I just upgraded to Windows 8, and -as others have mentioned- Ghost asks for a registration #, but it doesn´t accept it. All that Norton Tech. Support has to say is that they are not compatible, and that there are no other news, and that they know nothing. Furthermore, there is absolutely no information on the issue on this site, as far as I can tell. Backups are a mission-critical application, and this response is completely unacceptable. Can someone shed some light on when we will be able to use Ghost 15 on Windows 8?
jlua001 wrote:I just upgraded to Windows 8, and -as others have mentioned- Ghost asks for a registration #, but it doesn´t accept it. All that Norton Tech. Support has to say is that they are not compatible, and that there are no other news, and that they know nothing. Furthermore, there is absolutely no information on the issue on this site, as far as I can tell. Backups are a mission-critical application, and this response is completely unacceptable. Can someone shed some light on when we will be able to use Ghost 15 on Windows 8?
Hi,
Ghost15 is rather old, technologically, and may never support W8. The next version of Ghost should resolve all, or at least the majority, of the shortcomings present in Ghost15. You might look at the commercial side to see if there is a product which does support W8 and will meet your other requirements.
http://www.symantec.com/connect/
Keep us posted
jlua001 wrote:Can someone shed some light on when we will be able to use Ghost 15 on Windows 8?
jlua001,
You can use it now. You can even use Ghost 2003 with Windows 8.
But you can't use Ghost 15 to create hot images. You can boot from the Ghost CD to create and restore images. Not ideal but at least it works.
I’m sorry but this is ridiculous, Ghost 15 isn’t even that old and Windows 8 isn’t that huge of a departure from 7… Symantec should either have a patch for 15 out by now or a new version for sale. I guess I’m buying Arconis True Image when I instal Windows 8 next weekend, thanks for nothing Symantec. To not even have an ETA for the new version just shows how little they care for Ghost anymore and how low of a priority it is.
Impulse wrote:
I guess I'm buying Arconis True Image when I instal Windows 8 next weekend,
Impulse,
I suggest you check out the Acronis TI forum before making that decision. Acronis has great advertising.
Apparently Windows 8 IS enough of a departure from Windows 7 because something in the registry structure has changed enough to alter how the activation key is stored. You could use the built in Windows backup utility until Ghost is updated. Alternately, Ghost's cousin, Symantec's SSR 2013 Desktop edition is soon to be released.
Interesting comment about not creating hot(I assume you mean from inside windows 8) images. I installed new copy of Gh15 and ran into the reg # problem but decided to use it anyway. Works fine for me from inside Win8 and creates usable/recoverable images.. Now all I have to do is reinstall it every 30 days....Could it be that Symantec doesn't want to continue to sell this simple and "inexpensive tool" so its just letting it fade away so it can come up with some [fancy GUI/simpler/more expensive/mindless] backup tool for the start menu?
Bitbob wrote:I installed new copy of Gh15 and ran into the reg # problem but decided to use it anyway. Works fine for me from inside Win8 and creates usable/recoverable images.. Now all I have to do is reinstall it every 30 days...
Bitbob,
What a great piece of information. We weren't smart enough to do that. Excellent.
You can make images but in an unlicensed state you can't do a "copy drive", make a custom recovery disk, or install the "lights out restore".
Yes I don't use any of those modes so they are not issues. I would make a custom disk if Ghost would support USB3 but it doesn't so I don't need one. So I guess I got lucky because I just use the basics in Ghost. I also use Acronis because of its USB3 support. That way I have two completely unrelated software generated backups to fall back on. But I must admitt I do like the simplicity of Ghost and use it to backup several clients' desktops.
This is diabolical, the windows 8 compatibility check did not highlight the problem.
The answer is unacceptable, if Norton / Symantec had tested on the Windows 8 RTM version then they would of had this one solved with an update.
I remember a similar problem with Windows 7, when that first came out. At least there was an error message and you could continue.
Look after your customers don't put your head in the sand!
I just hit this too!
Unacceptable...
WHEN WILL THIS BE FIXED/UPDATED????
Hi, I have this problem I too.
I think it is not acceptable that a program is perfectly able to run but it doesn't accept activation key. Activation key is a way for Symantec to activate products: it's THEIR problem, not MINE. It was different if the program was not running... but this is not the case.
These posts have been seen by Symantec and I am working on getting more information regarding Ghost and Windows 8. Aplogies for the delays...
I understand that Win8 is new. However I am glad that I have a current backup because I am considering going back to windows 7 since Ghost 15 won't even activate.
Is there any word on an update to get Ghost 15 at least partly working for Win8?
gcrosier,
As I mentioned earlier, Ghost 15 can image/restore Win8. Cold images. That's how I use Ghost with Win8.
Andy,
While I appreciate your efforts, I must say that this is completely unaccepatble! How can Symantec be so far behind? It's not like Win 8 was a surprise? To not have a patch or upgrade available for your customers is incredible. For my money, I don't know why anyone would use Ghost anymore, just use Win 8 backup (Now called Win 7 File Recovery) and Win 8's new feature called File History. Symantec does not deserve our loyalty (or our money) since you have none to your paying customers!
ptwilli1 wrote:
, just use Win 8 backup (Now called Win 7 File Recovery) and Win 8's new feature called File History.
Do they work if you have a HD failure?
Symantec does not have a Windows 8-compatible version of Norton Ghost at this time. Ghost continues to be fully compatible with the Windows XP (SP3), Windows Vista, and Windows 7 platforms. Attempting to install or use Norton Ghost on Windows 8 may result in unexpected results, such as incomplete imaging.
Symantec recommends using Norton Online Backup to protect your important files in a secure, remote location in the cloud. Should you need to back up files using Windows 8, you can use the File History feature of the new operating system. And to refresh and restore your computer, users can use the Advanced Recovery Tools found in the Control Panel. For small businesses, Symantec recommends Symantec System Recovery to create full image backups of your PC. Symantec System Recovery 2013 is planned to be Windows 8 compatible and available in Q1 CY2013.
We will announce updates as they become available. Thank you for your ongoing support and interest in Norton Ghost.
Tony,
I take a more optimistic view of Ghost 15 and Win8. You can create and restore cold images. That's quite sufficient to tide you over until a hot imaging version is available. It's not as if a Win8 owner can't create Ghost 15 image backups.