Acronis, imaging, and partition questions

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Hello. I have this W-7 machine on which I tried to do an image, this is against my grain as I always did clones. On this file backup, Acronis created, I think, a small partition in front of the HD. There is nothing in it, 3665 MBs and all of it is free space. What is the use of this partition ?

I would like to use that space small as it is. I have Gparted and also looked at Disk Management. I was once advised that moving the C:/ into the empty space would crunge the boot sector. I have not experimented in anyway yet !

If I were to use use Restore in Acronis, to only restore the C:/, would it boot ? Is this possible ?

Be assured that I did not create this front partition. Computors are magic ! JP.

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Hi JP,
Can you post an image of ‘Disk Management’ 33324-Make-an-Image-and-post-it
I make a folder on my external hdd named as the date i.e. May 26. I then do a ‘One Click’ back-up with Acronis to that folder, a ‘Systemback-up’ is created including the MBR.

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Ted & RR, you two are very nice persons. Thanks for at least, so far, reading me. Here is the PrnScrn:

34059-Disk

The bottom one, Ted, is a clone of the machine on a 160 GBs USB device, a clone. I also did an image and as I have not dabbled with images at all, I wonder if I could restore just the main partition ? I did he image and have not even had a look at it, it is on a RAID device in 0 mode. I would appreciate getting definite terminology as to image and clone as far as backup is concerned. Not the same kettle of fish. They are both “backup” procedures but very different.

RR, doing a clone, the MBR is also saved. You say that you do a BU but which one ?

Ted, I have never seen this extra partition thrown at me before, either. It really surprised me, I always verify, visually, a clone after the fact, I place both the source and the destination side-by-side on my screen to make sure that at least, they look alike. As per these lines, Ted, you know that I do have this bootable CD, I used it and made both an image and a clone, both stored to external devices, different ones so I have both options to restore. Looking at the bottom device in my .jpg, you can see that the clone also did the extra partition. I do not think that from a clone I can pick any one partition, the whole or nothing.

My question from the image expert, was to learn if I could elect to only restore the C:/ HD ??? It would then boot ??? This is the question. I could try it and if it crunges my machine, I could use the clone and redo it so the options are open. A nice week end to you both. Jean.

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Ted & RR, you two are very nice persons. Thanks for at least, so far, reading me. Here is the PrnScrn:

34059-Disk

That is confusing.
I cannot see what you described as 3665 MB partition.

Acronis created, I think, a small partition in front of the HD. There is nothing in it, 3665 MBs and all of it is free space.

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Alan, hello. Right you are, confusing I was. I do not now see where I could have seen this 3665 Mbs, it is only 100 MBs. The proper information was given here by RG on #12, go back up to it and thou shall be satisfied. Sorry about the misquote of its size, it will teach me to smoke anything. I hope that the confusion has been cleared.

To RAdu now, I am now on 2013 too and have not been offered any update. My version is : 16,0,0,6514, dated 27/03/2013. Mind you, here in the boonies, I do not use a wireless mouse.

I do nothing but clones here, saved my neck a few times as I really fool around with my machines. Be good. Jean.

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Alan, hello. Right you are, confusing I was. I do not now see where I could have seen this 3665 Mbs, it is only 100 MBs. The proper information was given here by RG on #12, go back up to it and thou shall be satisfied. Sorry about the misquote of its size, it will teach me to smoke anything. I hope that the confusion has been cleared.
Be good. Jean.

That 100MB size on the small “extra” partition is the smoking gun — it is definitely the Windows 7 “System” Partition. In most cases, deleting this partition does not affect Windows operations. But as this is a HP computer, they sometimes just have to do things differently, and they may be hiding some important system information in there. My Toshiba Satellite does not hide anything important in the Windows 7 System Partition.

I was afraid for awhile that the small extra partition was the Acronis Secure Zone, and that ATIH would try to store backups there, but this turns out not to be the case.

I use bootable CD media to work with partitions and backups or clones. Mini-Tool Partition Wizard and the WinPE version of Macrium Reflect Free are two very simple bootable media CDs which have never failed me. WinPE picks up any drivers it needs from any place where they can be read on the computer or any attached drives, which eliminates issues of a non-supported Mouse, Controller or Network Card, etc.

Acronis Rescue Media and their Disk Director Rescue Media seem to be just about as flexible and reliable, as long as the BartPE/WinPE option is downloaded when getting the Rescue Media ISO from your online Acronis Account. When building a BartPE or WinPE Rescue Disk, any system-specific drivers are usually picked up in the build process. That would include anything needed to recognize a SATA drive, provided the installed Acronis program is 64-bits. Updates should be downloaded and also the updated Rescue Media plug-ins, as the updates are released. Downloading both components at the same time should avoid most driver issues.

-- rc primak

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I have never seen Acronis create any partition such as this. I have created Images both from within Windows and booting to the restore disk and create an Image from there (my preferred method) and never have seen this.

Here’s what I would do. Start Acronis and Create the bootable media, then boot to this and create your Image. Store it to an Ext. device, done!

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Hello. I have this W-7 machine on which I tried to do an image, this is against my grain as I always did clones. On this file backup, Acronis created, I think, a small partition in front of the HD. There is nothing in it, 3665 MBs and all of it is free space. What is the use of this partition ?

JP,
Hello… I also use Acronis (2010) and have done hundreds of Images .. It never created any partitions on any of my HD’s . Your post mentions that you “Imaged ” your OS …then you say you did a “File” Backup… Which one are you trying to do?

1. The space was created (most likely) when you installed 7.. Acronis will also do this if you let Acronis “Set up ” a new HD.

2. I would Image the OS and use the recovery disk to restore it to the HD, after resizing the partition ( either boot time tool “G Parted’ or other like EASUS partition master. :cheers: Regards Fred

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Hello, Fred. As I was posting my brain-wave, yours came up.
Your second.jpg has me guessing. Using it, can I just backup the C:/ ? I have not played with images at all, here is an occasion to learn but I do not want to loose the machine, ie: the bootable stuff, MBR and such. As it is, it is disregarding this small partition and runs fine.
Thanks for your time. Jean.

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Hello, Fred. As I was posting my brain-wave, yours came up.
Your second.jpg has me guessing. Using it, can I just backup the C:/ ? I have not played with images at all, here is an occasion to learn but I do not want to loose the machine, ie: the bootable stuff, MBR and such. As it is, it is disregarding this small partition and runs fine.
Thanks for your time. Jean.

JP,
Hello… Yes you can Image just the C: … Don’t know whats on that small partition ..as i said it was most likely created during the 7 install ( not Acronis) . As long as you have a “Repair Disk (MS type) ” and a “Recovery Disk Acronis type”and a “Image of C:” … your good to go …Regards Fred

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Fred, I have all this. I just want this to be a “one-step” recovery and not have to reinstall W-7 all over again. Thanks. Jean.

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Fred, I have all this. I just want this to be a “one-step” recovery and not have to reinstall W-7 all over again. Thanks. Jean.

Jean,
Hello….i just mentioned that it’s best to have all those tools “at hand” …in the event that there is something on that small partition that “hoses” your OS when you resize… When you create an Image …that’s it…. you can recover to it either from the Acronis Recovery Disk , The Acronis F-11 boot option, or from within Windows with re-boot. Have fun:cheers: Regards Fred

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Good morning, Fred. >>> As long as you have a “Repair Disk (MS type) ” and a “Recovery Disk Acronis type”and a “Image of C:” … your good to go …Regards Fred <<<

I am going over a few messages here for the benefit of others.
I have all this and I tried them all. I got rid of the small Reserved Partition and obviously the HP would not boot. We know now that the MBR is in it. I got the Repairs going from a W-7 bootable-Repairs CD and ran the command prompt to : fix MBR. That did not cure it.
The Acronis would have cloned back both partitions but this is what I was trying to get away from.

As I thought that this small partition was crunging a clone procedure by not seeing the C:, I up and anteed $$$$$ at Acronis and got v.2013; well I did as now this app, either the main installed app or a Rescue CD, both will clone my machine, both ways. A reference here that the BIOS would not see the SATA HD is wrong, the destination HD is also a SATA and it was seen properly. I can now clone back too and this was the aim of this exercise.

Another learning process ! My older Rescue CDs worked fine on older OS, one can not stop progress and I had to update my cloning SW to keep up to the times. Oh, well ! Jean.

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And that’s the way I’ve been doing it for…..well…..way too long!

I always use my DOS Utilities disk to boot up a PC to partition and format a new hard drive.
I make VERY sure that no other disk is connected to the system at that time.
A DOS format is the only one, that will check and verify every sector on a hard drive and block out bad sectors.
Yes, it does take a while, but it’s well worth it.
I’d rather do a job right, than do it fast.

AS for running different OS’s on the same computer, as long as we’re talking about a Desktop,
I put each OS (I have three right now) on it’s own drive and I never let one OS see the others.
I only power up the drive I want to use.
I see no point in running more than one OS on a Laptop PC.

Acronis True Image is just ONE of many available backup programs, and NOT my personal favorite.

I even found my favorite one, floating around on the internet, a few weeks ago. Go figure!
It’s amazing, what you can find, when you’re really not looking for it.

The Doctor 😎

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Hi JP,
Your image is as it should be.
In my image, click the link below Archive location to set your location.
Click the link below Schedule to set it.
All my back-ups & restores are done within Windows. i.e. not using the Recovery disk.

34062-RR1
Click image to enlarge it.

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Jean, that’s the whole idea of doing Backup Images of your C drive. So that if that hard drive goes up in a big ball of fire and smoke, you can slap in a new drive, do a restore of your backup image and be back on-line in less than half an hour and not loose anything.

But for all that to work as intended, your Backup/Restore program must NOT be on your C drive. It MUST be on some bootable media, like a CD or Flash Drive. Every decent Backup program will offer to make you a Restore CD. If not, then don’t use it!
Also, the backup image MUST not be saved anywhere on your main hard drive that also contains your C partition.

I have tried several different versions of Acronis True Image, even the FREE one from Seagate and found them all ‘wanting’. It worked, but I just didn’t feel comfortable with the GUI.

Just for the record, I’ve found, over many years, that having to resort to restoring an image of your C drive, that’s more than a week old, involves the loss of just too much data. To offset that loss on my own PC, I do daily backups of all my data files, including doc’s, pictures, saved email, my address book, etc. That daily backup is done with a simple DOS Batch File using XCOPY.
I do that daily backup to TWO external locations. (a 32 gig Flash drive and a 1TB external Hard drive. Both are USB 3, so the backups go real fast)

It’s not necessary, to back up the same data over and over again….when properly applied, XCOPY will back up only files that have just been added or files that have been changed. A daily backup typically only takes a few seconds.

Back on Topic:
Yes, do Backup Images of C and save several generations on an external drive. Then if one should fail to restore, you have others you can resort to. A clone does not give you that option. I only use the Clone option when moving my OS to a larger or newer drive…. never for backup purposes.

Good Luck!
The Doctor 😎

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Jean,

This article on the Windows System Reserved Partition should answer most of your questions. HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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RG, thanks. This really lit my candle. Now I know what it is all about, that helps. As this is very non-obstructive, I will live with it for now, until I have a second machine to cover my steps. This reserved partition is so much reserved that as the article mentions that it does place some data in it, it nevertheless says that it is empty. Ted, aka, Medico, I have lost hope in imaging a bit more, I tried it and from the RAID USB 500 GBs device, it says that the data is corrupted. Oh, well !
Thanks to all, I have learned some new stuff.

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I tried it and from the RAID USB 500 GBs device

Jean,

Now I’m totally confused? :confused: RAID & USB seem mutually exclusive to me. I’ve never tried to image a RAID device but I would think it would take software specifically designed to do it. Maybe someone else who has experience with RAID could chine in. :cheers:

Update: Well I’ll be a … it looks like Acronis does support Hardware RAID but not Software RAID. Seethis Article.

Update 2: Looks like Macrium Reflect also supports RAID.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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RG, hello.
I have this twin HD unit, set up in RAID 0 ( zero ), it then only sees the device as any other device, ie: one unit. It is then just as dumb as any USB device, no need to be fussy about using it. RAID has it own small logic board built-in it then knows where to direct the data or so methinks. They are not exclusive at all and you are not dumb at all too. I also had to go to RAID school when I was given this unit. JP.

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I have used Acronis from way back. At some point, they started imaging the system files and mbr as well as the c: partition on my main hard drive. Then when I tried to restore, I had no idea what to do. Did I need to restore the system files and mbr and then the C:/ partition? in what order? What if i didn’t restore anything but the C:/ partition. So I didn’t restore anything except some data files from the image. Maybe the system files and mbr file weer the extra file in your image file?

Kwhiz01

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Whiz, hello. I can tell that you have been doing an image. As per your note, you would be better doing a clone. Then, there is no question about what to restore. A clone will restore all of the C: as the name implies, it is a clone, a mirror, exactly what your C: is when you clone it, bit for bit. You only need a destination HD large enough to hold what is on your machine, ie: even if your C: is 1 TB, if it holds 300 MBs, Acronis will not copy empty space, and you will have a twin of your machine. I never do images, I have many small USB HDs, each one dedicated to one machine. It is all in what your are used to, experts here are imaging all the time, I am used to cloning, that is my cup of tea. I am also dedicated to Acronis, would not be without. Jean.

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Did you try looking at the system reserved partition with Protected operating system files view enabled (unchecked)?

If you want to avoid any little reserved partition being used you need to format the drive with GParted perhaps or with another system first, and then not let Win 7 touch the partitioning or do any formatting at the time of install.

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Jean,

You can Image any or all the partitions on your HD, then Restore any partition, or the entire HD, you choose.

I doubt you need to ever restore the system reserved partition, unless your entire HD is fried in which case the entire HD would need to be restore.

In my case I used to have 3 partitions, Win 7, Win 8 and a data partition. I could Images all 3 at once, creating a single Image file, then restore any of the 3 singly simply by choosing which to restore, and where to restore it. Note however that it is vital to have each partition labeled correctly to make then easy to distinguish one from the other.

In DrWho’s example, you always want to store your Image away from the main HD because the reason you may need to restore is because the HD fried. If your Image is on a separate partition on the same HD, you will loose your Image at the same time you loose the HD. Also make sure you do create the Boot Media from what ever app you use because this is what you will use to boot when your PC will not boot.

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Good morning, Ted & all.
>>> I doubt you need to ever restore the system reserved partition <<<
This reserved partition is playing trouble here, it prevents Acronis from seeing the C: drive in my machine. I load Acronis and either I select Clone or Backup, it only sees the USB drive and aborts saying : "you only have one drive" . I can notice this when Acronis checks the HDs, it will flick the LED on the USB device, what ever is connected, and the LED for the desktop HD is not activated, or so I think is what I see.
I have one option, two-headed, either I redo the W-7 now or wait until it dies as I have no protection at all and then redo it, all same-same. This will teach me to pay attention when redoing the W-7 OS.
I wonder if deleting this Reserved partition and then using the W-7 CD to redo the MBR would save my day ???
Ted, I just got back to your message #22 and will try your solution. I should have memorized it before. JP.

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>>> I doubt you need to ever restore the system reserved partition <<<
This reserved partition is playing trouble here, it prevents Acronis from seeing the C: drive in my machine.

JP,

Hello… You now have me completely confused… I have to ask….

1. What version of Acronis are you using? There is a difference between some versions..

2. I have done clone's and Imaging using Acronis Version "11" 2009, 2010, 2012, and played around with 2013… a Recovery partition… is just another "Partition" Acronis won't care what's on it … Some PC's will hide this Partition for safety ( protect it from users)

3. If you Image "C" …Acronis will do just that …

4. If you choose to "Clone" the entire HD … It will do the whole thing Recovery Partition and all …

5. Depending on what version you have (Acronis) you may not be able to "Clone", "Image" to all USB devices

Back to you ….. :cheers: Regards Fred

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Fred, back to me ! Yes on all your questions. I have been using Acronis for at least 5 years and I am now using v.11. All your questions were easily done before, not on this machine. Update : I was able to clone this C: to a USB device and no problem, using the built-in Acronis after doing a full install of it. But and a big BUT this is, I can not use a bootable rescue disk of Acronis so this clone is of not much use. I have used two different bootable rescue disks and I always get the : you only have one drive, Acronis can not proceed. Using the installed Acronis, I did not get this bug and I did get to do the clone. Computors are fun ! Jean.

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I have used two different bootable rescue disks and I always get the : you only have one drive, Acronis can not proceed. Using the installed Acronis, I did not get this bug and I did get to do the clone.

JP,
Hello… Again you have me confused … V11… Is that 2011 or the old “11” ?

1. To do a “Clone” you can run from within Windows Acronis….. No needing a “Recovery Disk” .. Just will require a “Re-Boot” after setting what you want, and where you want to put it…Also you do not “Clone” just C:… That’s called an Image… a Clone is an exact copy of your whole Hard Drive.

2. Likely your PC is not set up in BIOS to see a USB Flash Drive (at boot time)…Or you have it configured “FAT” instead of “NTFS”.. Just a guess.

3. You’re making me crazy…. (er):cheers: Regards Fred

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Good evening, Fred.

Hello… Again you have me confused … V11… Is that 2011 or the old “11” ?

The old 11, runs fine from the installed app.

1. To do a “Clone” you can run from within Windows Acronis….. No needing a “Recovery Disk” .. Just will require a “Re-Boot” after setting what you want, and where you want to put it…Also you do not “Clone” just C:… That’s called an Image… a Clone is an exact copy of your whole Hard Drive.

This is what I have done now, a clone, without using the recovery disk. Yes, I know what a clone is, I have never used an image.

2. Likely your PC is not set up in BIOS to see a USB Flash Drive (at boot time)…Or you have it configured “FAT” instead of “NTFS”.. Just a guess.

It does see any USB device, key or HD. NTFS is the way to go. It does boot from BIOS but will not see the C: HD, it sees the USB one. This is why I think that the reserved partition might be the stump.

3. You’re making me crazy…. (er)

Do not feel alone here, Fred. I still have a full head of hair but I keep pulling some lately. I will live with this condition for a while. When I get back home, I will try another W-7 DVD or reinstall XP and do an upgrade, maybe ??? this would cure this bug.

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It does boot from BIOS but will not see the C: HD, it sees the USB one. This is why I think that the reserved partition might be the stump.

JP,
Hello… If your BIOS does not “see” the C: HD …it would not boot. …Question:

1. When you attempt to run the Clone from within Windows using Acronis ( Your OS up and running) …You first have to select the “Source” to Clone From…Then the next screen wants you to select the “Target” for the Clone… After selecting , Acronis will “do it’s thing” and ask you to “Re-Boot”. At that point TI will Boot itself into Acronis and will run the Clone Procedure…No further steps from you. If you can select the source, and target, and Acronis accepts the choices…( running Acronis from Windows) you should be good to go. You don’t need any Acronis “Recovery disks”… Guess I’m just not understanding you ….sorry but i “give” :blink: Regards Fred

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Good sunny morning, Ted. Saving an image or a clone off the machine has been adopted from day-1 here. This is a valid philosophy and I can not see the reverse option of saving a “saviour” on the questioned HD, the C:, this would as you wrote, negate it all. RG, gave me the reason for this extra partition. I remember getting up at 4:00 AM to finish rebuilding this machine to W-7 and as I was still 1/2 asleep at that time, I guess that I missed this step and it created this small partition. I have learned some new stuff.
The reason that I pursued this subject was just for this reason, to learn what was going on. Now, using Acronis and doing an image, sure I could select to restore just the C: partition and hoping for the best, it will hold the MBR and I would be done. I might try it today. I tried it a couple of days ago but the terminology got me off kilter. As I was not sure of what it meant, I abstained. I will give Help in Acronis a read today. I learned to read about 75 years ago and I still enjoy it.

To resume your advice, yes, I save to USB HD and yes, I have a bootable CD for Acronis. I miss your point in your second paragraph, why the need to restore the small partition at all if I install a new HD ?

Have a great day, in the USA. Jean.

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I miss your point in your second paragraph, why the need to restore the small partition at all if I install a new HD ?

Because if you put in a new drive and used the image made from the retired drive, you would need to restore the small partition in that case because it’s not on the new drive and the system won’t boot without it.

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FUN, good day. You wrote : the system won’t boot without it.
Are you sure ? This is why I push the discussion here. The article that RG posted here seems to imply this. I am really swimming in dark waters here. I will go and read it over again, it seemed to mention that part of it held some portion of the MBR, I wonder if this is so even if encryption is never used. Jean.

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Problem, cause and solution if you wanted to remove the system reserved partition;

http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/kb/article.php?id=409

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Jean,

After reading the article just referenced, I’m a little confused as well, LOL

In my case, I previously (in Win 7) I had removed this partition using a 3rd party partitioning app to delete it thus created unallocated space. My PC would not boot. I then had to use a command prompt to fix the MBR which, I believe, placed the MBR on the main Windows partition. This articleshows the steps necessary to fix the MBR.

Once this was done so I could again boot into Windows, I then used the 3rd party partitioning app to move the C drive forward into the unallocated space. Now I had just one partition that included the MBR. Now when I upgraded to Win 8 I used the Custom Install, and Win 8 also included the boot info on the C Drive. If I look at my Disk Manager there is no system reserved partition listed.

34078-DiskManager

I believe everything I state here is correct. I however am not a hardware or Windows engineer so perhaps I am not stating correctly how everything worked. All I know is it worked.

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Ya, I just make sure the target partition/disk is formatted ahead of time if installing.

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Acronis does have ‘Back Up System’, but I think it can only be accessed under the ‘Get Started’ tab. You should be aware that the Bootable Rescue Media Builder, under TrueImage Tools and Utilities, can create an extremely convenient bootable flash drive complete with, if you happen to have it installed on the same drive as TrueImage, Acronis Disk Director, all in well under 400 MB, which is a far cry from installing it on a disk (and assuming you can boot from a flash drive). If you create one, be sure you have the latest build(s) of the program(s).

You may have any number of small mystery partitions, typically without a drive letter.

If you have ever installed or generally been fooling around with Linux (e.g. Ubuntu) you may have Linux partitions that are invisible to many if not most Windows-based utilities. A Windows utility that can perform many useful operations and that can see Linux partitions is MiniTool Partition Wizard (free for home users).

I have two small ‘mystery partitions’ on the present machine: PQSERVICE and SYSTEM RESERVED. PQSERVICE is just the Acer name for the partition with the factory image that is available on pretty well all laptop computers, and you may have a similar partition with a different name chosen by the manufacturer of your computer. SYSTEM RESERVED was identified in the link provided by Retired Geek and I wouldn’t touch it. It’s not just the boot but the possibility that you may one day want to dual (or more) boot that is at risk. If you have BitLocker, you paid a lot of money for it and I would not recommend throwing that capability away. I have it and will use it when appropriate, and yes, I have and am using dual boot; the machine works well, and I wouldn’t dare touch that partition. It is a tiny percentage of your total storage space.

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RG, hello. Your pointer in message #12 did it and I am back here to justify it. Also, I need to mention that I had said that Acronis had made this small partition, let me set the record straight, it was NOT Acronis if one reads that article. I could not just sit there with this misstatement.
Thanks again to RG and all who took interest in this question. Have a nice day. Jean.

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Jean,

Thanks. Glad to be of assistance. :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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That might repair something JP but I’m almost certain that the reserve partition is not preventing Acronis from seeing a normal MBR drive.

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I do not believe so either. Something else is going on in your system.

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I would like to believe you guys but what I see here does not add up. I will be trying new stuff and be back. Jean.

OK, relax all. I just D/L’d Acronis 2013 and will report back on its use.

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If I had to guess I would say your boot disc(s) is not compatible with the SATA controller on that system, so it can’t see the drive. If you are using IDE compatible (legacy), strike that guess.

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If I had to guess I would say your boot disc(s) is not compatible with the SATA controller on that system, so it can’t see the drive. If you are using IDE compatible (legacy), strike that guess.

Strike it for sure. The bootable disk was made on the SATA machine. Acronis does work from the installed app, not from the bootable media. Srill studying the setup. Thanks. Jean.

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Strike it for sure. The bootable disk was made on the SATA machine. Acronis does work from the installed app, not from the bootable media. Srill studying the setup. Thanks. Jean.

Just the opposite conclusion JP, might even be a homerun for me.

Check out the following two links to problems that seem to mirror yours, and not coincidentally, it’s with TI 11. If it’s 64-bit…cheap seats!

http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/237065-acronis-does-not-see-my-c-drive.html

http://forum.acronis.com/forum/5766

Time to try ToDo Free or Macrium Reflect.

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FUN, hello. “If I had to guess I would say your boot disc(s) is not compatible with the SATA controller on that system, so it can’t see the drive.” From #34.

Not the case at all, IMVHO, both Source and Destination are SATA. After all, I boot every time from that SATA HD and BIOS sees it fine.

Sorry for being repetitive, I am picking up on some replies after finding out what the problem was. The techie at Acronis implied that the 64 bitness was the problem. Beyond me this is. JP.

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Just a note regarding Acronis;
DO NOT update immediately after a new “version” is released.
I was using Acronis 2013, and stupidly updated when prompted to do so.
Guess what?
The updated version (still 2013) does NOT support wireless mouse when booted from CD.
Acronis is aware of it, but no fix.
Been like that for over a month.
P.S. I’ve been using Acronis for a long time now, but this cavalier attitude about updates and fixes is starting to get irritating. And some of their “fixes” to issues are not offered as an update, but as manual “tweaks”.
Sad, otherwise I like it.
P.S. Only had to run “recovery” once – restored the cloned image but it was a long time ago, like in version 2011.

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I am having no such problems with Acronis TI 2013. It is happy whether creating/restoring Images from within Windows or booting from the Acronis Boot Media and doing these things.

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I think JP is trying to make the whole restore an image thing work from the rescue boot disc. It works fine both ways from within Windows, but the worry is what if Windows tanks and the boot disc doesn’t see the C drive to restore to if relying on an image instead of a clone.

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I think JP is trying to make the whole restore an image thing work from the rescue boot disc. It works fine both ways from within Windows, but the worry is what if Windows tanks and the boot disc doesn’t see the C drive to restore to if relying on an image instead of a clone.

F.U.N.,
Hello… What you are saying is true… The “Test” ( for trouble shooting) in this case would be running Acronis from within Windows to do the “Clone” ….If TI won’t accept either the choice of “Source” or “Target” , will provide a clue as to the problem …I’m betting that TI won’t accept the USB Flash Drive as the target … Or the BIOS is not set to “See” a “Flash Drive” when booting. :cheers: Regards Fred

PS: One other thought …You can Run a Recovery from the Acronis boot disk ..as long as you have a “Image” Stored someplace that TI can access… If you do not have TI installed on the PC you may not be able to run all the “Acronis Tools ” Like Cloning , etc. from the recovery disk.

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F.U.N.,
Hello… What you are saying is true… The “Test” ( for trouble shooting) in this case would be running Acronis from within Windows to do the “Clone” ….If TI won’t accept either the choice of “Source” or “Target” , will provide a clue as to the problem …I’m betting that TI won’t accept the USB Flash Drive as the target … Or the BIOS is not set to “See” a “Flash Drive” when booting. :cheers: Regards Fred

PS: One other thought …You can Run a Recovery from the Acronis boot disk ..as long as you have a “Image” Stored someplace that TI can access… If you do not have TI installed on the PC you may not be able to run all the “Acronis Tools ” Like Cloning , etc. from the recovery disk.

Unless I’m completely reversed, I think you are completely reversed. The USB disk is recognized and works fine (or would work fine) either from in Windows or from the rescue disc. It is the internal SATA drive that is not recognized by the rescue disc. The USB disk cannot be used as the target merely because the internal SATA drive is not recognized to be used as a source and the USB disk cannot be used to restore from merely because the internal SATA drive is not recognized.

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I think you are completely reversed.

Hi F.U.N.,

Hello.. You could be correct … As I’m often on the wrong side of things….but that’s the reason for my insisting that he run the Clone starting from within Windows. Acronis would “Choke” if there is something amiss when your setting up the Clone.

This is just a “WAG” …I think that “JP” is trying to run the “Clone” from the recovery disk….. is that Acronis is not installed on the “Host PC”. If you could do all things Acronis from the “Recovery Disk”….No one would ever buy it…. Just my twisted mind at work…:wacko: Regards Fred

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Me still, Fred. ” is that Acronis is not installed on the “Host PC”.

Matters not. I have been using this Rescue CD for years now, even with no Acronis of any vintage, installed. All procedures in Acronis are possible from any medium, back and forth. Try it. Jean.

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Do please read the update to # 31.

OK, relax all. I just D/L’d Acronis 2013 and will report back on its use.

Quoting the update here. JP.

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Do please read the update to # 31.

OK, relax all. I just D/L’d Acronis 2013 and will report back on its use.

Quoting the update here. JP.

JP,
Hello…. Going from V-11 to 2013 …Wow you are in for an experience! “Kinda Like” a toddler wandering into a pack of Velociraptors… If there were any reason to have a “Image” before you install 2013….NOW is the time!….Good luck :wacko: Regards Fred

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Acronis 2013 works very well. I have Imaged and restored both our laptops with it. In fact after I create an Image, I then turn around and restore that image to ensure it actually works. I have created Images from within Windows, and from the Acronis Boot Disk (this is my normal method). The UI is somewhat different, but works well for me.

I had to create a new Boot Disk for each version of Acronis I have owned (or rented as the case may be). The Boot Disk for 2010 will not work in 2011 or 2013 (I skipped v2012). I presently have v2013 installed on my PC and can Image both our PCs using the one Boot Disk I created when I first installed Acronis 2013.

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Fred & Ted, hello.

All is now rectified. I got on the Acronis site and D/L’d v 2013. After discussing with the techie there, it was mentioned that all the previous versions of ATIH that I was using, are not 64-bit capable. Now that I have the latest version, Light @ $39.99, all is in oil. I did a clone of C:, it went to completion.

I then made a Rescue Media CD and tried to reverse the clone and if I had pressed “Proceed” it would have done it as it saw all HDs and their sundry partitions.

Now, once more, a large thankyou to all who sweated this out with me. Per Ardua, At Astra. At Acronis in this case. Jean once more happy.

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After discussing with the techie there, it was mentioned that all the previous versions of ATIH that I was using, are not 64-bit capable.

JP,
Hello… Just a side note … After having a “Look See” at my old V-11 PDF ( and original V-11 Acronis True Image packaging) thought that you might be interested in this …The “techie” must be having a bad day….Have Fun …Regards Fred

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What am I, chopped liver? I had this nailed since post 34! You just didn’t want to listen to a youngster like me. :P:

Seriously though, what keeps you so brand loyal? I jumped off the Acronis barge back in 2010 for precisely these types of idiosyncrasies from version to version; also because the next minor version often made an older minor version image invalid.

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Oh, I see what you misunderstood JP. I thought I was clear it’s the 64-bit SATA controllers, that’s what it means to be 64-bit incompatible. It has nothing to do with the fact that the drives themselves are SATA-type. The old rescue boot disc could see the external SATA-type drive because it’s on a USB connection, not on the internal SATA connection. It boots (or did) fine because there it has the 64-bit drivers, your old rescue boot disc however, does not have those drivers.

The good precise information you provided on which drive was seen and which was not, connection-wise, was the whole premise behind my good guess in the first place. :).

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FUN, hi ! >>> I see what you misunderstood. <<<

Eventually we get to agree when a fine discussion batters back and forth. As of now, I am all set. When I get back home, I will then have more "tools" to really get this Reserved partition out of my hair. In the mean time, let us enjoy a fine machine. Be good. Jean.

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FUN DT, hello. >>> the whole premise behind my good guess in the first place <<<

A fine guess this was too. I am back home for a week and I looked at all my machines here, 64 bit and 32 bit ones and your guess is confirmed. The older Acronis CD would not see the internal drive on any 64 bit machine and the new Acronis 2013 did not mind this at all. This on two W-7 and a W-8 machines with a mix of 64 or 32 bitness.

This goes back a full week but I wanted to thank you some more. Jean.

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I also do not see this problem. I have v 16.0.0.6682. I have Logitech wireless mouse (uses a USB mini receiver) and my wife has a Bluetooth wireless mouse (MS 5000) with no such problems with either.

I have not made a new boot disk after originally installing Acronis TI 2013. RAdu, did you create a new boot disk after installing the update? If so, perhaps switching back to your original boot disk would be better.

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Good morning, Ted. I hate this, agreeing with you,:rolleyes: but, I also do not have this behaviour, I stole the WL mouse from my Toshiba laptop along with its USB TX/RX and booted from the Acronis CD, the mouse worked fine, no repeat of what RAdu mentioned.

Bob, good morning to you too. I am living with this small 100 MBs partition now and do not loose any sleep over it. I have not tried to delete it as maybe some boot data is in it or so I have read. My Toshiba laptop is on W-8, I have a Thinkpad at home that runs W-7 and it has no such small reserved partition. Go search ! I have not in three installs on this machine, seen the so called option to use the whole HD and not be imposed with this small partition. I also thought that Acronis had created this partition, not so, it was a coincidence in my operation that led me astray. #12 here has a link to find out what goes on in this regard.

I am now quite happy with Acronis now that this new 2013 sees 64 bitness. You be good. .. Jean.

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I have to respectfully disagree on the Clone as a preference. I always use Imaging, which allows me to save several different Images on the same Ext. HD in case I wish to restore to different points. When I restore an Image, I do not check the MBR entry, I just check the C Drive or D Drive, then choose where to restore them to. Unless you are having boot problems, and even then I would try to just do the C Drive first, there should be no need to restore the MBR. I never do and all works just fine.

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Yes, Ted, you are right. But in this case, Whiz is trying to swap HDs, a 500 to a 750. Cloning was made just for this end. I totally agree with your procedure even if I do not adopt it. Doing a clone, there is no other procedure, no having to select one or the other image, simple enough for a weak mind. Let us allow Whiz to select whatever he picks to suit his purpose. Cloning suits me and being hard headed, I have defined my procedures on it. To each his own but a clone is the indicated way as per Acronis, to swap drives.

I do too : “I have to respectfully disagree”, not the slightest hard feeling. Jean.

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Good day, Ted. “”I have to respectfully disagree on the Clone as a preference””. Your call and we are different users.
But I would now like to discuss the new (?) File History app in W-8. I tried it and I do not think that I will use it, for a home user, it is too much ! What is your opinion on it if you can think outside of imaging as I know you can. This is an old post but I just recently tried FH and would now like to get your well formed opinion on it. It might replace both our ways of doing things once understood and grabbed. So far, nogo ! Jean.

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I did not see the reference to swapping HDs. Must have been in an earlier post. Even still my preference is Imaging. As you state to each there own.

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My bad Ted. “2013-06-16 17:17 I did not see the reference to swapping HDs”.

Must have been an overstrength martini, this was in another trend where the user was swapping HDs. Sorry ! I will try to find the reference just to excuse myself. Be good, Jean.

Edit. Ted, this was in the W-7 forum where Rui says : With 2 drives, the best option is to clone, since the image cannot be saved on the destination drive and it’s better not to save it in the source drive, as well (although Acronis could create a special partition for this).

Rellimed was the initiator of that discussion. He wanted to go from a 500 to a 750 G HD. I hope that my confusion is cleared.

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I only use Acronis 2010’s ‘One Click’ method which gives a system image backup including the MBR. I have successfully done a ‘Restore’ using one of them to a larger new HDD, which in this case, must include the MBR to be added to the ‘Restore’.

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I have several Acronis backup CDs but Autoplay is turned off for security reasons. I back up my files on DVDs and hope for the best.

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I use File History each month right after I create a new Image. For my needs, a monthly file history is fine. I save my files between 2 PCs between times. I do not have large data saving needs so this works fine for me.

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Two complimentary backup techniques. File History is for more immediate data backups, the data files that might change from hour to hour and accumulate to several dozen or hundreds (or more) a day. Very similar to other programs like Syncback or Synctoy, etc.

One does not clone or image every hour just to catch one or two data file changes, that’s more for whole disk or system partition backup.

I’ve read many cases however where File History is replicating files when no changes have been made but I don’t know if this is a major issue or not. In any case, that’s one reason why I prefer synchronized data backups even though I have to delete a file in all synchronized backup locations if I want to keep it from syncing back to the source if it were only deleted there.

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