Backing up with Norton Ghost

[PT]

I've just ordered a copy of the new Norton Ghost v 12.0

Generally speaking, does Ghost compress the size of the files it backs up?
Specifically:

1. If I back up only several folders of uncompressed data files, how would
the volume taken up on the backup drive compare with the original
uncompressed files?

2. If I do a full system backup, same question.

 

[JS]

I'm using Ghost 10.x and for full partition backups, compression creates a
restore file that is about 40% smaller than the total uncompressed space
used on the partition. I have my compression level set in the middle of the
three compression levels available.

On a folder level I would guess that if the files in the folder were
predominantly text or html files you would see a very good savings in the
resultant backup file size. Executables and binary files would not compress
nearly as much.

Ghost has a feature were you can just extract and restore the files and or
folders you specify from a full system backup.

JS

 

[William B. Lurie]

PT, I can't speak for v 12.0......but I use very happily
and successfully what I believe to be Ghost 10, which came
with Norton System Works 2006 Premier Edition. The compression
which it does is a variable under your control. Their default
compression compresses by about 25%.

It compressed my full 16 GB Main Partition to about 11.5 GB.
WBL

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

PT, I can't speak for v 12.0......but I use very happily
and successfully what I believe to be Ghost 10, which came
with Norton System Works 2006 Premier Edition. The compression
which it does is a variable under your control. Their default
compression compresses by about 25%.

It compressed my full 16 GB Main Partition to about 11.5 GB.

Note however, that it can't be as simple as "by about 25%." How much
compression you *can* get depends greatly on the mix of files you
have. For example, most word processing files can compress a lot, but
..jpg files are already compressed and won't further compress at all.

So, although they may achieve 25% compression on average, some people
may see more and others less.

 

[Lil' Dave]

Note however, that it can't be as simple as "by about 25%." How much
compression you *can* get depends greatly on the mix of files you
have. For example, most word processing files can compress a lot, but
.jpg files are already compressed and won't further compress at all.

So, although they may achieve 25% compression on average, some people
may see more and others less.

And if the swapfile of any substantial size is on that partition and the
hiberfil.sys as well, the compression mentioned by the OP is misleading.
Neither are backed up in an image file.

For example, if you have 1 Gig of ram, default swapfile size is 1.5 Gig
reserved swapfile size. Before I disabled hibernation etc., hiberfil.sys
was over 1 GB on my PC.
Dave

 

[Brian A.]

And if the swapfile of any substantial size is on that partition and the
hiberfil.sys as well, the compression mentioned by the OP is misleading. Neither
are backed up in an image file.

Ghost creates a Sector x Sector image of the entire disk which includes both files
you mention. Also what you call the swap file is known as the page file in NT/XP.

For example, if you have 1 Gig of ram, default swapfile size is 1.5 Gig reserved
swapfile size. Before I disabled hibernation etc., hiberfil.sys was over 1 GB on
my PC.
Dave

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[...winston]

Compression levels vary machine to machine as noted due to the type of files on the machine being imaged.

Here's what Symantec provides..possibly somewhat liberal since its based on an average system.
- None This is the best option if storage space is not an issue. However, if the backup is being saved to a busy network drive, using high compression may be faster than no compression because there is less data to write across the network.
-Standard Uses low compression for a 40% average data compression ratio on recovery points. This is the default.
-Medium Uses medium compression for a 45% average data compression ratio on recovery points.
-High Uses high compression for a 50% average data compression ratio on recovery points. This is usually the slowest method.

Those with large stores of music and graphic files on their root drive(I'm probably not too far off when saying that most like to protect those in many cases more than they protect the o/s) would be better off dedicating a separate partition on the master or slave drive and keep the o/s image separate. Then create a separate image or use a different method for archiving(dvd, external drive etc) graphics and music.

..winston


: On Sat, 16 Jun 2007 19:31:33 -0400, "William B. Lurie"
:
: >PT, I can't speak for v 12.0......but I use very happily
: >and successfully what I believe to be Ghost 10, which came
: >with Norton System Works 2006 Premier Edition. The compression
: >which it does is a variable under your control. Their default
: >compression compresses by about 25%.
: >
: >It compressed my full 16 GB Main Partition to about 11.5 GB.
:
:
: Note however, that it can't be as simple as "by about 25%." How much
: compression you *can* get depends greatly on the mix of files you
: have. For example, most word processing files can compress a lot, but
: .jpg files are already compressed and won't further compress at all.
:
: So, although they may achieve 25% compression on average, some people
: may see more and others less.
:
: --
: Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
: Please Reply to the Newsgroup

 

[...winston]

"The hibernate.sys and pagefile.sys files are intentionally excluded from backups. These files contain temporary files that can take up a large amount of disk space. They are not needed and there will be no negative impact on your computer system after a complete system recovery.

Even though these files appear in recovery points, they are only placeholders. "

....winston


:
: Ghost creates a Sector x Sector image of the entire disk which includes both files
: you mention. Also what you call the swap file is known as the page file in NT/XP.
:
: >
: > For example, if you have 1 Gig of ram, default swapfile size is 1.5 Gig reserved
: > swapfile size. Before I disabled hibernation etc., hiberfil.sys was over 1 GB on
: > my PC.
: > Dave
:
:
: --
:
: Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
: Conflicts start where information lacks.
: http://basconotw.mvps.org/

 

[Poprivet]

Ghost creates a Sector x Sector image of the entire disk which
includes both files you mention. Also what you call the swap file is
known as the page file in NT/XP.

You are confusing a Clone operation vs a backup operation and the images
they create.