Acronis Beta Testing

[new]

Acronis is Beta testing True Image 2010 which they say is suitable for Windows 7. Are there any improvements that Acronis users would like to see included in the new version?

 

[Corpsecrank]

The last time I used acronis I was unable to use the discs to restore the system. It hangs at the first screen. I had the same issue with paragon though. I was trying to make a restore for XP. I also noticed that after installing acronis my boot time was insane. It took like 5 minutes to get up and running on my desktop.

I'm not sure what caused all the issues with drive cloning on this system but I just gave up on the whole idea because no matter what I tried it ended up not working or causing issues.

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

Hi there new,

how can I participate in the Acronis beta testing? I'm an faithful Acronis user (currently True Image Echo Workstation 9) although I had a lot of problems with them. I'd love to help you improve!

What I in general is annoying is that for me I don't want to put a lot of time into figuring out what to install first and so on and the manual is just so bloated (although there is a lot of useful, important information in it) that it is just frustrating! I'm just a "business end user", all DIY. There need to be more streamlined quick manuals fitting specifically to the potential usage/install scenarios of users! There should be several of them in forms of "wizards" (not implicitly as software installers but as I said in quick PDF manuals or video tutorials with numbered steps!) which also should mention what not to do. Additionally one tutorial for helping develop and implement a general, working (!) backup strategy and one for how to properly and regularly testing the created backups would help extremly!

Ok, these are all feature request, what I'm wondering about:
Isn't Version 10 already out for a few months as final?

Also Acronis needs to work on their support as well on their sales team, it is both just horrible & crappy! (Even the business/corporate support, consumer definitely!) Last story: I sent them several questions about the new v.10 (mainly about the benefits compared to v.9) and I didn't get an answer (normal support people couldn't/wouldn't help, seems no one knows the advantages of their products there??).

 

[toyo]

For Beta Program (now 2nd phase) you need to register. Please check this link for details.
I am testing this for a while now and I can say this will be a awesome product. I used ATI for 3 years and this beta is the most solid Acronis released, in my view.
I must mention, though, that I didn't test much of the online features, but they look VERY good too.

 

[new]

Sorry KnowledgeWorker I didn't see your request for information about the Beta Testing, but I am pleased to see toyo has answered you. With regard to True Image Home 2010 already being out all I can say is I got this reply from Acronis when I spoke to them last week about Windows 7 :-

Please note that Acronis True Image Home 2010 which will be released very soon, is build to work perfectly with Windows 7.

I am having problems with the Beta version Boot Disk, but the installed version seems to be working fine.

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

@toyo + new: Um, sorry, is there also a True Image Workstation 10 beta, I mean a "Acronis® Backup & Recovery™ 10 Workstation" one could test? As I use it (no Home Edition anymore ), I'd love to test-drive the new edition. That is especially as I wrote to sales, because I liked to have a comparison...

But it seems these Business/Enterprise solutions are already out (=final)?

 

[toyo]

Yes, the new Business solutions are out. The Beta is for Acronis True Image 2010 Home and will reach final stage very soon (1-2 months).

 

[Vulture]

Im using TI Home 2009 build 9646 with 7 at the moment, everything seems to work fine as far as image creation and validation goes. Havent tested restoration yet. I had only one explorer.exe crash while browsing the content of an image. But i really needed Acronis for my step from vista to 7, thats why i used it.

Phil

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

@toyo: So the TI 9 version isn't as stable on Windows 7 as the B&R 10 is?
Or what are the advantages of v.10 vs. v.9 if I may ask / you might know?

 

[toyo]

I find it hard to believe that a Final version is more problematic than a Beta, but for me ATI 2010 Beta 2 is the best Acronis True Image I used yet. Also, it's the only one I used on Windows 7, so I can't really say that under this specific OS that one version is better than the other. But I can say that ATI 2010 Beta 2 under Windows 7 Ultimate x64 is better (in my opinion) than ATI 2009 under Windows XP SP3 x32.
You would certainly be best served if you would read the link I posted above, but here we go with a few of the improvements (which are many, big, well-thought ones. I can't say yet though if they are perfectly implemented, it's only a Beta):

- Acronis Non-Stop Backup - does what it says, I plan on beginning to test it. Seem to be the next natural step, together with
- Acronis Online Backup (50 GB atm for the Beta on Acronis servers) - with encryption and other nice stuff
- Universal Restore
- Virtual Hard Disk Support
- Dynamic Disk and GPT Support
- New Try&Decide capabilities (T&D no longer needs Acronis Secure Zone - which is a feature I truly began to fear after lost and corrupted backups in all previous versions. I'll newer again activate it.)
- Boot from an Archive - Boot from your .tib system partition image. Yes, it may have been validated correctly, but booting from it will just make you feel much safer, seeing that your system is behaving perfectly from the backup you just made.
- New Validation Tools
- New Powerful Scheduler

The Online Backup and Non-Stop Backup have known issues, as I said, please read the link

 

[noyb]

... Boot from an Archive - Boot from your .tib system partition image ...

This is interesting ...
But I wonder what will happen if you boot to an archive that has a nasty Virus in it ???

And .. Can you boot to an Archive made in a different computer ??

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

@toyo: Sorry, I didn't mean the TI Home Edition!! I said "B&R", meaning the "Backup & Restore Workstation 10" business edition! That is what interests me in terms of differences.

@noyb: As far as I know you can't use/boot an archive from a different (in hardware) computer until you use the TI Workstation 9 / Backup & Restore Workstation (10) version with Universal Restore 10. Because without Universal Restore even the B&R WS edition won't help. That is why I paid a lot of money for the TI 9 Workstation + UR 9 in the past! Because I wanted to have this feature...while I still haven't implemented it all. *omg* (And now I have insoluble problems again. )

At best you try to get a sales agent on the phone if you need a specific solution!
That is also what I did at one point (and might do again now as the v.10 is out).

Concerning the virus issue, I'm not sure what would happen, but expect the worst case! Although it is hard, what was said to me: "If you've got that problem, you have the wrong (/none?) backup strategy, dude!" That is what we have to admit then - and think again! So if anyone wants to collaboratively develop a best practice backup strategy...

 

[toyo]

@toyo: Sorry, I didn't mean the TI Home Edition!! I said "B&R"

Nah, my mistake, was too tired to see all text
I never used the Business edition, was too damn pricey and didn't bring improvements as i only need it for my 2 to 4 computers Homegroup.
Still, the technology in ATI Home should exist in better form in Business&Enterprise editions (although I can't spot Online Backup in the feats, but hey, if it's a damn network it's gotta have a speedy NAS).
But you gotta admit, compared to the kinda stuff today apps push as improvements from version to version, ATI managed to bring a lot of useful new features from 2009 to 2010.

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

toyo, no problem at all, indeed your comment is very important to me!
I'm in the same setting as you and I'll think twice if I'll spend another $69 on upgrading for Acronis "B&R" + UR although I think it is great! Only now just there is some problem with the backup source although there shouldn't be and in general I'm totally unsure about their strange licencing! How do they define server and why is there no real S(M)B solution?

Why's your comment so valuable to me? As I also have only four machines (1 NAS, 1 desktop, 1 laptop (will stay with one even if I've got more money) and soon 1 small-size shuttle "server"). Are there any usable, valuable network feature in the Home Edition that would suffice for sparing me the investment into the upgrades?
Additionally for me I see a lot of reason to even upgrade to the advanced version for I think $20-30 more, just I won't do this any further year whatsoever!
I'll just to put it in place this time properly and will have it running some years.

Thanks - and if you like I'd love to talk with you about a proper backup strategy!

 

[new]

There is a Trial version of Acronis Workstation 10 now available it can be downloaded here

 

[KnowledgeWorker]

Indeed, I'm currently testing it. Found some flaws already. -.-