Introducing AX64 Time Machine - hybrid imaging/snapshot software

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by Isso, Jan 18, 2013.

  1. marse.robert

    marse.robert Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Posts:
    255
    Location:
    Langar: Nottinghamshire: UK
    Hi All.


    I still cannot produce a useable recovery cd. Can anyone point me to an iso?


    Thanks
     
  2. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Bob, try this one from the previous release...

    AXTM Recovery Disc Build796

    I have not been able to get a recovery CD from Build800 to work on my Alpha system but this one does...
     
  3. marse.robert

    marse.robert Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Posts:
    255
    Location:
    Langar: Nottinghamshire: UK
    Hi Froggie,

    Thanks for the iso! Do I have to add anything to the dic?

    Regards

    Marse
     
  4. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Well... it just may not work. When AXTM builds their recovery media, they use the drivers on the system it's being built from. If your system is using mostly Microsloth drivers, it will probably boot right into the RECOVERY window... give it a try.

    If it doesn't, you should re-install Build796 just to create a new ISO media on the system you'll be using it on... that should work for sure. I don't have the B796 installer anymore, just the RECOVERY ISO. If you need the installer, you'll have to get it from Isso.

    At the moment I'm using the Build 800 for the HOT stuff and the BUild 796 Recovery ISO for any COLD recovery.

    Edit: My bad, I do have the Build 796 installer if you need it... lemme know.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2013
  5. marse.robert

    marse.robert Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Posts:
    255
    Location:
    Langar: Nottinghamshire: UK
    Hi Froggie

    I have just recovered my first TM backup!

    Thanks for the iso: you are very kind. I would appreciate the other iso.

    Regards Bob
     
  6. marse.robert

    marse.robert Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Posts:
    255
    Location:
    Langar: Nottinghamshire: UK
    Hi Isso

    Froggie has kindly provided me with an iso for recovery.

    Some weeks back, I backed up my C:\ and attempted my first restore. At first, I did not dare to look at the monitor because I believed it would go "belly up."

    So, I went for a quick "leak" washed my hands and returned: and there it was - a restored image.

    Well Isso, I am gobsmacked - well done - and I want the first edition that rolls off the production line,

    fantastic

    Marse
     
  7. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Bob, I have PM'd you with additional info...
     
  8. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Froggie,

    Thank you for providing your iso to Robert!

    Robert,

    Great to hear it, thank you! Did you already try online restore too?

    PS We'll soon be checking the recovery media problems, hopefully we'll be able to get you a working version then.
     
  9. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Isso... quick question.

    I've just entered an SSD-based desktop into the ALPHA phase of AXTM (Build 800).

    Since your website says...

    "(alpha version, use with caution! SSDs are not supported yet!)"

    ...and this thread has mentioned some fixes along the way but maybe not quite finished yet, what may I expect when using this ALPHA system as far as the SSD structures are concerned. It sounds like the main prob is in defining the incremental difference (due to TRIM) and doing the snapshot... possibly making the snapshot much bigger than needed.

    Is this kinda where you're at with this ALPHA? Thanks in advance for your help.
     
  10. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Froggie,

    Overall SSD support is there, TRIM is handled correctly and doesn't affect the size of the backup. The reason for "SSDs not supported" statement was an intermittent issue that we faced recently, that was quite hard to track.
    Most likely the current version will work fine for you. However if you wait for a couple of days I'll release the new version with this issue fixed. I'll then announce official SSD support.

    Isso
     
  11. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    Posts:
    2,986
    Location:
    Oman
    Dear Froggie,

    I just borrowed my friend's laptop to try AXTM. Installed Build 800 and created Recovery ISO without a hitch. What problems are you facing to create a Recovery ISO?

    Based on the Recovery ISO, I just created the Recovery Boot Menu. See the uploaded image, and AX_Recovery as Boot Menu.

    Best regards,
     

    Attached Files:

  12. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    Posts:
    2,986
    Location:
    Oman
    Dear Isso,

    I still need to send you an email. Both my laptops ASUS G73 Gaming Machine and ASUS N61Nq are in for repairs (motherboard replacements). My two desktops are there, but too lazy to go to the desktops and use Microsoft Outlook to reply to emails.

    Since I cannot try AXTM on any of the nine computers in my home due to conflict with Acronis, therefore I have finally borrowed a laptop from my friend to try out the AXTM. I took the initial image (backup), 24GB which split into two files. Will keep you posted.

    Best regards,

    Mohamed
     
  13. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    Posts:
    2,986
    Location:
    Oman
    Dear Froggie,

    Do you want me to upload for you the Build 800 ISO?

    I have Dropbox, never done through Dropbox. Have in past uploaded through other websites. If you want me to upload to Dropbox, just tell me how, and I will do it. I have a fast connection.

    Best regards,

    Mohamed
     
  14. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Hi Mohamed! The problem isn't in creating the ISO, it's successfully using it for recovery.

    When I BOOT using a Build 800 ISO, it boots just fine and eventually lands in the RESTORE window of AXTM. If I then select a snap for restoration and <click> on RESTORE, the task drops to a Windows background screen and hard boots the machine once again.

    What's supposed to happen is that after <click>ing on RESTORE, a RESTORE window should appear allowing you to view the restoration process. When that process completes, then it drops to the Windows background and does the hard boot.

    It seems to be bypassing the whole restoration process and thinking it's already done. Marse was having a similar problem so I sent him an ISO from Build 796... which works just fine for both of us.

    I am currently running Build 800 under Windows and using ISO Build 796 for any COLD restorations.
     
  15. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    No thanks, Mohamed... see post #439 above.

    Again, no need at this time.

    With DropBox, just COPY your file to your PUBLIC DropBox folder. Once it's been uploaded and is on their website (GREEN arrow in file icon), you can <right-click> on the DropBox file and select "Dropbox/Copy Public Link," then paste that link into whatever msg you'd like. The person receiving the link may use it to download that file to wherever he wishes.
     
  16. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Isso... some food for thought.

    On my SSD-based AXTM ALPHA system, all has run as expected... until this morning.

    The system has "Shadow Defender" (SD) installed on it but it hasn't been invoked since AXTM went up. It's done 3 or 4 snapshots with the timing as expected.

    This morning I did an AXTM snap prior to invoking SD, invoked SD prior to a software installation test, then installed about 250mB of software. I used the software for a 1-time creation of a file on an unprotected disk (AXTM or SD), then reBOOTed my system to let SD remove its virtual environment and the changes that were in it.

    Following the reBOOT, and not knowing exactly how SD "removes" its virtual environment and associated files, I decided to run an AXTM snap to see what it would pick up. If SD eliminated its virtual environment/files using standard Windows protocols (file deletion), and TRIM was executed properly by Windows following that cleanup (TRIM is functional and fully tested... about 6-sec to perform)... I would have expected the AXTM snapshot to be fairly small. My expectations were met... it was only 56mB.

    BUT... the snap took 7-min to perform (actual backup, not the preparing phase. This is the same time as the original FULL snap took to perform), I know not why. A 78-mB snap last evening took less than a minute. During this time, other than AXTM, disk activity was minimal and 90+% of a Core2Quad was fully available.

    I'm not sure what this means as far as AXTM is concerned... it just struck me as quite an anomaly. The system is available for testing, if needed.
     
  17. aladdin

    aladdin Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2006
    Posts:
    2,986
    Location:
    Oman
    Dearest Froggie,

    Many thanks for the above information.

    Best regards,

    Mohamed
     
  18. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Dear Mohamed,

    Thank you for sharing your experience. Please let me know if any questions.

    Isso
     
  19. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Froggie,

    Thank you for the information.

    Long backup time is an indication that AXTM wasn't shut down properly to save it's cached data. Apparently the reason is SD restore procedure. I'm not sure how SD handles the restore, but it's quite possible that it somehow interfered with AXTM (I would be surprised if not).

    Some time ago carfal investigated AXTM and RollbackRX operation on the same system and was able to come with some rules that appear to allow both of them operate properly (and he mentioned long backup time if the rules are not followed). I guess there may be a way to make SD and AXTM operate on the same system too.
     
  20. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Isso... my guess is that AXTM is saving its cache (in the SD virtual space) before SD throws its virtual system away... along with your cached data :eek:

    If your cached data has a filename, or there is any other end of system info that needs to be kept in tact by filename, with that knowledge I can EXEMPT them from being "defended" by SD and they will remain pristine. Or, if all the important stuff is in the same folder, I can exempt that folder... just need the knowledge, and will be happy to test such.
     
  21. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450

    The only file that AXTM uses is named AXTrack{GUID}.dat and is placed in System Volume Information folder of the backed up drive. That file contains the program settings, and most important - the list of changed sectors since the last backup.

    Excluding it might not really help, in fact it may make the problem even worse, because the synchronization of that file and the user data on the drive will be lost, and that may result in corrupted data when restoring. Again, I may be wrong, I'm not sure how SD works. For now I just wouldn't recommend to use both programs together apart from research purposes maybe.
     
  22. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,945
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    I see your point. Then testers beware, especially if using sandbox (virtual) type apps (SD, DeepFreeze,Sandboxie, etc.).
     
  23. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Yes, and I think it's pretty obvious - if you put any program under partial sandbox (like with exclusion of AXTM's settings file) then you will get unpredictable result, because of inconsistency of that file and the rest of the system.
     
  24. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2003
    Posts:
    20,590
    This brings up an interesting point. Some one earlier said that AXTM and FDISR coexist fine together. Well not quite, at least at this point.

    When you first instatll ATXM all is well, but once you take a snapshot, the file ISSO mentioned above in the System Volume Folder is not copied by FDISR, and it yields 1 error. But the archive is still fine just doesn't have that file.

    When you do a restore with FDISR, that file is now gone. All is still well until you do a restore. When I tested in a 2gig virtual machine, the restore hung, and I had to do a power reset. Trashed the disk.

    As Isso makes new versions I will keep testing this, but as of right now, just be aware.

    PEte
     
  25. Isso

    Isso Developer

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2009
    Posts:
    1,450
    Peter, I'm pretty sure these two issues are unrelated. "Hang on restore" is a separate problem that we are working on right now. It's a major problem that may lead to drive corruption like in your case. (Note that you can always use recovery media to restore the drive in such case though).

    For FDISR compatibility - I haven't done any compatibility testing so far, but later when I have a chance I'll be able to give you detailed information.
    I think if carfal got AXTM working even with RollbackRX, then it's possible to get it working with other software too, it's just not a priority task right now, sorry.

    Isso
     
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.