Hii there,

I purchased this Sony Vaio VGC-LS1 recently and was interested to know how I could image the OS using ghost 2003.

Can ghost 2003 image this machine or do I need to to use ghost 10 or maybe acronis,

If ghost 2003 can image this machine, do I need to take some special extra measures


1. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2006322,00.asp

2. http://review.zdnet.com/Sony_VAIO_VGC_LS1/4505-3118_16-32028400.html


Hoping to hear from you guys as always,

Regards

Ivanov

You may have to tell us!  You may be the only one here abouts that has such a sweet looking system like that!

Can you boot to DOS from a  boot floppy or bootable optical disc?

Will Ghost 2003 load at the DOS prompt?

Does your HDD(s) show up in the Ghost DOS interface?

If you have optical burner(s)--do they show up as destination or source drives for Ghost images?

Be interested to hear your results!

some of these systems got a  hidden recovery partition  on the hard disk ,which when you boot it briefly gives you option to press F10
to recover from that partition.
some of them got a wizard that gives you option to put the recovery media on a set of DVD or cds  but unfortunately when you do that the
hard disk recovery partition is disapears  and  the space is reclaimed
back which means you loose the security of the recovery. from hard disk.
and some customers make a mess of the CDs or Recovery DVDs and
at same time the hard disk image is lost !!!
some may copy it success fully and loose the hard disk rcovery partition , but they leave them around and get scratched .
my advise is do not demolish the hard disk recovery partition.
(ie that wizard reclaimes the space automatically I do not know if this is an agreement with microsoft or what ??
ghost the complete hard disk as the NIGHT OWL the ghost expert
going to advise you.
then you will have a copy of the hidden partition as well
the only thing that ghost do not cover for you is the MBR which
contains the boot manager F10 thing .
so as a precution may be is a good idea to  to back up the MBR
just incase.
sorry to intrupt
I wait to see with intrest to see what nightOwl says.
edited corection: 3nov 2006
apparently Packard Bell Cd/DVD maker wizard offer you a chance to keep your restor partition :
""Not a valid computer" error with Smart Restore on iStart 3055
Situation
When starting Smart Restore on a Packard Bell iStart 3055, the following error message appears on screen: "Not a valid computer".
Details
The recovery process on the iStart 3055 (model: PB49202502) is started with the <F11> key.
Solution
To solve this issue follow the steps below:

  1. If you did not create Master CDs/DVDs you need to follow steps 2 through 7 to create them. Otherwise you can move to step 8.
  2. Click Start and click Control Panel in the Start menu.
  3. If Control Panel is in Category View, click Switch to Classic View.
  4. Double-click Setup my PC. The Setup my PC Wizard will appear.
  5. Follow the Wizard and mark the Start Master CD/DVD Creator checkbox and click Next.
  6. Follow the instructions given by Master CD/DVD Creator.
  7. Make sure you keep the Backup Partition, when asked about it. After the process has finished, the Master DVDs/CDs are ready to use.
  8. Put the Master CD/DVD in the top CD/DVD drive of your computer.
  9. Boot the computer from the Master CD/DVD. After a while a menu will appear.
 10. Press the O for OK to continue. In the next menu type 4 to return to DOS. After a few seconds a black screen with white text appears.
 11. Type Q: followed by <Enter>.
 12. Type CD DRIVERS followed by <Enter>.
 13. Type TATTOO /CREATEDMIFROMHS followed by <Enter>.
 14. Perform a system recovery using the <F11> key after the process has finished.

Regards Ben
:)

ben_mott


Quote:

some of them got a wizard that gives you option to put the recovery media on a set of DVD or cds  but unfortunately when you do that the   hard disk recovery partition is disapears  and  the space is reclaimed

That's interesting--I had not heard of that before!


Quote:

ghost the complete hard disk as the NIGHT OWL the ghost expert   going to advise you.

Yes, my preferred method of Ghost backups is *whole disk* backups.


Quote:

the only thing that ghost do not cover for you is the MBR which   contains the boot manager F10 thing .

Ghost does backup the first *absolute sector 0* which has the MBR code (Master Boot Record) and the Partition Table--but the rest of the Master Boot area which is *absolute sector 1 thru 62* is not backed up in Ghost's default mode--unless you use the Ghost command line switch *-ib* (image boot) which will then backup the whole Master Boot region of sectors 0 thru 62!

So, if there is special code in the Master Boot region sectors 1 thru 62, then you should use that *-ib* switch--and now a restore of that image will restore that region too--and should preserve that *F10* function!

it does say in one of the links that the wizard (by order of customer
leaving the default choice probably) reclaims the space on hard disk and as i remember because packard Bell had same type of syseme to create CDs /DVDs the  customer thought it was clever to reclaim the extra space on hard disk and they inevitably always had demolished the image using that stiupid wizard thing

................
http://www.pcservicecall.co.uk/Images/articles/%7B7087d478-1858-42db-8f6e-1c6d70aee16c%7D/recmainmenu.gif
...........................................
http://www.pcservicecall.co.uk/Uploads/%7Bc0b8d752-dbcf-4724-b6ea-5ec78d230020%7D/recovery_disc_maker.swf
..............................



.........................
http://www.vaio-link.com/index/index.asp?l=en
.......................
http://www.vaio-link.com/tutorials/recovery/recovery.asp?l=en
.............................

.........................
by the way thanks for the information on MBR
it has been bugging me for ages that .
Regards Ben
:)

Yeah thanx for the the MBR info, that's been killing me too.  Subsequently being the problem I've had in the past backing up certain Dells.  And....  ben is right about the reclaiming of the recovery partition....  I learned that the hard way....  with a Dell.

I ghosted a Sony VAIO for my brother in a previous thread.  I made a backup of his original, screwed up system by doing an entire disk image on approx 9 DVD's.  After attempting to put an image from one of my computers on it and failing (different hardware...  stupid) I then restored his whole disk image but it would only work if I did a partition restore...  but it did work.  I also believe that the recovery partition named was a factor.

Sorry for bumping in, but I reviewed the previous threads and the VAIO that I did backup and restore was as I stated.  Here is the link but it's a long one started by Brian....  I think I got in on the second or third page.

Check it out.

it can be done.  Hope this helps.http://radified.com/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi?board=general;action=display;num=1146045354

Hello Night Owl,

I hope you aren’t being sarcastic about my VGC-LS1……I don’t think so but just confirming. ;)

I can boot from an optical disc, but not from a floppy since it didn’t come with it, though can be attached via a USB.

It does have  an optical burner.

Could you explain how I could make a bootable Ghost CD...PC DOS, MS DOS, switches if any.....?

When I got the system it had bundled trial soft wares & utilities which  were below par & I didn’t like, thus wanted to fresh nstall the OS & customized software.

It did have a hidden 7GB EISA NTFS Recovery partition on the hard drive.

& had the option of creating restore CDs/ DVDs, using the wizard, but it slipped through my mind & I formatted  the entire drive & installed the OS, drivers & my choice of soft wares.

Once I know what files to burn on the Ghost 2003 bootable CD, I shall be able to answer the rest of your questions.

Hoping to hear from you,

Regards,


Btw while formatting I formatted the hidden 7GB recovery partition too & since I didn’t make a Recovery kit, had to order one from Sony for 17.95 bucks for a DVD, contains OS & drivers, just to have as a backup.

PS: Sorry about my English & knowledge about computer related stuff.

 

One more question Night owl,

Does the type of hard ware devices, CPU, USB ports etc influence, what changes are needed to be made in the Ghost  2003 bootable CD?  :-/

Sorry for bothering you so much but you are the uncrowned King of Ghost 2003!  ;)

Ivanov

Thanks for the compliment  ;) !

BTW--your english is fine.


Quote:

I hope you aren’t being sarcastic about my VGC-LS1

No sarcasm--really!  It looks nice--how do you like it--what's good and bad about it?


Quote:

Could you explain how I could make a bootable Ghost CD...PC DOS, MS DOS, switches if any.....?

And *no floppy drive* to work with!  One of my favorite topics:  Creating Bootable CD/DVD's Without A:\Floppy Drive

Additional information:

Placing *ghost.exe* on the bootable CD/DVD project disc

Summary of adding USB support and DOS PartitionMagic to Bootable CD--see reply #6


Quote:

Does the type of hard ware devices, CPU, USB ports etc influence, what changes are needed to be made in the Ghost  2003 bootable CD?

Maybe--will not know until you start with the basics and see what works and what doesn't!

Does it have SATA HDD's--they can cause issues:  Re: Bootable cd without floppy


I'll be out of town for the next week--so if you post with additional questions--I'm not ignoring you--just away from the computer for awhile!

Hello Night Owl,

You deserve it & I mean what i say, feel or sense.... :)

Thanks for the encouragement regarding my English; I am trying to improve it further along with my pc skills. ;)

As far as the machine is concerned it’s great, versatile…no cords hanging around, built in web cam, speakers, mic & the display is awesome. Watching Movies is real pleasure…….its both a TV & a PC…… the only drawbacks are that it doesn’t have a Bluetooth just an infrared & isn’t really a gamers machine…….well I am not gamer so doesn’t make a difference to me.  8)

Yes it does have one SATA 250 GB WD Cavier SE hard drive.

It has an Intel D 945 GM chipset & Intel Duo Core T2400 CPU & 2 gigs of memory at 533MHZ.

Slots for 2 types of memory sticks i.e. 1 GMB MS PRO DUO & 2GMB MS PRO.

Plus it has a built in TV tuner card.

Regards!

Btw have a great week off & chill out big time…..you deserve the chilling for your neurons to fire quicker.  ;)  :)

Ivanov

Thank you!


Quote:

you deserve the chilling for your neurons to fire quicker.

I know electrons flow faster in electrical circuits as they near absolute zero--but, I'm not sure that applies to *biological* (wet-ware) circuits  ;D !  (Brrrrrrr/shiver!)

Hi there Night Owl,

Sorry about the above 2 posts, they were made by my ISP administrator as I was having issues logging in…..some thing to do with cgi websites…I was getting logged in but the moment I wanted to make a post or reply it displayed an error that you are a guest need to register or log in….. :-/

Coming to the point my machine’s mouse is neither PS/2 nor USB it’s a infrared…..so what changes would I need to make for it, as per your guide for making a bootable CD/DVD……& the hard drive is SATA. :(

Hope you had a nice chill…… ;)

Hoping to hear from you,

Regards!

NightOwl wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2006 at 9:47pm:

So, if there is special code in the Master Boot region sectors 1 thru 62, then you should use that *-ib* switch--and now a restore of that image will restore that region too--and should preserve that *F10* function!

NightOwl, I thought I'd better test this in Ghost 9. I marked a few sectors in Track 0 and Ghost 9 (from the RE) does restore Track 0 if Copy MBR is ticked in the restore process.

If a restore is performed from the Ghost 9 plugin in ReatogoXPE there is no option to tick Copy MBR. Track 0 isn't restored. You just get a generic MBR.

Ivanov


Quote:

my machine’s mouse is neither PS/2 nor USB it’s a infrared…..so what changes would I need to make for it,

Not sure about that--no personal experience with *infrared* mouse.  I would try using a *standard DOS* boot disk for Ghost and see if mouse support is present *automatically* through the system's BIOS--or look for documentation for your system to see if there is a DOS driver that needs to be loaded for mouse support in DOS--there simply may not be that option with this system!

You can use the *Tab* key and the *Arrow* keys on the keyboard to navigate in DOS Ghost if need be!


Quote:

……& the hard drive is SATA

Again, I would try the *standard* boot disc setup first and see if it works--then try other options if it doesn't.

Check the BIOS for *compatibility* settings for SATA and DOS.

Start Ghost with the *-fni* switch if still having problems to see if that works!

Brian


Quote:

NightOwl, I thought I'd better test this in Ghost 9. I marked a few sectors in Track 0 and Ghost 9 (from the RE) does restore Track 0 if Copy MBR is ticked in the restore process.   If a restore is performed from the Ghost 9 plugin in ReatogoXPE there is no option to tick Copy MBR. Track 0 isn't restored. You just get a generic MBR.

Thanks for your testing--I've wondered if Ghost 9/10 offered an option for those who might have special needs with programing in those first 0-62 sectors of the boot tract.

I guess not all the functions of Ghost 9 are available in the ReatogoXPE plug-in--that's important information as well for some!

Hello Night Owl,

I created a standard bootable CD as per instructions according to your guide.

This bootable CD was created with Nero 6.6.

When the system restarted it went into DOS mode & gave several messages e.g. Caldera DOS 1996-1998 DR DOS 7.05… drivers found & USB port/ drives initialization successful etc, but at the end stopped at DR DOS A:/........

The messages in real DOS were fast & being a newbie couldn’t capture the images for your feed back…

After the “A: /” there was blinking but I wasn’t able to type any command.

It failed to detect the hard drive.

Do I need to add any switches if yes than how do I do it…would I need to install Ghost 2003 software first?

Normally after such a bootable floppy or CD Ghost start automatically in DOS, as I have been doing for the past few years taught by you…..

Where am I doing wrong or what do I need to do to make this bootable CD work like in other of my machines.

I can use Ghost 9/10, but I would prefer to image in DOS & not real time windows.

Hoping to hear from you,

Regards!

Hello Night Owl again,

It just occurred to me to use my cell phone cam to take the pics in DOS so you would exactly know what messages are being displayed by this bootable CD.

Sorry about the pics, I know they are low quality since am not that great a photographer  ;)  & N 93 has only 3.2 mega pixels & 3x zoom…… :(

Regards!


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/G1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/G2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/G3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/G4.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/G5.jpg

Ivanov


Quote:

I created a standard bootable CD as per instructions according to your guide.

Looking at your recent images of your boot to DOS--I don't think you followed my Guide!  You may have used it as an *outline*, but you have substituted other programs than what I recommended--this could have any number of possible incompatible side effects--I have never used the programs you apparently are loading--so I don't know how they may effect loading Ghost successfully!

Looking at your images, here are my questions:


Quote:

USB support successfully initialize

What program are you loading that give that result--that does not look like the *Panasonic* USB DOS drivers?

Or, is that something your BIOS is automatically doing for you?


Quote:

No FAT32 Volumes found, exiting...

Again, what program is giving you that response during boot?


Quote:

NTFS Filesystem Driver for Dr-DOS... Useage:  ntfsread.exe [-u] Partition C:\ installed

Looks like you are installing a DOS Driver to load and read NTFS partitions--with Ghost 2003, that should not be necessary--once booted to DOS, and you load Ghost, Ghost should be able to read the NTFS partitions on its own without a separate NTFS DOS reading driver--this could be causing program conflicts and may be responsible for freezing your system!


Quote:

It failed to detect the hard drive.

Based on the above results of loading the NTFS partition DOS reading driver--it seems to have loaded your C:\ partition--so I am assuming it is properly detecting your internal SATA HDD--what HDD are you referring to?--a USB external HDD, or your internal SATA HDD?

It would help if you posted the contents of your boot files *autoexec.bat* and *config.sys*, plus a list of boot files that you are placing in the boot sector.

I would also recommend you try using the MS-DOS files and the Panasonic USB DOS drivers that I mention in the previous references I listed in reply #9 rather than the files you are using to see if they function correctly on your system!

Again, this reference outlines how to put the Panasonic USB DOS drivers onto the bootable CD disc:  Summary of adding USB support and DOS PartitionMagic to Bootable CD--see reply #6

Hello Night Owl,

Before I start I would like to apologize about my ignorance & would like you to keep into consideration that my English isn’t that good & am a newbie when it comes to computers & ghosting.  :(


I had the false impression that stem cell was difficult but now I feel that is a piece of cake as compared to Ghost 2003... ;)


Coming to the real issue, I did as suggested in your guide but must have made mistakes in the process.


I am stuck at page 3 of your guide & these are the files that I have in Boot image: Boot CD.


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/BootCD.jpg


Firstly I don’t have Partition Magic software so how do I get the required files as stated in the link….


http://radified.com/cgi-bin/YaBB/YaBB.cgi?board=general;action=display;num=1160286726;start=0#6


Secondly how & where do I create sub directories for Ghost & Partition Magic files as stated by you in the link?


Thirdly I have some missing files as compared to the link. How & where do I get these files from…like mouse.ini, EDIT.COM, HIMEM.SYS?


Fourthly would you like to change the path using notepad, like earlier for [config.sys] & [autoexe.bat]


[config.sys]

device=himem.sys
device=usbaspi.sys /e /v
device=di1000dd.sys
device=oakcdrom.sys /d:nightowl
dos=high
lastdrive=z

[autoexe.bat]

path=a:\;x:\;x:\ghost;x:\pqmagic
mouse.com
mscdex.exe /d:nightowl /l:x /m:16 /v


If yes than how?


From the link I got the Panasonic DOS USB drivers, which I wasn’t using earlier.


Since I am using the mouse com file from the guide than I would not need the mouse.ini file…..correct?


Sorry to be such a pain….but realize my limitations…..non English speaking doc.


Hoping to hear from you,


Regards!

Ivanov


Quote:

Before I start I would like to apologize about my ignorance & would like you to keep into consideration that my English isn’t that good & am a newbie when it comes to computers & ghosting. I had the false impression that stem cell was difficult but now I feel that is a piece of cake as compared to Ghost 2003...

No apologies are needed!  When I made this observation:


Quote:

Looking at your recent images of your boot to DOS--I don't think you followed my Guide!  You may have used it as an *outline*, but you have substituted other programs than what I recommended

I was just trying to make statement of fact--I didn't mean for it to come across as *judgemental*!

You are very likely much smarter than me--I have no foreign language skills at all--and I wouldn't know a *stem cell* from a *branch cell*--I just spend *way too much* time playing with things related to Ghost software--not too sure what that says about me and my skill levels!




Quote:

Firstly I don’t have Partition Magic software so how do I get the required files as stated in the link….

That summary details how to change the basic Bootable optical disk as outlined in the Guide so that it also had PartitionMagic included, plus adds the drivers so the Panasonic USB DOS drivers are available.  ckcc had asked how to do that in his reply #1 at the beginning of the thread.

If you do not have PartitionMagic installed on your system, you will not have that option to include those files on the boot CD.  You would have to obtain the program and install it.




Quote:

Secondly how & where do I create sub directories for Ghost & Partition Magic files as stated by you in the link?

That's part of setting up the burning program to create the bootable CD.  I do not have Nero, so I can't create a screen shot, but look at this screen shot from the Guide for using Roxio v5.xx:  Recording the boot CD step using Roxio 5.

In the lower panel on the left side where it says *Ghost Boot CD*, if you right-click that, you can select *new folder*, and you can then type *Ghost*, and enter and it will be added underneath that *Ghost Boot CD*, and it will be added as a sub-directory in the lower panel on the right side as well underneath where it says *Bootcat.bin* and  *bootimg.bin*.

You can then browse using the upper panel to find your other files that you want to include in the data portion of the CD, and then *drag n drop* them from the upper panel to the lower panel in that *Ghost* sub-directory--so you would browse in the upper panel to where you have *ghost.exe*, and then select it, and drag it and drop it on the *Ghost* sub-directory in the lower panel on the right side.

Nero's interface will be somewhat different, but similar.




Quote:

Thirdly I have some missing files as compared to the link. How & where do I get these files from…like mouse.ini, EDIT.COM, HIMEM.SYS?

*Edit.com* is a text file editor for DOS--it allows you to make changes to your files like *autoexe.bat* and *config.sys*.  If you have booted to DOS, but want to change something in *autoexec.bat* to change its behavior while testing--you can do that before you re-boot to see the results.

You type from the A:\ prompt:  edit autoexec.bat  (and press enter)

It will bring up the *autoexec.bat* file and you can make changes and re-save it, and re-boot to see the effect of your changes--without having to re-boot to Windows and use Notepad or some other basic word processor to make changes.

Handy to have available--but completely unnecessary for using the boot CD and Ghost!

Both *Edit.com* and *himem.sys* can be found on the Win98se boot disk file that you load using the Guide outline and using WinImage--see the *Step #2* of the  Step-by-Step Instructions, the second screenshot:  Screen Shot--Win98 Boot Disk Files in WinImage, and you will see *himem.sys* listed there--you can pull it out the same way you are instructed to extract the other files in the Guide in the next Step #3.

*edit.com* is buried in the *ebd.cab* file that you can see in the image above!

Step #6 of the Step-by-Step Instructions, tells you how to extract the *mscdex.exe* file from that *ebd.cab* file--you can also extract the *edit.com* file in the same way!

The many steps makes it look complicated, but really--once you get used to the process--it's quite easy and straight forward.




Quote:

Fourthly would you like to change the path using notepad, like earlier for [config.sys] & [autoexe.bat]

The *path statement* is fine.  The *path statement* is simply to make it easier for DOS to search for programs--it tells DOS where to look, and in what order to look--for a program that you type at the DOS prompt.

If you do not have a *path statement*, then you have to use DOS commands to change to different *drives* (partitions with drive letters), and to change to different sub-directories.

Typing a *drive letter + a colon* will change to a different drive letter--so if you are at the A:\> prompt, typing *X:* and pressing enter would change to the optical drive's drive letter given this boot disc's boot file to make the first optical drive drive letter *X*.

Type *cd + sub-directory name* and press enter will change to a different sub-directory that's in the current directory--so at the X:\> prompt, typing *cd ghost* and pressing enter would put you in the *Ghost* sub-directory (assuming you created that sub-directory when you burned the CD).

Type *dir* and press enter for a listing of the files and sub-directories below the current sub-directory that you are in.

Type *cd + two periods* (cd..) and press enter and you will move up one sub-directory from the one you are currently in.

If all your partitions are NTFS partitions, then you will only have the A:\ drive letter and the X:\ drive letter of the optical drive--and no C:\ drive--unless you have an external USB HDD hooked up and successfully using the Panasonic USB DOS drivers--then that USB HDD will be C:\--unless you have formatted it to be NTFS also!

You will be able to *see* and *access* NTFS partitions in Ghost, but not from DOS!




Quote:

Since I am using the mouse com file from the guide than I would not need the mouse.ini file…..correct?

That is correct--but if you do need a *mouse.ini* file, you just use Notepad to create it--as mentioned in the link, and save the file using the *mouse.ini* as the filename.

Let us know how things go--I'm curious to see if your system will respond to basic DOS and Ghost 2003!

Hello Night Owl,

I get stuck at the Nero Data >Bootable CD ….when I click on next, Nero tries to search for the boot floppy & doesn’t highlight the locale…. :(

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/Nero1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/Nero2.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/Nero3.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/eDOC/Nero4.jpg

Hoping to hear from you,

Should I try using Roxio instead of Nero?

Regards!

Ivanov

Here's a work-around that was found for the issue you're having:

How to *fool* NeroExpress to use boot image file other than Nero's default.  See *Reply #14*.

recneps left the original Nero's default boot image file in the program directory until after he passed the point of selecting the *Boot locale*, then he stopped and used Windows explorer to move the Nero boot image file out of the program directory (or renamed it), and replaced it with the boot image file created following the Bootable CD guide--of course still substituting the Nero name for the new boot image file.

Hello Night Owl,

Your advice did the trick.

At last was able to create a Standard Ghost 2003 Bootable CD according to your Guide/ Project 1.

It contains only the 9 files as mentioned in the project.

Boots automatically on start up, no issues goes into DOS & starts Ghost like a bootable floppy that I use on my other machines.

As anticipated earlier by you, it fails to pick up the machine’s infrared mouse & have to toggle with the Tab, Enter & Arrow keys to get the desired results……but am hope full that since your neurons are firing great after the chill off vacation you shall ultimately find a solution to that too.  ;)

A few more questions like always……  ;D

Do I need to mark the machine's drives on ghost startup, as haven’t installed Ghost 2003 on it yet?

If I use a 3rd party software like Partition magic 8.0 to create new partitions on the machine’s 250 GB “C”  drive would I need to add more files to the Ghost Boot CD & what would those files be?

Btw I need to partition the only hard drive on this machine, coz it has got only 1 optical device i.e. the slim combo loading burner. I use it to boot up the CD & need a portion on the hard drive to store/restore images….. Which if needed could be burnt later on a blank DVD.

Do I need to add USB drivers…if yes which ones?

This bootable cd does not contain any extra folders i.e. for ghost etc or any switches…….

I was using Nero all this time while your guide recommends Roxio…..

At the moment it contains 9 standard bootable files as mentioned above……no pqm or usb files etc …..but I am excited that at last was able to create a bootable cd, that works on this HYBRID machine…….thanks again to you….no wonder I call you the KING……..  8)

Hoping to hear from you like always,

Regards!


PS: When you start to get p_ _ _ ed off by my silly questions just ask to buzz off I wont bother you no more.  :-[

Ivanov


Quote:

At last was able to create a Standard Ghost 2003 Bootable CD according to your Guide/ Project 1.

Great!--glad to hear you finally got it working!


Quote:

but am hope full that since your neurons are firing great after the chill off vacation you shall ultimately find a solution to that too.

Again, being as I do not have an infrared mouse to experiment with--I don't have the ability to work that out--but, did your system come with a *drivers* installation CD?  If *yes*--are there any DOS drivers listed on that CD?  

Is there a system *User Guide*--either a booklet or a pdf file on the system CD if you have one?  Does it mention anything about being able to use the Mouse under DOS?

Do you have PartitionMagic 8's installation CD--it can be booted to DOS and it loads a mouse driver--does the mouse work with that program in DOS?


Quote:

Do I need to mark the machine's drives on ghost startup, as haven’t installed Ghost 2003 on it yet?

Marking the HDD's during the loading of Ghost 2003 is a built-in behavior of Ghost 2003--you do not have to, but it will always stop you at that screen and ask if you do not--personally, I always let Ghost *mark* the HDD's.


Quote:

If I use a 3rd party software like Partition magic 8.0 to create new partitions on the machine’s 250 GB “C”  drive would I need to add more files to the Ghost Boot CD & what would those files be?

If you want the DOS PartitionMagic program available from the CD, then *yes*, you would have to add those.

First, as mentioned above--the PartitionMagic 8.x installation CD is bootable--so you can just use it separately.

But, if you want to add the DOS PartitionMagic files to your present Ghost boot CD, you can without too much effort:

1.  On your HDD, create a temporary sub-directory (folder) labeled *pqmagic*.

2.  On my PowerQuest version of PartitionMagic 8.x, the DOS files needed to run PM 8 are located in this sub-directory of the installation CD--*X:\ENGLISH\DOSMAKE\DISK2\*.  The files you need are listed below:

PMHELP.DAT
PQMAGIC.EXE
PQMAGIC.OVL
PQMAGIC.PQG
PQPB.RTC

Copy these files from the installation CD to the temporary sub-directory *pqmagic* created previously.

3.  Edit the *path* statement of the boot cd project to include the future *pqmagic* sub-directory you will be adding to the CD:

path=a:\;x:\;x:\pqmagic

4.  Look at your response #23 above, the second screen shoot that has the title line *Disc Content* and the description below *Add data to your disc.*  This is where you can add whatever you want to the data portion of you bootable CD--the optical DOS drivers will give you access to this data after those drivers load.

So click the *Add* button, browse to the *pqmagic* sub-directory you created with the DOS PM 8.0 files--and add that sub-directory to your burning project--the PM 8.0 files will be brought along with the *pqmagic* sub-directory.

Everything else as far as the Guide remains the same.  Now, after booting, at the A:\ prompt, type *pqmagic*, and DOS PM 8.x should load!


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Do I need to add USB drivers…if yes which ones?

If you want access to USB storage devices from DOS--then *yes*.

When you add USB DOS drivers--*ghost.exe* will no longer fit in the 1.44 MB boot sector of the bootable CD--so it must be placed in the data portion of the CD similarly as to what was done with PM 8.0 above.  

A summary of what to do was in reply #9 where I listed a link--here it is again:

Summary of adding USB support and DOS PartitionMagic to Bootable CD--see reply #6

Let us know how your efforts come out!