Hi,

when I want to use the software I have to activate it via internet.
And if people don't have an internet access???

Ghost 12 will operate for 30 days without activation.  Until it is activated according to the manual, you can't use:  copy drive, lights out restore, restore anyware, or convert to virtual disk.

To be honest however, it is hard to image a scenario where you would be using Ghost 12 and you didn't have access to the Internet.  Ghost 12 requires Windows XP or Windows Vista.  Neither of those will really function without being activated and updated with patches and service packs.  So if you never update your Windows pc's, then there's not much need for an image backup program in my opinion.  You can get by with something a lot cheaper if you are in an isolated part of the world and no Internet and no telephones or modems.

The next question might be, "What do you use your computers for if there is no access to the outside world?"

John. wrote on Aug 9^th, 2007 at 8:25pm:

The next question might be, "What do you use your computers for if there is no access to the outside world?"

Heh. It happens more than you might think, actually.

Not so much for consumer software like "Norton Ghost 12", but classic Ghost in GSS has a significant number of customers whose entire networks are kept completely and permanently disconnected from the public internet. We have to design quite a few procedures for things like licensing and updating differently as a result.

I agree about some internal corporate environments, especially private ones because of security which are totally isolated.  But in those cases, there is an IT department which handles (dictates) computer use, backup policies etc etc etc.

As you said, though, Ghost 12 isn't a enterprise product, so I can't quite place how Ghost 12 and/or a pc would be used without some outside connection.

There is a life without internet - and it works  ;)
We have a lot of computers, never have been connected to the net - and they run perfect. Those PCs need no patches because there is no danger from outside.
When aktivation came up by windows OS, people have the choice to activate the product by internet or phone. But I think the symantec company can't think so far  >:(.
No wonder that more and more people use Acronis True Image  ::)

660207


Quote:

We have a lot of computers, never have been connected to the net - and they run perfect.

Ghost 12 is oriented for the *consumer--retail* user--you sound like a corporate user that needs a *site* license--apples and oranges!!!

In answer to your first question, you may be able to active over the phone.  I just haven't done it.

I found this webpage which explains how to contact Customer Service by phone, where you can ask them and maybe activate:

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/support/cs/contact_cs_nam.jsp

Please let us know if you are able to activate over the phone.

@NightOwl
No, I just wanted to underline that computers without internet-access are nothing special ;-)
It depends on the area of responsibility...

@Ghost4me
Thanks. But I think there is just support for problems with internet-activation (if I read the assortment by symantec-page), no point for activation alternatives.

660207 wrote on Aug 10^th, 2007 at 9:49am:

Thanks. But I think there is just support for problems with internet-activation (if I read the assortment by symantec-page), no point for activation alternatives.

I've used the customer support phone support before (just last week actually). It only took 5 minutes to get through.

So if you really want an answer to your question, yes or no, why not take 5 minutes and find out for sure?

660207,

Please note that there is a difference between the term "activation" and "registration".  Activation installs a code (obtained via Internet or phone call) that ties  fingerprint of that specific computer to that license.  It is completely different from registration.

The reason software vendors have strict activation now, is to prevent someone from purchasing one copy of Ghost 12, and then attempting to activate it once, and then install that code on a lot of computers.  The activation code will only work on ONE computer.

Acronis True Image (which I have as well) also requires activation.  Not sure if they have phone activation or just Internet activation, as I activated over the Internet.