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Ghost 14 is an online softare backup program that runs while Windows XP or Vista are running. &nbsp;If there is a total disk failure, you shut down the pc, replace the hard drive, boot from the Ghost 14 emergency CD, and restore your backup image. &nbsp;Most people store their backup image files on an external usb2 hard drive. &nbsp; &nbsp;There can be several compications during an emergency restore (such as multiple partitions, etc.) which can require a tech support specialist familiar with the process and software.<br />
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Here's some details:<br />
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Overview:<br />
<a href="http://www.symantec.com/norton/ghost" rel="ugc nofollow">http://www.symantec.com/norton/ghost</a><br />
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User Manual:<br />
<a href="ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/products/ghost/14/manuals/ngh_14_user_guide.pdf" rel="ugc">ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/products/ghost/14/manuals/ngh_14_user_guide.pdf</a><br />

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Thank you for your response. &nbsp;However, &nbsp;I understand how Ghost is supposed to work. &nbsp;I'd like more details about how it actually works so I can have confidence in using it for my customers. &nbsp;For example: &nbsp;Does Ghost work properly with ANY application installed on an XPP computer? &nbsp; Unfortunately, Norton's front line technical support for Ghost isn't able to provide much information beyond what's in the installation guide (which isn't much!)
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&gt;&gt; &nbsp;Does Ghost work properly with ANY application installed on an XPP computer?<br />
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I don't know of any restrictions. &nbsp;Personally when I take a full image backup, I don't surf the Internet, or use Word, Excel, etc., but Ghost is supposed to track changes to sectors during the backup process.<br />
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I think there is a 60 day satisfaction return policy (I think it's 60 days), so you can try it out yourself with your specific application.
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There's also a free 30 day trial (some functions disabled during the trial):<br />
<a href="http://shop.symantecstore.com/store/symnahho/en_US/ContentTheme/ThemeID.106300/pbPage.Trialware_en_US" rel="ugc">http://shop.symantecstore.com/store/symnahho/en_US/ContentTheme/ThemeID.106300/pbPage.Trialware_en_US</a><br />
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What application are you concerned with?
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I understand that Ghost leans on Volume Shadow Service but how do I know, without lengthy testing, that any particular computer I encounter will recover properly with the Ghost restoration process? &nbsp;Rolling the dice on my customer's data isn't an option. &nbsp;Blind faith in Ghost, or any software package, isn't a smart option. &nbsp;<br />
Looks like I have my answer: &nbsp;Install, update, configure, and execute the Ghost and then swap the hard drive, restore, and test, test, test. &nbsp;Anyone have a better idea??
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The answer corroborates my suspicion that the only real solution to proving that a hot image will restore properly is to invest the time to test a full recovery.
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&gt;&gt; the only real solution to proving that a hot image will restore properly is to invest the time to test a full recovery.<br />
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The same applies to a cold image. &nbsp;Only way to prove it is valid is to invest the time and test a full recovery of the image.<br />
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The main reason for a &quot;test restore&quot; is also to validate that the recovery boot cd recognizes your external usb2 hard drive or dvds and works properly.<br />
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Thanks for comments, and good luck!
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Does Ghost 14 require any support from applications to work properly? &nbsp;I'm proposing Ghost for a customer's backup solution. &nbsp;I want to understand how Ghost works with live data so that I can be confident of its ability to restore data with integrity. &nbsp;Is there any documentation that explains the process in detail?
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Does Ghost 14 require any support from applications to work properly?  I'm proposing Ghost for a customer's backup solution.  I want to understand how Ghost works with live data so that I can be confident of its ability to restore data with integrity.  Is there any documentation that explains the process in detail?

Norton Ghost v14 and application support

The term "Backup" means the methods and processes involved to copy computer data (system data as well as application data) to media other than the ones where the data originally live (disk, tape, optical, cloud). "Restore" in turn means the methods and processes involved in data recovery, i. e., bringing back copied computer data to their original location. Backup/Restore primarily serves as a means of protection against data loss, be it due to disaster, corruption or sabotage. It can also be used for recovering data from an earlier point in time and even for cloning machines or applications. There is a wide variety of backup/restore software available, from expensive commercial products to free or open source tools.