norton ghost images on hdd - fat32 or NTFS?

[Wigwam]

Hi

i want to set up a partition to store Ghost images of my OS partition in case i need to recover. does this partiton have to be Fat32 or can it be NTFS?

i recall someone saying ghost can write to NTFS but can only recover from Fat32 - is this true?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Well, I use an older version of Ghost (v7.0) and can only write to my FAT32 partitions. What I don't know if it's a Ghost limitation, or just because I use a Win98 CD to boot into DOS mode (which doesn't support NTFS).

I don't know about the newer versions of Ghost, though.

 

[Sid59]

newer versions can read and write from NTFS. - Norton Ghost 2003

this version is the only version that does so. Even the newer Corporate 7.5 does not read/write NTFS.

 

[juancferrer]

Originally posted by: Sid59
newer versions can read and write from NTFS. - Norton Ghost 2003

this version is the only version that does so. Even the newer Corporate 7.5 does not read/write NTFS.

yep

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Sid59
newer versions can read and write from NTFS. - Norton Ghost 2003

this version is the only version that does so. Even the newer Corporate 7.5 does not read/write NTFS.

No but 8.0 does.

Dude, don't waste HD space on images. Create your image, and then create a bootable ghost CD/DVD. If your system gets jacked up, boot off the CD/DVD and it will restore your machine. It's the best way to do it.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: Sid59
newer versions can read and write from NTFS. - Norton Ghost 2003

this version is the only version that does so. Even the newer Corporate 7.5 does not read/write NTFS.

No but 8.0 does.
.

ooh .. didn't know that was out. well .. if OP has Corporate 8.0 or Ghost 2003 .. no problems at all with NTFS

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: Sid59
newer versions can read and write from NTFS. - Norton Ghost 2003

this version is the only version that does so. Even the newer Corporate 7.5 does not read/write NTFS.

No but 8.0 does.

Dude, don't waste HD space on images. Create your image, and then create a bootable ghost CD/DVD. If your system gets jacked up, boot off the CD/DVD and it will restore your machine. It's the best way to do it.

Is creating a bootable DVD as easy as creating a bootable CD?

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Kai920

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: Sid59
newer versions can read and write from NTFS. - Norton Ghost 2003

this version is the only version that does so. Even the newer Corporate 7.5 does not read/write NTFS.

No but 8.0 does.

Dude, don't waste HD space on images. Create your image, and then create a bootable ghost CD/DVD. If your system gets jacked up, boot off the CD/DVD and it will restore your machine. It's the best way to do it.

Is creating a bootable DVD as easy as creating a bootable CD?

SUPER easy. The toughest part is creating the boot file, which isn't that hard at all. Ghost 2003/2004 has a built in feature to create a bootable image disc, but it doesn't always work that well. I do it manually and it's full proof.

Let me know if you want some details.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: JackBurton
SUPER easy. The toughest part is creating the boot file, which isn't that hard at all. Ghost 2003/2004 has a built in feature to create a bootable image disc, but it doesn't always work that well. I do it manually and it's full proof.

Let me know if you want some details.

*raises hand*
YES PLEASE!

I tried a few months ago but could not get it to work and ended up with a non-bootable DVD with my ghost image. I'd love to do a re-format/install and create a new ghost disc.

 

[JackBurton]

Ok, here goes...

1. Lauch Nero 6
2. Go to File>New
3. Choose DVD-ROM(boot) on the left hand side
4. On the boot tab, check image file and point to the boot file.ima (I've already created this file so if you'd like, I can send it to you. This is the boot file). Make sure Enable expert settings is unchecked, and then click the new button.
5. Now from here just drag your ghost image files in and also ghost.exe.
6. Burn the DVD.

Easy enough. Just make sure when you are creating your Ghost image that you name the image, image. If you are going to use my boot file, the ghost image must be named this, otherwise it won't work.

I told you, super simple. Now whenever you want to restore your PC, boot off the DVD and go get something to eat. It will be done in about 30mins (well depending how big your image is).

 

[suklee]

:beer: Jack

 

[Sid59]

can you post the image file please?

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Sid59
can you post the image file please?

I don't have a site to host the file, but if you'd like, pm me and I'll email it to you.

 

[Wigwam]

this does soudn like the ideal solution but [as i only have a cd-writer] wouldnt this need masses of cds to span across even to image just the os?

whereas if it was to hdd you could image the system with OS plus "must-have apps"
although admittedly if the hdd dies one is screwed in this case...

but how many cds does an image of an XP Pro install take?

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: Sid59
can you post the image file please?

I don't have a site to host the file, but if you'd like, pm me and I'll email it to you.

YHPM

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Wigwam
this does soudn like the ideal solution but [as i only have a cd-writer] wouldnt this need masses of cds to span across even to image just the os?

whereas if it was to hdd you could image the system with OS plus "must-have apps"
although admittedly if the hdd dies one is screwed in this case...

but how many cds does an image of an XP Pro install take?

I believe the last time I did it with CDs, a base Windows XP install with all drivers loaded and Windows updated took about 2-3 CDs. Not bad. What you want to do is use maximum compression when ghosting your hd.

 

[Wigwam]

hey thats not bad at all - will do, thanks.

i will also pm you for that file!

 

[JackBurton]

Also guys, when restoring your PC with the Ghost DVD/CD, you'll most likely have multiple ghost files (ex: image.gho, image001.ghs, image002.ghs, etc.). If you do, during the restore process you'll be asked for the next image file, just hit ok. It will automatically go to the next image file on the DVD. If you are using a CD to restore, put in the next CD. Also, when using this process, make sure you save the image to the hard drive in 690MB chunks so you can then later on transfer it to CD. Otherwise, Ghost will automatically save every 2GBs. When using DVDs, I specify saving the image file in 1490MB chunks so there is no wasted space on the DVD. Even using DVDs your image may span further than 4.5GB. 1490MB will allow you to save 3 x 1490MB ghost files on one DVD and not waste any space on the DVD.

 

[Wigwam]

quick question:
the ghost image will span a few cds.

do i just need to burn that boot image file to the first cd or to all of them?

i assumed just the first one but would be wise to double-check!