Acronis questions, appreciate any help

I recently bought Acronis True Image to assist me in protecting my computer. I got it because I had a HDD that for some reason got messed up when I took apart my Inspiron 1720 for cleaning. Well the HDD works and I used Acronis to clone another disk that I used to install the OS on and updates and all that jazz. Well now that I have it up and running as my primary, i'd like to not go through the hassle of reinstalling everything piece by piece. I had to use my 500GB to load the OS on and then clone it to the 320GB because from startup I couldn't do it for some reason. The items in discussion are the specs in my sig

OK... Now for my question. How do I use Acronis to create a recovery dvd (disk image) of my laptops primary HDD as it is now. Currently I'm creating the Acronis True Image bootable usb stick. But I'd like to be able to use the disk image dvd just as the Alienrespawn disk that comes with the Alienware computers. Same Idea. I want to be able to run that disk and restore that image to a new HDD if my current HDD dies. How do I go about that? I've been reading the help document, but for some reason I'm still confused. A little help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

Check section 3.2.2 in the manual. The problem is that you really don't want to do what you're planning. Today's drives are so large than backing up everything to a DVD is not possible.

Acronis recommends you not do as you are planning if your DVDs will be greater than 3 discs, if for no other reason it will be a pain in the butt,

The principle though, is to make a complete back up and span the backup archive across multiple dvds. You then use the acronis boot disk to restore the back up from these dvds.

Basically, you just choose back up my disks and point to your DVD recorder...the wizard will guide you. I do not have Acronis 10, but in earlier versions, it would ask you questions like how large the pieces should be and you would then burn each piece to a different dvd.

 

Thanks for the help, I would assume doing so would be easier then having to download all updates and install all drivers...no? Just insert, load, insert load. My primary hdd isn't that big anyhow, I use ir for just programs. I have a secondary for all my files. That I use an external to back it up to. I'm just trying to not lose any ground should I have a failure of either drive.

 

The absolute easiest way of doing it, and how I do it, is to store an image of your hard drive on an external hard drive. I use a 500GB my book solely for the purpose of storing my images.

It's really easy. #1 Pop in bootable media #2 Plug in external hard drive #3 Point ATI to the location of my back up images. #4 Click restore and wait a few hours. After this process, it's like having a brand new computer.

I would also suggest using the sector by sector back up method. It takes longer and takes up more space for the image itself, but I have never had one fail validation or restoration.

 

I have yet to do this, and that sounds like the way I want to go, I have a few exteranal HDDS and HDD enclosures that I want to use for image back up. Does this involve the F11 function when starting up to start up Acronis, then just point to the external? Also will the F11 work if I install an new HDD? I created the bootable media on a USB stick that I use when reflashing my GPU. I used the acronis bootable media option, so it added maybe 100mb to the stick. My guess is if I put a new HDD in and want to re-image it, then I simply boot to the stick, and run the acronis files to re-image with the external? Do I need to write any command lines? I'm no expert when it comes to the whole dos command lines

 

EDIT
OK, forget what I wrote a minute ago. I looked at the online manual and see you are speaking of the recovery environment.

You CAN use f11, but you do not have to.

Acronis will create a small acronis recovery environment on a hidden partition that will allow you to boot into it and restore from Acronis Secure Zone or your external device IF (IF) the acronis recovery environment can access your external device.

Test this first.

A good feature, but useless if the actual original harddrive dies

If the original harddrive dies, then You use the Acronis's bootable media to restore from the external to the new drive. Again, Make sure the bootable media recognizes your external device before you need it, by running a test.

No command line knowledge is needed.

 

Perfect, thanks for the help. I'll throw in my spare (blank) drive ( I keep a spare as downtime would be a killer to me) tommorrow and try to install from the external, just to test it. Thanks again. +1