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Rad Community Technical Discussion Boards (Computer Hardware + PC Software) >> Norton Ghost 2003, Ghost v8.x + Ghost Solution Suite (GSS) Discussion Board >> Need help deciding which Ghost to Use http://radified.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1177478360 Message started by aplados on Apr 25th, 2007 at 12:19am |
Title: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 25th, 2007 at 12:19am
I'm brand new to this. I need some general info to get me started. I've read alot of things on this site but just confused a bit.
I have a laptop and would like to create a image for restoring in case something happens. I do not have a floppy drive. It does have a cd burner so which version would be the easiest to use for me for this purpose? |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 25th, 2007 at 1:11am aplados wrote on Apr 25th, 2007 at 12:19am:
aplados, As you have noticed, everyone has their favourite. I suggest Ghost 12 which will be released in a week. It combines the best features of Ghost 9 and 10. I wouldn't buy Norton Save and Restore because I don't recommend the Files and Folders backup component. There are better ways to backup Files and Folders. Do you have any partitioning software? It makes things easier. What about an external HD? These are much easier to use than imaging to DVDs. How large is your laptop HD and how much free space is available? |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 25th, 2007 at 1:15am
So I guess what you are saying is that many versions are available since mine does not have a floppy. Guess I need to do a bit more reading. Thanks for your reply.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 25th, 2007 at 1:17am aplados wrote on Apr 25th, 2007 at 1:15am:
The versions change yearly. Ghost 12 will be the latest version, next week. You don't need a floppy drive. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 25th, 2007 at 2:21pm Brian wrote on Apr 25th, 2007 at 1:11am:
I have Partition Magic 8. Just didn't know if I wanted to partition this laptop. It won't hurt anything, would it? I wanted to add Microsoft Office before I make a DVD for restoring. I do have the original restore disk for the laptop but it doesn't have Microsoft Office on it. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 25th, 2007 at 4:14pm
Regarding partitioning. "Never leave home without it." See....
http://partition.radified.com/ http://www.goodells.net/multiboot/notes.htm#13 You didn't mention your HD size and amount of free space. We need this to advise you on how to manage your backup images. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 25th, 2007 at 8:10pm
40 GB hard drive with only 37.2 showing. I don't see any hidden partitions. Free space is 28.3 GB without the Microsoft Office installed.
I saw where Norton Ghost 12 will be delayed. I'd like to go ahead and buy a version that will clone the entire hard drive with the Office to a CDR. Of all the versions out there is there a particular one that will work without a bunch of fuss or would I have to wait until Ghost 12 comes out? I want it for restore purposes but mainly in case of hard drive failure so even if I partitioned it that would not do me any good if I used one of the programs that writes a image to another partition.. I only have a combo DVD reader and CDRW. No DVDRW. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 25th, 2007 at 8:49pm
aplados,
Thanks for the detailed info. So you have around 9 GB of data. Your backup image will be around 6 GB. That is 9 CDs. The chance of a successful restore from 9 CDs is about zero in my opinion. Sorry, but forget it. Do you have a desktop computer that you can network to your laptop? You could store the backup image on the desktop. I mentioned an external HD before. That's an easy solution. A temporary answer is to partition your HD into two partitions. A 15 and a 22 GB partition. Write the image of your C: drive to the second partition. Then you are covered for OS corruption but not for HD failure. HD failure is far less common than OS corruption. You need to sort out a backup location before you buy software. As for terminology, you will be making backup images (recovery points) and not clones. http://www.goodells.net/multiboot/notes.htm#14 |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 25th, 2007 at 8:57pm
There are several imaging apps (trials) that you could use to write an image to the second partition while you are waiting on a final software decision.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 25th, 2007 at 9:24pm
Looks as though partioning the HD seems like the only solution since I'm selling the laptop soon. What about networking the laptop and my desktop, and dumping the file on the desktop since I have a DVD writer on it? Could be written to 2 DVDR's.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by DrWho2006 on Apr 25th, 2007 at 9:40pm aplados wrote on Apr 25th, 2007 at 8:10pm:
One secret I found to using ghost (Ghost 2003, the DOS Version for me) is, try to avoid complexity. KISS.....Keep it simple Sam! Setting up an efficient and simple solution to system backups starts the day you set up the computer. I've always built my own, so I have to partition and format my own HD's and then load the OS. I made the decision years ago to just stay with FAT-32 for all my Hard Drives. This gives me 100% control over every bit of info on that HD, and I can do it all from any simple DOS boot disk. Then, after hearing the Horror Stories from guys trying to use the GUI versions of Ghost, I decided to go back to the DOS version of Ghost 2003, which is almost identical to the Ghost I used back in 1997. Again, working with the KISS method, I set about getting the most use out of that old DOS version as possible. I decided on Windows ME as the DOS boot disk that I'd use. Then I added my Ansi-Color menu system and a few other little utils till the disk (floppy) was pretty much full. Then I found that Nero would burn that same Ghost Boot Floppy to a CD, creating my first Ghost Boot CD. I willingly share copies of both to legal owners of Ghost. I now have Ghost 2003 and my windows ME Utilities disks recorded on a Bootable 64 meg Flash Drive. I can use that with Nero to make a boot CD which serves double duty as a Ghost boot CD and a Windows ME Utilities Boot CD all in one disk. That one CD is all I need to set up a brand new HD. I just used it to set up a new SATA II HD. You mentioned partitioning. :-? By all means PARTITION! One for your OS and common programs and one for your Suites, archives, pictures, movies and of course your Ghost Backups. Installing Office? Re-route the install, to put all the program files on your second partition. You don't need all that BLOAT on C: and all your scans and backups will go much faster. Office won't give a darn where you install it. Once you've created your Ghost backups to your second HD partition (the fastest way to create backup images) you can save those files to external hard drives or to CD's later at your leisure. If you had a tower instead of a laptop, I'd say 86 the combo drive and replace it with the latest DL DVD burner. Oh well........ ::) Many people are having troubles with the Ghost DOS version, because they don't have the latest Build. Build 793 is required to backup AMD 939 or AM2 mobos. All my disks use the 793 build. Good Luck, The Doctor 8-) |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 25th, 2007 at 9:54pm aplados wrote on Apr 25th, 2007 at 9:24pm:
Great idea. You don't even need to partition the laptop. Just write the image over the network, remembering to split it at 4480 MB. Why not do it today with Drive SnapShot? http://www.drivesnapshot.de/en/down.htm |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 25th, 2007 at 10:57pm
Let me get the thing networked first, then I'll give it a try.
It seems that I would use Nero with the split. Upon recovery would that prompt me for cd #2 since it will take two DVDR's to write it? |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 25th, 2007 at 11:08pm
No, you don't split with Nero. But when you write the DVDs with Nero, choose UDF mode as that enables 4480 MB to be written.
Download snapshot.exe to your laptop. Double click the file. Click Backup disk to file. Choose the C: drive, Next Browse to your network share and choose a file name, Click Advanced Options, make Maximum Image single file size = to 4480 MB (this fits on a DVD), remove the tick from Always generate Hash file, leave the rest unchanged. Click Use these settings as the default. OK Click Start Copy Put a tick in Test Image after Backup. Questions? |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 25th, 2007 at 11:13pm
I'll let you know how it goes. Probably won't finish it today but look here in next couple of days as I've got to network the pc's first, then install Microsoft Office first. Thanks for your help as well as input from the other guys too. Greatly appreciated!
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 25th, 2007 at 11:23pm
Good luck. With the networking, you will need to map a network drive. I don't think you can image to a shared folder without a drive letter.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 26th, 2007 at 12:12am
This is not Ghost related but maybe someone will know. If I was to use Partition Magic on the drive to partition it so they can keep files, etc...and they decide to use the original Toshiba Tecra M2 restore disk instead of my created disk, you think it will resize to the original? Or not possible? I've heard some weird things happening when partitions have been resized on laptops.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 27th, 2007 at 1:14am
I networked the laptop, mapped the drive and all. I installed the Snapshot program on the laptop and created the backup files on my computer. But it won't work. I did read this on their site.
quote "Restoring a system partition will require DOS; other drives can be restored using Windows" The error as to why it won't copy is "Snapshot can't lock drive" Cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. It my run if the volume is dismouted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Then I press the "unmount drive and continue button and error unmouting volume. -last Windows Error: 5-Access is denied. then (49) SNAPSHOT error - NYCOPY, line 3258 Error opening destination \\.\C: -last Windows Error: 20-The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another person. I copied the backup files to the laptop and tried to restore from there but same error message. How about Acronis True Image? Maybe not possible because can't put all the files on 1 cd. Any ideas? Or how about partitioning the hard drive and putting the true image backup there. Guess I could use Norton Ghost for that or can I? I haven't tried burning this to a DVDR yet as I am out of disks so I'll have to wait. Are these files boot files that will boot when burned? |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 27th, 2007 at 2:25am aplados wrote on Apr 27th, 2007 at 1:14am:
Good work. I didn't give you any instructions on restoring because you didn't indicate that you wanted to restore. You only wanted to create an image. Why do you want to restore that image? Drive SnapShot is 100% reliable in my experience. But I wouldn't do a test restore using my only HD. Murphy's law. If you had to restore the SnapShot image in the future you would copy the DVD image files to your desktop HD. Then boot your laptop to a BartPE CD containing a Drive SnapShot plugin. Network the laptop to the desktop from BartPE and restore your image to a partition on the laptop HD. It does work. Everytime. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 27th, 2007 at 3:05am
ok. Where would I get the Bart PE and the plugin and would it work also if instead of mapping it using Bart PE that I could use the burned disks that I would create with a DVD burner.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 27th, 2007 at 3:27am
aplados,
Firstly, the DVDs can't be made bootable. I think you can create a bootable Drive SnapShot CD with network support but I haven't done this as I find using BartPE is much easier. Everyone should have a BartPE CD. http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ This download contains the plugin but you will probably need to overwrite snapshot.exe in the plugin with your current version. Why do you want to restore your image? |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 27th, 2007 at 10:40am
Just wanting to verify that it works even though its alot of stuff. Good to know too. However, I originally just wanted a disk copy of the drive for restore purposes. And since I don't have a floppy dirve only other way I know how to do it is use one of the versions of Ghost or use Acronis True Image that will write to another drive that will have to be created using Partition Magic. Will work out good but will not help in the event if the hard disk dies. Thanks for all your help.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 27th, 2007 at 3:45pm
An even better version of BartPE is the ReatogoXPE version.
http://www.reatogo.de/REATOGO.htm It's more difficult to make the first CD so cut your teeth on the base version and move to ReatogoXPE later. ReatogoXPE is easier to network. Apart from Drive SnapShot, other imaging apps that can be run from BartPE are Ghost 9, Ghost 8.*, Acronis True Image, TeraByte Image for Windows, PowerQuest Drive Image 2002, Drive ImageXML and Paragon Hard Disk Manager. I'd expect any of these apps to be suitable for your laptop. If you want to avoid using a network restore then Ghost 9 and subsequent versions would work. Boot to the Ghost Recovery Environment, remove the Ghost CD and insert the first DVD in your recovery series. You wil be instructed when to change DVDs. You only need a single optical drive. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Rama on Apr 27th, 2007 at 4:53pm Brian wrote on Apr 27th, 2007 at 3:45pm:
Apart from the networking, are there any other advantages in going with ReatogoXPE? I have access only the W2K machines. I believe, you need XP machine to create ReatogoXPE. * |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 27th, 2007 at 5:19pm Rama wrote on Apr 27th, 2007 at 4:53pm:
Rama, thats correct. http://www.reatogo.de/Reatogo_Download_PREP.htm But after you have built the CD it can be used on W2K, Win 98 and Win 95 computers. ReatogoXPE is basic BartPE with the XPE plugin to make it look like WinXP. In my view, that's its main advantage. It looks and works just like the OS that I use every day so I know where to find things. There are Windows features present that aren't in basic BartPE. Disk Management for example. Networking is the same as WinXP. Networking from BartPE is different. Basic BartPE is a little clunky but if a plugin works in basic BartPE it won't work any better in ReatogoXPE. A personal preference issue. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Rama on Apr 27th, 2007 at 10:45pm Brian wrote on Apr 27th, 2007 at 5:19pm:
Thanks, Brian. * :) |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on Apr 28th, 2007 at 1:25pm
I'm preparing to sell it. Don't think new customer would want to go through all that to restore the laptop. If Ghost 9 has DVD writing capabililities why go through all this and why would I have to wait until Ghost 12 comes out?
Or maybe Ghost 9 has writing capabililities but since the dvdr is on my computer instead of the laptop it's not possible. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on Apr 28th, 2007 at 3:18pm
aplados,
Ghost 9 is fine. I'm still using it. But Ghost 12 will have more features and will probably work with more DVD drives. Imaging to DVDs is SLOW and unreliable. Some drives work and others don't. For image/restore with your laptop, an external HD would be very sensible. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by NightOwl on May 2nd, 2007 at 9:26am
aplados
Quote:
As you may have gathered at this point--imaging requires a little more than *point-n-shoot* understanding--and you have to set things up to deal with your particular system--and often deal with several different solutions (i.e. different boot options) to reach your desired goals. But I'm confused--having made that last statement--*to reach your desired goals*! Quote:
Why are you worried about a HDD failure and the ability to restore your personal image if you are selling this system?! Why are you installing Microsoft Office if you are selling this system?! I would use a DOS based program to DOD (department of defense!) wipe the drive clean so no personal data was present or recoverable (personal protection of personal data), and then restore the factory recovery data from your *original Toshiba Tecra M2 restore disk*. And then let the new owner deal with backup/imaging issues of their personal data--not yours! |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by aplados on May 14th, 2007 at 1:14pm
What would be the difference between Ghost 12 and Save and Restore 2.0? I see where Ghost 12 is out now.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on May 15th, 2007 at 12:08am aplados wrote on May 14th, 2007 at 1:14pm:
aplados, I guess the main difference would be Save and Restore 2.0 does a file and folder backup in addition to an image backup. You probably wouldn't want to use this file and folder backup feature anyway. I wouldn't. |
Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Ghost4me on May 15th, 2007 at 7:59am aplados wrote on May 14th, 2007 at 1:14pm:
Brian wrote on May 15th, 2007 at 12:08am:
Ghost 12 also does a file and folder backup. Norton Ghost 12.0 features and enhancements http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/features.jsp?pcid=br&pvid=ghost12 http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/powerquest.nsf/0/5e9f3d743f1d365a652572b900769f7f?OpenDocument Norton Save & Restore 2.0 is the version which is closest to Ghost 10. I doubt that you need the main advanced features of Ghost 12: Quote:
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Ghost4me on May 15th, 2007 at 12:26pm
Brian, is there something else that Ghost 12 offers (that Norton S&R 2.0 doesn't) or is different, other than the 3 advanced features listed above? I think you posted previously that you tested Ghost 12.
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Brian on May 15th, 2007 at 10:48pm
Ghost4me,
You are correct. Both will do Files and Folders backup. Ghost 12 has the 3 advanced features that you mentioned and NSR doesn't. I doubt most people would use these features. Symantec Backup Exec System Recovery 7.0 Desktop Edition adds Restore Anyware to the Ghost 12 features. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
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Title: Re: Need help deciding which Ghost to Use Post by Ghost4me on May 15th, 2007 at 11:18pm Brian wrote on May 15th, 2007 at 10:48pm:
I'm perfectly happy with Ghost 10 and its reliability for now. But when I need Vista support, I have about decided that Norton Save & Restore 2.0 is going to be my upgrade choice (without using the file/folder feature). I intuitively feel it is the closest upgrade for Ghost 10, and should be the most trouble (bug) free. I can't see how Ghost 12 remote management could/would be that beneficial. In order to need the ability to monitor other networked Ghost 12 applications, you would have to buy full licenses of Ghost 12, for each pc, which would be a lot more expensive than buying one of the enterprise products if that's what one wanted. I can't understand the market or design approach for that Symantec management used here. Who is the target audience for Ghost 12? For me personally Norton Save & Restore 2.0 seems the best upgrade path. Of course I'm willing to hear testimonials pro and con for all versions as well. |
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