Using Norton Ghost 10 to Create One-Time Backup

I have done what you want but using acronis true image by creating the image on the same partition as the operating system.

the image file was then transfered wirelessly to a desktop pc and the image burned to dvd.
you can also transfer the image using a netwok cable,

Thanks for the idea. I went on their website and looked around a bit, but I didn't find out if I would be able to boot from the burned image?

If my hard drive crashes or Windows gets corrupted, can I wipe the drive and then reinstall the backup from the DVD? Thanks.

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hawkax11 wrote:
Hello all,
I have Symantec Ghost 10 and I would like to reinstall Windows from the XP disk, install drivers and applications, uninstall junky Dell applications, and then create a Ghost image.

If you use the XP CD to do a clean install, there are no "junky Dell applications" installed...

My goal is to have a DVD (or two) that I can use to completely restore my system to this desirable state. My laptop does not have a DVD burner; I would first have to create a hard drive image on an external drive, then transfer it to another computer with a DVD burner. Does anyone know how I could do this? I would not object to needing to bring the Ghost CD with; in fact I plan on it.

Simply setup Ghost to make DVD-sized images on the hard drive, then copy them to another computer, then burn them.

Thanks!

Thanks for the idea, that's excellent too. And you are right about the fresh install, what I meant was that I won't have to deal with the programs. And surely not everyone has a use for all the trial software Dell includes?

I don't understand why you want to put your ghost on DVDs if you already have an external HDD. When I had a problem I just restored my HDD image from the a restore point on the additional HDD but booted from the Norton Ghost CD as required so that it could do a clean restore. I just have a separate partition on my extra HDD devoted to Ghost 10 - program and data.

I don't actually have a separate hard drive; I have a desktop computer. I won't have my desktop with me very often, so instead I'd like to be able to simply bring DVDs with. After doing a decent amount of research, here is what I've come up with. I've used Ghost and TrueImage both (retail Ghost and trial TrueImage) and have decided that TI actually serves my purpose better because it can be used also without being installed.

First I'm going restore the computer to factory state using the built in restore feature. Then I'll connect my laptop's HD to my desktop and use TI to clone the HD onto the desktop. Because I will lose all restore functionality after formatting, I want to save this feature in case I ever want to sell the computer. That includes all three Dell included partitions. Even though I don't need them, someone down the road might.

Next the HD will be reinstalled into the laptop and the entire HD formatted. I'll install the new OS and configure it exactly how I want. Then the HD will go back into the desktop and the HD will be cloned once again. I can burn the images of the new HD using the desktops DVD burner.

What do you guys think? To restore the system to the DVD state, I simply boot using the TI rescue CD. Clean and painless. Is there a better method? This method won't require any programs being installed to the laptop which is the goal. Thanks.

Message Edited by hawkax11 on 06-15-200603:07 PM

Sounds like a plan. Post back how it works out.

Hi all,

I haven't done my restore yet, but I just read something that may conflict. Dan Goodall wrote that TrueImage is rarely able to create a functioning copy of the Dell Restore partitions. I had thought that a "clone" would be able to catch every bit of data required? After all, I would like to be able to keep the restore functionality for a possible future owner or if I decide the Dell-installed version is better. Does anyone have any information about this?

Also, an external USB hard drive would be even better than using my desktop. Has anyone found that TI can recognize such a drive in the emergency boot CD environment? Thanks.

Message Edited by jothemango on 06-20-200609:28 AM

"I haven't done my restore yet, but I just read something that may conflict. Dan Goodall wrote that TrueImage is rarely able to create a functioning copy of the Dell Restore partitions. I had thought that a "clone" would be able to catch every bit of data required? After all, I would like to be able to keep the restore functionality for a possible future owner or if I decide the Dell-installed version is better. Does anyone have any information about this?"

hawkax11,

I made that comment in another thread concerning cloning Dell's DSR partition.  But you have Ghost so I wouldn't worry about trying to keep the DSR partition, and then your plan should work okay.

Re: clones . . . yes, a true clone would duplicate every bit of data, but rarely do utilities make true clones--and if they do, the clone often doesn't boot anyway.  Instead, they make a very close copy--like a clone but tweaked so it will boot as intended.  It's in that tweaking where results are variable and Dell's proprietary DSR method can get in the way.

Re: saving the oem image for a future owner . . . I suggest saving the oem image onto DVD, then dumping the DSR partition.  You'll be able to partition and use your computer freely the way you want to.  When you eventually get rid of the computer, you can wipe the hard disk, restore the original Windows partition from DVD, then give the new owner the computer and the DVD.

Dan Goodell
www.goodells.net/dellrestore

 

Message Edited by dg1261 on 06-20-200602:47 PM