Acronis True Image damaged Boot Configuration / Master File Table...cannot boot.

[MGood777]

I'll try to refrain from posting my feelings about Acronis and their technical support...

I bought True Image 11 about 10 days ago. Installed no problem. When you first run the software to set up things up like a back-up schedule, it asks you to create a "Secure Zone" on the drive that only Acronis can access. That's where it stores backups. The process started and ran in Windows Vista with no problems. Eventually it asked me to reboot, and it started creating it's own partition on the drive. The process was taking quite a while, so I came and went from the room. The last time I saw, it was 74% complete creating the new partition. (Windows is not loaded at this point. Acronis has interrupted the boot to do it's maintenance.) After 74% complete, I came back a few minutes later to a blank screen. Now when the computer boots, I get the Dell intro screen (it's a nearly new Dell XPS box) and then just a blinking cursor. It doesn't recognize the hard drive / can't find a bootable partition on the hard drive. (FYI...There is only 1 HDD in this machine.)

So...After paying $30 for the privelege of talking to Acronis' brilliant Russian engineers (yes...in Moscow) for the last week, here are the brilliant suggestions they've come up with for me...

1. Boot using their recovery CD and try the process over again. Doesn't work. Their recovery CD won't recognize the hard drive.

2. Boot using the Windows Vista CD, go to a command prompt, and try these fixes:
Bootrec.exe /FixMbr
Bootrec.exe /FixBoot
Bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd

I tried them without success. Received an error that said, "The disk structure is corrupted and unreadable."

3. Run Checkdisk from the Windows CD (chkdsk c: /f) and the result was "Corrupt master file table. Windows will attempt to recover master file table from disk. Windows cannot recover master file table. Chkdsk aborted."

4. Finally...Their most recent suggestion was to obtain a freeware application called "TestDisk" (http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk) and run that to repair the Master File Table.

Well...I haven't gotten that far yet. Before I throw an unknown piece of software on my machine and start tweaking with the disk structure, I'd like some advice.

I've also heard that there are other apps out there that can do the same thing...

Zero Assumption Recovery
Get Data Back
Restorer 2000

are all names that I've come across.

Can anybody make any recommendations among these apps, or any others, or anything else I ought to try???

Thanks in advance...I *really* appreciate the help...

[KilluminatiStyle]

I'm sorry to hear of all the trouble you're having with Acronis True Image. I happen to love the app and I would be lost without it. The Acronis boot disc will not recognize SATA HD's generally, unless they're running in IDE mode which TBH is a waste of new tech.

I only see a few options for you here...

1. Download and run the Windows Vista Recovery Disc (I'm pretty sure that this is a 100% legal download, if it isn't than one of the mods can go ahead and remove the link and accept my most humble apologies.)

2. Restore your PC using the Dell Recovery Wizard by pressing F8 during post. This will bring you to the good ole' boot menu with Safe Mode and what not. With VISTA there is also the option to RESTORE your PC.

3. Get a partition utility to remove the Acronis Secure Zone and set your O.S. partition and verify that your O.S. partition is set as ACTIVE. Unfortunatly I don't know of any GOOD freeware apps for this as I use, wait for it..... here it comes.... Acronis Disk Director.


**EDIT**

I just remembered that Acronis does offer a BartPE plugin for True Image. You would be able to create a BartPE boot disk with your SATA drivers and Acronis on it and once booted you would beable to run the app and it should then see your HD. To get the plugin you have to LOG IN to your account at acronis.


BART PE
Intel SATA Drivers (these should work since this is a newer XPS machine or if you don't mind posting your service tag we could point you to the exact ones for your PC)

Then just go to the Acronis web site, log in, and look around for the BartPE plug in.

[MGood777]

Will this application do the same things as those you were just mentioning? I know this is not free, but I'd buy it to know that the end result would be the same and it would be less hassle...

http://www.ntfs.com/

I'm looking at the "Active Boot Disk" application. Do you think it would work?

[glc]

Something to research - I think these problems may stem from Dell's partitioning methods. You may have had 4 partitions on the drive - diagnostic, main, recovery, and Media Direct. Allowing any utility software to modify these is dangerous. I have installed Acronis on several customer's machines and I have always declined the Secure Zone. Just because software offers something doesn't necessarily mean it's a wise thing to accept.

I would use Dell Support to help you get the machine back to the way it came. Then reinstall Acronis but do NOT use the Secure Zone option, you don't need it. Store your backups on an external drive.

[KilluminatiStyle]

glc is right about secure zone, it is not needed at all. Acronis has no problems recovering your backup image from any internal or external hd, it has always seen any USB drive I've ever connected, even using the boot disc. The only thing the secure zone does is make a place on your HD where the backup image can remain untouched by anything other than Acronis.

Also with the dell partition stuff glc mentioned... if I'm not mistaken I beleive that there is some kind of dell recovery partition fixer upper thingy In fact I'm sure of it the more I think about it... DSR something... lemme get back to ya.


**EDIT**

Here it is... I knew I wasn't crazy. Give it a shot and see what's what.