When first introduced to Ghost 2003 I was like OMG FINALLY a system recovery tool that I can count on and with so many recovery features. Long time ago I use to use the windows backup utility, but I got burned with that utility with system/data state recovery one too many times failing and then having to perform a full lengthy rebuild. I created the System Repair Disc, but wasn't aware of a System Image Feature built into 7 for full recovery. going to have to check into what hartbeatmr stated with W7 built in image feature. Other partitions can be restored without a reboot. Alternatively, you can boot to a 'recovery disk' which you can create when you first install the software (or to the application disk itself if you have one). You can start the process within the application in the OS and it will then tell you it needs to reboot to finish the process. If you need to restore the system partition, that will need to be done before the OS loads. The best option is a second internal hd if you have one.Ĥ) Images may be created 'in the background' within the OS. For obvious reasons they should not be stored on the same drive you are imaging. Also sometimes before installing new software.ģ) Images may be created on any medium (cd, dvd, external drive, etc). It takes a little longer, but insures a valid image.Ģ) I also create an image before performing any drive level function (ie, changing the size of a partition) or making any significant change to the OS (installing a service pack, upgrading IE, etc). I always enable 'verify image' in the options. I also image my other partitions about once a month. The best free alternative is Macrium Reflect.ġ) I create an image of my system partition once a week to a second hard drive and keep the 2 or 3 most recent images. It is the best of breed, but it isn't free. It also allows you to 'test' various software and be confident that you have a the ability to return to the prior state any time you choose. It is a virtually foolproof way of backing up your system and providing a safe haven in the event of a catastrophe that requires you to blow away your system partition and restore it to a previous state. You can then restore the entire image or any file(s) or folder(s) you choose. It may be of some use to you:ĭisk Imaging software takes a 'snapshot' of your drive as it exists at the time you create the image.

Back in the days of my Windows XP builds Ghost 2003 had my system back up and running from burned CD and DVD's quickly and all I had to do is perform security updates for updates/patches that were released after the burn date of the image.Īdditionally, here's something I put together a while back in response to a question on another forum. I know that I could just use a restore point if the HD remains healthy, but as was the case with this most recent rebuild, the 250GB Hard drive crashed with the clunk of death and all data was lost, so I want to avoid restore points as my only method of restoration.

Recently when I had to rebuild my Windows 7 box I was reminded of how important it is to create a good image set to baseline my machine and save from hours of rebuilding with software installs, security updates, and custom configurations. I am trying to find a suitable replacement to Ghost 2003 that will allow burning of spanned disc's to create a restore set for my highly configured Windows 7 box. Recently I found that my licensed copy of Norton Ghost 2003 does not like Windows 7 32-bit Home Premium. I have seen a number of free Image utilities online, but was curious as to which one is best for Windows 7 which will allow burning a spanned DVD image set?

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