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Norton Ghost 10 for XPS 410 with Vista Upgrade
Before I go on a tirade with the people at Symantec for run around after run around, I am wondering if someone out here can help. Its funny, because all of $$$ on customer service and 1-800 #'s and time and time again, THIS FORUM is where I find all my answers, so "Thanks!" in advance.
I had a HD problem not too long ago and the Tech Support pointed out that I had paid for Norton Ghost but wasn't using it. The reason for this: when I first plugged in the PC freshout of the box, this Norton Ghost warning kept popping up, so I called tech support and they simply disabled it. I purchased the XPS 410 with all of the Hardware upgrades available to make the upgrade to Vista I ordered with the Dell as smooth as possible. I love this PC, can't imagine life without it, but when I try to use Norton Ghost, it says there are "known compatibility issues" and says "1: Failed to install ISKernal Files. Make sure you have the appropriate privileges on this machine." It dsplays this error code 3 or 4 times before starting Ghost. Then says, "Cannot connect to the agent TYSON (thats me)" whnever I try to backup. I am assuming (using context clues) that I need to upgrade to a newer version of Ghost that is compatible with Vista. Here are my problems:
1) I don't think I should have to pay for an upgraded version when I spent an arm and a leg to purchase all of the necessary upgrades to begin with (note: there was not a version of Ghost that was compatible at the time of purchase as far as I can find). Shouldn't there have been some kind of note to say that this $100 program you are buying will be useless in 2 months after you upgrade?
2) It is impossible to get a hold of a live human being at Symantec. I emailed their customer service with the problem, after which I got an automated email response saying someone would contact me in the next 24 hours, that was 11 days ago I just got an apology for the delay and asked if my problem was fixed, and if not, what is the problem (which is actually a pretty funny repsonse.)
I can't believe that I am the first person this has happened to, and was wondering if the almighty wisdom of the Forum would guide me in the right direction before I have a coronary trying to email the problem to a third person from Symantec. I hope this is clear, I didn't think my product specs were necessary, but if they are, just let me know.
Another question I have: Is there any way, that anyone knows of, that I can find the exact specifications for the Norton Ghost that I purchased with the system on the Dell website? Maybe it did say somewhere in the fine print that "anyone who buys this with a Vista Upgrade in mind is an idiot..."
Thanks again for all you help past, present, and future ;)
Tyson
mtabernig
208 Posts
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November 18th, 2007 12:00
Tyson:
First make sure you are running vista as an “administrator” when you are trying to load Ghost.
That may help. Second, what version of ghost do you have?
In my experience, or likes, ghost is to cumbersome, I do not like it and I removed from all my PCs’ and laptops, Windows restore works better and it is much easier to use.(My opinion).
What I did on my 410 instead to use Ghost was to purchase a spare SATA HD drive. I copy the original HD to the new one after I had configured the computer just the way I like it, meaning after installing all applications and every thing I need. To make the copy I used a program that comes in the box with the new HD . Now I have 2 disks that are a exact copy of each other. After the copy was made, I unplugged the copy and I reconnected the secondary HD. Now if I have the need I simply plug the extra drive back on and restore the comp to the original state no need to reload all software utilities and all the B.S. that made the computer “mine”. The best part is not having to call Microsoft to let me reload MS office again.
Message Edited by mtabernig on 11-18-2007 06:29 AM
Tstark123
9 Posts
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November 18th, 2007 18:00
mtabernig
208 Posts
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November 18th, 2007 22:00
Tyson:
Yes, I had the same version of Ghost that came with my DELL laptop PC. I purchased with it, same as you did. However, the PC had XP and I had no intention to load Windows Vista into it. In fact, I removed Ghost from the Inspiration 1505. On the 410 I have vista, however, and never loaded Ghost into it.
One of the things I do not like about Ghost is the fact that interferes with some of other devises, I noticed almost immediately. I just do not remember witch one. I had exactly the same problem with one other PC that is not a DELL. One more problem was that it was always sowing pops ups about frivolous things and that was annoying. It is cumbersome, not a user friendly type thing.
Now, I backup my documents on a network disk. I have a NDAS disk connected to the WiFi router for my laptops and other PCs. That way I can backup the work of any one of the computers on my home network. The back up is done manually every time I have a need. Not to Hi tech but practical and safe. .
Message Edited by mtabernig on 11-18-2007 07:20 PM