PXE Boot Acronis True Image Home 11

Network, Software 1 Minute

Files needed:
- smartdrv.exe
- TFTPD Server
- pxelinux.0
- memdisk

- Download and unzip TFTD Server, create Folder “root”.
- Start TFTP Server
Settings:
- Server Interface: Choose the right NIC
- DHCP Server:
Start Pool: 192.168.2.40
Size of pool: 4
Boot File: pxelinux.0
WINS/DNS Server: 192.168.2.1
Default Router: 192.168.2.1
Mask: 255.255.255.0
->> Press Save
- Under "Seetings"
Base Directory to the created "root" Folder
TFTP Security "None"
PXE Compatibility
->> Press OK
- Copy memdisk, pxelinux.0 and smartdrv.exe to the root Folder
- Also copy kernel.dat and ramdisk.dat from the Acronis Resuce Disc into the root Folder
- create pxelinux.cfg Folder within root
- create File with Name “default” (no .txt or such!) with following stuff inside:
LABEL acronis
KERNEL kernel.dat
APPEND initrd=ramdisk.dat vga=791 ramdisk_size=32768 acpi=off quiet noapic
- Connect the Laptop to the Network, choose PXE / NIC as Bootmedia in the BIOS.
- Let that thing boot to PXE and enter acronis at the boot: prompt
- Have fun!

Orginal taken from: http://www.networkcomputing.de/aus-dem-testlabor-linux-pxe-server-fuer-restore-mit-true-image-bereitstellen/seite/2/?no_cache=1

The DHCP Settings are important as well!
Also set firewall to off!

Published

25 thoughts on “PXE Boot Acronis True Image Home 11”

  1. Nico...

    This was a great help as I've been trying to do this for a while now - is there any way the PXE booted acronis can be made to show the shares on the TFTP machine as no network is available in the list of options as targets for the image?

    I'm using TFTPD32 as both DHCP and TFTP server, but when acronis loads what I want to do it go to a shared folder on the server laptop and load an acronis image from it?

  2. Sorry I don't know how to automate that. As far as I know, it ain't supported, but maybe with newer Versions of Acronis.

    IMHO, you can just TFTP Boot Acronis, get to the Restore Dialog, choose and SMB Share and restore the Image over the Network, thats how I do it mostly...

    Sorry, all the best!

    Nico

  3. Nico....

    Thanks - I think you're doing exactly what I want to do, but I don't get the SMB share (or any share) option in acronis once booted. When you click the browse button to select your image to restore, do you get a 'Network' option?

    Very useful info - Thanks

  4. Yes, I do.
    I would recommend to maybe set your network settings in Acronis under options - and also check wheter your NIC has been recognized at all.

    Otherwise an new version of Acronis might add compability.

  5. Hi. I'm trying to get this to work. I have done all the steps and I don't get it to work properly... Plz help me, what am I doing wrong?

    Here is a screen-shot when I boot: http://webbvavarna.se/PXE.jpg

    I have adjusted all the right settings in TFTPD Server and placed all the files correct.

    I have managed to boot a WinPE before but not this.

    Sorry for my bad English...

    Kind regards Robbin

  6. Hi, are you sure that your tftpd configuration is correct?
    Looks like your Boot File: pxelinux.0 entry could be wrong.
    Maybe that could help you out?

  8. Thanks for the helpful files.
    Well, same with me, it didn't wanted to boot... dunno why,
    but now it works!

    I got a screenshot from my settings uploaded to the article.
    The DHCP Options are important aswell, the "Ping Adress before assignation" did cause some havoc as my EEE PC didn't catch an answer in time. As well as the Windows Firewall, which seemed to have blocked some stuff. Try again with the new settings, maybe that does help.

  9. Thanks you sir, so much! This settings did the trick! 😀 I'm posting a successful boot from my laptop: http://webbvavarna.se/tfpd_boot.jpg

    Do you get the same screen as I do? Is there something wrong or should i just move on and accept it? 🙂

    Trying to load: pxelinux.cfg/01-1c... and so on.

    And again thanks so much!

    With Kind Regards Robbin

  10. I was trying to make a backup with my new setup and Acronis says to me that "This is a trail version, please get the full version to do this process"... Are u enable to send me your files to me? 🙂 That wold be much appreciated.

    Kind regards Robbin

  11. I'm sorry I did not mean to spam. But i have spent hours to get this to work but when I finally got it to work the main application don't... So can you at least check if you have the trail version of Acronis when you boot with PXE.

    With Kind Regards Robbin

  13. Hi. I have solved the trial problem when booting with pxe. The files used for networkbooting is kernal.dat and memdisk.dat.

    When you create a new Rescue disk in the Atronic application you can choose to make so to a USB drive instead for a CD or ISO. When the process is done, copy all content from the USB-drive to the "root" folder and assosiate the config file (kernel.dat is the dat2.dat and memdisk.dat is the dat3.dat. No trial problem.

  14. Hi first and foremost great guide. I am getting an error "No filesystem could not mount root" I believe this has something to do with smartdrv being missing where do I put that file, and how do I incorporate it please?

  16. Thank you very much for your speedy reply, however Iam still getting the same error message any thoughts?

  17. Thank you very much for all your help Nico, I solved the problem last night it seems that I had a technical error in my default file that led to the ramdisk not being created. In short the default is really important as well.

  19. Hi folks

    Im trying to set up PXE boot, but it didn't work (im going crazy)
    DHCP works and Acronis loads up, but when i enter acronis there's always an error. I tried it with kernel+ramdisk of Acronis 10,11,2012 etc..

    I hope you can help me ?

  21. Sorry, I don't know an answer to your problem. Acronis seems to work, but maybe there is some problem concerning your pc? Have you ever tried booting to acronis by CD-Rom? Does that work?

  22. Well, first: thanks for your answer! Blogs like yours make the web ans even the world a little bit better 😉
    Yes, this works. I've tried the PXE boot with various versions of Acronis and with different clients - always the same error...

  23. Mh sorry, I can't help you at the moment as I have not used PXE Boot for ages, especially in this way :(.
    Usually something about the PXE Files or the smartdrv File was wrong or maybe Acronis is too new to work in this way :/
    Sorry :(!

  24. Hi my friend i need some help.

    First, thanks for this amazing tutorial. 🙂

    Second, i create an Acronis Universal Restore in the same way you has described, i can restore, but over PXE the option "Acronis Universal Restore" don't show up and after complete the restore i get an "Disk Error", if i use the same Acronis Universal Restore write in a Flash Disk or CD, this works ok..
    I've tried in 5 different computers.

    You know why ?

    Thanks again!!

  25. Hi there,

    I am sorry but I have no clue why this happens.
    It was just a quickly hacked together to get it running, and it worked for me.
    But I have not used it in ages :(.
    At that time, I was really into PXE booting and loved it, but at the moment I have little use for it :(.
    Sorry not beeing any help on that problem >.

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