Windows backup or Norton Ghost

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Rick Voland - 30 May 2006 15:13 GMT

I have a user that has a laptop with Windows XP Pro and I need to put a new
hard drive in it. Can Windows backup be used to backup the entire C: drive
to tape and restore to a new hard drive? Will it backup all the files
including open files? Should I use Norton Ghost instead? The laptop does
not have a floppy, but does have a CD-RW drive.

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Ted Zieglar - 30 May 2006 15:24 GMT

To clone a disk requires imaging software. Ghost is an example of imaging
software, but there are other choices as well.

Note that you can only clone a disk to the same computer or one that has
identical hardware.

Signature

Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

> I have a user that has a laptop with Windows XP Pro and I need to put a new
> hard drive in it. Can Windows backup be used to backup the entire C: drive
> to tape and restore to a new hard drive? Will it backup all the files
> including open files? Should I use Norton Ghost instead? The laptop does
> not have a floppy, but does have a CD-RW drive.

Reply to this Message

Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User - 30 May 2006 16:05 GMT

Use Acronis TrueImage (30 day full trial) or Norton Ghost..

Signature

Mike Hall
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

>I have a user that has a laptop with Windows XP Pro and I need to put a new
> hard drive in it. Can Windows backup be used to backup the entire C:
> drive
> to tape and restore to a new hard drive? Will it backup all the files
> including open files? Should I use Norton Ghost instead? The laptop does
> not have a floppy, but does have a CD-RW drive.

Reply to this Message

Ted Zieglar - 30 May 2006 16:08 GMT

Mike:

FYI - True Image is now on a 15-day leash. Personally, I was hooked after
the third day ;-)

Signature

Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

> Use Acronis TrueImage (30 day full trial) or Norton Ghost..
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> > including open files? Should I use Norton Ghost instead? The laptop does
> > not have a floppy, but does have a CD-RW drive.

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Rick Voland - 30 May 2006 16:38 GMT

Thanks for your replies. I have not heard of TrueImage before. I will take
a look at it. How does TrueImage compare to Norton Ghost? I am familiar
with using Ghost so I would feel more comfortable with it. There is also
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite I am looking into, but I think the minimum
number of licenses you can purchase is 10.

> Mike:
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> does
> > > not have a floppy, but does have a CD-RW drive.

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Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User - 30 May 2006 17:46 GMT

If you are happy with Ghost, then stick with it..

Signature

Mike Hall
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

> Thanks for your replies. I have not heard of TrueImage before. I will
> take
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>> does
>> > > not have a floppy, but does have a CD-RW drive.

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Marty M. - 31 May 2006 17:08 GMT

I will add my $.02 with Mike and Ted's recommendation of Acronis TrueImage.
I was looking for something to replace DriveImage (since bought out and
renamed by Norton) because DI wouldn't image a mirrored RAID set. Tried the
trial version of TrueImage and it worked great. Latest Home version (9.0)
well worth the price. It can be found for considerably cheaper than what
Acronis is selling it for on thier website.

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Ted Zieglar - 31 May 2006 17:20 GMT

" It can be found for considerably cheaper than what Acronis is selling it
for on thier website."

Currently $29.99 at Newegg (www.newegg.com). Download or boxed, your choice.

Signature

Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

> I will add my $.02 with Mike and Ted's recommendation of Acronis TrueImage.
> I was looking for something to replace DriveImage (since bought out and
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> > including open files? Should I use Norton Ghost instead? The laptop does
> > not have a floppy, but does have a CD-RW drive.

Reply to this Message