Error when trying to overrite a split image backup from Rescue CD

Windows XP SP2, TrueImage 9.0.2337

I regularly make image backups of my system partition (C) to a USB external drive. I specify these images be split at 4.3 GB so I can later copy them to DVD. The total image size is about 6 GB so I end up with two parts.

I have been doing this from within Windows, using a TI scheduled task that I invoke manually. Note that I never do an incremental backup; each time I choose to overrite the previous full backup. I have been doing this without any problem for some months now.

Recently I decided it might be better practice to perform this operation from the rescue CD rather than from within Windows. I performed the first backup into an empty folder on my target drive without problem.

When I went to make the second backup using the rescue CD, choosing a full, split backup which would overwrite the first one, I received the error "Error opening file", and the options to Retry or Cancel. Retry repeated the error, so I chose Cancel, and was returned to the Operations menu.

I then chose to repeat the same task: full image backup, split at 4.3 GB. This time I was given a message that the archive was corrupted or not a TI image file, and the option to continue and overwrite it. This I chose to do, and the operation succeeded. As far as I can tell the resulting image is fine; it verifies, I can plug it, etc.

Please note this error only happens if the image is split; I can perform repeated full backups using the rescue CD to an image that is not split and I do not get the "Error opening file" message. I can also perform repeated full backups to a split image under Windows without any error.

This problem occurs at least with builds 2323 and 2337; I have not tried earlier builds.

 

Hello MKairys,

I followed your steps to the letter and didn't receive any errors. However, my USB drive is FAT32 formatted, which means the manually set split size of 4.3GB is overridden and limited to 4GB maximum (actually 4,194,304KB).

Are you able to repeat the problem at will or was it a one-off occurrence? If so, it's possible that it might be related to the 4.3GB (or larger) file size possible with NTFS formatted drives.

Perhaps some kind soul out there could check this out?

Regards

 

Yes, it happens every time.

That's a good thought...

 

Perhaps you could try reducing the manual split size to 4GB and report back?

Regards

 

Re: Error when trying to overwrite a split image backup from Rescue CD

I reduced the split size to 3 GB and got two parts, of 3 GB and 2.something GB. It appears to work correctly now.

So we have:

• A validation of Menorcaman's suggestion
• A workaround for me
• A bug for Acronis

 

Re: Error when trying to overwrite a split image backup from Rescue CD

Hello MKairys,

Thank you for choosing Acronis Server Disk Backup Software.

Could you please boot from Bootable Rescue CD created using the latest build (2337) of Acronis True Image 9.0 and create Linux system information (sysinfo.txt) as it is described in Acronis Help Post?

Please also create Acronis Report in the way described below:

- Download and run Acronis Report Utility;
- Select the "Create Bootable Floppy" option;
- Insert a blank floppy disk in the A: drive and proceed with creation of the bootable floppy;
- Boot the computer from this diskette and wait for report creation process to finish;
- Collect the report file from the floppy.

If you do not have a floppy drive then please create Acronis Report as it is described in Acronis Help Post.

Please keep your external USB hard drive connected while creating Acronis Report and Linux system information (sysinfo.txt).

Please also let us know the exact vendor and model of your external USB hard drive.

Please submit a request for technical support with the subject indicating that you want to contact Alexey Popov. Attach all the collected files and information to your request along with the step-by-step description of the actions taken before the problem appears and the link to this thread. I'll forward this information to our Testing Team and they will certainly do their best in order to find out the reason for this problem.

Thank you.
--
Alexey Popov

 

I have submitted a request for technical support; I will post the content here as well.

Acronis TI 9.0 build 2337
Windows XP Pro

Information for Alexey Popov

In reply to forum thread https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=114783

(1) Please note I have already emailed technical support and received the automatic response:

[Acronis #454309] Error when trying to overrite a split image backup from Rescue CD

(2) I do not have a floppy drive on that system. I was not able to get a readable image with a digital camera. Attached is my transcription of the last page of the (non-quiet) rescue CD boot sequence.

Code:

Using lib/modules/smbfs.o
$ /bin/ifconfig lo 127.0.0.1
$ /bin/ifconfig lo up
$ /bin/insmod nls_cp850
Using /lib/midules/nls_cp850.o
$ /bin/insmod ext2
ext2.o: no module by that name found
$ /bin/insmod jbd
jbd.o: no module by that name found
$ /bin/insmod reiserfs
reiserfs.o: no module by that name found
$ /bin/insmod xfs
xfs.o: no module by that name found
$ /bin/insmod jfs
jfs.o: no module by that name found
$ /bin/insmod sunrpc
sunrpc.o: no module by that name found
$ /bin/insmod snapapi
snapapi.o: no module by that name found
$ /bin/insmod md_mod
Using lib/modules/md_mod.o
md: md driver 0.90.0, Adaptec md 0.1.0, MAX_MD_DEVS=256, MD_SB_DISKS=27
md: Autodetecting RAID arrays.
md: autorun...
mf: ... autorun DONE.
$ /bin/rm -f /etc/codepage /etc/pcmcia
$ /bin/sh

BusyBox v0.60.5 (2005.11.10-14:06+0000) Build-in shell (lash)
Enter 'help'...

 

Hello MKairys,

Thank you for all the provided information.

Our support engineer Konstantin Karikov will proceed with the investigation of this issue.

Thank you.
--
Alexey Popov

 

Re: Error when trying to overwrite a split image backup from Rescue CD

Stop the presses: the above turns out not to be correct.
I went back to this setup and tried to redo the backup using the 3 GB split size and I got the error I originally reported.

I did not get the error when I tried redoing the backup immediately after doing it. So now I'm guessing:

1. It has to do with the fact that the USB drive is NTFS
2. It has to do with my removing and reattaching the external drive in the interim.

It would certainly be interesting if someone with an NTFS external drive were willing to try reproducing this error...

 

Re: Error when trying to overwrite a split image backup from Rescue CD

Hello MKairys,

Thank you very much for the clarification. I've forwarded this information to Konstantin.

Please also note that we are currently awaiting for the new build to be released, so we can proceed with the investigation of your issue.

Thank you.
--
Alexey Popov