How to create "restore" CD/DVD
Hi Experts
I install XP on a new system (this can be either home or Pro).
I want to create a bootable DVD (or CD - with hidden partition maybe??) to restore the system as it leaves me.
DVD would be preferable so I dont need access to the hard drive (as with identical builds i can use a restore DVD on many).
What would you recommend to do this?
I do have Ghost (which I know I could use) but does this mean I would have to install it on the initial system? Licencing issues?
If possible - is there an inbuilt tool in Windows to do this?
In summary - if the system goes crazy - I want to be able to tell the user to boot from the DVD and it will recreate the original system.
Please no google links - I can do that - I'm really looking for experience of this.
Thanks
Nick
I install XP on a new system (this can be either home or Pro).
I want to create a bootable DVD (or CD - with hidden partition maybe??) to restore the system as it leaves me.
DVD would be preferable so I dont need access to the hard drive (as with identical builds i can use a restore DVD on many).
What would you recommend to do this?
I do have Ghost (which I know I could use) but does this mean I would have to install it on the initial system? Licencing issues?
If possible - is there an inbuilt tool in Windows to do this?
In summary - if the system goes crazy - I want to be able to tell the user to boot from the DVD and it will recreate the original system.
Please no google links - I can do that - I'm really looking for experience of this.
Thanks
Nick
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Thx for that.
Although primary use is for "personal restore", I would look at using for multiple installs with identical builds - however with components changing almost daily this is not of prime importance.
I will certainly look at your suggestions and let you know.
Thanks again.
Although primary use is for "personal restore", I would look at using for multiple installs with identical builds - however with components changing almost daily this is not of prime importance.
I will certainly look at your suggestions and let you know.
Thanks again.
"If possible - is there an inbuilt tool in Windows to do this?"
Windows backup is the only built in tool, but the XP version LACKS the ability to save to DVD or CD, but Vista can do this. Windows backup can save the system state to a ZIP, floppy or tape drive -- and you must have the system state in order to make a bootable DVD. So NO, windows cannot do it satisfactorily.
So if you have ghost, use it, it can also save the system state. If you use one system to ghost each network drive, you have no licensing issues, it is only used on one system, and one license is fine. Also Acronis True Image can do this, and is more popular than ghost, but then there is another software to buy.
Windows backup is the only built in tool, but the XP version LACKS the ability to save to DVD or CD, but Vista can do this. Windows backup can save the system state to a ZIP, floppy or tape drive -- and you must have the system state in order to make a bootable DVD. So NO, windows cannot do it satisfactorily.
So if you have ghost, use it, it can also save the system state. If you use one system to ghost each network drive, you have no licensing issues, it is only used on one system, and one license is fine. Also Acronis True Image can do this, and is more popular than ghost, but then there is another software to buy.
ASKER
Thx Scratchy.
With the ghost option, when I put the bootable image into the drive - I have to run through several options i.e. chose what I want to do, create an image, clone a drive, restore an image etc.
While I am familiar with ghost and know what I need to do and how to do it, I would be concerned that the end user may not find it that easy.
Maybe there are options that I have missed that make a restoration to original settings automated?
Ideally, I would like to have a simple - "boot from cd > restore to factory settings > are you sure? > [some warning message]> continue".
Can ghost 2003 do this?
Thx again
Nick
With the ghost option, when I put the bootable image into the drive - I have to run through several options i.e. chose what I want to do, create an image, clone a drive, restore an image etc.
While I am familiar with ghost and know what I need to do and how to do it, I would be concerned that the end user may not find it that easy.
Maybe there are options that I have missed that make a restoration to original settings automated?
Ideally, I would like to have a simple - "boot from cd > restore to factory settings > are you sure? > [some warning message]> continue".
Can ghost 2003 do this?
Thx again
Nick
" that the end user may not find it that easy."
That is correct. Ghost is NOT -- repeat NOT -- a product for the dumb end user. In the wrong hands it does nothing or worse than that, causes major failures. The concept of the "image" is too difficult for most easy minded people to even grasp, let alone use correctly.
"Maybe there are options that I have missed that make a restoration to original settings automated?
Ideally, I would like to have a simple - "boot from cd > restore to factory settings > are you sure? > [some warning message]> continue".
Can ghost 2003 do this?"
NO, ghost cannot do it itself, it is a program plagued with "gotchas" along the way. However, with the right knowledge, YOU can create a DVD for each restoration that IS TRULY simple to the end user. But you will have to simplify the interface, you will have to do the backup of the data to the DVD, and you will HAVE to present the simple 2-choice menu to the end user. Ghost CANNOT do this, it is a badly conceived product, designed for techies, without any understanding of the need for a simple restore.
And now that NORTON has taken over the product, you can expect it to get worse and worse. But by the same token, Acronis true image is equally indecipherable to the end user. In short , NONE of these products are made for the dumb end user, they assume high technical knowledge. This is all because --
1. Microsoft has made it a logisitical nightmare to backup ALL of XP including the open registry
2. Backup software today has got hold of this idiotic idea of an "IMAGE" of the drive. Nothing could be worse, because an "IMAGE" is not natural for people, they want a file by file recovery ability, but none of the major backup vendors are smart enough to realize this. Therefore you are just STUCK with the stupidity that it is impossible for a total neophyte to backup and restore a full XP setup.
That is correct. Ghost is NOT -- repeat NOT -- a product for the dumb end user. In the wrong hands it does nothing or worse than that, causes major failures. The concept of the "image" is too difficult for most easy minded people to even grasp, let alone use correctly.
"Maybe there are options that I have missed that make a restoration to original settings automated?
Ideally, I would like to have a simple - "boot from cd > restore to factory settings > are you sure? > [some warning message]> continue".
Can ghost 2003 do this?"
NO, ghost cannot do it itself, it is a program plagued with "gotchas" along the way. However, with the right knowledge, YOU can create a DVD for each restoration that IS TRULY simple to the end user. But you will have to simplify the interface, you will have to do the backup of the data to the DVD, and you will HAVE to present the simple 2-choice menu to the end user. Ghost CANNOT do this, it is a badly conceived product, designed for techies, without any understanding of the need for a simple restore.
And now that NORTON has taken over the product, you can expect it to get worse and worse. But by the same token, Acronis true image is equally indecipherable to the end user. In short , NONE of these products are made for the dumb end user, they assume high technical knowledge. This is all because --
1. Microsoft has made it a logisitical nightmare to backup ALL of XP including the open registry
2. Backup software today has got hold of this idiotic idea of an "IMAGE" of the drive. Nothing could be worse, because an "IMAGE" is not natural for people, they want a file by file recovery ability, but none of the major backup vendors are smart enough to realize this. Therefore you are just STUCK with the stupidity that it is impossible for a total neophyte to backup and restore a full XP setup.
ASKER
Hehe - I'm going to take a stab here scratchy and guess you are not keen on imaging software!!
"However, with the right knowledge" >> and that in a nutshell is what I seek here.
Would anyone care to enlighten me with said knowledge?
It seems there are straighforward "idiot-proof" offerings, with the likes of Dell, Sony etc.
"However, with the right knowledge" >> and that in a nutshell is what I seek here.
Would anyone care to enlighten me with said knowledge?
It seems there are straighforward "idiot-proof" offerings, with the likes of Dell, Sony etc.
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ASKER
After looking at the links offered, I have still not decided on the way forward. I need to experiment a little more.
Short term, I managed to make a very user friendly recovery cd (using a hidden partition to store the image), with Ghost.
Due to licensing tho, I don think I will continue with this. Most likely go with G4L.
Thanks for advice from both of you. Points split.
Short term, I managed to make a very user friendly recovery cd (using a hidden partition to store the image), with Ghost.
Due to licensing tho, I don think I will continue with this. Most likely go with G4L.
Thanks for advice from both of you. Points split.
There was no mention of linux in your original question, so I dont see how ghost for linux can be relevant to a PC environment, assumed if linux not mentioned. Your pick, but G4L seems irrelevant.
Actually Scrathcy, G4L runs in a live environment, so it does not matter.
Thank you Serious, have a good work.
Thank you Serious, have a good work.
ASKER
I have read this link btw
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21890228/How-to-make-a-restore-DVD.html