Acronis True Image Home 10.0 Challenges

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Guess I’m a glutton for punishment
I’ve just upgraded from Version 9.0 to 10.0 and had a few challenges in the upgrade.
Attempt 1 – Ran the install file downloaded 100+ mb
Install barfed towards the end of the install reversing everything it did and reported that the install was interrupted and could not continue – no reason.
Attempt 2 – Disabled my firewall and repeated attempt 1.
Results – same as attempt 1.
Attempt 2 – Disabled my AVG Anti-Virus software.
Results – finally installed – surprised they finally fixed that gosh darn aggravation of having to place your old serial number as well as the new serial number
For my second challenge, went online and wanted to Register Version 10.0 – their website reported that the serial number I was given – moments ago via Digital River – had already been registered
Suprise – if it was registered, it didn’t appear under my login – Support ticket sent – still waiting.. Will report back when ‘s fly.

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Bob, the other one,

Now Robert, Acronis will get back to you with an answer to your reg problem.

As to the other install attempts, I think you would have been better off uninstalling the Version 9 first and then installing V 10.
This version 10 has a lot more to it than V9 and the install over the old one was probably the problem.
When I installed V10 beta first release, I uninstalled V9 and all went good from there along with subsequent installs of other builds and RC1.

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Hi Bob,
I know that Acronis will ‘eventually’ get back to me on the reg problem, but I don’t agree with you on uninstalling version 9.0 before installing version 10.0. As quoted from the Acronis web site:
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Frequently asked questions about
Acronis True Image 10.0 Home
Do I need to uninstall the existing version of Acronis True Image prior to installing the latest update?
No, this is not required. You can install the latest update for Acronis True Image 10.0 Home over the existing version. To do this, run the installation program and select the “Repair/Upgrade Acronis True Image” option.

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Besides, I bought the upgrade, not the full version. So how would that have worked if I uninstalled 9.0 first?
Don’t get me wrong Bob, I do still like True Image – the software – it is awesome at what it does. I am just loosing faith in Acronis’ ability to program upgrades and implement them effectively. I’ve been with True Image since version 6.0, and I don’t recall one (1) update/upgrade that didn’t required some form of creative workaround or several updates to the upgrade.
In the meantime, the ‘s haven’t flown yet

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Bob,
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I bought the upgrade, not the full version
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Ok, that makes more sense. I got the new full versions with the betas and RC1, along with new reg numbers.
I guess you are just one of those “lucky” guys who have a configuration that does a hiccup when TI is installed or modified?
I don’t recall ANY install problems, also going back to V 6 or 7, whatever they were.
What was that just flew by the window? It was a And it was whistling too.

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The majority of my problems in my upgrades were minor – such as having to input both the upgraded serial number as well as the upgradee serial numbers. If you’re upgrading a software, you should not have to input the serial number of the previous version – The upgrade ‘should’ be able to sniff out the required software.
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What was that just flew by the window? It was a oink And it was whistling too. grin

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Must have been somebody else’s trouble ticket, that was flying SOUTH, gotta head NORTH to come up my way

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I’m still trying to figure out if I NEED Version 10 or not! As everyone knows, I also am a big fan of TrueImage, but these $30 upgrades two or three times a year are beginning to get under my skin. The announcement email I got didn’t say a single thing that really made me think I need this new version, so I’m still marking time… {tick, tick, tick}

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Comparing the TO v 9 and V10 user guide’s, there’s little to justify an upgrade to v 10.

However, v 10 does claim to support Vista, so, I’d stick with 9 for pre-Vista, and if one wishes, use TI 10 with Vista.

Of course, if you would want to move non-OS files from a TI 10 system, you’d either have to restore them to a USB drive, which you could then hook up to the TI 9 sysyem, or you could “upgrade” to TI 10 on the TI 9 system.

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I went to the Acronis site and tried to find a Version 9 vs. Version 10 comparison and this is the best I can come up with. Sounds like marketing schmaltz to me and I think I’ll wait awhile.[indent]

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* Supports Microsoft Vista
* Backup your music, video, and photos
* Outlook backup
* Application protection
* Quick backup of specific files
* Restore application settings
* Explore backups
* Create Backup rules
* Email notifications
* Save to FTP

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Well, not knowing the specifics of the following 3 features:

– Outlook backup
– Application protection
– Restore application settings

IF they do what at first glance they might do, they would definitely be worth upgrading for. However, until I know what they actually do, I am reluctant to endorse this new version, albeit being Vista compatible is a definite plus. Oh… I am not aware that Acronis has had 3 full upgrades in the last year or during any calendar year….. might that be what is endearingly known as “hyperbole”?

Jeff

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…endearingly known as “hyperbole”?…

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[/indent]Ahhh, you’re right, Jeff!

I guess I was venting, mostly because of all the “dot upgrades” during every release. I looked in MY purchase receipts and the dates for version 8, 9, and now 10 were just about a year apart. I guess I don’t view the items you’re keeping an eye on important ’cause (for example) I always run a full image and on those occasions where I’ve had problems with an “application” I restore the required files by mounting the latest image. Of course, that presumes that you KNOW what files are needed. Recently I had trouble with my Palm and its Desktop application. I mounted my backup and restored only the Palm files to get its functionality back.

Certainly I wasn’t meaning to bad-mouth TI as you all know how dedicated a user I am. And even as I think about it, $30 ain’t so bad in the grand scheme of things. I guess I’ve “slept on it,” huh? But I’m still not gonna spring for it, just yet.

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Hey, Big Al….

Here’s the deal with those items which I listed as being potentially valuable to me personally. Should you ever have the occasion to replace an ailing PC with another, that “Full” backup image you are relying upon to save you is going to be next to worthless if any of the files you need are in the “Documents and Settingsusername” folder. That section of the backup image is only accessible when it is mounted with the exact same machine from which it came…… get it? However, should these features in TI 10 do what they appear to do, then such files as the “outlook.pst”, etc., would be accessible since they are not embedded/connected with the “Full” backup image via another machine. I discovered the inaccessibility of these valuable files the hard way. Fortunately, I also had the wherewithal to save the entire “Documents and Settings” folder and the “outlook.pst” separately by copying it directly from C: to an external USB drive. So, the lesson to be learned, hopefully BEFORE it actually happens is that the individual files within “.tib” files are not globally accessible, but rather only 100% accessible via the original machine that created them.

Like most here, I’m holding off until the “dust” settles and reliable reports start coming in on version 10’s reliability, dependability and bugs. I say “reliable” in an attempt to distinguish the typical TI bashing which one often reads which most often are voiced by individuals who have typically so “tweaked” and messed up their computers that most anything new would produce errors from those which are rational, objective and seek to help.

Jeff

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Whoa, Nellie! This needs some more explanation, Jeff. I think we need to distinguish the difference between what TrueImage will do separately from what problems may be brought about by Windows security and hardware “discrimination.” As I know it, TrueImage and other imaging products couldn’t care less about the hard drive upon which you restore files to. Whether you do a full restore of an image or individual and selected files, TrueImage will bring the files to the hardware you specify. For example, I run a macro program called Quickeys which stores its settings in the Documents and Settings folder. I have done selected file restore of those settings from my “old” PIII machine image (WinXP Pro SP2) to a temp directory on this Dell and them copied them to the final Documents and Settings folder quite successfully. This is not the only example I could give you from earlier in the year when I bought this new machine.

On the other hand, I’ve done image restores from an image created on one machine (master images) to a machine of completely different hardware and had WINDOWS blow a cork, but mostly about drivers and such. In the age of WinXP and its inherent security, that might pose new problems, but I don’t think they would be borne of TrueImage doing, would they?

Please understand Jeff, that I’m not trying to argue with you here. I just want to distinguish the nature of the problem you describe as it relates to TrueImage and its features, as opposed to Windows and its finicky and sometimes cantankerous nature. Outlook is probably a classic example of a program that is difficult to administer and that’s one of the reasons I no longer use it. Let’s keep talking, OK?

And if you can be the “point man” and watch the web about those “new” TI features, I’d love to hear whatever you spot. Keep the faith…

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Okay….. let me try and correct any misunderstanding I might have created with my previous comments.

You CANNOT restore an image created on one machine to a totally different machine that has a different motherboard, for example. Thus, in the example I used, knowing that the backup image created on one machine cannot be used to do a complete restore of that image to another totally different machine, one might desire to at least copy over “data”, e.g., an “outlook.pst” file, “Favorites” folder, etc. The problem is with the limitations of True Image and perhaps Windows, i.e., those files located within a user account (Documents and Settingsxxxx) are NOT accessible from the new machine from within a TI backup file, i.e., mounting the image on the new machine. After trying everything I knew for several hours trying to do exactly this, I asked Acronis if this could be done and their reply was a solid, “NO!…. cannot be done.” Folders/files in that particular location can ONLY be read from the machine which originally created the backup image. Thus, if the motherboard or some other major hardware component on the original machine goes bad, which was what happened in my case and the data you want is located in “Documents and Settings”, will not be accessible on the new machine after Windows is installed, etc.

Sooooo, going back to the new features of True Image 10….. again openly admitting I know virtually nothing about them other than what the title of the features themselves might imply, IF they actually backup individual folders and/or files, eg., an “outlook.pst” file and then can be accessible from ANY machine, they would then indeed be most valuable when situations as described above exist.

I hope I have not cleared up any unfortunate misunderstanding you may have come to due to my lack of clarity.

Jeff

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Jeff,
I think that’s exactly the issues that V 10 is now addressing.
By being able to back up and restore certain folders, like Outlook or Email and address book files, it should give you the capability to get them back even with a different MB or other catastrophic failures.

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Bob,

Thanks for confirming at least that much. Again, for me personally, on that feature alone, having gone through the aggravation of a recent experience as described, True Image 10 would be something I would definitely consider upgrading to. But, although I have a great affection and respect for Acronis’ products, given the rough start TI 9 had, which I am currently using, I will most likely hold off a bit to see how things go with version 10.

Jeff

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Jeff,
Keep you posted!

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I have True Image 9 but haven’t found any practical improvement over True Image 8. I have a feeling that True Image 10 will be no different. Regarding the documents and settings folder won’t Karen’s Replicator do the job? I’m still very uncertain that I will upgrade this time.

Chris (Hunt)

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A quick browse of the web site shows that they have finally provided a feature which I have been waiting for.

Create backup rules

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Hi Bob,
In all fairness, I need to report that I finally DID receive a reply from Acronis Support last night – so I stand corrected – s can fly! . It only took 5 days for them to do it.

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Bob,
That includes the weekend.

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Weekends? Is that something from Mary had a little lamb, whose……

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For my second challenge, went online and wanted to Register Version 10.0 – their website reported that the serial number I was given – moments ago via Digital River – had already been registered bash
Suprise – if it was registered, it didn’t appear under my login – Support ticket sent – still waiting.. Will report back when oink ‘s fly.

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Ok, .. I … Lesson Learned !!!. I’ve just gotta lay low on that coffee .
Just to set the record straight, the Version 10.0 upgrade that I purchased DID show up on my registered software page on the Acronis site – I was looking at the Upgrade Page and not the Registered Page … Of course since version 10.0 just came out there wouldn’t be any Upgrade yet.
I’ll go back in now and keep quiet.

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Other Bob,
I hate to say I told you so……….but……they just launched the north bound then recalled it.
Glad you solved the mix up.

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Hi Bob,
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I hate to say I told you so……….but……they just launched the north bound oink then recalled it.

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Just to set the record straight, the northbound never left Acronis, my message to corporate-support ‘AT’ acronis.com still has not been replied to – the only communique I’ve received is the acknowledgement received 30 seconds after I sent the message saying that ‘they’ve received my message’.
So after three days I can safely say the the s have yet to Fly from Acronis.
On the other hand, I am also that I’ve noticed my error in searching for my registered products on their web page.

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Perhaps some of you may change to TI Workstation 9.1 with the Universal Restore add-in instead of using TI Home to solve the new machine with an old machine image problem. The following is from the Acronis web site:

Acronis Universal Restore allows you to restore to different hardware or to a virtual machine, providing complete disaster recovery. Disaster recovery planning and tools that enable business continuity are requirements for every business. Acronis Universal Restore prepares you for even the most unforeseen events.

How does the Acronis Universal Restore feature work?

The feature continues the Acronis True Image benefit of being easy to use. In order to use this option effectively, you must first prepare your Acronis True Image environment.

Preparation

Step 1: Install the Acronis Universal Restore option. Please note that Acronis True Image 9.1 must be licensed and installed for Acronis True Image Universal Restore to function.

Step 2: Create bootable media with the Universal Restore option selected.

Now you are ready to replace any system!

Restoration with Acronis Universal Restore

You can restore an image to a new system in 5 easy steps.

* Step 1: Boot your replacement system with the bootable media you created and select Recovery in the Acronis True Image menu
* Step 2: Select the image to restore and the Acronis Universal Restore option
* Step 3: Acronis Universal Restore initiates the restore process
* Step 4: Acronis Universal Restore detects the hardware and installs drivers
o The product detects the machine type and installs appropriate drivers for Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)
o The product detects hard disk controllers (SCSI and IDE)

Or
o The product prompts you for driver locations
* Step 5: The machine reboots

Once this process has completed, you have a working system to a replacement machine. No reinstallation of the operating system and applications is required. No re-configuration to join the network is required, as the product retains Security Identifier (SID) and network information of the system during recovery.

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(Edited by Pilgrim on 22-Oct-06 10:41. )

That sounds almost too good to be true. However, that blurb only addresses a FULL restoration of a system which is different from the one which created the backup image. Would you happen to know if the document you got that information from deals with whether individual folders and/or files can be extracted (copied) by and to a different machine from the original backup image?

Addendum: I just did a little reading on the Acronis website re: Workstation edition and the “Universal Restore” feature needs to be purchased separately. Thus the total cost to purchase the package is $110; $80 for Workstation 9.1 and $30 for the Universal Restore feature. A little too rich for my blood.

Jeff

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If I undestand you correctly your original example stated that you made an image with computer A and it died so you bought computer B to replace it. Now you want selected settings only from A transfered to B. Why would you not want the entire image? If you wanted to restore a file from the original Jeff profile would there not have to be a Jeff profile on the new computer? As for the blurb from Acronis in my previous post, it was the entire item on their page about Universal Restore. You may find the PDF for the product on their site somewhere.

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You are correct…. original image was created with PC “A” which died. That backup image CANNOT be used as a full replacement for new PC “B” due to the difference in hardware. And, the user designated files in e.g., “Documents and SettingsJeffxx” are not accessible to PC “B” when the .tib file is “Mounted” in True Image even after install Windows and setting it up in an identical manner as it was on PC “A”. Access is denied to those folders/files. I wrote to Acronis and also posted this question of accessibility on the TI Board and the answer was the same….. the ability to access those folders/files on a machine that has a different motherboard, etc., is not possible. Acronis did say there was a very long and complex work-around from Microsoft that might work but it wasn’t worth it.

Jeff

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So it then appears that Acronis has addressed the issue with their “Universal Restore” add in, as it now makes TI truely disaster proof and keeps TI only a backup solution without it.

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So it then appears that Acronis has addressed the issue with their “Universal Restore” add in, as it now makes TI truely disaster proof and keeps TI only a backup solution without it.

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But only if you fork over $110 for the “Workstation” version and the “Universal Restore” addon.

Jeff

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Hi, I’m obviously missing something, but what’s wrong with using Karen’s Replicator as per my earlier post to this thread? Can’t that be used to back up the documents and files folder? Is there anything else that this “Universal Restore” Option does.? I kind of resent paying extra money for something that I assumed the product would do. What use is a system back-up if one can’t change components? I had a hard drive failure and needed to buy a new hard-drive. I was able to use restore my system using Acronis. I’m sure Documents and Settings was accessible – I can access it now!. I’m obviously confused!

Chris (Hunt)

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Don’t let yourself get contused . . . I don’t need any 3rd-party application to copy individual folders or files to another location. I do that easily from my “Copy to/Move to” addon option on the Windows context menu. Yes, you can easily replace a HDD and a TI backup image will work just fine as well as does the “Clone” feature. The problem arises when the Motherboard dies….. then the original backup image can’t be used to do a full restoration of the system if needed. A manual installation of Windows is then one’s only recourse and in that situation, those account files can’t be accessed. So again, having learned from experience, I backup (copy) all such otherwise inaccessible folders/files from “My Documents and Settingsusername” in addition to a TI backup so I can always restore everything, albeit with a little more time and effort. So again, the real problem is when the motherboard goes belly up for whatever reason and the replacement board is not identical.

Jeff

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