Vista-compatible image-hard-disk software

[Test Man]

At the mo at work, we currently use a boot disc with Ghost 2003 on to
generate images of various OSes, so we can easily restore whatever OS we
want to the PCs. However, it seems that we have a slight problem with
Windows Vista, in that if we back it up, then subsequently repartition the
disc, putting Vista back generates an error on startup (even if it's in a
partition identical in size to the one Vista was in prior to being backed
up).

So... does anyone know of any imaging software (that is initialised with a
boot disc) that will work with Vista partitions (even if the machine is
thoroughly cleaned down prior to restoring it)? Already tried Paragon Drive
Backup 8.5, but it's waaaaaay too slow to back up stuff.

 

[Annie R J Brion]

At the mo at work, we currently use a boot disc with Ghost 2003 on to
generate images of various OSes, so we can easily restore whatever OS we
want to the PCs. However, it seems that we have a slight problem with
Windows Vista, in that if we back it up, then subsequently repartition
the disc, putting Vista back generates an error on startup (even if it's
in a partition identical in size to the one Vista was in prior to being
backed up).

So... does anyone know of any imaging software (that is initialised with
a boot disc) that will work with Vista partitions (even if the machine
is thoroughly cleaned down prior to restoring it)? Already tried
Paragon Drive Backup 8.5, but it's waaaaaay too slow to back up stuff.

Acronis TrueImage 10

 

[Guest]

I believe that this is an issue of using an incompatible program within
Vista. 2 solutions come to mind:

1) Acronis True Image v10 (it's Vista compatible)
2) Run the image software from the restore CD. This generally loads the
software in a compatible OS (such as DOS) so that you can run the tools
properly. CAVEAT: I have not tried to restore using this method, so it
should be considered speculation at this point!!!

- John

 

[Test Man]

The Ghost 2003 application I'm talking about is the boot CD version, not the
application installed within Vista.

Basically I maintain clean installs of various Windows OS so installing any
applications within Windows to do backups is a non starter. So I only use
boot CDs to image the installations. Ghost 2003 (DOS boot disc) is
compatible with everything, but with Vista installations it seems to result
in Vista complaining that c:\windows\system32\winload.exe is either missing
or corrupt. This ONLY happens if we clean the hard disk using a Maxtor boot
disc and repartition the disc (with the same partition sizes as before) with
Ranish Partition Manager, it doesn't happen if we put XP on the partition
then later on restore Vista back in the same partition, for example.

I can only surmise that it's either Ranish Partition Manager or Ghost 2003
that is at fault.

 

[Kerry Brown]

You are really going to a lot of extra work. Why not just restore the images
with Ghost using Ghost to create the partitions? I haven't used Ghost in a
while as I switched to Acronis products but if I remember right you can
specify to create partitions during the restore process. If it still doesn't
work then the problem is Ghost.

 

[Test Man]

Ghost 2003's boot disc does not allow you to create partitions, hence the
use of an external boot disc partition manager.

Whatever Ghost is backing up, it doesn't seem to back up information (maybe
extra boot sector info) that will allow Vista to boot successfully. Ghost
10 (latest to date)'s boot disc doesn't allow you to create images so that's
out.

 

[Test Man]

Excellent suggestion, that seems to have done the job! I will continue some
tests, but it seems that Acronis works with Vista partitions. It backs up
the MBR & Track 0 as well as the data. Presumably Vista doesn't load if
this information is different to what it expects so this needs to be
restored.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Ghost 2003's boot disc does not allow you to create partitions, hence the
use of an external boot disc partition manager.

Whatever Ghost is backing up, it doesn't seem to back up information
(maybe extra boot sector info) that will allow Vista to boot successfully.
Ghost 10 (latest to date)'s boot disc doesn't allow you to create images
so that's out.

That's just one of the reasons I switched to Acronis products. I suspect
you're right about the reason for Ghost 2003 not working.

 

[Test Man]

Tried Acronis True Image 10 and it worked. Seems it backs up the MBR and
"Track 0" as well as the files, which both needs to be restored for Vista to
work.

Presumably (after you have re-partitioned the drive) Vista baulks with the
"c:\windows\system32\winload.exe is either missing or corrupt" error because
it is expecting certain info in the MBR and Track 0, which will be either
missing or different when you repartition.

 

[Shidewa]

Test Man a écrit :

Tried Acronis True Image 10 and it worked. Seems it backs up the MBR
and "Track 0" as well as the files, which both needs to be restored for
Vista to work.

Presumably (after you have re-partitioned the drive) Vista baulks with
the "c:\windows\system32\winload.exe is either missing or corrupt" error
because it is expecting certain info in the MBR and Track 0, which will
be either missing or different when you repartition.

If you what to do images of HDD with Vista you have to purshase the
Ghost Solution Suite 2.0 with contain the ghost32.exe version 11. Than
you have to do a bootable WinPE cd that contain the ghost32.exe version
11. That what I use now to do my hdd image with Vista.

Shidewa

 

[Kerry Brown]

You could probably fix this by booting from the Vista DVD and manually
creating the boot sector or by running the Startup Repair a couple of times.
It's easier to use a Vista compatible imaging program

 

[Test Man]

Yeah that's what we're currently doing (using the Vista DVD to repair after
using Ghost 2003 to restore Vista), it's just that considering everything
else works without having to take out the Vista DVD, I'd rather we'd just
update our imaging software.

 

[Test Man]

Thanks, I'll check that out and see if it's any good.

 

[Glenn Shaw]

Excellent suggestion, that seems to have done the job! I will
continue some tests, but it seems that Acronis works with Vista
partitions. It backs up the MBR & Track 0 as well as the data.
Presumably Vista doesn't load if this information is different to what
it expects so this needs to be restored.

For those who are tinkering with Linux distros, Acronis will even detect
and image volumes and partitions formatted for Linux file systems, like
ext2 and ext3, making it a good backup tool for those with dual-boot or
multi-boot systems.

For example, I have two internal hard drives in my system, one with Windows
Vista Ultimate and the other with Ubuntu. Vista can't see the ext3-
formatted Ubuntu volume (at least, not without third-party drivers), but
Acronis can.

 

[Glenn Shaw]

I believe that this is an issue of using an incompatible program
within Vista. 2 solutions come to mind:

1) Acronis True Image v10 (it's Vista compatible)
2) Run the image software from the restore CD. This generally loads
the software in a compatible OS (such as DOS) so that you can run the
tools properly. CAVEAT: I have not tried to restore using this
method, so it should be considered speculation at this point!!!

I have, on two separate occasions, and Acronis worked as advertised both
times, restoring my Vista Ultimate installation to good working order.

In fact, on one occasion where I somehow managed to accidentally blow out
the Vista MBR, I was able to use the Acronis restore CD to mount the
afflicted boot disc and safely copy key data files to an external hard
drive, so I could safely reformat the boot drive and reinstall Vista
without having to sacrifice the data files.

 

[Test Man]

Another recommendation for Acronis. I'm impressed. It did the job when I
tried it today so I'll be going with that. PC Pro and Computer Shopper have
given it glowing reviews too. I would have stuck with Ghost (10 is newer
than 2003 version we have) but the Boot Disc doesn't seem to allow creation
of images (which really is silly).