A+ Computer Repair Training Course - Norton Ghost for Imaging Hard Drives

[jetdose]

Sir..how do i make a cd of this? Can someone tell me step by step. I'm used to reformatting my hard disk and installing fresh copies of OS. I want a faster approach.

[frazertelford]

Hi there. Really useful video. I run norton ghost of a USB drive but can you boot from a USB where is gives you an option to back up and restore like you have it set. Also what virtual software do you use to replicate it running so you can make screen shots? Thanks

[frenchge]

There are several utilities on the Internet, such as the HP USB Tool, that can format a USB drive to allow it to start in DOS. The virtual software that I used is the free MS Virtual PC. Regards, Greg

[Spyder741]

Dude, your voice rocks.

[imad3785]

the ghost in video he is using is easy for me... jst tell me brother how it could be lunched at the start? what files are needed where? so that at startup u start this ghost file?????? i spend three hours (or more and i can not even start ghost.exe.

i use win 98 to boot command on start up

then start cd rom support and then i do not know what to do? because i had my ghost file saved in drive D(next to window drive C) but Dos only access Drive A! Help please urgent

[frenchge]

For my lab and personal computers I have a DOS primary partition that provides me the option on start-up and select DOS from a menu and then start ghost.exe. I have a video that explains how to partition a hard drive so that you first install DOS on the primary partition and then a Windows in an extended logical drive.

[MrWinnux]

hi sir... i need help how can i go microsoft window? or install it.. it only show is microsoft windows xp professional... pls help help me how to do it... many thanks in advance.

[frenchge]

You will need the Windows install disk or the i386 folder on your computer. If you have the i386 folder you can start the install by clicking on the winnt32 file.

[alimannew]

Sir i have backed up windows xp with ghost 11.5 ... but when i restore it into another hard driver .. my windows xp doesnt boot ... it shows "NTLDR missing" i did everything in the recovery console like bootcfg,fixmbr and all but it doesnt work ... can u please help me ... thnx

[frenchge]

You will need to provide an NTLDR file. You can use the Windows install disk and try repair.

[amit2010961]

Hello Frenchge, I am using norton ghost 15 .. i am backuped my c drive partion in another partion d . I have take it my dvd bcoz it is of only 3.45 gb using a option in ghost 15 "copy recover point " . i just burnt the recovery files to my dvd .. now sir please tell me when my windows xp get fail or didnt start then how can i recover my from the dvd ...please sir tell soon.

thanks you

[frenchge]

You will need a recovery CD or boot partition to recover a failed Windows. You cannot use Windows to fix Windows after it fails. My students ask me why do I need to learn DOS. I say, "Windows is the problem and DOS cab be your solution". 

[frenchge]

I use an image to daily restore 30 lab computers using the Ghost restore feature.

[you4assourous]

For those know it all students - force them into a DOS 3.1/Windows for Workgroups just to see how well they can adapt to breaking systems

[frenchge]

Yes all data is lost if it is on drive c: with Windows when you restore. That is why you need to either partition your drive and keep your important files on a second partition or external device. Also you need to backup important data to an external device because all hard drives will fail given enough time.

[mrblue1415]

Can you make a video on how to install Norton Ghost

[frenchge]

I run Norton Ghost from a bootable DOS disk. At the DOS prompt I just type ghost. I would not run it or install it in Windows. When Windows isn't working, which is the problem, I can't run ghost to fix it.

[Rafy709]

@frenchge That's a great idea, so you customized the dos cd to include norton ghost? 

[frenchge]

Yes...just added ghost.exe to files when burning the CD.

[YouDontKnowCPP]

Partition was fat 32, my xbo hard drive is fat x are they similar like C# and C++ ?

[str8doinyurmom]

thank you kindly for you time and knowledge... each one, teach one... :c )

and even sometimes a different perception/view enhanced what you already learned ~ thank once again

[vardushik]

I have isntall a windows xp on my laptop , and i have take a buckup with norton ghost , and i have pasted that buckup to my next partition , and i call it buckup

but how can i restore it , i mean, like the pc's from shop , you can retore it to the original state , by clicking F12 or something like that .

thanks

[ironslanger4]

i have a dell inspiron 6200 and viruses ravaged my computer and restore cosole apparently got destroyed...i dont have a windows xp cd or any backup cd and i would like to get it back to factory settings..can you help me?

[frenchge]

Dell has great customer support and will ship anything you need to get your computer running again.

[NapoLoso]

Hello Mr Frenchge... if i make a hard drive image can i restore only parts of it later on? like a single program? on another computer?

Thank you

[duck21slayer21]

Mr. Frenchge, will ghost (or any other program) allow me to store the imagine to a server through internet? I would like to save offsite. Thanks

[frenchge]

The image is a single file so you can store it anywhere you like. Depending on the file image size and bandwidth available you might consider a local server. However the Internet could also be used for off site.

[MrGoomba909]

I wish i was in ur lab... but im not in high school :( anyway i probably live no where near where u live

[jken09]

Hi! frenchge, this is great! can I how did you include and run the windows 98 startup utilities with XP boot menu or your utilities option how to achieve this, thanks

[frenchge]

Hello, DOS startup utilities menu can be created if you first install DOS before you install Windows XP as a clean install and not an upgrade to DOS. Create a separate partition for each operating system. Hope this helps. Greg

[jken09]

Thanks for the immediate response I'm very much appreciated. It a really a big help, thanks

[MrWinnux]

@frenchge hi there... can u help me how to install the DOS startup utilities Before the installation of xp?... pls help me

[PALIL2]

jega90, he just said

[jega90]

does this software only backup Xp or it can also backup vista?

[frenchge]

Hello jega90, I use Norton to backup all my operating systems, including XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Linux. Norton will image any drive or partition. Hope this helps. Greg

[ceventus]

Can I store the image on an external hard drive without losing the information I have on it already?

[frenchge]

Yes you can store images to any external device. I often store images on flash drives so that I can quickly restore a computer by booting to my flash drive. Hope this helps. Greg

[ceventus]

Yes, thanks. When I store the image, do I need to partition the drive or can I send it to a folder. I have never done this before. I appreciate all input before diving into this.

[frenchge]

The image is just a single file and can be stored anywhere. Regards, Greg

[frenchge]

Yes the disk image includes all partitions on a drive and the partition would be just a single partition. My drives have multiple partitions for the different operation systems and files/backups. This way I use the first partition for DOS and restore the second partition (Windows XP) from my third partition where I store my backup image. Hope this helps. Greg

[avsiii]

I have few questions to ask...

What's the difference between "Disk" and "Partition" when creating an image back-up?

Does the "Disk" creates an image from the whole harddrive, including the partition(s) or just the one in the partition?

Or, does the "Partition" creates an inmage from the whole harddrive, including the partition...?

[avsiii]

Right-on, thanks for the answer - I've been trying to find out what's the deference between the two.

Thanks again....

[frenchge]

Hello, I use the ghost.exe DOS file found in the support folder on the Norton Ghost disk and copy it to my DOS partition. This way I can run Ghost in DOS to do my backups and restores from DOS. I find DOS will always work and can be used to restore Windows when Windows fails to boot. Hope this helps. Regards, Greg

[walkersroad]

Hi, thanks so much for your response. I was wondering if you actually physically go to your computers to restore, or do it over the network, I run network for a small school, 300 students, and wanting to do the process over the network. Cheers

[frenchge]

Hello, I keep the Windows XP images locally and restore the OS on each computer from a menu selection when I power them on. I do keep and update a master image on the server and use this to update my local images when needed. Ghost does have a ghostcasting feature to restore over a network. I usually configure a self booting CD or DVD to auto restore a complete hard drive locally when needed. Hope this helps and thanks for the comment.

[walkersroad]

Hi there, I am an IT manager (second year) at a high school and would really love to do what you are doing. Right now, I remove the hard drives and connect to a computerI have in my office that clone that way and then put the drives back, takes heaps of time and often have computers that are not functional. What version of Norton Ghost are you using? I REALLY like your idea.!!

[frenchge]

Hello, I was using Norton Ghost 2003 DOS version in this demo that I found on eBay for $10. I will also be starting a DOS series for those who need some help with DOS. Hope this helps and Good Luck.