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Thread ID: 53806 2005-01-27 21:24:00 Drive imaging Sb0h (3744) Press F1
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318667 2005-01-27 21:24:00 I would like recommendations on the best way to image a new laptop drive after all my company software is loaded. This laptop is for my business partner and he needs to have a simple way to return to a factory like condition with all our specialised software already installed. I have seen references here to Ghost and other programs, are they simple enough to restore from? I will be setting the system up and burning some recovery CD's for him.

Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks
Sb0h (3744)
318668 2005-01-27 21:28:00 I used Ghost 2003 to do that on my laptop, after installing all applications.

Used 7 CD's.
godfather (25)
318669 2005-01-27 23:29:00 Thanks Godfather, I'm downloading a copy of ghost now. Hopefully this will save a lot of headaches for me in the future.

Cheers
Sb0h (3744)
318670 2005-01-28 00:47:00 As an aside, if you are familiar with Linux or BSD, then you could also use "dd" (www.justlinux.com)(Knoppix used in this case, but really any distro will do but easiest when using a live one), or g4u (www.feyrer.de)("ghost 4 unix"). vinref (6194)
318671 2005-01-28 13:00:00 I want to add my vote to godfather's . . . Ghost is good - live with it @ work and home . Easy to set up, easy to create, easy to restore . Easier than making an omelette too .

But wowsers, godfather - how much info do you image? I've never gone beyond the single CD and we're talking all applications, network settings and associated drivers . . . although user data files (eg documents etc) aren't included in any of our images - they get backed up separately .

BTW, Sb0h . . . we usually create partitions and load the OS & apps on, say, the C: drive and all user data gets saved to the other partition (the D: drive) . This is handy for when you have to format the hard drive but don't want or can't afford to lose your user data files . (ie the C: drive is formatted & reimaged with the data untouched on the D: drive) .

I have heard of a prog called PartitionMagic - haven't used it myself, but understand it can help you partition the hard drive AFTER the all apps have been loaded, thus creating space for the D: so user data can be saved as described above .

Anyway, just logged in to vote for Ghost . Hope it turns you into another Happy Customer .
Roszarie (7006)
318672 2005-01-29 03:59:00 I purchased an external portable hard drive and use software called ACRONIS which makes a complete image of your existing hard drive software and all. Works ok for me and you can make incremental backups if your information in programmes has altered.
Cheers.
heaton (3697)
318673 2005-01-29 04:16:00 Hi SbOh. Likewise vote for Ghost. I have an older 30GB drive to which Ghost backs up. Similar to Heaton's apart from being an internal drive. Scouse (83)
318674 2005-01-29 05:03:00 im still looking for a free alternative, i see that there is one on my linux disks somewhere, might try that out.but i havent found a windows alternative yet..... Prescott (11)
318675 2005-01-29 07:40:00 As much as I dislike Symatencs software generally, Ghost is a different kettle of fish. Excellent program, used daily and saved my ass more times than I can count.
Yeah it costs but it works.
the highlander (245)
318676 2005-01-29 10:35:00 Thanks for the advice everyone. Ghost is loaded and the image has been done. The proof in the pudding will be the next time the system has a meltdown. ;)

I will also try to convince my business partner to use it for backup purposes also, then I won't have to worry about his lost data either. Some people just never learn though do they. :groan:
Sb0h (3744)
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