Making Acronis Cloned Backup Drive Bootable

[Virgorising]

Hi.

I do internal backup in my desktops, and in the past, have used XXclone which doesn't employ the usual imaging. And, you have the option to make the backup drive bootable.

The paid for version also does incremental updates and saves time, I've been using the free version since setting up this system, but wanted to try something new. So, I am trying Acronis True Image 2014, cause I thought it might be better.

I formatted my backup drive and used Acronis properly to copy every sector of my main drive to it; it seemed to go just fine; the cloning went much faster than a full clone using XXclone.

When all was finished, I tried booting into my Acronis cloned backup drive and could not.

Then, using Easy BCD I added the backup drive assuming that would enable me to boot into it, but no luck.

I also noticed that while both my drives are non RAID, they showed up as RAID in Acronis.

Both drives show up normally in Disk Manager, and now, Acronis, as proper clones.

And, as per below, in one interface, it seems I have the option to make the cloned drive bootable, but that option is greyed out.

What am I missing? Aside from sleep, I mean.😉:| I assumed, like XX, Acronis copied the MBR along with everything else.

Thanks, people......(sigh)

 

[corkyg]

Did you create Acronis TI 2014 bootable media? That is the best way to clone - not from within Windows. A true cloned drive will boot if the source drive was bootable. If the drives are the same size, use "As is" option. If they are different size, use "Proportional" option.

 

[sm625]

You see the "switch to disk mode" text at the top of the screen? Try clicking that.

 

[Virgorising]

Did you create Acronis TI 2014 bootable media? That is the best way to clone - not from within Windows. A true cloned drive will boot if the source drive was bootable. If the drives are the same size, use "As is" option. If they are different size, use "Proportional" option.

Corky, may the Cypbergod bless you. That presented on the first screen and I just ran right by it.:|

Yes, I got clearly, given it's a sector by sector clone of a bootable drive, I assumed it would be bootable, how could it not be?

I was just too tired, in too big a hurry......this missing puzzle piece you nailed is JUST THAT. Absolutely true, I do everything within Windows. Well, have done, tried to do😳

Later, I will start over and do this right!

And maybe I will not go back to using my usual XXclone.

Thanks!:biggrin:
________________________________________
Edit: I just learned, cause it struck me to try, if I go into my boot menu on boot, and choose the backup Seagate, that works. But, I am used to XXclone presenting a dual boot screen and being able to choose that way. Would what I just tried, which works, still be necessary if I did this the right way later?

I found what sounds like even better than Acronis online, HDclone, but I think it doesn't have a free trial for more than a limited number of GBs. I also think none of these have the XX option with the paid version, of doing incremental updates after the initial clone. That is a truly wonderful feature.

Thanks.

 

[Virgorising]

You see the "switch to disk mode" text at the top of the screen? Try clicking that.

I believe I tried it and I think it did not lead to much. But how would I know, I was half asleep?:|

THANKS!

 

[Virgorising]

Eureka!

Sad to report, I suddenly got what I needed to do, so simple, worked immediately: I had configured EasyBCD when I was not even awake. I deleted the entries, entered botb drives properly, and now I have normal dual boot screen!

This TRULY IS BETTER than XXclone! I learned again, blind loyalty is no loyalty.

I appreciate the input.

 

[bonehead123]

good to know, since I just bought this software 😀

TY !

 

[cwegrecki]

Hello,

I am sorry to be redundant here but I do not get what you actually had to do to get Acronis to allow you to make a bootable copy of your drive. I have a 120GB SSD and I want to make a bootable copy onto a 240GB SSD (both kingston hyperx 3k). I also get the greyed out make bootable copy.

Could you explain what the correct process would be from the start so I dont get stuck like you did... and like I am now! =) Thanks!

Eureka!

Sad to report, I suddenly got what I needed to do, so simple, worked immediately: I had configured EasyBCD when I was not even awake. I deleted the entries, entered botb drives properly, and now I have normal dual boot screen!

This TRULY IS BETTER than XXclone! I learned again, blind loyalty is no loyalty.

I appreciate the input.

 

[Virgorising]

Hello,

I am sorry to be redundant here but I do not get what you actually had to do to get Acronis to allow you to make a bootable copy of your drive. I have a 120GB SSD and I want to make a bootable copy onto a 240GB SSD (both kingston hyperx 3k). I also get the greyed out make bootable copy.

Could you explain what the correct process would be from the start so I dont get stuck like you did... and like I am now! =) Thanks!

OMG, I only just saw this cause I unsubscribed to this thread long ago. Sorry!!!

I now use another app for my cloning, but whichever you use, just get the free Easy BCD, and in no time both drives will be bootable, you can choose which you want as yr default drive, etc.

http://easybcd.en.softonic.com/

 

[Virgorising]

Jus in case, Easy BCD is simple to use, you just configure it, but you must do this anew after each cloning.....edit the boot menu anew, I mean.

Having dual boot option rocks (is crucial, really) when U do internal backup. I could not recommend it more than I do. Plus, it is FREE.