Re: followup ???

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: SuperGumby [SBS MVP] (not_at_your.nellie)
Date: 06/19/04 

Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2004 01:55:30 +1000

Yes, that is the official stance of both MS and Symantec.

Real world experience of just about every version of ghost and every server
OS since NT4 suggests different versions behave differently depending on OS
and hardware but a rule of thumb of using the version which was current at
the time of the OS and hardware stands a good chance of success.

MS and Symantec do not 'support' cloning of server HDD's. Doesn't mean it
doesn't reliably work.
My ISP doesn't 'support' connection of networks or even single systems
behind routers, same story.

We regularly use ghost for our test box, 15 minutes to restore a clean OS
image is a LOT less hassle than going through the 700th install this week.

And after all this I've gotta say: No, we don't ghost our client's server
systems. If it is suggested we point out to the client that a restored ghost
image will put them outside MS support parameters should we need to call on
them and that's why we implement decent backup procedures.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmail.atyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:%230m57KhVEHA.1656@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> I wouldn't use Ghost for a server I cared about - it isn't designed for
> servers. From a post by Bob Quin [MSFT} in windows.server.general:
>
> -----
> Ghost 2003 is designed for Windows XP/2000/NT WS/Me/98. You can contact
> Symantec's technical support to confirm if they have test Ghost 2003 with
> Windows 2003 Server.
>
> In general, Ghost is not designed as a server cloning tool and does not
> support cloning Windows 2003/2000/Windows NT Server. Using Ghost to clone
> servers is going well beyond its intended capabilities. Ghost is designed
> as a workstation cloning utility.
>
> In general, we can install another DC as backup or use NTbackup to backup
> the AD data.
>
> Q240363 How to Back Up and Restore the System State
> http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q240/3/63.asp
>
> ------------------------------------------
> Rick Dilley wrote:
> > Merv,
> >
> > Can I ghost my Dell PE2600(raid-1 scsi boot drives and raid5 scsi data
> > drives) that is running SBS2000?
> >
> >
> > And more importantly, can I reload the exact server from the image
> > after a failure?
> >
> > RickD
> >
> >
> > "Merv Porter [SBS-MVP]" <mwport@no_spam_hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:%23$nt0u0TEHA.3016@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >> If you're booting from a set of Ghost 2003 Boot Floppies or from a
> >> Ghost Boot CD to create the image, welcome to the world of USB DOS
> >> drivers. I keep 3 sets of boot floppies on hand:
> >>
> >> Set 1: USB 1.1 boot floppies (created using the Ghost-provided
> >> drivers) Set 2: USB 2.0 boot floppies (created using the
> >> Ghost-provided drivers) Set 3: USB 1.1/2.0 boot floppies (created
> >> using the Panasonic and Motto Hairu drivers)
> >>
> >> Miracle-driver from Panasonic Japan does the unthinkable
> >> http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10215
> >>
> >> My external USB drives consist of one Western Digital external USB
> >> drive and the rest are Maxtor IDE drives installed in Bytecc
> >> enclosures (Ali chipset).
> >>
> >> I've found Set 3 of the boot floppies to be the most reliable with
> >> the various servers/workstations I image. I've also recently found
> >> that a new Dell PowerEdge 700 server with native USB 2.0 will not
> >> image with any USB DOS drivers. I had to install a cheap internal
> >> IDE drive, image to it and then copy the image to the external USB
> >> drive. And from the SBS 2003 interface (Windows 2003), the external
> >> USB drive is found and works perfectly - just not with the DOS USB
> >> drivers.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Merv Porter [SBS MVP]
> >> ===================================
> >>
> >> "billyw" <b@brainless.net> wrote in message
> >> news:eG3XPJxTEHA.3012@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >>> hi...
> >>>
> >>> been trying to ghost sbs2k to external hard drive via USB.
> >>> i've done it once already using same disks and drivers but find
> >>> that on some occassions the external HD isn't detected.
> >>> have tried placing usb in all usb sockets but there doesn't seem to
> >>> be any rhyme or reason.
> >>> any ideas?
> >>>
> >>> btw it's scsi hard drive internally
>
>

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