Acronis does support file exclusions.... (I was wrong?)

Menorcaman · Jan 8, 2006

Re: Why I am no longer using Acronis (...unless proven wrong)

Anyone still wondering about TI's basic Files and Folders features (I can't comment on encryption) may wish to check out my reply at Post #5 in this follow-up thread titled <Acronis does support file exclusions.... (I was wrong?)>.

Regards

Brian K · Jan 8, 2006

Menorcaman,

I'm still confused. My understanding is that the Files and Folders image is just a collection of files. Even if everything is ticked, this image can't be used to restore a failed HD. Is that correct?

Menorcaman · Jan 8, 2006

Brian K said:

Menorcaman,

I'm still confused. My understanding is that the Files and Folders image is just a collection of files. Even if everything is ticked, this image can't be used to restore a failed HD. Is that correct?
Click to expand...

Hi Brian,

Be confused no longer - you are correct . From the TI 9 User's Guide (my hilights):

1.3 What is the difference between file archives and disk/partition images?

A backup archive (a backup, an archive) is a file that contains a copy of selected files/folders data or a copy of all information stored on selected disks/partitions. When you back up files and folders, only the data, along with the folder tree, are compressed and stored. Backing up disks and partitions is performed in a different way: Acronis True Image stores a sector-by-sector snapshot of the disk, which includes the operating system, registry, drivers, software applications and data files, as well as system areas hidden from the user. This procedure is called "creating a disk image," and the resulting backup archive is often called a disk/partition image.
Click to expand...

Chapter 4. Creating backup archives

To be able to restore the lost data or roll back your system to a predetermined state, you should first create a data or entire-system backup file. If you are not concerned about restoration of your operating system along with all settings and applications, but plan to keep safe only certain data (your current projects, for example), choose file/folder backup. This will reduce the archive size, thus saving disk space and possibly reducing removable media costs. Backing up the entire system disk (creating a disk image) takes more disk space but enables you to restore the system in minutes in case of severe data damage or hardware failure. Moreover, the imaging procedure is much faster than copying files, and may significantly speed the backup process when it comes to backing up large volumes of data (see details in 1.3 "What is the difference between file archives and disk/partition images?").
Click to expand...

Regards

Brian K · Jan 8, 2006

Menorcaman, thanks for RTFM for me.

Brian K · Jan 9, 2006

Re: Why I am no longer using Acronis (...unless proven wrong)

Shawn,

Still with us?

sconnell · Jan 9, 2006

Re: Why I am no longer using Acronis (...unless proven wrong)

seekforever said:

Uh, Cerebus mentioned this fact in post #7 of this thread! In my post in this thread I mentioned the File and Folder backup but more as a "I guess this isn't what you want" statement. I think there was a feeling that you were referring to exclusion in images not in a file/folder backup.
Click to expand...

Doh! I completely missed #7 and your reply!

I stand corrected.

Still, can these exclusions be done from the boot disk (how I do most of my images)?

sconnell · Jan 9, 2006

Re: Why I am no longer using Acronis (...unless proven wrong)

Brian K said:

Shawn,

The Ghost userguide says the Skip switch can only be used on a FAT partition. I doubt your OS is FAT.
Click to expand...

FAT32 in most cases. But let's just drop Ghost now... I am satisfied that I can skip files in Acronis. I did not see any mention about Acronis having a problem skipping files in NTFS.

sconnell · Jan 9, 2006

Re: Why I am no longer using Acronis (...unless proven wrong)

Brian K said:

Shawn,

Still with us?
Click to expand...

Yep!

I take the weekends off.

sconnell · Jan 9, 2006

Menorcaman said:

Hi Shawn,

Now we know why the well known phrase "RTFM" was penned!! Only kidding .

When creating a Files and Folders image, either via Windows or the boot rescue CD, you are presented with a blank canvas and need to select the files and folders that you wish to image. The source files exclusion option (available in Windows mode only) is then applied globally to those selections. Note that, by popular request, from Build 2323 onwards the file types for global exclusion are unticked by default rather than ticked.

Perhaps it's also worth mentioning that the Page File and Hibernation File are not included in a Disk or Partition image. Only a few bytes of "placeholder" information.

Regards
Click to expand...

But who gives out a FM these days?

Yes... I could read the help file but on the other hand, that what this forum is for....... idiots like me who are too lazy to RTFM!

BTW, in my feeble defense, I almost never use the Windows edition.

Shawn

sconnell · Jan 9, 2006

Menorcaman said:

Perhaps it's also worth mentioning that the Page File and Hibernation File are not included in a Disk or Partition image. Only a few bytes of "placeholder" information.
Regards
Click to expand...

That is important to know!

sconnell · Jan 9, 2006

Menorcaman said:

Perhaps it's also worth mentioning that the Page File and Hibernation File are not included in a Disk or Partition image. Only a few bytes of "placeholder" information.

Regards
Click to expand...

Not wishing to cause trouble but how is it that TI can leave placeholders for the the page file and hib. file but it cannot do the same for user selected files?

Although I set up computers and instruct clients to keep OS and program files in separate partitions, it is difficult to prevent them from loading up their OS partition. I typically find that C: (which contains the OS) is often "too large" to archive.

Anyone know of a clever way to protect the OS partition from expanding to a difficult to achive size? Anything much larger than a DVD size is unreasonable IMHO.

Still, if I could only instruct TI to ignore selected folders/files this would be moot.

Shawn

Brian K · Jan 9, 2006

Re: Why I am no longer using Acronis (...unless proven wrong)

Welcome back.

Brian K · Jan 10, 2006

Anyone know of a clever way to protect the OS partition from expanding to a difficult to achive size? Anything much larger than a DVD size is unreasonable IMHO.
Click to expand...

Shawn,

I have a lot of software installed and my OS/Programs image fits on one DVD. I keep data separate from the OS and you can setup your clients computers so this is done automatically.

http://www.goodells.net/multiboot/notes.htm#13

To avoid this you can move four folders off your system partition:

* My Documents
* Favorites
* Address Book
* E-mail storage location

This is not necessary, but minimizes the adverse effects of restoring an image. Moving these folders is easy:

My Documents is moved by [in Windows Explorer] creating a new My Documents folder on a different drive. Right-click the desktop icon, choose "Properties" and then "Move". Point to the desired location. You will be asked if you want all sub-folders and contents to be moved also. The original folder can be deleted, but it can also be left as is. The registry is automatically edited to reflect the change.

The Favorites folder is moved [in Windows Explorer] from C:\Documents and Settings\"User name"\ by right-clicking and dragging-n-dropping to the new drive, and choosing "Move Here". The registry is automatically edited to reflect the change.

The Address book is moved by [in Windows Explorer] creating a new Address Book folder on a different drive. From:
C:\Documents and Settings\"User name"\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book\
Right-click and drag-n-drop "User name".wab and "User name".wa~ to the new folder and choose "Move Here".

You have to manually edit the registry. Click Start / Run and type "Regedit" in the run-dialog box and hit the <enter> key. Find the registry key: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4\Wab File Name" and change the path to the new location. Close regedit and restart the computer. If you don't, it will create a new "User name".wab and default back to the original location.

E-mail storage location is moved by [in Windows Explorer] creating a new E-mail folder on a different drive. [I use the folder name "Mail".] From within Outlook Express, click Tools / Options / Maintenance and the "Store Folder" button. Click "Change" and point to the new location.

Using this method, you can configure multiple operating sytems to use the same email directory. Restart Outlook Express for changes to take effect. The registry is automatically edited to reflect the change.

These steps are valid in Windows XP Pro. Other operating systems may vary. It is still neccessary to backup the data in these folders.
Click to expand...

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