Step-by-Step Instructions for Using the Acronis True Image Program to Backup
& Restore One's Hard Drive...

Using the Acronis True Image program there are two different approaches one
can take to back up the entire contents of one's day-to-day working HDD,
i.e., the operating system, all programs & applications, and user-created
data - in short, *everything* that's on one's HDD...

1. Direct disk-to-disk cloning, or,
2. Creating disk images

By using either of these strategies the user can restore his or her system
should their day-to-day working HDD become inoperable because of
mechanical/electronic failure of the disk or corruption of the system
resulting in a dysfunctional operating system.

In undertaking either of these two backup & recovery processes you're
dealing with two hard drives - the so-called source & destination disks -
the source disk being the HDD you're backing up and the destination disk
being the HDD that will be the recipient of the cloned contents of the
source disk or the recipient of the disk image you will be creating.

When using either process it's usually best for most users to use an
external HDD as the destination drive, i.e., the recipient of the cloned
contents of the source disk or the recipient of the created disk image. This
can be either a USB or Firewire or SATA external HDD. While another internal
HDD can also serve as the destination disk there's an additional element of
safety in using an external HDD since that drive will be ordinarily
disconnected from the system except during the disk cloning or recovery
process.

One other suggestion. After you install the Acronis program on your computer
it's a good idea to create what Acronis calls their "Bootable Rescue Media"
(CD). In most cases the recovery process (described below) will utilize that
Acronis bootable CD to restore your system. This "rescue" CD is easily
created from the program by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue Media"
icon on the opening Acronis screen and simply going through the screens to
create the bootable CD. The following are step-by-step instructions for
using the Acronis True Image 9 program to clone the contents of one HDD to
an external HDD. (The steps are essentially the same using the newer ATI 10
version):

1. With both hard drives (source & destination disks) connected, boot up.
Ensure that no other storage devices, e.g., flash drives, ZIP drives, etc.,
are connected. It's also probably a good idea to shut down any programs you
may have working in the background - including any anti-virus anti-spyware
programs - before undertaking this disk-to-disk cloning operation.

2. Access the Acronis True Image 9 program and under "Pick a Task", click
on "Clone Disk". (In the ATI 10 version click on "Manage Hard Disks" in the
"Pick a Tool" area and on the next screen click on "Clone Disk").

3. On the next "Welcome to the Disk Clone Wizard!" window, click Next.

4. On the next "Clone Mode" window select the Automatic option (it should
be the default option selected) and click Next.

5. On the next "Source Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct source
HDD (the disk you're cloning from) has been selected (click to highlight).
Click Next.

6. On the next "Destination Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct
destination HDD (the disk you're cloning to) has been selected (again, click
to highlight). Click Next.

7. On the next window, select the option "Delete partitions on the
destination hard disk". Understand that all data presently on the disk that
will be the recipient of the clone will be deleted prior to the disk cloning
operation. Click Next.

8. The next window will reflect the source and destination disks. Again,
confirm that the correct drives have been selected. Click Next. 9. On the
next window click on the Proceed button. A message box will display
indicating that a reboot will be required to undertake the disk cloning
operation. Click Reboot.

10. The cloning operation will proceed during the reboot. With modern
components and a medium to high-powered processor, data transfer rate will
be somewhere in the range of about 450 MB/min to 800 MB/min when cloning to
a USB external HDD; considerably faster when cloning to another internal
HDD.

11. When the disk cloning operation has been completed, a message will
(usually) appear indicating the disk cloning process has been successful and
instructs you to shut down the computer by pressing any key. Do so and
disconnect your USB external HDD. If, however, the destination drive (the
recipient of the clone) has been another *internal* HDD, see the NOTE below.

12. Note that the cloned contents now residing on the USB external HDD take
on the file system of the source drive. For example, if prior to the
disk-cloning operation your USB external HDD had been FAT32-formatted and
your XP OS was NTFS-formatted, the cloned contents will be NTFS-formatted.
There is no need to format the USB external HDD prior to the disk-cloning
operation. Similarly, there is no need prior to the disk-cloning operation
to format an internal HDD should you be using an internal HDD as the
destination drive .

13. Restoration of the system can be achieved by cloning the contents of the
data residing on the external HDD to an internal HDD through the normal
disk-cloning process as described above.

NOTE: Just one other point that should be emphasized with respect to the
disk cloning operation should the recipient of the clone be another internal
HDD and not a USB or Firewire external HDD. Immediately following the disk
cloning operation the machine should be shutdown and the source HDD should
be disconnected. Boot ONLY to the newly-cloned drive. DO NOT BOOT
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLONING OPERATION WITH BOTH DRIVES CONNECTED.
There's a strong possibility that by doing so it is likely to cause future
boot problems with the cloned drive. Obviously there is no problem in this
area should a USB or Firewire EHD be the recipient of the clone since that
device is not ordinarily bootable in an XP environment.


Disk Imaging: The following are step-by-step instructions for using the
Acronis True Image 9 Program to create disk images for backup purposes and
using those disk images for recovery of the system. (The steps are
essentially the same using the newer ATI 10 version):

Note: The recipient of the disk image, presumably a USB external HDD or an
internal HDD, ordinarily must be a formatted drive and have a drive letter
assigned to it. Recall that in the case of a disk-to-disk cloning operation
as previously described, an unformatted or "virgin" HDD can be used as the
destination disk.

Before undertaking this disk imaging process it's probably best to close all
programs running in the background including your anti-virus and other
anti-malware programs.

1. With both your source and destination hard drives connected, access the
Acronis program and click "Backup" on main menu.

2. The "Create Backup Wizard" screen opens. Click Next.

3. The "Select Backup Type" screen opens with two options: a. The entire
disk contents or individual partitions. b. Files and folders. Select a. and
click Next.

(In the ATI 10 version four options will be listed: My Computer, My Data, My
Application Settings, and My E-mail. Select the My Computer option and click
Next.)

4. The "Partitions Selection" screen opens. Disk 1 and Disk 2 are listed
with their drive letter designations. Check the disk to be backed up -
presumably Disk 1 - and click Next.

5. An informational message appears recommending an incremental or
differential backup if an original full backup had previously been
created.Since this will be the first backup we will be selecting, just click
OK to close the message box. (You can check the box not to show that
informational message in the future).

6. Next screen is the "Backup Archive Location". In the "File name:" text
box, (in ATI 10 version it's the "Folder:" text box) enter your backup drive
letter and enter a file name for the backup file, e.g., "F:\Backup 1-25".
The Acronis program will automatically append the ".tib" file extension to
the filename. Click Next.

7. "Select Backup Mode" screen opens. Select "Create a new full backup
archive" option and click Next.

8. "Choose Backup Options" screen opens with two options: a. Use default
options b. Set the options manually

If you select the b. option, you can select various options listed on the
next screen. Two of them are of interest to us:

Compression level - Four options - None, Normal (the default), High,
Maximum. There's a "Description" area that shows the estimated size of the
backup archive depending upon the option chosen, and the estimated "creation
time" for each option.

Backup priority - Three options - Low, Normal, or High Low - "backup
processed more slowly, but it will not influence other processes running on
computer."
(Default) Normal - "normal speed but backup process will influence other
processes running on computer." High - "normal speed but backup process will
strongly influence other processes running on computer."

With respect to the compression levels, we've found that when using the
Normal option the original data is compressed by about 20% - 25% and that
the High and Maximum options will result in a compressed backup file only
slightly higher than that. However, the amount of time to create the backup
files when using the High or Maximum compression level is substantially
greater than when using the Normal compression level. So unless disk space
is very tight on the destination drive, i.e., the drive where the backup
file will be saved, we recommend using the Normal compression level (at
least initially).

NOTE: You can set the Compression level and Backup priority defaults from
the Acronis Tools > Options > Default backup options menu items.

9. "Archive comments" screen opens allowing you to add comments to the
backup archive which you can review during the Recovery process. Click Next.

10. The next screen summarizes the backup operation to be performed. Review
the information for correctness and click the Proceed button.

11. The next screen will display status bars reflecting the progress of the
backup operation. After the backup operation finishes, an informational
message will appear indicting the operation was successfully completed.


Incremental Backups (Disk Images)
1. After the initial backup archive has been created you can create
incremental backups reflecting any data changes since the previous backup
operation. This incremental backup process proceeds considerably faster than
the initial backup operation. This, of course, is a major advantage of
creating disk images rather than undertaking the disk-to-disk cloning
process. Then too, since these created disk images are compressed files they
are reasonable in size. And because the incremental disk images can usually
be created very quickly (as compared with the direct disk-to-disk cloning
process), there's an incentive for the user to keep his/her system
up-to-date backup-wise by using this disk imaging process on a more frequent
basis than the disk-cloning process.

Note that you must create the incremental backup files on the same HDD where
you stored the original backup archive and any subsequent incremental backup
files.

2. Access the Acronis program as detailed above and move through the
screens. When you arrive at the "Backup Archive Location" screen, click on
the original backup archive file, or if one or more incremental backup files
were previously created, click on the last incremental backup file and
verify that the correct drive letter and file name are shown in the "File
name:" text box. After clicking Next, the program will automatically create
a file name for the incremental backup archive file, using the original file
name and appending a consecutive number - starting at 2 - at the end of the
file name. For example, say you named the original backup archive file
"Backup 1-25". The first incremental backup file will be automatically named
"Backup 1-252" and the next incremental file "Backup 1-253", etc.

NOTE THAT ALL YOUR INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILES MUST BE PRESENT FOR RECOVERY
PURPOSES. DO NOT DELETE ANY OF YOUR PREVIOUSLY-CREATED INCREMENTAL BACKUP
FILES FOLLOWING THE CREATION OF A CURRENT INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILE. YOU CAN
DELETE THE INCREMENTAL FILES ONLY AFTER CREATING A FULL BACKUP ARCHIVE AS
DESCRIBED IN THE PREVIOUS SECTION.

3. On the following "Select Backup Mode" screen, select the "Create
incremental Backup" option, click Next, and proceed through the screens as
you did in creating the initial backup archive.


Recovery Process (Disk images): We'll assume the recovery will be to either
a non-defective HDD that has become unbootable for one reason or another, or
to a new HDD. The HDD to be restored need not be partitioned/formatted since
the recovery process will take care of that function.

Note that in most cases you will be using the Acronis "bootable rescue
media" (CD) that you created when you originally installed the Acronis
program. If you didn't create that bootable CD at that time, you can create
it now from the Acronis program (assuming You can access the program at this
time) by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue Media" icon on the opening
Acronis screen and simply going through the screens to create the bootable
CD.

Note: If the recovery will be made to a HDD that is still bootable and
you're able to access the Acronis program on that drive, then you can
undertake the recovery process without the need for using the "bootable
rescue" CD.

1. With both the drive containing the backup disk images and the drive you
want to restore connected and with the bootable rescue CD inserted, boot up.

2. At the opening screen, click on "Acronis True Image Home (Full Version)".

3. The program will open after some moments. On the "Pick a Task" screen
that opens, click on "Recovery".

4. The "Welcome to the Restore Data Wizard!" screen opens. Click on Next.

5. The "Archive Selection" screen opens. Navigate to the drive containing
the backup archive file(s) and select the last incremental backup file or
the original full backup file if no incremental backup files were
subsequently created. Ensure that the correct drive letter and filename are
entered in the "File name:" text box. Click Next.

6. In the Acronis version 9 program, the "Archive Date Selection" screen
opens. Select (highlight) the last incremental backup file from the listing
and click Next. This screen does not appear in version 10.

7. The "Restoration Type Selection" screen opens. Select the option,
"Restore disks or partitions" and click Next.

8. The "Partition or Disk to Restore" will open. Click on "Disk 1" and click
Next.

9. After some moments the "Restored Hard Disk Drive Location" screen opens.
Select (highlight) the HDD to be restored and click Next.

10. On the next screen select the "Yes" option to delete all current
partitions on the destination HDD. Click Next.

11. On the next screen select the "No" option and click Next.

12. On the next screen you have the option to validate the backup archive
before restoration. Click Next.

13. The final screen before the restoration operation begins will open.
Confirm that the information as shown is correct. Click Proceed.

14. Click OK when following completion of the recovery operation a message
appears indicating a successful recovery operation.

15. Remove the Acronis bootable rescue CD and close the Acronis program. The
system will reboot. A Windows "Found New Hardware" message followed by the
"System Settings Change" message box may appear on the Desktop. If they do,
click Yes for a reboot.

Note: While the Acronis program is not designed to clone individual
partitions - it can clone only the entire contents of one HDD to another
HDD - you can backup & recover individual partitions through the disk
imaging process as described above.
Anna

Anna wrote:
> Step-by-Step Instructions for Using the Acronis True Image Program to Backup
> & Restore One's Hard Drive...
>
> Using the Acronis True Image program there are two different approaches one
> can take to back up the entire contents of one's day-to-day working HDD,
> i.e., the operating system, all programs & applications, and user-created
> data - in short, *everything* that's on one's HDD...
>
> 1. Direct disk-to-disk cloning, or,
> 2. Creating disk images
>
> By using either of these strategies the user can restore his or her system
> should their day-to-day working HDD become inoperable because of
> mechanical/electronic failure of the disk or corruption of the system
> resulting in a dysfunctional operating system.
>
> In undertaking either of these two backup & recovery processes you're
> dealing with two hard drives - the so-called source & destination disks -
> the source disk being the HDD you're backing up and the destination disk
> being the HDD that will be the recipient of the cloned contents of the
> source disk or the recipient of the disk image you will be creating.
>
> When using either process it's usually best for most users to use an
> external HDD as the destination drive, i.e., the recipient of the cloned
> contents of the source disk or the recipient of the created disk image. This
> can be either a USB or Firewire or SATA external HDD. While another internal
> HDD can also serve as the destination disk there's an additional element of
> safety in using an external HDD since that drive will be ordinarily
> disconnected from the system except during the disk cloning or recovery
> process.
>
> One other suggestion. After you install the Acronis program on your computer
> it's a good idea to create what Acronis calls their "Bootable Rescue Media"
> (CD). In most cases the recovery process (described below) will utilize that
> Acronis bootable CD to restore your system. This "rescue" CD is easily
> created from the program by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue Media"
> icon on the opening Acronis screen and simply going through the screens to
> create the bootable CD. The following are step-by-step instructions for
> using the Acronis True Image 9 program to clone the contents of one HDD to
> an external HDD. (The steps are essentially the same using the newer ATI 10
> version):
>
> 1. With both hard drives (source & destination disks) connected, boot up.
> Ensure that no other storage devices, e.g., flash drives, ZIP drives, etc.,
> are connected. It's also probably a good idea to shut down any programs you
> may have working in the background - including any anti-virus anti-spyware
> programs - before undertaking this disk-to-disk cloning operation.
>
> 2. Access the Acronis True Image 9 program and under "Pick a Task", click
> on "Clone Disk". (In the ATI 10 version click on "Manage Hard Disks" in the
> "Pick a Tool" area and on the next screen click on "Clone Disk").
>
> 3. On the next "Welcome to the Disk Clone Wizard!" window, click Next.
>
> 4. On the next "Clone Mode" window select the Automatic option (it should
> be the default option selected) and click Next.
>
> 5. On the next "Source Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct source
> HDD (the disk you're cloning from) has been selected (click to highlight).
> Click Next.
>
> 6. On the next "Destination Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct
> destination HDD (the disk you're cloning to) has been selected (again, click
> to highlight). Click Next.
>
> 7. On the next window, select the option "Delete partitions on the
> destination hard disk". Understand that all data presently on the disk that
> will be the recipient of the clone will be deleted prior to the disk cloning
> operation. Click Next.
>
> 8. The next window will reflect the source and destination disks. Again,
> confirm that the correct drives have been selected. Click Next. 9. On the
> next window click on the Proceed button. A message box will display
> indicating that a reboot will be required to undertake the disk cloning
> operation. Click Reboot.
>
> 10. The cloning operation will proceed during the reboot. With modern
> components and a medium to high-powered processor, data transfer rate will
> be somewhere in the range of about 450 MB/min to 800 MB/min when cloning to
> a USB external HDD; considerably faster when cloning to another internal
> HDD.
>
> 11. When the disk cloning operation has been completed, a message will
> (usually) appear indicating the disk cloning process has been successful and
> instructs you to shut down the computer by pressing any key. Do so and
> disconnect your USB external HDD. If, however, the destination drive (the
> recipient of the clone) has been another *internal* HDD, see the NOTE below.
>
> 12. Note that the cloned contents now residing on the USB external HDD take
> on the file system of the source drive. For example, if prior to the
> disk-cloning operation your USB external HDD had been FAT32-formatted and
> your XP OS was NTFS-formatted, the cloned contents will be NTFS-formatted.
> There is no need to format the USB external HDD prior to the disk-cloning
> operation. Similarly, there is no need prior to the disk-cloning operation
> to format an internal HDD should you be using an internal HDD as the
> destination drive .
>
> 13. Restoration of the system can be achieved by cloning the contents of the
> data residing on the external HDD to an internal HDD through the normal
> disk-cloning process as described above.
>
> NOTE: Just one other point that should be emphasized with respect to the
> disk cloning operation should the recipient of the clone be another internal
> HDD and not a USB or Firewire external HDD. Immediately following the disk
> cloning operation the machine should be shutdown and the source HDD should
> be disconnected. Boot ONLY to the newly-cloned drive. DO NOT BOOT
> IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLONING OPERATION WITH BOTH DRIVES CONNECTED.
> There's a strong possibility that by doing so it is likely to cause future
> boot problems with the cloned drive. Obviously there is no problem in this
> area should a USB or Firewire EHD be the recipient of the clone since that
> device is not ordinarily bootable in an XP environment.
>
>
> Disk Imaging: The following are step-by-step instructions for using the
> Acronis True Image 9 Program to create disk images for backup purposes and
> using those disk images for recovery of the system. (The steps are
> essentially the same using the newer ATI 10 version):
>
> Note: The recipient of the disk image, presumably a USB external HDD or an
> internal HDD, ordinarily must be a formatted drive and have a drive letter
> assigned to it. Recall that in the case of a disk-to-disk cloning operation
> as previously described, an unformatted or "virgin" HDD can be used as the
> destination disk.
>
> Before undertaking this disk imaging process it's probably best to close all
> programs running in the background including your anti-virus and other
> anti-malware programs.
>
> 1. With both your source and destination hard drives connected, access the
> Acronis program and click "Backup" on main menu.
>
> 2. The "Create Backup Wizard" screen opens. Click Next.
>
> 3. The "Select Backup Type" screen opens with two options: a. The entire
> disk contents or individual partitions. b. Files and folders. Select a. and
> click Next.
>
> (In the ATI 10 version four options will be listed: My Computer, My Data, My
> Application Settings, and My E-mail. Select the My Computer option and click
> Next.)
>
> 4. The "Partitions Selection" screen opens. Disk 1 and Disk 2 are listed
> with their drive letter designations. Check the disk to be backed up -
> presumably Disk 1 - and click Next.
>
> 5. An informational message appears recommending an incremental or
> differential backup if an original full backup had previously been
> created.Since this will be the first backup we will be selecting, just click
> OK to close the message box. (You can check the box not to show that
> informational message in the future).
>
> 6. Next screen is the "Backup Archive Location". In the "File name:" text
> box, (in ATI 10 version it's the "Folder:" text box) enter your backup drive
> letter and enter a file name for the backup file, e.g., "F:\Backup 1-25".
> The Acronis program will automatically append the ".tib" file extension to
> the filename. Click Next.
>
> 7. "Select Backup Mode" screen opens. Select "Create a new full backup
> archive" option and click Next.
>
> 8. "Choose Backup Options" screen opens with two options: a. Use default
> options b. Set the options manually
>
> If you select the b. option, you can select various options listed on the
> next screen. Two of them are of interest to us:
>
> Compression level - Four options - None, Normal (the default), High,
> Maximum. There's a "Description" area that shows the estimated size of the
> backup archive depending upon the option chosen, and the estimated "creation
> time" for each option.
>
> Backup priority - Three options - Low, Normal, or High Low - "backup
> processed more slowly, but it will not influence other processes running on
> computer."
> (Default) Normal - "normal speed but backup process will influence other
> processes running on computer." High - "normal speed but backup process will
> strongly influence other processes running on computer."
>
> With respect to the compression levels, we've found that when using the
> Normal option the original data is compressed by about 20% - 25% and that
> the High and Maximum options will result in a compressed backup file only
> slightly higher than that. However, the amount of time to create the backup
> files when using the High or Maximum compression level is substantially
> greater than when using the Normal compression level. So unless disk space
> is very tight on the destination drive, i.e., the drive where the backup
> file will be saved, we recommend using the Normal compression level (at
> least initially).
>
> NOTE: You can set the Compression level and Backup priority defaults from
> the Acronis Tools > Options > Default backup options menu items.
>
> 9. "Archive comments" screen opens allowing you to add comments to the
> backup archive which you can review during the Recovery process. Click Next.
>
> 10. The next screen summarizes the backup operation to be performed. Review
> the information for correctness and click the Proceed button.
>
> 11. The next screen will display status bars reflecting the progress of the
> backup operation. After the backup operation finishes, an informational
> message will appear indicting the operation was successfully completed.
>
>
> Incremental Backups (Disk Images)
> 1. After the initial backup archive has been created you can create
> incremental backups reflecting any data changes since the previous backup
> operation. This incremental backup process proceeds considerably faster than
> the initial backup operation. This, of course, is a major advantage of
> creating disk images rather than undertaking the disk-to-disk cloning
> process. Then too, since these created disk images are compressed files they
> are reasonable in size. And because the incremental disk images can usually
> be created very quickly (as compared with the direct disk-to-disk cloning
> process), there's an incentive for the user to keep his/her system
> up-to-date backup-wise by using this disk imaging process on a more frequent
> basis than the disk-cloning process.
>
> Note that you must create the incremental backup files on the same HDD where
> you stored the original backup archive and any subsequent incremental backup
> files.
>
> 2. Access the Acronis program as detailed above and move through the
> screens. When you arrive at the "Backup Archive Location" screen, click on
> the original backup archive file, or if one or more incremental backup files
> were previously created, click on the last incremental backup file and
> verify that the correct drive letter and file name are shown in the "File
> name:" text box. After clicking Next, the program will automatically create
> a file name for the incremental backup archive file, using the original file
> name and appending a consecutive number - starting at 2 - at the end of the
> file name. For example, say you named the original backup archive file
> "Backup 1-25". The first incremental backup file will be automatically named
> "Backup 1-252" and the next incremental file "Backup 1-253", etc.
>
> NOTE THAT ALL YOUR INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILES MUST BE PRESENT FOR RECOVERY
> PURPOSES. DO NOT DELETE ANY OF YOUR PREVIOUSLY-CREATED INCREMENTAL BACKUP
> FILES FOLLOWING THE CREATION OF A CURRENT INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILE. YOU CAN
> DELETE THE INCREMENTAL FILES ONLY AFTER CREATING A FULL BACKUP ARCHIVE AS
> DESCRIBED IN THE PREVIOUS SECTION.
>
> 3. On the following "Select Backup Mode" screen, select the "Create
> incremental Backup" option, click Next, and proceed through the screens as
> you did in creating the initial backup archive.
>
>
> Recovery Process (Disk images): We'll assume the recovery will be to either
> a non-defective HDD that has become unbootable for one reason or another, or
> to a new HDD. The HDD to be restored need not be partitioned/formatted since
> the recovery process will take care of that function.
>
> Note that in most cases you will be using the Acronis "bootable rescue
> media" (CD) that you created when you originally installed the Acronis
> program. If you didn't create that bootable CD at that time, you can create
> it now from the Acronis program (assuming You can access the program at this
> time) by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue Media" icon on the opening
> Acronis screen and simply going through the screens to create the bootable
> CD.
>
> Note: If the recovery will be made to a HDD that is still bootable and
> you're able to access the Acronis program on that drive, then you can
> undertake the recovery process without the need for using the "bootable
> rescue" CD.
>
> 1. With both the drive containing the backup disk images and the drive you
> want to restore connected and with the bootable rescue CD inserted, boot up.
>
> 2. At the opening screen, click on "Acronis True Image Home (Full Version)".
>
> 3. The program will open after some moments. On the "Pick a Task" screen
> that opens, click on "Recovery".
>
> 4. The "Welcome to the Restore Data Wizard!" screen opens. Click on Next.
>
> 5. The "Archive Selection" screen opens. Navigate to the drive containing
> the backup archive file(s) and select the last incremental backup file or
> the original full backup file if no incremental backup files were
> subsequently created. Ensure that the correct drive letter and filename are
> entered in the "File name:" text box. Click Next.
>
> 6. In the Acronis version 9 program, the "Archive Date Selection" screen
> opens. Select (highlight) the last incremental backup file from the listing
> and click Next. This screen does not appear in version 10.
>
> 7. The "Restoration Type Selection" screen opens. Select the option,
> "Restore disks or partitions" and click Next.
>
> 8. The "Partition or Disk to Restore" will open. Click on "Disk 1" and click
> Next.
>
> 9. After some moments the "Restored Hard Disk Drive Location" screen opens.
> Select (highlight) the HDD to be restored and click Next.
>
> 10. On the next screen select the "Yes" option to delete all current
> partitions on the destination HDD. Click Next.
>
> 11. On the next screen select the "No" option and click Next.
>
> 12. On the next screen you have the option to validate the backup archive
> before restoration. Click Next.
>
> 13. The final screen before the restoration operation begins will open.
> Confirm that the information as shown is correct. Click Proceed.
>
> 14. Click OK when following completion of the recovery operation a message
> appears indicating a successful recovery operation.
>
> 15. Remove the Acronis bootable rescue CD and close the Acronis program. The
> system will reboot. A Windows "Found New Hardware" message followed by the
> "System Settings Change" message box may appear on the Desktop. If they do,
> click Yes for a reboot.
>
> Note: While the Acronis program is not designed to clone individual
> partitions - it can clone only the entire contents of one HDD to another
> HDD - you can backup & recover individual partitions through the disk
> imaging process as described above.
> Anna
>
>

Thank you, Anna, I have saved this post and printed it :-)

Alias

Today, Anna made these interesting comments ...

Nice synopsis, I saved it for future reference. I have True Image
9.0, do you have that, an earlier version or 10.0? If 10.0, what
new things are there and what bugs got fixed? 9.0 seems to work
fine for me, but my usage is rather restricted - I just use it
for periodic full partition images of my C:\ primary. I did
create both the 8-floppy set you talk about and a bootable CD and
I copy my images to two external hardrives I use in a
grandfathering scheme with one stored as safe as possible in my
house and the other in my bank's safety deposit box.

I can fit the images on both my two PCs onto optical but I need a
dual-layer DVD-R to do it. But, as you suggest, I always backup
to my HD, then mirror it to my externals.

> Subject: Acronis True Image - step-by-step instuctions for
> disk-to-disk cloning & disk imaging From: "Anna"
> <myname@myisp.net> Newsgroups:
> microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,microsoft.publi c.windowsxp.h
> elp_and_support Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 11:00:13 -0400
>
> Step-by-Step Instructions for Using the Acronis True Image
> Program to Backup & Restore One's Hard Drive...
>
> Using the Acronis True Image program there are two different
> approaches one can take to back up the entire contents of
> one's day-to-day working HDD, i.e., the operating system, all
> programs & applications, and user-created data - in short,
> *everything* that's on one's HDD...
>
> 1. Direct disk-to-disk cloning, or,
> 2. Creating disk images
>
> By using either of these strategies the user can restore his
> or her system should their day-to-day working HDD become
> inoperable because of mechanical/electronic failure of the
> disk or corruption of the system resulting in a dysfunctional
> operating system.
>
> In undertaking either of these two backup & recovery processes
> you're dealing with two hard drives - the so-called source &
> destination disks - the source disk being the HDD you're
> backing up and the destination disk being the HDD that will be
> the recipient of the cloned contents of the source disk or the
> recipient of the disk image you will be creating.
>
> When using either process it's usually best for most users to
> use an external HDD as the destination drive, i.e., the
> recipient of the cloned contents of the source disk or the
> recipient of the created disk image. This can be either a USB
> or Firewire or SATA external HDD. While another internal HDD
> can also serve as the destination disk there's an additional
> element of safety in using an external HDD since that drive
> will be ordinarily disconnected from the system except during
> the disk cloning or recovery process.
>
> One other suggestion. After you install the Acronis program on
> your computer it's a good idea to create what Acronis calls
> their "Bootable Rescue Media" (CD). In most cases the recovery
> process (described below) will utilize that Acronis bootable
> CD to restore your system. This "rescue" CD is easily created
> from the program by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue
> Media" icon on the opening Acronis screen and simply going
> through the screens to create the bootable CD. The following
> are step-by-step instructions for using the Acronis True Image
> 9 program to clone the contents of one HDD to an external HDD.
> (The steps are essentially the same using the newer ATI 10
> version):
>
> 1. With both hard drives (source & destination disks)
> connected, boot up. Ensure that no other storage devices,
> e.g., flash drives, ZIP drives, etc., are connected. It's also
> probably a good idea to shut down any programs you may have
> working in the background - including any anti-virus
> anti-spyware programs - before undertaking this disk-to-disk
> cloning operation.
>
> 2. Access the Acronis True Image 9 program and under "Pick a
> Task", click on "Clone Disk". (In the ATI 10 version click on
> "Manage Hard Disks" in the "Pick a Tool" area and on the next
> screen click on "Clone Disk").
>
> 3. On the next "Welcome to the Disk Clone Wizard!" window,
> click Next.
>
> 4. On the next "Clone Mode" window select the Automatic
> option (it should be the default option selected) and click
> Next.
>
> 5. On the next "Source Hard Disk" window, ensure that the
> correct source HDD (the disk you're cloning from) has been
> selected (click to highlight). Click Next.
>
> 6. On the next "Destination Hard Disk" window, ensure that
> the correct destination HDD (the disk you're cloning to) has
> been selected (again, click to highlight). Click Next.
>
> 7. On the next window, select the option "Delete partitions
> on the destination hard disk". Understand that all data
> presently on the disk that will be the recipient of the clone
> will be deleted prior to the disk cloning operation. Click
> Next.
>
> 8. The next window will reflect the source and destination
> disks. Again, confirm that the correct drives have been
> selected. Click Next. 9. On the next window click on the
> Proceed button. A message box will display indicating that a
> reboot will be required to undertake the disk cloning
> operation. Click Reboot.
>
> 10. The cloning operation will proceed during the reboot. With
> modern components and a medium to high-powered processor, data
> transfer rate will be somewhere in the range of about 450
> MB/min to 800 MB/min when cloning to a USB external HDD;
> considerably faster when cloning to another internal HDD.
>
> 11. When the disk cloning operation has been completed, a
> message will (usually) appear indicating the disk cloning
> process has been successful and instructs you to shut down the
> computer by pressing any key. Do so and disconnect your USB
> external HDD. If, however, the destination drive (the
> recipient of the clone) has been another *internal* HDD, see
> the NOTE below.
>
> 12. Note that the cloned contents now residing on the USB
> external HDD take on the file system of the source drive. For
> example, if prior to the disk-cloning operation your USB
> external HDD had been FAT32-formatted and your XP OS was
> NTFS-formatted, the cloned contents will be NTFS-formatted.
> There is no need to format the USB external HDD prior to the
> disk-cloning operation. Similarly, there is no need prior to
> the disk-cloning operation to format an internal HDD should
> you be using an internal HDD as the destination drive .
>
> 13. Restoration of the system can be achieved by cloning the
> contents of the data residing on the external HDD to an
> internal HDD through the normal disk-cloning process as
> described above.
>
> NOTE: Just one other point that should be emphasized with
> respect to the disk cloning operation should the recipient of
> the clone be another internal HDD and not a USB or Firewire
> external HDD. Immediately following the disk cloning operation
> the machine should be shutdown and the source HDD should be
> disconnected. Boot ONLY to the newly-cloned drive. DO NOT BOOT
> IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLONING OPERATION WITH BOTH DRIVES
> CONNECTED. There's a strong possibility that by doing so it is
> likely to cause future boot problems with the cloned drive.
> Obviously there is no problem in this area should a USB or
> Firewire EHD be the recipient of the clone since that device
> is not ordinarily bootable in an XP environment.
>
>
> Disk Imaging: The following are step-by-step instructions for
> using the Acronis True Image 9 Program to create disk images
> for backup purposes and using those disk images for recovery
> of the system. (The steps are essentially the same using the
> newer ATI 10 version):
>
> Note: The recipient of the disk image, presumably a USB
> external HDD or an internal HDD, ordinarily must be a
> formatted drive and have a drive letter assigned to it. Recall
> that in the case of a disk-to-disk cloning operation as
> previously described, an unformatted or "virgin" HDD can be
> used as the destination disk.
>
> Before undertaking this disk imaging process it's probably
> best to close all programs running in the background including
> your anti-virus and other anti-malware programs.
>
> 1. With both your source and destination hard drives
> connected, access the Acronis program and click "Backup" on
> main menu.
>
> 2. The "Create Backup Wizard" screen opens. Click Next.
>
> 3. The "Select Backup Type" screen opens with two options: a.
> The entire disk contents or individual partitions. b. Files
> and folders. Select a. and click Next.
>
> (In the ATI 10 version four options will be listed: My
> Computer, My Data, My Application Settings, and My E-mail.
> Select the My Computer option and click Next.)
>
> 4. The "Partitions Selection" screen opens. Disk 1 and Disk 2
> are listed with their drive letter designations. Check the
> disk to be backed up - presumably Disk 1 - and click Next.
>
> 5. An informational message appears recommending an
> incremental or differential backup if an original full backup
> had previously been created.Since this will be the first
> backup we will be selecting, just click OK to close the
> message box. (You can check the box not to show that
> informational message in the future).
>
> 6. Next screen is the "Backup Archive Location". In the "File
> name:" text box, (in ATI 10 version it's the "Folder:" text
> box) enter your backup drive letter and enter a file name for
> the backup file, e.g., "F:\Backup 1-25". The Acronis program
> will automatically append the ".tib" file extension to the
> filename. Click Next.
>
> 7. "Select Backup Mode" screen opens. Select "Create a new
> full backup archive" option and click Next.
>
> 8. "Choose Backup Options" screen opens with two options: a.
> Use default options b. Set the options manually
>
> If you select the b. option, you can select various options
> listed on the next screen. Two of them are of interest to us:
>
> Compression level - Four options - None, Normal (the default),
> High, Maximum. There's a "Description" area that shows the
> estimated size of the backup archive depending upon the option
> chosen, and the estimated "creation time" for each option.
>
> Backup priority - Three options - Low, Normal, or High Low -
> "backup processed more slowly, but it will not influence other
> processes running on computer."
> (Default) Normal - "normal speed but backup process will
> influence other processes running on computer." High - "normal
> speed but backup process will strongly influence other
> processes running on computer."
>
> With respect to the compression levels, we've found that when
> using the Normal option the original data is compressed by
> about 20% - 25% and that the High and Maximum options will
> result in a compressed backup file only slightly higher than
> that. However, the amount of time to create the backup files
> when using the High or Maximum compression level is
> substantially greater than when using the Normal compression
> level. So unless disk space is very tight on the destination
> drive, i.e., the drive where the backup file will be saved, we
> recommend using the Normal compression level (at least
> initially).
>
> NOTE: You can set the Compression level and Backup priority
> defaults from the Acronis Tools > Options > Default backup
> options menu items.
>
> 9. "Archive comments" screen opens allowing you to add
> comments to the backup archive which you can review during the
> Recovery process. Click Next.
>
> 10. The next screen summarizes the backup operation to be
> performed. Review the information for correctness and click
> the Proceed button.
>
> 11. The next screen will display status bars reflecting the
> progress of the backup operation. After the backup operation
> finishes, an informational message will appear indicting the
> operation was successfully completed.
>
>
> Incremental Backups (Disk Images)
> 1. After the initial backup archive has been created you can
> create incremental backups reflecting any data changes since
> the previous backup operation. This incremental backup process
> proceeds considerably faster than the initial backup
> operation. This, of course, is a major advantage of creating
> disk images rather than undertaking the disk-to-disk cloning
> process. Then too, since these created disk images are
> compressed files they are reasonable in size. And because the
> incremental disk images can usually be created very quickly
> (as compared with the direct disk-to-disk cloning process),
> there's an incentive for the user to keep his/her system
> up-to-date backup-wise by using this disk imaging process on a
> more frequent basis than the disk-cloning process.
>
> Note that you must create the incremental backup files on the
> same HDD where you stored the original backup archive and any
> subsequent incremental backup files.
>
> 2. Access the Acronis program as detailed above and move
> through the screens. When you arrive at the "Backup Archive
> Location" screen, click on the original backup archive file,
> or if one or more incremental backup files were previously
> created, click on the last incremental backup file and verify
> that the correct drive letter and file name are shown in the
> "File name:" text box. After clicking Next, the program will
> automatically create a file name for the incremental backup
> archive file, using the original file name and appending a
> consecutive number - starting at 2 - at the end of the file
> name. For example, say you named the original backup archive
> file "Backup 1-25". The first incremental backup file will be
> automatically named "Backup 1-252" and the next incremental
> file "Backup 1-253", etc.
>
> NOTE THAT ALL YOUR INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILES MUST BE PRESENT
> FOR RECOVERY PURPOSES. DO NOT DELETE ANY OF YOUR
> PREVIOUSLY-CREATED INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILES FOLLOWING THE
> CREATION OF A CURRENT INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILE. YOU CAN DELETE
> THE INCREMENTAL FILES ONLY AFTER CREATING A FULL BACKUP
> ARCHIVE AS DESCRIBED IN THE PREVIOUS SECTION.
>
> 3. On the following "Select Backup Mode" screen, select the
> "Create incremental Backup" option, click Next, and proceed
> through the screens as you did in creating the initial backup
> archive.
>
>
> Recovery Process (Disk images): We'll assume the recovery will
> be to either a non-defective HDD that has become unbootable
> for one reason or another, or to a new HDD. The HDD to be
> restored need not be partitioned/formatted since the recovery
> process will take care of that function.
>
> Note that in most cases you will be using the Acronis
> "bootable rescue media" (CD) that you created when you
> originally installed the Acronis program. If you didn't create
> that bootable CD at that time, you can create it now from the
> Acronis program (assuming You can access the program at this
> time) by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue Media" icon
> on the opening Acronis screen and simply going through the
> screens to create the bootable CD.
>
> Note: If the recovery will be made to a HDD that is still
> bootable and you're able to access the Acronis program on that
> drive, then you can undertake the recovery process without the
> need for using the "bootable rescue" CD.
>
> 1. With both the drive containing the backup disk images and
> the drive you want to restore connected and with the bootable
> rescue CD inserted, boot up.
>
> 2. At the opening screen, click on "Acronis True Image Home
> (Full Version)".
>
> 3. The program will open after some moments. On the "Pick a
> Task" screen that opens, click on "Recovery".
>
> 4. The "Welcome to the Restore Data Wizard!" screen opens.
> Click on Next.
>
> 5. The "Archive Selection" screen opens. Navigate to the drive
> containing the backup archive file(s) and select the last
> incremental backup file or the original full backup file if no
> incremental backup files were subsequently created. Ensure
> that the correct drive letter and filename are entered in the
> "File name:" text box. Click Next.
>
> 6. In the Acronis version 9 program, the "Archive Date
> Selection" screen opens. Select (highlight) the last
> incremental backup file from the listing and click Next. This
> screen does not appear in version 10.
>
> 7. The "Restoration Type Selection" screen opens. Select the
> option, "Restore disks or partitions" and click Next.
>
> 8. The "Partition or Disk to Restore" will open. Click on
> "Disk 1" and click Next.
>
> 9. After some moments the "Restored Hard Disk Drive Location"
> screen opens. Select (highlight) the HDD to be restored and
> click Next.
>
> 10. On the next screen select the "Yes" option to delete all
> current partitions on the destination HDD. Click Next.
>
> 11. On the next screen select the "No" option and click Next.
>
> 12. On the next screen you have the option to validate the
> backup archive before restoration. Click Next.
>
> 13. The final screen before the restoration operation begins
> will open. Confirm that the information as shown is correct.
> Click Proceed.
>
> 14. Click OK when following completion of the recovery
> operation a message appears indicating a successful recovery
> operation.
>
> 15. Remove the Acronis bootable rescue CD and close the
> Acronis program. The system will reboot. A Windows "Found New
> Hardware" message followed by the "System Settings Change"
> message box may appear on the Desktop. If they do, click Yes
> for a reboot.
>
> Note: While the Acronis program is not designed to clone
> individual partitions - it can clone only the entire contents
> of one HDD to another HDD - you can backup & recover
> individual partitions through the disk imaging process as
> described above. Anna
>
--
HP, aka Jerry

HEMI-Powered:
We've worked with both the 9 & 10 versions of ATI and as I've indicated
we've found little performance difference, if any, between the two versions
as they impact on basic disk cloning/disk imaging/recovery processes (as
described in our ATI step-by-step instructions) in the XP environment. A
number of users have reported that they've found version 10 to be somewhat
faster in undertaking the disk-to-disk cloning process, but we have not
noticed any appreciable difference in this area between the two versions.

Version 10, of course, unlike v 9, is supposed to be compatible with the
Vista OS. We haven't really worked with that OS to make any definitive
judgment in this area.

We have *not* ever created the "8-floppy set" you refer to; only what
Acronis refers to as the "Bootable Rescue Media", a CD.

Except for archival purposes, we rarely use DVD media to store either the
clone or the backup image. We use, and encourage other users to use,
removable HDDs in a desktop PC environment, or a USB/Firewire/SATA external
HDD as the recipient of the cloned contents of the source HDD (or the disk
image).
Anna


"HEMI-Powered" <none@none.en> wrote in message
news:Xns990A738CD54EBReplyScoreID@140.99.99.130...
> Today, Anna made these interesting comments ...
>
> Nice synopsis, I saved it for future reference. I have True Image
> 9.0, do you have that, an earlier version or 10.0? If 10.0, what
> new things are there and what bugs got fixed? 9.0 seems to work
> fine for me, but my usage is rather restricted - I just use it
> for periodic full partition images of my C:\ primary. I did
> create both the 8-floppy set you talk about and a bootable CD and
> I copy my images to two external hardrives I use in a
> grandfathering scheme with one stored as safe as possible in my
> house and the other in my bank's safety deposit box.
>
> I can fit the images on both my two PCs onto optical but I need a
> dual-layer DVD-R to do it. But, as you suggest, I always backup
> to my HD, then mirror it to my externals.


>> Subject: Acronis True Image - step-by-step instuctions for
>> disk-to-disk cloning & disk imaging From: "Anna"
>> <myname@myisp.net> Newsgroups:
>> microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,microsoft.publi c.windowsxp.h
>> elp_and_support Date: Fri, 6 Apr 2007 11:00:13 -0400
>>
>> Step-by-Step Instructions for Using the Acronis True Image
>> Program to Backup & Restore One's Hard Drive...
>>
>> Using the Acronis True Image program there are two different
>> approaches one can take to back up the entire contents of
>> one's day-to-day working HDD, i.e., the operating system, all
>> programs & applications, and user-created data - in short,
>> *everything* that's on one's HDD...
>>
>> 1. Direct disk-to-disk cloning, or,
>> 2. Creating disk images
>>
>> By using either of these strategies the user can restore his
>> or her system should their day-to-day working HDD become
>> inoperable because of mechanical/electronic failure of the
>> disk or corruption of the system resulting in a dysfunctional
>> operating system.
>>
>> In undertaking either of these two backup & recovery processes
>> you're dealing with two hard drives - the so-called source &
>> destination disks - the source disk being the HDD you're
>> backing up and the destination disk being the HDD that will be
>> the recipient of the cloned contents of the source disk or the
>> recipient of the disk image you will be creating.
>>
>> When using either process it's usually best for most users to
>> use an external HDD as the destination drive, i.e., the
>> recipient of the cloned contents of the source disk or the
>> recipient of the created disk image. This can be either a USB
>> or Firewire or SATA external HDD. While another internal HDD
>> can also serve as the destination disk there's an additional
>> element of safety in using an external HDD since that drive
>> will be ordinarily disconnected from the system except during
>> the disk cloning or recovery process.
>>
>> One other suggestion. After you install the Acronis program on
>> your computer it's a good idea to create what Acronis calls
>> their "Bootable Rescue Media" (CD). In most cases the recovery
>> process (described below) will utilize that Acronis bootable
>> CD to restore your system. This "rescue" CD is easily created
>> from the program by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue
>> Media" icon on the opening Acronis screen and simply going
>> through the screens to create the bootable CD. The following
>> are step-by-step instructions for using the Acronis True Image
>> 9 program to clone the contents of one HDD to an external HDD.
>> (The steps are essentially the same using the newer ATI 10
>> version):
>>
>> 1. With both hard drives (source & destination disks)
>> connected, boot up. Ensure that no other storage devices,
>> e.g., flash drives, ZIP drives, etc., are connected. It's also
>> probably a good idea to shut down any programs you may have
>> working in the background - including any anti-virus
>> anti-spyware programs - before undertaking this disk-to-disk
>> cloning operation.
>>
>> 2. Access the Acronis True Image 9 program and under "Pick a
>> Task", click on "Clone Disk". (In the ATI 10 version click on
>> "Manage Hard Disks" in the "Pick a Tool" area and on the next
>> screen click on "Clone Disk").
>>
>> 3. On the next "Welcome to the Disk Clone Wizard!" window,
>> click Next.
>>
>> 4. On the next "Clone Mode" window select the Automatic
>> option (it should be the default option selected) and click
>> Next.
>>
>> 5. On the next "Source Hard Disk" window, ensure that the
>> correct source HDD (the disk you're cloning from) has been
>> selected (click to highlight). Click Next.
>>
>> 6. On the next "Destination Hard Disk" window, ensure that
>> the correct destination HDD (the disk you're cloning to) has
>> been selected (again, click to highlight). Click Next.
>>
>> 7. On the next window, select the option "Delete partitions
>> on the destination hard disk". Understand that all data
>> presently on the disk that will be the recipient of the clone
>> will be deleted prior to the disk cloning operation. Click
>> Next.
>>
>> 8. The next window will reflect the source and destination
>> disks. Again, confirm that the correct drives have been
>> selected. Click Next. 9. On the next window click on the
>> Proceed button. A message box will display indicating that a
>> reboot will be required to undertake the disk cloning
>> operation. Click Reboot.
>>
>> 10. The cloning operation will proceed during the reboot. With
>> modern components and a medium to high-powered processor, data
>> transfer rate will be somewhere in the range of about 450
>> MB/min to 800 MB/min when cloning to a USB external HDD;
>> considerably faster when cloning to another internal HDD.
>>
>> 11. When the disk cloning operation has been completed, a
>> message will (usually) appear indicating the disk cloning
>> process has been successful and instructs you to shut down the
>> computer by pressing any key. Do so and disconnect your USB
>> external HDD. If, however, the destination drive (the
>> recipient of the clone) has been another *internal* HDD, see
>> the NOTE below.
>>
>> 12. Note that the cloned contents now residing on the USB
>> external HDD take on the file system of the source drive. For
>> example, if prior to the disk-cloning operation your USB
>> external HDD had been FAT32-formatted and your XP OS was
>> NTFS-formatted, the cloned contents will be NTFS-formatted.
>> There is no need to format the USB external HDD prior to the
>> disk-cloning operation. Similarly, there is no need prior to
>> the disk-cloning operation to format an internal HDD should
>> you be using an internal HDD as the destination drive .
>>
>> 13. Restoration of the system can be achieved by cloning the
>> contents of the data residing on the external HDD to an
>> internal HDD through the normal disk-cloning process as
>> described above.
>>
>> NOTE: Just one other point that should be emphasized with
>> respect to the disk cloning operation should the recipient of
>> the clone be another internal HDD and not a USB or Firewire
>> external HDD. Immediately following the disk cloning operation
>> the machine should be shutdown and the source HDD should be
>> disconnected. Boot ONLY to the newly-cloned drive. DO NOT BOOT
>> IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLONING OPERATION WITH BOTH DRIVES
>> CONNECTED. There's a strong possibility that by doing so it is
>> likely to cause future boot problems with the cloned drive.
>> Obviously there is no problem in this area should a USB or
>> Firewire EHD be the recipient of the clone since that device
>> is not ordinarily bootable in an XP environment.
>>
>>
>> Disk Imaging: The following are step-by-step instructions for
>> using the Acronis True Image 9 Program to create disk images
>> for backup purposes and using those disk images for recovery
>> of the system. (The steps are essentially the same using the
>> newer ATI 10 version):
>>
>> Note: The recipient of the disk image, presumably a USB
>> external HDD or an internal HDD, ordinarily must be a
>> formatted drive and have a drive letter assigned to it. Recall
>> that in the case of a disk-to-disk cloning operation as
>> previously described, an unformatted or "virgin" HDD can be
>> used as the destination disk.
>>
>> Before undertaking this disk imaging process it's probably
>> best to close all programs running in the background including
>> your anti-virus and other anti-malware programs.
>>
>> 1. With both your source and destination hard drives
>> connected, access the Acronis program and click "Backup" on
>> main menu.
>>
>> 2. The "Create Backup Wizard" screen opens. Click Next.
>>
>> 3. The "Select Backup Type" screen opens with two options: a.
>> The entire disk contents or individual partitions. b. Files
>> and folders. Select a. and click Next.
>>
>> (In the ATI 10 version four options will be listed: My
>> Computer, My Data, My Application Settings, and My E-mail.
>> Select the My Computer option and click Next.)
>>
>> 4. The "Partitions Selection" screen opens. Disk 1 and Disk 2
>> are listed with their drive letter designations. Check the
>> disk to be backed up - presumably Disk 1 - and click Next.
>>
>> 5. An informational message appears recommending an
>> incremental or differential backup if an original full backup
>> had previously been created.Since this will be the first
>> backup we will be selecting, just click OK to close the
>> message box. (You can check the box not to show that
>> informational message in the future).
>>
>> 6. Next screen is the "Backup Archive Location". In the "File
>> name:" text box, (in ATI 10 version it's the "Folder:" text
>> box) enter your backup drive letter and enter a file name for
>> the backup file, e.g., "F:\Backup 1-25". The Acronis program
>> will automatically append the ".tib" file extension to the
>> filename. Click Next.
>>
>> 7. "Select Backup Mode" screen opens. Select "Create a new
>> full backup archive" option and click Next.
>>
>> 8. "Choose Backup Options" screen opens with two options: a.
>> Use default options b. Set the options manually
>>
>> If you select the b. option, you can select various options
>> listed on the next screen. Two of them are of interest to us:
>>
>> Compression level - Four options - None, Normal (the default),
>> High, Maximum. There's a "Description" area that shows the
>> estimated size of the backup archive depending upon the option
>> chosen, and the estimated "creation time" for each option.
>>
>> Backup priority - Three options - Low, Normal, or High Low -
>> "backup processed more slowly, but it will not influence other
>> processes running on computer."
>> (Default) Normal - "normal speed but backup process will
>> influence other processes running on computer." High - "normal
>> speed but backup process will strongly influence other
>> processes running on computer."
>>
>> With respect to the compression levels, we've found that when
>> using the Normal option the original data is compressed by
>> about 20% - 25% and that the High and Maximum options will
>> result in a compressed backup file only slightly higher than
>> that. However, the amount of time to create the backup files
>> when using the High or Maximum compression level is
>> substantially greater than when using the Normal compression
>> level. So unless disk space is very tight on the destination
>> drive, i.e., the drive where the backup file will be saved, we
>> recommend using the Normal compression level (at least
>> initially).
>>
>> NOTE: You can set the Compression level and Backup priority
>> defaults from the Acronis Tools > Options > Default backup
>> options menu items.
>>
>> 9. "Archive comments" screen opens allowing you to add
>> comments to the backup archive which you can review during the
>> Recovery process. Click Next.
>>
>> 10. The next screen summarizes the backup operation to be
>> performed. Review the information for correctness and click
>> the Proceed button.
>>
>> 11. The next screen will display status bars reflecting the
>> progress of the backup operation. After the backup operation
>> finishes, an informational message will appear indicting the
>> operation was successfully completed.
>>
>>
>> Incremental Backups (Disk Images)
>> 1. After the initial backup archive has been created you can
>> create incremental backups reflecting any data changes since
>> the previous backup operation. This incremental backup process
>> proceeds considerably faster than the initial backup
>> operation. This, of course, is a major advantage of creating
>> disk images rather than undertaking the disk-to-disk cloning
>> process. Then too, since these created disk images are
>> compressed files they are reasonable in size. And because the
>> incremental disk images can usually be created very quickly
>> (as compared with the direct disk-to-disk cloning process),
>> there's an incentive for the user to keep his/her system
>> up-to-date backup-wise by using this disk imaging process on a
>> more frequent basis than the disk-cloning process.
>>
>> Note that you must create the incremental backup files on the
>> same HDD where you stored the original backup archive and any
>> subsequent incremental backup files.
>>
>> 2. Access the Acronis program as detailed above and move
>> through the screens. When you arrive at the "Backup Archive
>> Location" screen, click on the original backup archive file,
>> or if one or more incremental backup files were previously
>> created, click on the last incremental backup file and verify
>> that the correct drive letter and file name are shown in the
>> "File name:" text box. After clicking Next, the program will
>> automatically create a file name for the incremental backup
>> archive file, using the original file name and appending a
>> consecutive number - starting at 2 - at the end of the file
>> name. For example, say you named the original backup archive
>> file "Backup 1-25". The first incremental backup file will be
>> automatically named "Backup 1-252" and the next incremental
>> file "Backup 1-253", etc.
>>
>> NOTE THAT ALL YOUR INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILES MUST BE PRESENT
>> FOR RECOVERY PURPOSES. DO NOT DELETE ANY OF YOUR
>> PREVIOUSLY-CREATED INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILES FOLLOWING THE
>> CREATION OF A CURRENT INCREMENTAL BACKUP FILE. YOU CAN DELETE
>> THE INCREMENTAL FILES ONLY AFTER CREATING A FULL BACKUP
>> ARCHIVE AS DESCRIBED IN THE PREVIOUS SECTION.
>>
>> 3. On the following "Select Backup Mode" screen, select the
>> "Create incremental Backup" option, click Next, and proceed
>> through the screens as you did in creating the initial backup
>> archive.
>>
>>
>> Recovery Process (Disk images): We'll assume the recovery will
>> be to either a non-defective HDD that has become unbootable
>> for one reason or another, or to a new HDD. The HDD to be
>> restored need not be partitioned/formatted since the recovery
>> process will take care of that function.
>>
>> Note that in most cases you will be using the Acronis
>> "bootable rescue media" (CD) that you created when you
>> originally installed the Acronis program. If you didn't create
>> that bootable CD at that time, you can create it now from the
>> Acronis program (assuming You can access the program at this
>> time) by clicking on the "Create Bootable Rescue Media" icon
>> on the opening Acronis screen and simply going through the
>> screens to create the bootable CD.
>>
>> Note: If the recovery will be made to a HDD that is still
>> bootable and you're able to access the Acronis program on that
>> drive, then you can undertake the recovery process without the
>> need for using the "bootable rescue" CD.
>>
>> 1. With both the drive containing the backup disk images and
>> the drive you want to restore connected and with the bootable
>> rescue CD inserted, boot up.
>>
>> 2. At the opening screen, click on "Acronis True Image Home
>> (Full Version)".
>>
>> 3. The program will open after some moments. On the "Pick a
>> Task" screen that opens, click on "Recovery".
>>
>> 4. The "Welcome to the Restore Data Wizard!" screen opens.
>> Click on Next.
>>
>> 5. The "Archive Selection" screen opens. Navigate to the drive
>> containing the backup archive file(s) and select the last
>> incremental backup file or the original full backup file if no
>> incremental backup files were subsequently created. Ensure
>> that the correct drive letter and filename are entered in the
>> "File name:" text box. Click Next.
>>
>> 6. In the Acronis version 9 program, the "Archive Date
>> Selection" screen opens. Select (highlight) the last
>> incremental backup file from the listing and click Next. This
>> screen does not appear in version 10.
>>
>> 7. The "Restoration Type Selection" screen opens. Select the
>> option, "Restore disks or partitions" and click Next.
>>
>> 8. The "Partition or Disk to Restore" will open. Click on
>> "Disk 1" and click Next.
>>
>> 9. After some moments the "Restored Hard Disk Drive Location"
>> screen opens. Select (highlight) the HDD to be restored and
>> click Next.
>>
>> 10. On the next screen select the "Yes" option to delete all
>> current partitions on the destination HDD. Click Next.
>>
>> 11. On the next screen select the "No" option and click Next.
>>
>> 12. On the next screen you have the option to validate the
>> backup archive before restoration. Click Next.
>>
>> 13. The final screen before the restoration operation begins
>> will open. Confirm that the information as shown is correct.
>> Click Proceed.
>>
>> 14. Click OK when following completion of the recovery
>> operation a message appears indicating a successful recovery
>> operation.
>>
>> 15. Remove the Acronis bootable rescue CD and close the
>> Acronis program. The system will reboot. A Windows "Found New
>> Hardware" message followed by the "System Settings Change"
>> message box may appear on the Desktop. If they do, click Yes
>> for a reboot.
>>
>> Note: While the Acronis program is not designed to clone
>> individual partitions - it can clone only the entire contents
>> of one HDD to another HDD - you can backup & recover
>> individual partitions through the disk imaging process as
>> described above. Anna
>>
> --
> HP, aka Jerry

Today, Anna made these interesting comments ...

> HEMI-Powered:
> We've worked with both the 9 & 10 versions of ATI and as I've
> indicated we've found little performance difference, if any,
> between the two versions as they impact on basic disk
> cloning/disk imaging/recovery processes (as described in our
> ATI step-by-step instructions) in the XP environment. A number
> of users have reported that they've found version 10 to be
> somewhat faster in undertaking the disk-to-disk cloning
> process, but we have not noticed any appreciable difference in
> this area between the two versions.

Thanks for this thoughtful reply, and thanks again for the
excellent synopsis of the capabilities of True Image and cautions
to be observed for safest results.

> Version 10, of course, unlike v 9, is supposed to be
> compatible with the Vista OS. We haven't really worked with
> that OS to make any definitive judgment in this area.

That's OK, I will not be going to Vista before next year,
probably when I get my next PC built. The price-performance point
for a dual-core or quad-core CPU with requisite new motherboard
and video isn't there for me right now, plus I'd have to buy most
of my apps in newer versions. I would wait for Vista anyway
because I prefer to let all the early adopters beta test it with
their Visa cards, not mine. I think Vista may be ready for prime
time about the time the first SP comes out and people have a
chance to evaluate that.

> We have *not* ever created the "8-floppy set" you refer to;
> only what Acronis refers to as the "Bootable Rescue Media", a
> CD.

I'd heard about the bootable CD but not the floppy sets, but I
saw it in the menu so decided to give it a try. I'd prefer to use
the CD, of course, unless something so drastic happened to my PC
that I couldn't, hence I thought of the floppies as backups to
backups for me. I didn't try to actually run TI from the floppies
but did from the CD. Seemed to come up OK. I hope I never really
need to find out if it really works!

I am quite careful about how I run my system in a variety of
ways, so I have found that my XP system is extremely stable.
About the only time I restart it is when I absolutely have to in
order to complete a necessary upgrade, e.g., an MS Critical
Update or a System Works 2006 update. I turn my monitor off when
not in use but leave the PC on 24x7. We get a fairly large number
of very short duration power hits where I live so I have APC UPS
boxes on both my PCs. They work magnificently. But, if it looks
like the power is going on and off repeatedly, as it did in
February and March during storms, I do shut the PCs down. So, I
take the view that it is less stressful on my hardware to leave
it running than to continually shut it down and restart in the
morning.

> Except for archival purposes, we rarely use DVD media to store
> either the clone or the backup image. We use, and encourage
> other users to use, removable HDDs in a desktop PC
> environment, or a USB/Firewire/SATA external HDD as the
> recipient of the cloned contents of the source HDD (or the
> disk image).
> Anna

I have a Maxtor 300 gig external for my work-in-progress backups
and two Hammer brand 250 gig externals for my periodic backups.
It is these Hammers that I exchange between my off-the-floor
shelf in my basement and my bank safety deposit box. My concern
isn't theft, it is a fire or natural disaster, such as a very
high wind, a 100-year snow fall that damages the roof, or a
tornado. In any of these conditions, I figure everything in my
house would be ruine