Norton Ghost 9.0 won't activate on XP

[Gene Hora]

This may not be an XP problem but a Symantec one. Received retail box of
Ghost 9.0 from Symantec's online store and installed per instructions (have
WinXP with SP2 & latest update from Microsoft).

Executed program and got activation window. It wouldn't accept the five
4-group digits of the CD serial number that came on the CD sleeve. Spent in
excess of 6 hours over 3 business days trying to get help, many phone
transfers, 2 ID case numbers, and much "passing of the buck." No solutions
or even close. One tech said I should have "6" 4-group numbers, not 5. He
had no solution, gave no help, suggested uninstall Ghost 9.0, install Ghost
2003 (cd came in the package) then reinstall Ghost 9.0. Ghost 9.0 balked
saying 2003 had to be uninstalled first -- back to beginning!

Gave up and asked for a refund of Ghost 9.0 (less shipping, of course) --
will rely on my PowerQuest Drive Image 7.0 My, oh my, Norton, where have you
gone from years ago?

I suggest wait and see if this problem turns up elsewhere. This was an
upgrade, although the package nowhere indicates an upgrade, nor does the
manual or CD -- just the invoice.

 

[Al Smith]

Gave up and asked for a refund of Ghost 9.0 (less shipping, of course) --

will rely on my PowerQuest Drive Image 7.0 My, oh my, Norton, where have you
gone from years ago?

Which begs the obvious question, if you already had Drive Image 7,
a product made specifically to run on Windows XP, and superior to
any version of Ghost, why would you buy Ghost 9?

 

[CS]

Which begs the obvious question, if you already had Drive Image 7,
a product made specifically to run on Windows XP, and superior to
any version of Ghost, why would you buy Ghost 9?

Good question.... but why anyone is buying anything from Symantec is
probably a better question. At least Mr. Hora had sense enough to get
a refund. Recommend anyone wanting a good imaging program take a look
at True Image from Acronis. www.acronis.com No activation, no .NET
Framework required, and supports a wider range of external devices
than Drive Image 7 or Ghost 2003.

 

[Gene Hora]

Have to give you the point. My reasoning was that with PowerQuest out of
the picture, best support would rest with Symantec's product which hopefully
would enhance at least in some areas the PowerQuest product. I admit to
poor reasoning.

 

[Greg R]

Which begs the obvious question, if you already had Drive Image 7,
a product made specifically to run on Windows XP, and superior to
any version of Ghost, why would you buy Ghost 9?

I like ghost 2003. (I think you can still find it on the web for
sale. Look for System Works Pro it cheaper and includes 2003 ghost.
There is also a system work 2003 that does NOT include ghost

I think Symantec should of not bought Drive image and ruined both
products

Greg R

 

[Savannah]

I'm having the same exact problem activating. The only box after
entering the serial number is "Later". I've sent off 2 messages to
Symantec "customer service" but....of course...no reply. I'm also
using Windows XP SP2 and uninstalled Ghost 2003 before installing
Ghost 9.0.
I do have to say that I like 9.0 better than 2003. I created a Ghost
image of my entire hard drive with both versions using an external DVD
burner (USB 2.0). It took over 5 hours using 2003 to back it up and
approx. 1 hour using 9.0. I'd hate to get rid of 9.0 but unless
Symanted addresses the problem I won't be able to use it again after
28 more days. UGH

 

[ststeve]

I'm in the same boat. Two days ago Ghost 9.0 was not available as a
download on symantec.com, yesterday it was. I downloaded it, burned
the image to a CD and installed it.

Now when I run the program it wants a serial number "from the CD
sleeve, DVD case, or download instructions." I sure don't remember
any serial number as part of the download instructions, and one was
not included in the email order confirmation.

Hopefully I'll get a response to one of my emails to customer service.
Until then I'd put off purchasing this product if I were you!

 

[CS]

On 14 Sep 2004 18:32:51 -0700, (e-mail address removed) (ststeve) wrote:

I'm assuming you paid by credit card. If Symantec gives you the run
around, just cancel the credit with your credit card company. After
all, you really did not receive the product did you? And after you
cancel the credit, go to www.acronis.com and purchase a REAL imaging
program which works, does not need activation, nor the bloated .NET
Framework.

 

[Savannah]

Many people are having problems with Ghost 9.0's serial number not
"unlocking" Ghost. It seems the serial
number on the disk sleeves are not valid. Someone posted the phone
number on another board with his successful
experience getting a new serial number.
You call 800-745-6052, hit 1 for Ghost 2003 (there is no option for
Ghost 9.0 yet) support and they give you a valid
serial number (after a bit and supervisor consultation). Enter that
and the [Unlock Now] button activates.
You'll probably end up talking to someone from India so be patient
with the language barrier.
I was on the phone on hold about 3 minutes and another 5 minutes
explaining my situation
and getting a new serial number. Not too bad.
Hope that helps those of you in the same boat.

 

[ststeve]

Here's the latest on my story. Customer service got back to me with:

"The Activation Key for your Norton downloaded product is unavailable
and you will need to refund this order and place a new order to
receive an
Activation Key. We apologize for any inconvenience in this matter, and
appreciate your patience."

So I go ahead and do the request for refund crap. I then try to
re-purchase it from the online store and see that it's no longer
available as a download purchase, and is backordered for physical
shipment.

Sounds like they got a bit ahead of themselves huh? Customer service
should have explained that I would not be able to re-purchase it via
download right away because of this very problem. Instead they
boiler-plated instructions on how to use the online store! Thanks so
much... Hell, I was the guy who found THEIR screwup, and now they are
explaining to me how to order online?

I'm beginning to see where others got their bad attitude about
Symantec.

 

[CS]

Here's the latest on my story. Customer service got back to me with:

"The Activation Key for your Norton downloaded product is unavailable
and you will need to refund this order and place a new order to
receive an
Activation Key. We apologize for any inconvenience in this matter, and
appreciate your patience."

So I go ahead and do the request for refund crap. I then try to
re-purchase it from the online store and see that it's no longer
available as a download purchase, and is backordered for physical
shipment.

Sounds like they got a bit ahead of themselves huh? Customer service
should have explained that I would not be able to re-purchase it via
download right away because of this very problem. Instead they
boiler-plated instructions on how to use the online store! Thanks so
much... Hell, I was the guy who found THEIR screwup, and now they are
explaining to me how to order online?

I'm beginning to see where others got their bad attitude about
Symantec.

Like I said.... Go to www.acronis.com and purchase a REAL imaging
program and forget about anything Symantec has to offer.

 

[Newshound]

Savannah & Gene Hora:

I had exactly the same problem. What a pisser after finally receiving Ghost
9.0 on 9/13 !

I read your posts. I uninstalled System Works 2003 (taking down NAV 2003
with it) and Ghost 2003.

I then even spent a half hour running Symantec's uninstall cleanup utilities
(RNAV2003.exe and SYMCLN.exe) PLUS I hunted down all the files folders and
registry strings listed in Symantec's Knowledge Base manual removal
instructions and did away with them....

No Joy. $#)(%&*#%*(&$ !!!

My Solution (for now): I Alta Vista'ed "Ghost 9.0" NEAR activat and
proceeded to pursue a number of hits, MOSTLY AT CRACKS/WAREZ, sites that
listed activation numbers to replace your bogus ones issued by Symantec. I
picked two for good measure, wrote them both down and typed one into my
LEGAL Ghost 9.0 activation dialog and the friggin' "Unlock Now" button lit
right up ! LOL...

If Symantec can't support their own hot off the press, legally purchased
program and I can't hit the ground running with it straight out of the box
by other than totally legitimate means -- which I feel absolutely no
compunction about -- my days as a loyal client of theirs are definitely
numbered.

Proceed at your own risk.

 

[ststeve]

Now I read that if I'm patient on the phone with India they will give
me a serial number. This of course contradicts the e-mail response I
recieved (see other thread). Also no mention that the 800-745-6052
number is for PAID phone support at $29.95 per incident . Was the fee
waived since the problem is Symantec's? I spent $70+ to purchase the
software and then I'm going to put another $30 on the line because
Symantec screwed up? I think not.

If Symantec wants to set this right they simply have to send valid
serial numbers to those who purchased online. Simple, quick, and
easy.

Do it today Symantec.

 

[Peter A. Stavrakoglou]

On 15 Sep 2004 15:37:11 -0700, (e-mail address removed) (ststeve) wrote:

Like I said.... Go to www.acronis.com and purchase a REAL imaging
program and forget about anything Symantec has to offer.

Ghost 9 is not a true Symantec product, it is PowerQuest's Drive
Image. PowerQuest was purchased by Symantec. I've used Drive Image
and have had no problems. I've not used Ghost or Acronis' software so
I won't comment on those.

 

[CS]

Ghost 9 is not a true Symantec product, it is PowerQuest's Drive
Image. PowerQuest was purchased by Symantec. I've used Drive Image
and have had no problems. I've not used Ghost or Acronis' software so
I won't comment on those.

Whatever Symantec touches, they screw up. Powerquest's Drive Image
7.0 had problems even before Symantec got hold of it and now with the
"super" Symantec programmers and support personnel on the job, it's
even worse. And then they added their brain dead activation scheme to
it to make things even more difficult for unsuspecting customers.

As for True Image 8.0 from Acronis, you can download an evaluation
copy from them and give it a try. Like a breath of fresh air compared
to DI 7.0 or Ghost 9.0.

 

[Savannah]

Gene, I just got off the phone with Symantec support. After
explaining the situation and getting through a slight language
barrier, the gentleman came back on the phone and gave me a new Serial
Number. It's finally unlocked! The support person didn't ask me if I
had talked to anyone else, so I think my situation went a bit smoother
than the person (Jim) who sent you the phone number.

Savannah

 

[a nonny mouse]

This may not be an XP problem but a Symantec one. Received retail box of
Ghost 9.0 from Symantec's online store and installed per instructions
(have WinXP with SP2 & latest update from Microsoft).

Same problem. I ordered it directly from symantec. The activation number
is 5 sets of 4 alpha/numerics with hyphens.
The activation screen will not take any more, so the total number is right.
The activate button remains grayed-out. I tried changing a few characters,
but nothing happened.
I emailed Symantec using their webform.
From what I read here, their tech support is a bunch of idiots, as is most
everyone else's these days.
I did call their 800 number, and after several hours of waiting I got
someone who couldn't even understand my name. I told her that after
waiting several hours I expected someone who spoke Engish and that if she
had a problem with my name she would be completely useless to solve my
problem. I then warned her that I was going to hang up on her, which I
then did. The Symantec voice mail menu itself was almost useless.

I am going to write to Symantec about this phone incident and the problem
I am having with Ghost 9. I will also stop payment on my credit card if
this is not resolved in a few days via email. Let them chase me for the
money or the returned product. I will not return a defective product and
pay a restocking charge or have to pay the shipping either.
I was a loyal Symantec supporter, but I think I am going to give up with
them.

Maybe I can hack the s/n, but I suspect from what I read here, that they
have a big problem on their hands.
My version was an upgrade, and on the invoice under Activation Key, it
reads "not serialized." What a tragedy of errors.

 

[a nonny mouse]

Savannah & Gene Hora:

I had exactly the same problem. What a pisser after finally receiving
Ghost 9.0 on 9/13 !

I read your posts. I uninstalled System Works 2003 (taking down NAV 2003
with it) and Ghost 2003.

I then even spent a half hour running Symantec's uninstall cleanup
utilities (RNAV2003.exe and SYMCLN.exe) PLUS I hunted down all the files
folders and registry strings listed in Symantec's Knowledge Base manual
removal instructions and did away with them....

No Joy. $#)(%&*#%*(&$ !!!

My Solution (for now): I Alta Vista'ed "Ghost 9.0" NEAR activat and
proceeded to pursue a number of hits, MOSTLY AT CRACKS/WAREZ, sites that
listed activation numbers to replace your bogus ones issued by Symantec.
I picked two for good measure, wrote them both down and typed one into my
LEGAL Ghost 9.0 activation dialog and the friggin' "Unlock Now" button lit
right up ! LOL...

If Symantec can't support their own hot off the press, legally purchased
program and I can't hit the ground running with it straight out of the box
by other than totally legitimate means -- which I feel absolutely no
compunction about -- my days as a loyal client of theirs are definitely
numbered.

I did the same thing and unlocked it. No guilt whatsoever.
What a nutty world we live in when it is easier to get a "legal" key this
way than to get hold of Symantec via email or on the phone. (I called them
for a second time, after first getting a non-English speaking lady after
several hours on hold) and once again I am on hold - been on hold for over
an hour). I wonder when I do an online registration if they will notice
anything odd about the key? Or I wonder if I can reactivate it if Symantec
gives me another working key - that is if they do.

 

[Greg R]

This is what happen when you create products that require activation.

Symantec does not charge (Or at least they didn’t) a restocking fee.

 

[Gene Hora]

They don't require return of the product if it was purchased at their online
store. Only requirement is to complete a "LOD" (Letter of Destruction) that
can be obtained online or mailed to you. Of course, one must destroy the
documents/CDs. Then a refund or credit as appropriate will be issued to the
customer.