Acronis True Image Home - 2011 - Netbook Edition User's Guide

User's Guide

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Table of contents

1 Getting started ......................................................................................................................7

1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 7

1.1.1 What is Acronis® True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition? ...................................................................... 7

1.1.2 Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition basic concepts .............................................................. 8

1.1.3 New in Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition ......................................................................... 10

1.1.4 System requirements and supported media .............................................................................................. 11

1.1.5 Technical Support .......................................................................................................................................... 13

1.1.6 Trial version information .............................................................................................................................. 13

1.2 Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition installation and startup .............................14

1.2.1 Installing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition ...................................................................... 14

1.2.2 Extracting Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition .................................................................... 15

1.2.3 Running Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition ....................................................................... 15

1.2.4 Upgrading Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition ................................................................... 15

1.2.5 Removing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition .................................................................... 16

1.3 Getting to know Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition ........................................16

1.3.1 Welcome screen ............................................................................................................................................ 16

1.3.2 Main screen ................................................................................................................................................... 19

1.3.3 Tools & Utilities screen ................................................................................................................................. 23

1.3.4 Wizards and notification area icons ............................................................................................................. 23

1.3.5 Acronis Backup Explorer ............................................................................................................................... 24

1.3.6 Integration with Windows 7 ......................................................................................................................... 30

2 How to ................................................................................................................................ 33

3 Backing up data ................................................................................................................... 34

3.1 The difference between file backups and disk/partition images ............................................34

3.2 Full, incremental and differential backups ..............................................................................35

3.3 Backing up partitions and disks ...............................................................................................37

3.4 Backing up files and folders .....................................................................................................39

3.4.1 Data categories .............................................................................................................................................. 40

3.4.2 Support for Zip format .................................................................................................................................. 41

3.5 Backing up e-mail .....................................................................................................................42

3.6 Making reserve copies of your backups ..................................................................................44

3.7 Backup to various places .........................................................................................................45

3.8 Adding an existing backup to the list .......................................................................................46

3.9 Excluding items from backup ...................................................................................................46

3.10 Backup options ........................................................................................................................47

3.10.1 Backup schemes ............................................................................................................................................ 48

3.10.2 Image creation mode .................................................................................................................................... 52

3.10.3 Backup protection ......................................................................................................................................... 52

3.10.4 Pre/Post commands for backup ................................................................................................................... 53

3.10.5 Backup splitting ............................................................................................................................................. 53

3.10.6 Backup validation option .............................................................................................................................. 54

3.10.7 Backup reserve copy ..................................................................................................................................... 55

3.10.8 Removable media settings ........................................................................................................................... 55

3.10.9 Screenshot settings ....................................................................................................................................... 56

3.10.10 Error handling ................................................................................................................................................ 56

3.10.11 Computer shutdown ..................................................................................................................................... 57

3.10.12 File-level security settings for backup .......................................................................................................... 57

3.10.13 Performance of backup operation ............................................................................................................... 57

3.10.14 Notifications for backup operation .............................................................................................................. 58

3.11 Validating backups ...................................................................................................................60

3.12 Consolidating backup versions ................................................................................................60

3.12.1 Archive to consolidate protection ................................................................................................................ 61

3.12.2 Backup selection ............................................................................................................................................ 61

3.12.3 Result location ............................................................................................................................................... 61

3.12.4 Consolidation summary ................................................................................................................................ 61

3.13 Cloning backup settings ...........................................................................................................62

4 Recovering data ................................................................................................................... 63

4.1 Recovering your system after a crash......................................................................................63

4.1.1 Trying to determine the crash cause ........................................................................................................... 63

4.1.2 Preparing for recovery .................................................................................................................................. 64

4.1.3 Recovering your system ................................................................................................................................ 64

4.2 Recovering partitions and disks ...............................................................................................68

4.3 Recovering more than one partition at once ..........................................................................70

4.4 Recovering a disk backup to a different disk under rescue media ..........................................71

4.4.1 Recovering a disk without a hidden partition ............................................................................................. 71

4.4.2 Recovering a disk with a hidden partition ................................................................................................... 73

4.5 Recovering data from file-level backups .................................................................................74

4.6 Recovering file versions ...........................................................................................................76

4.7 How to use Acronis Startup Recovery Manager ......................................................................76

4.8 Backup protection dialog box ..................................................................................................77

4.9 Arranging boot order in BIOS...................................................................................................78

4.10 Recovery options .....................................................................................................................78

4.10.1 Pre/Post commands for recovery ................................................................................................................ 79

4.10.2 Validation option ........................................................................................................................................... 79

4.10.3 Computer restart ........................................................................................................................................... 80

4.10.4 File recovery options ..................................................................................................................................... 80

4.10.5 Overwrite file options ................................................................................................................................... 80

4.10.6 Performance of recovery operation ............................................................................................................ 81

4.10.7 Notifications for recovery operation ........................................................................................................... 81

5 Using Acronis Online Backup ................................................................................................ 83

5.1 What is Acronis True Image Home 2011 Online Backup? .......................................................83

5.2 Subscription information .........................................................................................................83

5.3 Backing up to Acronis Online Storage......................................................................................84

5.3.1 Log in to the online storage .......................................................................................................................... 84

5.3.2 Computer selection ....................................................................................................................................... 85

5.3.3 Setting up online backup for a new computer............................................................................................ 87

5.3.4 Main window ................................................................................................................................................. 89

5.3.5 Online backup task creation ......................................................................................................................... 90

5.3.6 Online Backup settings.................................................................................................................................. 97

5.4 Recovery from Online Storage ...............................................................................................105

5.4.1 Recovering data from Online Storage ....................................................................................................... 105

5.4.2 Selecting a version to recover .................................................................................................................... 106

5.4.3 Recovery operation progress ..................................................................................................................... 107

5.5 Removing data from Online Storage .....................................................................................108

5.6 Viewing Log ............................................................................................................................109

6 Useful information ............................................................................................................. 110

6.1 Protecting your system and data ...........................................................................................110

6.2 Preparing for backups ............................................................................................................112

6.2.1 Deciding where to store your backups ...................................................................................................... 112

6.2.2 Deciding what data to back up ................................................................................................................... 114

6.2.3 Deciding how often to back up .................................................................................................................. 115

6.3 Testing bootable rescue media .............................................................................................116

6.3.1 Selecting video mode when booting from the rescue media .................................................................. 117

6.4 Testing that your backups can be used for recovery .............................................................119

6.5 Scheduling ..............................................................................................................................120

6.5.1 Daily execution parameters........................................................................................................................ 121

6.5.2 Weekly execution parameters ................................................................................................................... 121

6.5.3 Monthly execution parameters ................................................................................................................. 121

6.5.4 Upon event execution parameters ............................................................................................................ 122

6.6 Searching backups and their content ....................................................................................122

6.6.1 Searching ...................................................................................................................................................... 122

6.6.2 Windows Search and Google Desktop integration ................................................................................... 124

6.7 Choosing columns for viewing in wizards ..............................................................................132

6.8 Backup information ...............................................................................................................132

7 Tools & Utilities ................................................................................................................. 133

7.1 Acronis Startup Recovery Manager .......................................................................................134

7.1.1 How it works ................................................................................................................................................ 134

7.1.2 How to use ................................................................................................................................................... 134

7.2 Creating bootable rescue media ............................................................................................134

7.2.1 Acronis Media Builder ................................................................................................................................. 135

7.2.2 Rescue media contents selection............................................................................................................... 135

7.2.3 Bootable media startup parameters ......................................................................................................... 136

7.2.4 Bootable media selection ........................................................................................................................... 138

7.2.5 Destination file selection ............................................................................................................................ 138

7.2.6 Bootable media creation summary ........................................................................................................... 138

7.3 Security and Privacy Tools .....................................................................................................139

7.3.1 File shredder ................................................................................................................................................ 139

7.3.2 System Clean-up .......................................................................................................................................... 141

7.3.3 Hard Disk Wiping methods ......................................................................................................................... 147

7.4 Mounting an image ................................................................................................................149

7.5 Unmounting an image ...........................................................................................................151

7.6 Working with vhd files ...........................................................................................................152

7.6.1 Converting tib images into vhd virtual disks and vice versa .................................................................... 152

7.6.2 Recovery using vhd files created by Windows Backup ............................................................................ 154

7.6.3 Booting from a tib image of your Windows 7 system partition .............................................................. 155

7.6.4 Acronis Boot Sequence Manager ............................................................................................................... 156

7.7 Importing and exporting backup settings ..............................................................................156

8 Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................ 158

8.1 General recommendations ....................................................................................................158

8.2 Acronis System Report ...........................................................................................................159

8.3 Acronis Smart Error Reporting ...............................................................................................159

8.4 Creating a custom rescue CD .................................................................................................161

8.5 Viewing log.............................................................................................................................161

8.6 Acronis Customer Experience Program .................................................................................162

9 Glossary of Terms .............................................................................................................. 164

1 Getting started

In this section

What is Acronis® True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition? .................... 7

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition basic concepts ............. 8

New in Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition ....................... 10

System requirements and supported media ........................................... 11

Technical Support .................................................................................... 13

Trial version information .......................................................................... 13

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 What is Acronis® True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition?

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition is an integrated software suite that ensures the security of all of the information on your PC. It can back up the operating system, applications, settings and all of your data, while also securely destroying any confidential data you no longer need. With this software, you can back up selected files and folders, settings and messages of Microsoft e-mail clients — or even the entire disk drive or selected partitions. Acronis Online Backup will allow you to store your most important files on a remote storage. Your data will be protected even if your computer is lost, stolen or destroyed.

Should your disk drive become damaged or your system attacked by a virus or malware, you can recover the backed up data quickly and easily, eliminating hours or days of work trying to rebuild your disk drive's data and applications from scratch.

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition provides you with all the essential tools to recover your computer system should a disaster occur, such as losing data, accidentally deleting critical files or folders, or suffering a complete hard disk crash. If failures occur that block access to information or affect system operation, you will be able to recover the system and the lost data easily.

The unique technology developed by Acronis and implemented in Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition allows you to perform exact, sector-by-sector disk backups. This includes backups of all operating systems, applications and configuration files, personal settings, and data.

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition helps you protect your identity as well. Simply deleting old data will not remove it permanently from your computer. Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition includes File Shredder that permanently destroys files, as well as the System Clean-up tool that cleans up your Windows system of all traces of user activity.

You can store backups on almost any PC storage device.

When performing scheduled backups, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition automatically selects a backup mode (full, incremental, differential), in accordance with the backup scheme set by the user.

Windows-style interface and wizards will make your work easier. Just perform a few simple steps and let Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition take care of everything else! When a system problem occurs, the software will get you up and running in no time.

1.1.2 Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition basic

concepts

This section provides general information about basic concepts which could be useful for understanding how the program works.

Backup and recovery

Backup refers to the making copies of data so that these additional copies may be used to recover

the original after a data loss event.

Backups are useful primarily for two purposes. The first is to restore a state following a disaster (called disaster recovery). The second is to recover small numbers of files after they have been accidentally deleted or corrupted.

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition does both by creating disk (or partition) images and file-level backups respectively.

By default, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition stores an image of those hard disk sections that contain data (for supported file systems). However, you can select an option that lets you include an image of all of the sectors of a hard disk (a sector-by-sector backup). When you back up files and folders, only the data, and folder tree, are compressed and stored. If the need arises, you will be able to recover both your system disk state and individual files.

Backup versions

Backup versions are the file or files created during each backup operation. If you do not use consolidation feature, the amount of versions created is always equal to the amount of times the backup is executed.

So, a version represents a point in time to which the system or data can be recovered. To put it another way, backup versions represent full, incremental and differential backups - see Full, incremental and differential backups (p. 35).

There is one more type of incremental backup version. If you mount a partition in the read-write mode, the program assumes that the mounted image will be modified and creates an incremental version to capture the changes. This type of incremental version has somewhat different properties. For example, it cannot be consolidated.

The backup versions are similar to file versions. The file versions concept is familiar to those who use a Windows Vista and Windows 7 feature called "Previous versions of files". This feature allows you to restore a file as it existed on a particular date and time. A backup version allows you to recover your data in a similar way.

This could be useful when trying to find damaged or deleted files. Simply browse through the backup versions in the Acronis Backup Explorer until you find the backup version containing the required files. Additionally, you can recover different saved versions of the found files.

Snapshots

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition uses "snapshot" technology which permits you to create system partition backups even while running Windows with files open for reading and writing. Rebooting the computer is not necessary.

Once the program starts the partition backup process, it temporarily freezes all the operations on the partition and creates its "snapshot". Snapshot creation usually takes just several seconds. After that, the operating system continues working as the imaging process is under way.

The Acronis driver also continues to keep the point-in-time view of the partition. Whenever the driver sees a write operation directed at the partition, it checks whether these sectors are already backed up. If they are not, the driver saves the data on the sectors to be overwritten to a special buffer. Overwriting will then proceed.

All of the partition sectors of the point-in-time will be backed up intact and an exact "image" of the partition will be created.

Backup file format

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition usually saves backup data in the proprietary tib format using compression. This reduces the amount of needed storage space. It also allows for backward compatibility with the previous Acronis True Image Home Netbook Edition version.

When creating a tib file, the program calculates checksum values for data blocks and adds these values to the data being backed up. These checksum values allow for the verification of data integrity.

The data from tib file backups can be recovered only through the Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition program. This may be done in Windows or in the recovery environment.

However, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition is also able to save data in the well-known zip format. This allows you to retrieve files from backups anywhere without using Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition.

For example, you can back up files to a USB stick and retrieve files from such backups on your notebook without installing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition. The most widely used operating systems Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, have built-in support for the zip file format.

Backup validation

The backup validation feature allows you to confirm that your system can be recovered. As mentioned above, the program adds checksum values to the data blocks being backed up. During backup validation, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition opens the backup file, recalculates the checksum values and compares those values with the stored ones. If all compared values match, the backup file is not corrupted and there is a high probability that the backup can be successfully used for data recovery.

We recommend that validation of system partition backups take place when booting from a rescue media.

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition lets users of Windows 7 Enterprise and Window 7 Ultimate ensure that they will be able to boot after recovery of the system partition. The program allows you to boot from a tib file containing the system partition image. It converts the tib file into a VHD file which is then used for actual booting. If you can boot from the converted vhd file, you will be able to boot after recovering this backup to your disk.

Consolidation

Consolidation allows you to delete backups which are no longer needed from a backup chain.

A chain to be consolidated can consist of a full backup and one or more incremental backups.

If necessary, you can delete the base full backup from the chain. The program will create a new full backup in place of the oldest remaining backup. Consolidation keeps whichever backups you choose and deletes any backups that are not selected.

Since consolidation may require significant time and system resources (including disk space), we recommend using it sparingly. In many cases, starting a new backup chain and then deleting the old one will be a better choice.

Disaster recovery

Recovering from a disaster usually requires a rescue media.

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition provides for recovery from a disaster caused by system data corruption, viruses, or malware.

If the operating system fails to boot, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition will recover the system partition. Legal owners of the program can create a rescue media by using the Media Builder tool.

Scheduling

For your backups to be really helpful, they must be as "up-to-date" as possible. This means that you should run backups on a regular basis, say once a day. Although creating an Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition backup is quite easy, on occasion, you may forget to do a backup.

With the scheduler, you do not have to remember. You can schedule automatic backups ahead of time. Your data will be backed up as long as there is sufficient disk space.

Understanding these terms and concepts will be helpful when using the program's features.

1.1.3 New in Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

 New user interface – Redesigned user interface and usability enhancements, based on the

results of usability testing, make Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition easier to use than ever before.

 Predefined backup schemes – Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition offers you

predefined backup schemes designed for specific user needs - from a disk space-efficient scheme suitable for users with limited backup storage capabilities to a scheme for those users who need higher security for their data and system. The program offers different backup schemes for disk and file type backups. You just select a scheme and the program automatically manages your backups. In addition, you can create a custom backup scheme which will exactly suit your needs.

 Check points - The Acronis Backup Explorer timeline shows Windows and software installation

and update dates. Moving your mouse over a check point opens a balloon with information about the update or software. With check points you can check the changes to your system and recover the system to a specific backed up state.

 USB 3.0 support – Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition supports the new USB 3.0

standard. If your motherboard can work with USB 3.0 hard disk drives, you can use the high data transfer speed offered by the new standard to make your backups run much faster.

 Automatic update notification – By default, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition will

automatically inquire about the availability of a program update at every program start. When an update is available, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition will offer to download and install it. You can also check for availability of updates manually through the Help menu.

 New Backup Explorer – Now you can use the Acronis Backup Explorer's time line for exploring

not only Acronis Online Backup contents, but contents of all other backups as well. Clicking My backups in the main window will show all your backups on the time line. In addition, you can start recovery of disks and partitions right from the time line.

 Enhanced scheduler – the completely redesigned scheduler makes scheduling much easier. In

addition, it now allows you to wake up the sleeping/hibernating computer to perform a backup. The "At system shutdown" and "At user logoff" options are now available to users of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

 Drag & Drop functionality - you can recover backed up files by dragging them from Acronis

Backup Explorer to your Desktop or a folder of your choice. In addition, you can create shortcuts for backups by dragging their boxes from the My backups area on the main screen to your Desktop. This will allow you to run a backup by simply double-clicking on its shortcut. You can also create shortcuts for frequently used Acronis tools by dragging their icons from the Start menu to the Desktop.

 Integration with Windows 7 Control Panel - Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

replaces Windows Backup in the Backup and Restore item. The Backup and Restore window will show your oldest disk or partition backup. You will be able to recover the backed up data and refresh the backups directly from the Control Panel.

 Reserve copies of image backups – Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition allows you

to set up creation of reserve copies for disk and partition backups to make your backups more secure. So now you can back up your disks to two destinations in a single operation.

 Support of Microsoft Outlook 2010 – This product is added to the list of e-mail clients supported

by e-mail backup. In addition, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition allows you to back up Windows Live Mail accounts and contacts.

1.1.4 System requirements and supported media

1.1.4.1 Minimum system requirements

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition has minimum hardware requirements corresponding to those of the operating system installed on the computer to be used for running Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition. In addition Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition requires the following hardware:

 CD-RW/DVD-RW drive for bootable media creation  Mouse or other pointing device (recommended).

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition rescue media has the following hardware requirements:

 512 MB RAM  Processor Pentium 1 GHz or faster

The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 600.

The minimum screen resolution is 800 x 600.

1.1.4.2 Supported operating systems

Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition has been tested on the following operating systems:

 Windows XP SP3

 Windows XP Professional SP3 x86 (32 Bit)

MANUFACTURER

CPU MODELS and SERIES

Intel

Z540

Z530

 Windows Vista SP2 x86 (32 Bit)  Windows 7 Starter  Windows 7 x86 (32 Bit)

1.1.4.3 Supported file systems

 FAT16/32  NTFS  exFAT  Ext2/Ext3/Ext4 *  ReiserFS *  Linux SWAP *

If a file system is not supported or is corrupted, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition can copy data using a sector-by-sector approach.

* The Ext2/Ext3/Ext4, ReiserFS, and Linux SWAP file systems are supported only for disk or partition backup/recovery operations. You cannot use Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition for file-level operations with these file systems (file backup, recovery, search, as well as image mounting and file recovering from images). You also cannot perform backups to disks or partitions with these file systems.

1.1.4.4 Supported storage media

 Hard disk drives  Networked storage devices  FTP servers*  CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R (including double-layer DVD+R), DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, BD-R,

BD-RE**

 USB 1.1 / 2.0 / 3.0, FireWire (IEEE-1394) and PC card storage devices  REV® and other removable media

* An FTP server must allow passive mode file transfers. For data to be recovered directly from an FTP server, the backup must consist of files no greater than 2GB each.

The firewall settings of the source computer should have Ports 20 and 21 opened for the TPC and UDP protocols to function. The Routing and Remote Access Windows service should be disabled.

** Burned rewritable discs cannot be read in Linux without a kernel patch.

1.1.4.5 Compatible CPUs

Z520

Z510

Z500

N270

N280

N450

N470

D625

300 Series

200 Series

VIA C7-M

Nano

AMD V105

Athlon II Neo K125

1.1.5 Technical Support

Maintenance and Support Program

If you need assistance with your Acronis product, please go to http://www.acronis.com/support/

Product Updates

You can download the latest updates for all your registered Acronis software products from our website at any time after logging into your Account (https://www.acronis.com/my) and registering the product. See Registering Acronis Products at the Website (http://kb.acronis.com/content/4834) and Acronis Website User Guide (http://kb.acronis.com/content/8128).

1.1.6 Trial version information

The trial version of Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition is fully operational. However, it will work only during the trial period.

To purchase the full version, please visit http://www.acronis.com/buy/atihne/

Click Go to main screen to start Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition trial version.

Click Buy now to go to the official Acronis online store.

Click Activate if you have already purchased the full version and have a valid product serial number.

In this section

Installing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition .................... 14

Extracting Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition .................. 15

Running Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition ..................... 15

Upgrading Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition .................. 15

Removing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition .................. 16

1.2 Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

installation and startup

1.2.1 Installing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

To install Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition:

 Run the Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition setup file.  Before installation, you can check for a newer Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

build on the Acronis Web site. If available, the newer version will be offered for installation.

 In the Install Menu, select the program to install: Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook

Edition.

 Follow the install wizard instructions on the screen.

Typical, Custom and Complete installation is available. By pressing Custom, you can choose not to install Rescue Media Builder.

With Rescue Media Builder you can create bootable rescue disks (see details in Creating bootable rescue media (p. 134)). Installing the Bootable Rescue Media Builder will allow you to create bootable media or its ISO image at any time from the main program window or by running Bootable Rescue Media Builder on its own.

When installed, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition creates a new device in the Device Manager list (Control Panel  System  Hardware  Device Manager  Acronis Devices 

Acronis True Image Backup Archive Explorer). Do not disable or uninstall this device, as it is necessary for connecting image backups as virtual disks (see Mounting an image (p. 149)).

1.2.2 Extracting Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

When installing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition, you can save the setup (.msi) file on a local or network drive. This will help when modifying or recovering the existing component installation.

To save the setup file:

 Run the Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition setup file.  In the Install Menu, right-click on the program name and select Extract.  Select a location for the setup file and click Save.

Recovering or updating the existing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition installation with using the .msi file must be done from the command line as follows:

1. Choose Start  Run

2. Type cmd.

3. When the command-line interpreter window opens, type the following command:

msiexec /i path_to_msi_file\msi_file_name.msi REINSTALL=ALL REINSTALLMODE=vomus

After the install wizard window opens, choose Typical, Custom or Complete installation for repairing or changing the program's components.

1.2.3 Running Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

You can run Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition in Windows by selecting Start  Programs  Acronis  Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition  Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition or by clicking on the appropriate shortcut on the desktop.

If your operating system does not load for some reason, you can run Acronis Startup Recovery Manager®. However, it must be activated prior to use; see Acronis Startup Recovery Manager (p.

134) to learn more about this procedure. To run the program, press F11 during bootup when you see a corresponding message that tells you to press that key. Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition will be run in standalone mode, allowing you to recover the damaged partitions.

If your disk data is totally corrupted and the operating system cannot boot (or if you have not activated Acronis Startup Recovery Manager), load the standalone Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition version from the bootable media, supplied with the retail box or created by you using Rescue Media Builder. This boot disk will allow you to recover your disk from a previously created image.

When running Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition, users of Windows Vista and Windows 7 with enabled User Account Control (UAC) may be prompted by UAC for permission to perform certain operations. To continue with the operation, click Yes in the prompt pop-up window.

1.2.4 Upgrading Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

If you already have Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition installed, the new version will simply update it; there is no need to remove the old version and reinstall the software.

The backups created by the later program version may be incompatible with the previous program

In this section

Welcome screen....................................................................................... 16

Main screen .............................................................................................. 19

Tools & Utilities screen ............................................................................ 23

Wizards and notification area icons ......................................................... 23

Acronis Backup Explorer .......................................................................... 24

Integration with Windows 7 .................................................................... 30

versions. If you roll back Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition to an older version, you likely will have to re-create the backups using the older version. We strongly recommend that you create new bootable media after each Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition upgrade.

1.2.5 Removing Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition

Select Start  Settings  Control panel  Add or remove programs  <Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition>  Remove. Then follow the instructions on the screen. You may have to

reboot your computer afterwards to complete the task.

If you use Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Start  Control panel  Programs and Features  <Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition>  Remove. Then follow the instructions on the screen. You may have to reboot your computer afterwards to complete the task.

1.3 Getting to know Acronis True Image Home 2011

Netbook Edition

1.3.1 Welcome screen

When you start Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition for the first time after installation, it will search for Acronis backups on your computer. If any backups are found (created by the current or an earlier version of Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition), the Welcome screen will be skipped. All found backups will be added to the backup list in the program.

The Welcome screen appears if:

 No backups have been found during search.  Some backups have been found, but no information about the backups is available for Acronis

True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition (backup source, backup destination, backup schedule, etc.). For example, this may occur if a backup was created on another computer. Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition will add them to the backup list.

 If you have a large number of preexisting backups or if the overall performance of your system is

low, the search for backups may take a long time. In this case, the Welcome screen may also appear.

Welcome screen offers you to choose the following items:

 Back up my critical data

Select this item to use the Acronis One-Click Backup tool that allows you to begin protecting your computer as soon as you install Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition. The default settings provide regularly updated backup of your system partition. The tool will also analyze your storage devices and choose the optimum place for the backups.

 Use backup assistant

Select this item if you want the program to assist you in choosing what data to back up, how and where to back up.

 Go to main screen

Select this item if you want to go to the main program window.

1.3.1.1 Acronis One-Click Backup

The Acronis One-Click Backup tool allows you to begin protecting your critical data as soon as you install Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition. Once One-Click Backup is set up (this takes just a few moments), one click provides full-time protection.

When you choose to protect your critical data, the program will offer to back up the system partition to a destination it considers the optimum place for backups (see the destination selection algorithm later). You can choose another destination for backups by clicking the down arrow to the right of the destination and browsing for a destination you prefer.

By default, Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition will schedule subsequent full backups of the system partition once a month. After completing a new full backup, the program will delete the old one to save disk space.

If you choose a removable media as the backup destination (for instance, an USB hard drive), it will be made bootable by default. In other words, a bootable recovery environment, a standalone Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition version and the backed up data, will be written to the removable media.

You will be able to run Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition from the removable media on a bare-metal system or a crashed computer that cannot boot. Just make the removable media device the first boot device in BIOS, boot to Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition and recover your system.

To start One-Click Backup, click the Back up now button. Clicking Cancel will cancel One-Click Backup. If you decide to use this feature later, click Tools & Utilities in the main program menu and then choose Acronis One-Click Backup.

Destination selection algorithm

For those interested in how One-Click Backup tool selects a destination for backup, here is the algorithm the program uses:

1. First of all, the program estimates the space required for operation of the One-Click Backup tool.

2. If there is an external hard drive with enough free space, the backups will be stored on that drive

because such backup location will provide better protection for your computer.

3. If the first option is unavailable but you have at least two internal hard drives, the program will

back up to a non-system hard drive using a partition with the maximum free space.

4. If your computer has only one hard drive with several partitions (not counting hidden ones), then

the program will use the non-system partition with maximum free space.

1.3.1.2 Backup assistant

If you want to protect your data, but you are not sure what data to protect and how to do this, the backup assistant will help you to make an optimum choice. In a few simple steps, you will create a backup of your data. The backup will allow you to recover your data to a known good state in case of corruption. Now let's go through the backup assistant steps together. Click Use backup assistant on the Welcome screen. Then decide for yourself:

What do you want to back up?

 My computer - select this item to back up your system partition. Such a backup allows you to

protect all data on your system partition and recover your system if needed. To better protect your system from a crash, you must create a bootable rescue media or activate Acronis Startup Recovery Manager. This will allow you to recover your system if Windows does not start.

 Files and folders - select this item to back up your documents, including photos, videos, music,

text files and any other files and folders. Such a backup allows to recover your documents from a virus attack, accidental deletion and corruption.

 E-mail - select this item to back up your e-mail messages, address book, settings, and accounts.

Such a backup allows you to recover them in case of e-mail data loss or corruption.

After you have decided what data to back up, click Next and we'll help you to continue with the backup process.

How do you want to protect your computer or data?

 Back up on a schedule - this method allows you to back up your data on a regular basis by

specifying your own schedule for backup operations. The program will back up your data according to the schedule you specify.

 Store in online storage (available only when you have selected Files and folders in the previous

step) - you can purchase safe storage for your data. This safe storage is located on an Acronis remote server which is accessible via the Internet. Keeping data in this online storage guarantees that you will be able to recover the data even if your home computer was physically destroyed or stolen.

After you choose what data to back up and the optimal protection method, the program will display the window from which you will start the backup process. This window contains all of the settings for your backup. These settings were configured by the program according to the choices you made. If you want, you can change them, and set other options. After you have made sure that all settings are correct, click the Back up now button to start the backup operation. After that a new backup box will appear in the My backups list and will show the backup progress. When the process is complete, the backup is created. Now your data is protected and can be recovered in case of disaster.

The Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition Online Backup application will start if you select a backup to online storage. After the application starts, login to your Online Backup account or register a new account. To register the account, click the Subscribe to Online Backup service link.

1.3.2 Main screen

Starting Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition takes you to the main screen. This screen provides quick access to practically all of the program's functionality.

If you have not created any backups yet, the program will offer to create a new backup with Acronis One-Click Backup tool or manually. If you have at least one backup, the screen will display the list of your backups.

Add backups area

To create a new or add an existing backup to the backup list, you can use the Add backups area. It contains the following items:

 Disk and partition backup  Online Backup  File backup  E-mail backup  Browse for backup

Click this item to browse for backups on your computer and add them to the backup list. This may be useful when you have backups created by a previous Acronis True Image Home Netbook Edition version which are not shown in the backup list.

If the added backup was created by a previous Acronis True Image Home Netbook Edition version or copied from another computer, you will be unable to perform some operations. In particular, you cannot refresh the backup by clicking Back up now. Also, you cannot edit and clone the backup settings and schedule. To be able to perform the unavailable operations, you may recreate the settings of the added backup by selecting Operations  Recreate backup settings (for more information, see "Operations menu" later in this section).

My backups area

The area shows the backups you already have. It provides access to all operations with the existing backups and allows you to start recovery of your data.

To start recovery of the latest backup, select the backup containing the data you need to recover and then click Recover. When an image backup contains more than one backup version, click the Explore all versions link below the Recover button. This will open the Acronis Backup Explorer. You can also open the Acronis Backup Explorer by clicking on the backup name.

You can update an existing backup at any time by selecting it in the backup list and clicking Back up now.

If you want to explore all of the backups you have, click the My backups link. The program will open the Acronis Backup Explorer. You will be able to explore the existing backups using the time line. For more information on using the time line for navigating through backups, see Time line (p. 27).

Operations menu

Clicking Operations in the box of a selected backup opens an Operations menu containing the following items:

 Open backup location - opens the folder containing the backup files.  Edit backup settings - allows editing of the current backup settings.  Recreate backup settings (available only for backups manually added to the backup list) - allows

configuring the settings for image, file, and e-mail backups created by a previous Acronis True Image Home Netbook Edition version. This item may also appear for backups created on another computer and added to the backup list without importing their settings.

 Validate backup - starts backup validation.  Delete backup - deletes all backup versions of the current backup at their location. Be careful, as

the deletion cannot be undone.

 More - opens the following additional items:

 Create shortcut - creates a shortcut on the Desktop. The shortcut allows you to run a backup

without starting Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition.

 Consolidate versions - allows you to delete the backup versions you no longer need while

maintaining the consistency of the backup.

 Clone backup settings - clones the current backup settings when you need to create several

similar backups. Clone the backup settings and then introduce the required changes.

 Move backup... - allows moving all the backup files to another location. The subsequent

backup versions will be saved to the new location.

If you change the backup destination by editing the backup settings, only new backup versions will be saved to the new location. The earlier backup versions will remain in the old location.

 Remove from the list - removes the current backup from the backup list shown in the My

backups area. This operation also turns off the scheduling of the removed backup (if a schedule was set), but it does not delete the backup files.

The Operations menu of backups created on another computer and added to the backup list without importing the backup settings will have less items.

To collapse an expanded backup box into a narrow strip, right-click in the free area of the box and select Collapse in the shortcut menu. You can also collapse an expanded backup box by double-clicking on it.

To expand a collapsed box, right-click in the free area of the box and select Expand in the shortcut menu or double-click on the box.

When a backup box is collapsed, the Operations menu contains additional items related to backup and recovery operations available for the backup:

 Back up now - adds a new backup version to the existing backup or replaces the existing backup

version, depending on the backup scheme being used.

 Explore and recover - opens the Backup Explorer window.

To turn on or change the schedule for the selected backup, click the link to the right of Schedule:. For more information see Scheduling (p. 120).

To search for a backed up file you need to recover, type the filename or part of its name, in the search field on the main menu bar. If the search is successful, the program will open Acronis Backup Explorer and show the found file and backup(s) containing the file.

Menu bar

The menu bar on the main screen allows you to choose several major program features.

The menu bar includes the following items:

Tools & Utilities

Choose this menu item to open the Tools & Utilities screen with a list of all Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition tools and utilities to choose from.

Help

Choose this item to open the program's Help, go to the Welcome screen, generate a system report, view the log, get customer support, check for updates, etc.

1.3.3 Tools & Utilities screen

This screen allows you to select the tools and utilities provided by Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition. To go to the screen, click Tools & Utilities in the main menu. Launch the required tool or utility by clicking the appropriate link. For more information see Tools & Utilities.

To return to the main screen, click the "Back to" button in the navigation field at the top of the screen or Home in the same field.

1.3.4 Wizards and notification area icons

When you use the available Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition tools and utilities, the program will in many cases employ wizards to guide you through the operations.

Wizards have a sidebar listing all the steps (both required and optional) needed for completing the operation. For example, see the Mount Wizard screen shot below.

The completed steps are marked with green checkmarks. The green arrow shows the current step. After you complete all the required steps and come to the Finish step, the program displays the Summary screen. Check the summary of the operation to be performed and then click Proceed to start the operation.

Taskbar notification area icons

During most of the operations, special indicator icons appear in the Windows taskbar notification area (the right portion of the status bar with the clock). If you mouse over the icon, you will see a tool tip indicating the operation's progress or state. Right-clicking on the icon opens a shortcut menu where you can change the operation's status or cancel the operation if necessary. This icon doesn't depend on the main program window being open. It is present for background execution of scheduled backups as well.

1.3.5 Acronis Backup Explorer

The Acronis Backup Explorer provides you with a wealth of information on your backups: backup types, backup versions number, dates, contents, backup results, etc. In addition, the Backup Explorer allows you to explore and recover backed up data (both partitions and individual files and even file versions). It also allows for operations with backups - you can validate them, convert to Windows backup (only disk backups), mount images as disks, and delete backup versions you no longer need.

Let's have a closer look on the Acronis Backup Explorer. It has two tabs for viewing backups and their content: Disks and partitions (available for disk backups only) and Files and folders.

1.3.5.1 Disks and partitions tab

The Disks and partitions tab shows the backed up disks and partitions that the selected backup version contains.

The tab shows the disks and partitions state of when the current backup version was created.

You can switch between the backup versions by using the time line at the bottom of the screen. For more information see Time line (p. 27).

To recover disks and/or partitions:

1. On the time line, select the backup version from which you want to recover your disks/partitions.

The version's exact date and time will be displayed near the backup name. Your data will be recovered to the state it was at that point in time.

2. Select the corresponding check boxes of the disks or partitions you want to recover.

3. Click the Recover button.

To recover specific files and folders from the disk/partition backups:

1. Click the Files and folders tab.

2. Select files and folders you want to recover.

3. Click the Recover button.

For more information on recovering files and folders see Files and folders tab (p. 26).

Right-clicking on a backup version opens the shortcut menu with other available operations:

 Recover - select to recover the current backup version.

 Validate - select to check the integrity of the backup version data.  Convert to Windows backup (for image backups) - select to convert the backup version's TIB file

to VHD file.

 Mount (for image backups) - select to mount the backup version as a disk.  Delete version - select to delete the backup version (the backup chain will not be corrupted).  View - select to set up the time line to show some additional information.

To find a file or folder you need to recover, type the file or folder name in the search field.

Both tabs also show backup comments, and allow for adding, editing and deleting comments to the selected backup version. If a backup version does not have comments, click the Add comment icon, then type your comments in the comments area and click the Save icon. If there is already a comment, you can edit it after clicking the Edit icon. Having finished editing, click the Save icon to save the changed comment or the Cancel icon to cancel the changes. To remove the comment, click the Delete icon.

1.3.5.2 Files and folders tab

The Files and folders tab shows the backed up files and folders contained in the selected backup version. The left-hand area of the tab shows a directory tree and the right-hand area - the contents of a selected directory tree item.

The tab shows the files and folders states of when the current backup version was created. You can switch between the backup versions by using the time line at the bottom of the screen. For more information on using the time line see Time line (p. 27).

To recover files and/or folders:

1. On the time line, select the backup version, from which you want to recover your files/folders.

The version's exact date and time will be displayed near the backup name. Your data will be recovered to the state it was at this point in time.

2. Select the corresponding check boxes of the files and folders you want to recover (see selection

rules below). Short information about the selected items (their number and total size) will be displayed near the Recover button.

3. Click the Recover button.

You can also recover files and folders by dragging them to your Desktop or into a selected folder in Windows Explorer.

You cannot recover files by dragging them to an FTP, recordable CD/DVD or other optical media, as well as mounted ISO files.

Selection rules

Check boxes that correspond to the items may be in the following states:

 Selected (check mark in square) - this state indicates that the item is selected for recovery. A

selected folder means that all items in the folder are selected.

 Cleared (clear square) - this state indicates that the item is not selected.  Mixed (filled square) - this state is available for folders only and indicates that some items in the

folder are selected and the others are not. Note that you cannot set the state by clicking the check box, but you can change it to a cleared or selected state.

Selecting a disk, partition, file or folder to make it the current item in a list does not mean selecting it for recovery!

The majority of user interface elements located on this tab are described in the Disks and partitions tab (p. 24) section. Here we describe the items specific for the tab.

When you click an item, short information on this item is displayed under the browser area. The set of displayed parameters depends on the item's type. Clicking the View versions link opens the View Versions window with a list of all versions of the file in the backup. You can recover a desired version by its backup time.

By double-clicking on a file in the right-hand area, you will recover the file to a temporary folder. Then Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition will open the file using the associated application.

1.3.5.3 Time line

Usually the time line at the bottom of Acronis Backup Explorer screen shows information on the backup versions stored in the selected backup. The time line provides easy navigation through backup versions and allows you to recover your data to the state it was in at a certain date and time.

If you click the My backups link in the main window, the time line will show all of the backups you have. You can also display all of your backups by choosing the My backups item from the drop down list in the Navigation field. To open the list, click the arrow icon to the right of Home in the Navigation field.

The squares that represent backup versions have colored stripes at the bottom. The color of the stripes depends on the backup types (violet for disk backups, turquoise for file backups, and brown for other backups, for example, created by a previous Acronis True Image Home Netbook Edition version).

The picture below shows various states of a time line. Its states vary depending on the number of backups and the time interval through which you are navigating.

The "Now" interval shows backup versions created during the last hour.

The "Today" interval shows backup versions created from the beginning of the current day to the last hour.

The "week" interval can be named either "Week ago" or "This week".

When today is Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, the "week" interval is named "Week ago". In such cases, the time line shows backup versions created during the previous week and from the beginning of the current week to the beginning of today.

When today is Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the "week" interval is named "This week". In such cases the time line shows backup versions created from the beginning of the current week to the beginning of today.

The "month" interval can be named either "Month ago" or "This month".

When today is any date from the 1st to 15th day of the month, the "month" interval is named "Month ago". In that case the time line shows backup versions created during the previous month and from the beginning of the current month to the "week" interval.

When today is any date from the 16th to 31st day of the month, the "month" interval is named "This month". In that case the time line shows backup versions created from the beginning of the current month to the "week" interval.

The "This year" interval shows backup versions created from the beginning of the current year to the “month” interval.

The "Older" interval shows backup versions created from earlier than the beginning of the current year.

Working with time intervals and backup versions

Time intervals may be expanded (when the number of backup versions fits onto the time line) or folded into a square "block". When a time interval is expanded, the squares representing backup versions may contain a "warning" or "error" icon. Such an icon indicates that warning(s) or error(s) have been written into the Log during version creation.

If more than one backup version has been created during a day within "week", "month", "year", or "older" time interval, such a date is shown on the time line using a special "version pack" icon.

If you hover over a folded block for more than half a second, a balloon will show the information about the time interval start, its end, and the number of backup versions it contains.

If you hover over a backup version within an expanded time interval, a balloon will show more detailed information about the backup version.

Clicking on a folded block or its name above or below the time line expands the corresponding time interval. If the number of backup versions within the time interval is too big to fit onto the time line, the horizontal scroll line allows you to navigate through the backup versions within the time interval.

If you select another folded block and there is no room for displaying all backup versions of the newly expanded block, then the current expanded block will collapse.

By clicking on a backup version, you select it in the Backup Explorer.

Shortcut menus

Right-clicking on the time line opens the shortcut menu. The menu contents will change depending on the selected item.

Disk backup version:

 Recover  Validate  Convert to Windows backup...  Mount...  Delete version

File backup version:

 Validate  Delete version

Online backup version:

 Explore and recover  Delete version

Backup version packs and time blocks:

Right-clicking on a folded version pack or time interval's block opens the shortcut menu with a single item:

 Expand

Viewing additional information on the time line

You can also set up the time line to show additional information. The appropriate commands are available in the View submenu. The View submenu is opened by right-clicking on a backup version or by right-clicking on time line's free space.

 Show software installations - if this item is selected, the time line shows icons that indicate

moments when new programs have been installed on your computer.

 Show software updates - if this item is selected, the time line shows icons that indicate updates

of Windows and programs installed on your computer.

 Show warnings - if this item is selected, the time line shows all the backup versions that have

been suspended or completed with warning messages (selected by default).

 Show errors - if this item is selected, the time line shows failed backup versions and backup

versions that have completed with errors.

1.3.6 Integration with Windows 7

During installation Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition provides closer integration with Windows 7. Such merging allows you to get the most out of your computer. The new user-friendly interface makes starting backup and recovery much faster.

Integration adds Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition items to the Windows Start menu, changes the properties of the Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition button on the taskbar, and adds the ability to configure and perform Acronis True Image Home 2011 Netbook Edition operations using Windows 7 Control Panel.

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Acronis True Image Home - 2011 - Netbook Edition User's Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual