Basic question, but one I could not find a clear answer to in the FAQ. Will Ghost help me do the following?

I have 2 hd's that I would like to backup automatically via a weekly scheduled job. I would like to back them both up to a 3rd (large capacity) drive that has 2 correspondingly sized partitions - - all IDE, and all in the same computer.

I don't want to create drive images (.gho, .xyz). I want to have an exact duplicate (sector-by-sector?) of the 1st drive on the 1st partition of the 3rd drive, and an exact copy of the 2nd drive on the 2nd partition of the 3rd drive.

I cannot be in Windows to execute this backup. Windows would have to restart in some other mode to do this backup - - I want to reduce the risk of any files being locked by Windows services. Then, after it has completed the backup, reboot back into Windows mode.

#1. Will Ghost do this for me?
#2. Will Ghost do this for me easily?

Thanks, I will look into PartitionMagic. I thought it was just for resizing or merging partitions.

Off hand, do you know if PartitionMagic has a command line mode, so that I can run it outside of Windows?

kennedystephen

What you're asking is do-able with Ghost 2003 and PartitionMagic.

Yes, PartitionMagic has a command line program that can work in Windows (PQBoot32.exe) and two that work in DOS (PQBoot.exe and PQBootTX.exe).

See this reference for *proof of concept*:

How to setup automated weekly ghost of running os

Dan Goodell's posting has the setup outlined.

I have set up such an automated system for a non-tech friend that requires a single click to create the backup--the batch file cycles through and saves that last 5 backups--deleting the oldest upon the next new backup (this can be adjusted to any number)--I have been monitoring the process to make sure there are no hidden problems--so far none!--I plan on posting it--but I haven't had time to work on the report yet!

I have it set up for *manually* starting the backup--but you could use Windows scheduling program to *automate* that too.

Brian

I would recommend creating images--but Ghost 2003 (or other DOS based Ghost versions) will happily oblige to make cloned copies as well!

However you make a good point:

Quote:

You will need a 4th drive to do what you have requested in the quote above!  Ghost can not create an exact copy of a *whole drive* to a partition--but can create a whole drive to a whole drive!  But, you can save a *whole drive* image to a partition!

kennedystephen

Why do you want a *sector-by-sector* clone--what advantage or requirement are you addressing?