that the backup disk is not
subject to the same electrical conditions as the hard disks in the PC. If
possible, physically disconnect it when it is not in use.

BTW, I thin I'm gonna try Acronis again and see what it does.

For test purposes, create the image on another hard disk or partition. You
can't create it on the partition you are imaging. Once you've established
whether this will work for you (or not) immediately shift your attention to
where you're backing up to.

HTH
-pk

 

[henry]

If you use the ati to do a image backup, NFTS or FAT is not important.

Another backup software for usb drive is Uplus Sync. It can automatic
and scheduled backup files to usb drive when it inserted.
"rulirahm дµÀ£º
"

 

[Guest]

Thank you Anna, this is very helpful. ATI is excellent but when it comes to
help files and documentation, a little boost here and there can be helpful.
Your write-up here provides a valuable quick reference guide. Very good.

 

[Guest]

thanks for the step by step, I am geeting ready to install Acronis. One
question, will this backup act as a rescue disc--i have a dell that has no
rescue or restore discs with it. I just had to completely restore my sony but
i had the discs-I want to be able to restore all my computers if they crash
like the Sony. also, any suggestions on external hd, size, WD vs. others, I
like the portable usb powered ones, any problems with these??? thanks for
your help, DonB

 

[Anna]

thanks for the step by step, I am geeting ready to install Acronis. One
question, will this backup act as a rescue disc--i have a dell that has no
rescue or restore discs with it. I just had to completely restore my sony
but
i had the discs-I want to be able to restore all my computers if they
crash
like the Sony. also, any suggestions on external hd, size, WD vs. others,
I
like the portable usb powered ones, any problems with these??? thanks for
your help, DonB

DonB:
As to a USB external HDD which will serve as the "destination" drive for the
disk clone (I'm assuming your interest is in cloning the contents of your
day-to-day working HDD (the so-called "source" drive) to the external HDD
rather than creating a disk image of the source drive which you can also do
with the Acronis program as explained in those instructions)...

You can purchase a commercial product (Maxtor, Seagate, WD, etc. - there are
a slew of manufacturers) which contain the enclosure & HDD as a single-unit,
or you can (as we generally prefer) purchase a USB enclosure and install
whatever HDD you desire in the enclosure - a simple operation.

I really don't have any special preferences for any particular commercial
unit nor for any particular make & model of a USB enclosure. They all seem
to work reasonably well. If you do a Google search you can spend a fair
amount of time perusing these wares. Look, for example, in the customer
review section of these devices at http://www.newegg.com for additional
info.

As to your question re whether the backup will "act as a rescue disk"...

Assuming you use the disk imaging program, e.g., Acronis True Image, to
clone the contents of your source drive to the USB external HDD the "cloned"
drive will be, in effect, a "rescue disk" (in the broadest sense). I assume
you understand that in that case the USB external HDD (unlike an internal
HDD) will *not* be bootable, however, you will be able to completely restore
your system by cloning the contents of the USBEHD *back* to your internal
HDD assuming the internal HDD is not mechanically/electronically defective
or to a new internal HDD assuming the original source disk is defective.
Anna

 

[Guest]

Anna, thanks again. That answers my question exactly!!! I really like the
Acronis program, I has bounceback pro--this is much more user friendly. Now I
can rest easy with all my personal and business info. backed with the ability
to "rescue" my computer(s) if they crash. greatly appreciated!! donb

 

[Guest]

Anna, another question. Does the new backup software included with VISTA
achieve what the Acronis software does? I have on computer I am upgrading.
Thanks for all your help so far. donb

 

[Anna]

Since I've worked with Vista for only a very short time I'm loathe to give
you an answer on this. You might want to post your query to the
microsoft.public.windows.vista.general newsgroup. If you do, indicate what
meditation of Vista you're planning to purchase and precisely how
comprehensive a backup you're interested in.
Anna

 

[Rock]

Anna, another question. Does the new backup software included with VISTA
achieve what the Acronis software does? I have on computer I am upgrading.
Thanks for all your help so far. donb

Vista has two different backup up programs depending on the Vista version.
One is for backup of user files by file extension, which is available in all
the Vista Home versions. This cannot be configured for specific folders,
just by file type.

Business, Enterprise and Ultimate also come with Complete PC Backup which is
a disk imaging backup solution. It works fine, but does not have all the
options that Acronis True Image has. ATI version 10 works fine in Vista.

I have Ultimate and use both ATI and Complete PC backup.

Here is a list of Vista newsgroups.

microsoft.public.windows.vista.administration_accounts_password
microsoft.public.windows.vista.file_management
microsoft.public.windows.vista.games
microsoft.public.windows.vista.general
microsoft.public.windows.vista.hardware_devices
microsoft.public.windows.vista.installation_setup
microsoft.public.windows.vista.mail
microsoft.public.windows.vista.music_pictures_video
microsoft.public.windows.vista.networking_sharing
microsoft.public.windows.vista.performance_maintenance
microsoft.public.windows.vista.print_fax_scan
microsoft.public.windows.vista.security

 

[Xandros]

Yes Acronis TrueImage will create an exact image of your system that you
can use to do either a full restore or you can restore individual
files/folders from the image. Acronis will save to an external usb
drive. YOu can spend money on external drives or you can by a hard drive
enclosure and add a hard drive of your choice. Here is examples of both
types

ready made external drives
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=136&CMP=ILC-FPM-HD

enclosures
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=2777&CMP=ILC-FPM-HD

hard drives
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=134

As for the size to get that is dependent on your needs. If you plan to
be backing up on a regular basis and using Acronis Trueimages
incremental backups and scheduling then you should get a large drive.

As Ken Blake MVP advises you should get 2 external drives. Create a
backup and move it to another physical location like your office or
family member's home. Regularly swap out the drives to ensure you have a
safe backup in the event of a fire or theft. Having your only back
located in the same area os teh original is not a good idea.

Xandros