Re: 2 Hard Drives... 2 Perect Bootable Copies...
From: Art (noonehere_at_longone.net)
Date: 10/20/04
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Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2004 18:39:59 -0400
> "Art" <noonehere@longone.net> wrote in message
> news:<uQ4dixFtEHA.2072@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>...
>> > "Buford T. Justice" <???@msn.com> wrote in message
>> > news:2tdih8F1trnpdU1@uni-berlin.de...
>> >>I have a computer with 2 completely identical 200 GB Western Digital
>> >>hard
>> >>drives. Windows XP is installed on the PRIMARY MASTER which is C:\.
>> >>The
>> >>other hard drive is the PRIMARY SLAVE and is D:\. It also has nothing
>> >>on
>> >>it. Both are partitioned and formatted identically with NTFS.
>> >>
>> >> I want to do one of the following...
>> >>
>> >> 1) Find a free, extremely easy to use program for Windows XP that will
>> >> make a PERFECT copy of C:\ to D:\ and make D:\ bootable in case I mess
>> >> up
>> >> something on C:\. This way I can still have Windows XP from my last
>> >> 'backup' to D:\. I would then want to run the 'backup' in reverse
>> >> from
>> >> D:\ to C:\ in order to fix C:\. I realize the 'new' C:\ would be the
>> >> same as D:\ which is what I want.
>> >>
>> >> 2) Find a free, extremely easy to use program that uses something like
>> >> Caldera DR DOS to boot from a floppy and will automatically make a
>> >> perfect, bootable copy of C:\ to D:\ and can be reversible if I mess
>> >> up
>> >> C:\.
>> >>
>> >> Is any of the above possible? I realize with both of the above that I
>> >> would have to jump D:\ as the PRIMARY MASTER so it is seen as C:\ to
>> >> use
>> >> it in case I mess up something on the original C:\ to restore my
>> >> 'backup'. With both, I want it to preserve file & folder dates,
>> >> directory
>> >> structures, etc.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks In Advance,
>> >> BTJustice
>> >
>>
>> "Art" <noonehere@longone.net> wrote in message
>> news:e9m1zA9sEHA.3788@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>> > Buford:
>> > What I think you're looking for is a disk imaging program which, in
>> > effect, will clone one hard drive to another. And by doing so you'll
>> > create a virtual duplicates of the two drives.
>>
>> > The program I use is Symantec's Norton Ghost 2003. There are other disk
>> > imaging programs on the market that are similar in objective to the
>> > Ghost
>> > program and no doubt you'll receive responses to your query touting
>> > this
>> > or that program. Since I'm familiar with the Ghost program, I'll
>> > confine
>> > my remarks to that program.
>> >
>> > While you can use Ghost's Windows interface to perform the clone, I
>> > prefer
>> > to use a bootable floppy for this operation. I take it this is your
>> > preference as well. The bootable floppy is easily and quickly created
>> > from
>> > the Ghost program...
>> >
>> > WHOOPS! I just realized you're seeking a "free" program, so that let's
>> > Ghost out. I have to add though, that I find it mildly amusing that
>> > here
>> > you want to back up your hard drive on a daily basis -- an area which I
>> > think we all admit is of critical, even vital importance in today's
>> > computing world -- and one of your requirements is that the program be
>> > free. Good luck in your search.
>> >
>> > Art
>>
>> Buford responds...
>> Art,
>>
>> Does Norton Ghost make a clone of a Windows XP drive to another and the
>> clone will boot? If it does, then Norton Ghost is probably what I need.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> BTJustice
>>
>> Hi again Buford:
>> I take it from your latest response that you are now agreeable to
>> purchasing
>> a program should it satisfactorily perform the function in which you're
>> interested. Symantec's Norton Ghost 2003 version is included in
>> Symantec's
>> Norton SystemWorks 2003 Professional Edition (I assume it's also included
>> in
>> any subsequent editions of that program). You can purchase the NSW2003PE
>> for
>> as little as $19 (includes shipping charge) from
>> http://www.softwarenevada.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=5205.
>> No doubt there are other online sources that are just as cheap. I'm not
>> interested in any of the other programs included with the SystemWorks
>> application, so I "siphon out" only the Ghost program. If you go that
>> route
>> and need instructions on how to do this, let me know and I'll be glad to
>> furnish them. (Strangely enough, it's quite common to find that it's
>> cheaper
>> to obtain Ghost 2003 this way rather than purchasing a standalone copy of
>> the program. BTW, the latest version of Ghost is Ghost 9, however, as
>> best
>> as I can determine, the basic program is unchanged.)
>>
>> There are a number of disk imaging programs available that are similar to
>> Ghost and no doubt would meet your requirements. However, since virtually
>> all my experience has been with the Ghost program, I'll confine my
>> remarks
>> to that particular program. Incidentally, you can also use the disk
>> cloning
>> utility that nearly every hard drive manufacturer includes with the
>> retail,
>> boxed versions of their hard drives (or you can obtain a copy of the
>> utility
>> from the manufacturer's website). Using that utility is a viable
>> alternative to a disk imaging program such as Ghost when it's a one-time
>> affair that you'll be cloning one hard drive to another. But because
>> these
>> utilities are so glacially slow to perform the cloning operation, it's
>> really not suited for routine cloning of your system for day-to-day
>> backup
>> purposes, such as is your objective.
>>
>> While you can use Ghost's Windows interface to perform the cloning
>> operation, I prefer to use a Ghost bootable floppy disk to undertake this
>> operation. I prefer the simplicity and portability aspects of the floppy
>> disk which is easily created from within the Ghost program. The cloning
>> operation is simple, straightforward, and most important of all --
>> effective. With both drives connected, you boot up with the Ghost floppy
>> and
>> a half-dozen or so keyclicks later as you go though Ghost's informative
>> screens, the cloning process begins. The cloning speed depends primarily
>> upon the speed of your processor. With a modern, reasonably high-speed
>> processor your cloning speed will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 800
>> MB/min to 1.5 GB/min. The nice thing about this is that once the cloning
>> process begins, you need not be in attendance.
>>
>> So when you clone a hard drive, you're (in effect) creating a bit-for-bit
>> copy of your source disk, including your operating system, your
>> registry/configuration settings, your programs, your data files -- in
>> short,
>> everything that's on your source disk. A true backup of your system. And
>> assuming you're cloning to an internal hard drive, as you intend, that
>> drive
>> will be bootable. Should the need arise, you can clone back to your
>> original
>> drive should you need to restore that drive at some future time.
>>
>> May I also suggest that if feasible, now that you have two hard drives,
>> that
>> you consider equipping your desktop computer with two removable hard
>> drive
>> mobile racks to house your hard drives. You will need two available 5
>> 1/4"
>> bays in your computer case to accommodate the mobile racks. The
>> advantages
>> of this hardware configuration are enormous. The flexibility and peace of
>> mind this arrangement gives you will make the added cost of so equipping
>> your desktop computer pale into insignificance. I can virtually guarantee
>> that once you begin working with two removable hard drives, your only
>> regret
>> it that you didn't previously configure your computer with this
>> arrangement.
>> I won't go into the details here, but if you, or anyone else would like
>> more
>> info on this configuration, let me know.
>>
>> Art
QUERY FROM MARIO...
"Mario" <mason_wk08@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:901ed250.0410201055.3d38673c@posting.google.com...
> Art,
>
> Turns out that I want to do the same as Buford, and I intend to use
> Ghost 9.0 to do it. I read your directions and have some questions.
> First, can the image be updated daily on an automatic basis, or must I
> go through the process you describe of using a bootable disk, and
> instructing ghost to make an image manually from dos. For that
> matter, can the image be made through windows.
>
> Second, I am really only likely to need the backup in the case of a
> catastrophe (i.e. Loss of HD C:) Then, would I be able to simple open
> the box up, unplug the burned out C: drive, plug in the imaged d:
> drive, thereby making it the new c:, and boot up. Then just go out
> and buy a new HD and start the whole process over. Does this make
> sense, and is it possible with Ghost 9.0? If not, do you know of any
> other program that will do this? thanks
>
> Mario
RESPONSE FROM RICHARD URBAN...
That is entirely possible with Ghost 9.0.
I got it when it was introduced. My settings = create a "base" image every
Sunday at 1900 hours. Then create an automatic, incremental image every
Mon - Tue - Wed - Thu - Fri - Sat, also at 1900 hours. I have it set to keep
the last 2 weeks worth. You can set it for what you want.
Regards:
Richard Urban
aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard :-)
Mario:
You can do precisely what you want to do with Ghost. As I previously
mentioned, I work with Symantec's Norton Ghost 2003 version. I've no
experience with Ghost 9, however, I'm under the impression that program
contains the Ghost 2003 version, since Ghost 9 is designed to work
exclusively with Windows XP and Ghost 2003 is compatible with Windows 98/Me
as well as XP. So whatever information I provide you is based upon my
experience with the Ghost 2003 version. If anyone has experience with both
programs, I would be grateful to learn of any significant differences
between them in terms of the disk-to-disk cloning process.
You can clone your hard drives on a daily basis using the same Ghost
bootable floppy disk. You do not create a new floppy each time you clone the
drives. The cloning process itself is as simple and straightforward as I've
previously described. As I've remarked time & time again to anyone willing
to listen to me -- I wish every piece of software I use (and will use) would
be as easy to use as Ghost and just as effective.
You do have the option of cloning your hard drives using Ghost's Windows
interface. I rarely use this option for the reasons I previously stated, in
that the simplicity of using a bootable floppy and its portability aspects
(you can use it on various machines without the Ghost program being
installed) are more appealing to me than using the Windows GUI. However, I
do know many users of Ghost prefer the Windows interface. Try it both ways
and see which one suits you better.
In response to the last part of your question, you can indeed do what you
propose. In a sense, that's the real purpose of Ghost and similar disk
imaging programs. By having a clone of your day-to-day working hard drive,
you create a near-failsafe backup system. So when the time comes (and it
will, rest assured) that your working hard drive fails because of some
mechanical/electronic defect and you can no longer access it, it's a
wonderful feeling to know that you have a perfectly good clone of that
drive. And as you state, you can then purchase a new hard drive and clone
your current drive to the new one, with, I might add, the added benefit of
not having to partition and format the new drive prior to the cloning
operation. The cloning operation will take care of that.
And consider the more likely scenario where your working hard drive becomes
so corrupt because of some virus or malware or whatever that it either can
no longer can be productively accessed or you'll be spending God-knows-how
many-frustrating-hours trying to remedy the situation. (Just peruse this
newsgroup!). Once again, a wonderful feeling to know that you have a perfect
clone at hand that will get you back and running in a short time. And then
you can clone that drive to the corrupt one and once again you have two good
drives.
Re Richard Urban's suggestion about making incremental backups using the
Ghost program. It's something to consider. I, myself don't use that
procedure, preferring to make full backups (cloning the entire disk) as
needed. The speed with which Ghost performs the disk-to-disk cloning
operation (see my previous comments above) is adequate for my needs.
Obviously how often you'll clone your hard drive(s) will depend on the value
you place on your programs & data. Richard might wish to provide more
details as to the specific process he follows to undertake his incremental
backups.
Mario, assuming it's feasible, you might also wish to consider equipping
your computer with two removable hard drives as I previously suggested (see
my previous posting - last paragraph above). When used with the cloning
operation, it's an unbeatable combination.
If you desire step-by-step instructions re the cloning operation using the
bootable Ghost 2003 floppy disk, I'll be glad to post them.
Art
- Next message: Norma: "Re: Problem Scanning"
- Previous message: Rock: "Re: deleting from the add/remove program"
- Maybe in reply to: Buford T. Justice: "2 Hard Drives... 2 Perect Bootable Copies..."
- Next in thread: Richard Urban: "Re: 2 Hard Drives... 2 Perect Bootable Copies..."
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ]
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