Have you tried restoring the Ghost 15.1 cold image with the SSR 2013 recovery disk, unchecking the option for a restore anywhere?
Dave
No I haven't Dave, but the thought crossed my mind. If that's the only solution, Norton/Symantec owes me a free upgrade as I noted previously. If that does not work, then maybe I need to give True Image a try. I'm running the USB 2.0 only idea in my P.S. above now. After that I'll try working with the HP Factory Image and USB 2.0 only. If anyone has another idea, I'm listening. This trial and error is very time consuming - what a mess.
OUgrad
I think it should work fine and let you disable the restore anywhere. You won't get prompted for the driver disk and everything finishes without looking like it got stuck at 99%.
I have done that serveral times in my testing. You also end up with the advantage of actually being able to do a restore anywhere if you want to restore that image onto another system.
Dave
Thanks again Dave. SSR 2013 works perfectly with no messages/errors and no msconfig entries to remove. However, when I restored the HP Factory Image via “F11 System Recovery”, it put me back into something like Windows Boot Manager with “Windows Setup [EMS Enabled]” at the top of the list and 15 or so of these again like I Posted at the beginning ,” Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008/Windows 7”, one for every Ghost Recovery I made while bug testing. Something is feeding these entries to msconfig, F11 System Recovery and who knows where else. The Factory Image restored OK, but I’d like to clean this up so it’s like new from HP in how it works. Maybe only HP Support can answer, but any ideas where this is coming from and how to remove it? Ghost 15 is the cause, SSR 2013 appears to be the cure.
I restored the System Partition from a Ghost Image made 12/2012 after initial setup, but still get the same long list of Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008/Windows 7. For the SRP I had it verify, restore Disk Signature, set Active for Boot, and check for errors thinking these Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008/Windows 7 entries were being added by Ghost to the MBR. Had it restore the MBR and not restore the MBR hoping to get back to the 12/2012 MBR. Either way, they are still there.
Maybe I need to edit the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) Store? Found this BCD Editor for free (Microsoft MVP recommends), but nervous trying to use it. Manual edit would be my first choice.
Step 1 is just to find where these multiple entries are at, MBR, BCD, wherever. I’ll contact HP and Microsoft Answers if no thoughts here.
Thanks again,
OUgrad
I'm glad you can get the hot and cold images both restored now with no errors.
As for all those extra boot entries, I still an't figure that out.
Those entries are in the bcd file, not the MBR.
In the hidden system reserved partition there is a "Boot" folder with the BCD file in it (it has no file extention).
I'm pretty sure it stands for Boot Configuration Data.
The odd part is that I can't figure out how it could possibly "remember" anything from the prevous restores.
Once you deleted those extra entries through MSCONFIG they should be gone and never return.
I'll have to think about that one some more.
I use EasyBCD once in a while, it's safe to use if you know what your doing and first use it to backup your current settings but deleteing them through MSCONFIG is much easier and faster.
Dave
edit- Make sure you image the SRP partition before messing around with it. LOL
With the BCD inside the SRP, it sounds like Ghost did not restore my old SRP Image (12/2012) to my HP Factory Recovery just performed tonight. That 2012 SRP would have had no accumulated ”Windows Vista/Windows Server 2008/Windows 7” boot entries since I never did a Ghost Recovery until starting this Post. Maybe Ghost 15 will only Recover the SRP and (C:) drive together? I have all four partitions Imaged in my 12/2012 One Time Backup and could try that.
OUgrad
After a restore and still in the Recovery Environmnt, open the image that has the original BCD and restore that file only. You should then have the same boot menu or lack of as when the image was made.
Thanks redk9258.
My most recent Backup Image is on a different external HDD than the one with my original Backup before Ghost changed things. I'm currently running with my most current Image restored. Since I only have one USB 2.0 Port, I tried the following without performing another Recovery and to access my original System Partition Image on the other external drive. Please confirm that I must follow your instructions immediately after a Recovery before re-boot. That I can do. It just won't be as current. I can then use SSR 2013 to Recover my recent (C:) drive Image only.
I booted to Recovery Mode with SSR 2013, clicked Recover, clicked Recover my Files which opened Recovery Point Browser, opened my original System Partition before Ghost 15 changed things, opened the Boot Folder, highlighted the BCD file, clicked Recover, pointed the Recovery location to my current System Partition Boot Folder and it replaced the BCD. However, I still get the same boot options list at F11. I did the same again, but no success.
I wonder if HP has their own special Boot Manager to restore Factory Images hidden somewhere? Maybe they have their own special BCD for Factory Image Recovery? I have sent them an e-Mail to find out.
I called a Norton Support Case Manager about this Norton Community Discussion Thread which he was able to read over the phone. The only thing he thought worth trying was to run LightsOut Restore with a Cold Image. I will call back if necessary, but just discovered my boxed CDs and my Norton download CD do not provide the LightsOut Restore option. The Ghost 15 Help Topics say I should have a Wizard to set this up in a Symantec Folder under All Programs, but there is no Symantec Folder there, the Norton Ghost Folder under All Programs has no Wizard for this and it's not listed under Tools or Tasks in Ghost. He said it should be listed under Tasks. My Ghost Version under Help>About is the same for all three I own - 15.0.1.36526 and I just checked LiveUpdate for it again - says I'm current. Please advise if there is another way to get LightsOut. Maybe I can at least get a refund on all three since LightsOut Restore is not available :-)
OUgrad
Lights out restore only becomes availible after you activate the program.
On the main screen of Ghost it is under Tasks > Setup Lights out Restore
But it's not going to make a difference, its the same as booting to the recovery disk. It asks for your recovery disk and copies it onto the hard drive and sets the Windows boot menu to be able to boot to it instead of windows.
I don't use it myself so I don't remember where it copies the recovery disk, but if it requires another partition your going to be stuck because HP already used up all 4 availible primary partitions.
I find it very odd that you restored the BCD file and it also had the extra boot entries. I'm starting to think that maybe HP has something to do with it.
I recall a couple odd things about the HP computer I got last week, the SRP was 250MB instead of the usual 100MB and the small FAT32 tools partition was always "in use" when the system was in windows.
I don't have the laptop anymore, I boxed it up yesterday and the person I got it for took it to her mothers.
I was very tempted yesterday to do some Ghost restores with it but she wanted to go with a free backup tool to save some money.
Dave
Starting the LightsOut Restore Wizard
1 From Windows, click Start > All Programs > Symantec > Norton Ghost 15.0
> LightsOut Restore Setup.
That isn't present?
No Wizard for my two HP PCs with boxed CDs installed. The Download CD is not installed at present. I installed it yesterday and then uninstalled. I have no Symantec Folder at Start > All Programs > Symantec > Norton Ghost 15.0. I have Start>All Programs>Norton Ghost which opens the Ghost GUI with no Wizard. I've looked at Home, Status, Tasks, Tools and Advanced - can't find it anywhere - betters my refund chances :-)
Thanks for the feedback about LightsOut not doing things differently. Since I don't have it anyway, case closed. I'll advise what HP has to say - asked them to escalate my case. They will also tell me if my Recovery Disk Set formats the drive and restores all four partitions. That should give me a clean, bug-free install.
OUgrad
I think if you poke around, you will find more than one BCD file. We have a Compaq and an HP laptop around here. I used Ghost to make Cold Images of both before either were booted (IIRC). Here is how the partitions are laid out...
Compaq:
1-SYSTEM - contains a BCD - 199MB
2-C_Drive - contains a BCD
3-RECOVERY - contains a BCD
4-HP_TOOLS - no BCD
HP:
1-SYSTEM - contains a BCD - 199MB
2-C_Drive - contains a BCD
3-Recovery - contains a BCD
4-HP_TOOLS
Why does HP need to make things so complicated?
Use Easy BCD to open each of those BCD files to see which one is being used / modified. Probably the one that is on the active partition.
Thanks again redk9258. Here's what I got from HP. If you can believe it, all I may need to do is a Recovery of the HP Tools Partition.
... please do not worry; we are always here to assist you with your HP products. We would try our level best to regain your faith in HP and bring back smile on your face. [Edit - maybe Norton/Symantec Product Support could learn something from this - LOL]
Regarding to your first query I would like to inform you that using the User Created System Recovery Discs will restore the PC to the factory settings however it will not replace the other partitions, your PC will be formatted to the factory condition however the recovery image will remain unchanged so the issue might or might not get resolved. You will need to use HP shipped recovery discs which will wipe the whole drive repartition the driver and restore the recovery image as well.
Regarding to the second query I would like to inform you that the System Recovery Boot Manager is located in the HP Tools driver however it cannot be accessed.
Regarding to your third query I would like to inform you that you do not need to access or modify the Boot Manager system files as it may permanently damage the boot sector of the hard drive and you may need to replace the hard drive.
Regarding to the fourth query I would like to inform you that HP F11 System Recovery Boot Manager list should have the only choice for the factory shipped Operating System.
Regarding to the fifth query I would like to inform you that yes you can return PC to have the Factory HDD Image restored to out-of-the-box condition, and this service will be free of cost however we recommend you to perform system recovery using the recovery discs you have and it should resolve the issue, and if it does not then we will send you the HP Recovery Discs and if the issue still persists then we will take the unit to our service center.
In order to take the system for service I would request you to provide us the below mentioned information.
Well now, as we say in down in Texas, that's right hospitable don't you think :-)
If I can just get up the courage to Restore that FAT32 HP Tools Partition, maybe this will have a soon and happy ending. Now, back to the 1960 Movie version of the Alamo - a rare treat these days.
OUgrad
Recovery of HP Tools Partition ONLY did not work - still had multiple boot options with HP F11 System Recovery and it caused Blue Screen errors. Never had Blue Screen errors before.
So, tried restoring (C:) drive, System and HP Tools Partitions from an Image of all four Partitions I made back in January. No Blue Screen errors, but still had the same multiple boot options with HP F11 System Recovery.
Next, restored the HP Recovery Partition from the same Image and it worked. It seems logical now that the Factory Image Recovery control would come from the HP Recovery Partition, but the HP Tech above said HP Tools.
redk9258 found a BCD in his HP Recovery Partition, so I copied the BCD from my recent Image of the HP Recovery Partition and the HP F11 Recovery Manager multiple boot options returned (plus Blue Screen error). Copied the old BCD back and problem solved – thanks for the idea. How Ghost 15 was editing the Recovery Partition BCD is a real mystery, especially since it did not cause Blue Screen errors.
Due to the Blue Screen errors above, it would seem when restoring the HP Tools or Recovery Partitions, one should restore all four Partitions from the same Image to be safe. I don’t understand why changing the HP Recovery Partition BCD only caused a Blue Screen error. There must be more going on between Partitions here than one would expect.
Used SSR 2013 for all the above. SSR sees USB 3.0 Ports where Ghost 15 does not, so Imaging and Recovery is much faster if you have a USB 3.0 external HDD or Flash Drive for Backup as I do.
This problem is identical on both of my 2012 model HP Notebook PCs, one with AMD CPU and the other with Intel CPU.
Several of you helped me solve this problem, so I’ll mark this Post as the Solution, but the entire Discussion Thread is very informative. Think I’ll get the HP shipped Recovery Disc set just in case and may want to perform a clean install anyway since it Recovers all four Partitions. Good bye to Ghost 15 and good night – it’s late.
Thanks to all.
OUgrad
P.S. to the solution above.
The Blue Screen errors might be caused because the BCDs don't match in all the Partitions. Ghost might have been causing them all to be edited with each Recovery. If I get really bored, and can find all the BCDs, I might try copying them all in Recovery Mode, but don't count on it :-)
OUgrad
P.P.S. to above solution and question for Brian_K (or others).
Following redk9258’s BCD suggestion, I was able to fix the boot entries being added by Ghost 15 Recoveries by copying the BCDs from an old (pre-Ghost 15 Recovery) Image found in (C:), HP Recovery Partition and the System Partition. Each of these three Partitions has a Boot Folder with BCD.
Brian_K – Since you have had none of the problems described here, I’m thinking your Ghost 15 must be different from all three of mine, even if the same Version indicated at Help>About (15.0.1.36526). Do you remember getting a LiveUpdate for your Ghost 15? If so, did you notice a Ghost 15 Version change? Maybe the Version does not change in this case if there was an update? Perhaps you have an older Version of Ghost 15 that works better? Maybe the Symantec Server is not providing LiveUpdate for Ghost 15 and has not since my first install 11/2012? My boxed CD versions were installed 11/2012 and 12/2012. I ran LiveUpdate immediately, but both products were up-to-date per LiveUpdate. I’ve run LiveUpdate again recently with nothing found. Today I uninstalled a Boxed CD Ghost 15, including the special LiveUpdate you get with it and tested my download Ghost 15 purchased 4/1/2013. It has the same Version with no updates available, no LightsOut Recovery option anywhere and no LightsOut link at Start>All Programs>Symantec , just Start>All Programs>Norton Ghost with no LightsOut. Norton’s Case Manager said I should have the LightsOut Restore option and that LiveUpdate “should” work if needed. I have Win7 Home Premium 64-bit. When I installed the download Ghost version I checked the Custom Install option and in every case it says “This feature, and all subfeatures, will be installed on local hard drive.
One last gasp at Ghost 15...
Thanks,
OUgrad
OUgrad,
Mine was a standard Ghost 15 install followed by a Live Update. I think I did get the Microsoft Boot Menu prior to the Live Update. But not since.
Dave and I found an interesting problem with Ghost 15 and SSR. If you performed Copy Drive and then deleted the copied OS offline instead of from Disk Management, the next Copy Drive would yield a non booting OS. It's obvious something that isn't done often as no one else has reported the issue. But it is reproducible.
Otherwise, no problems.
Thanks Brian. I'll follow up on this with a Case Manager over the phone and ask him to confirm LiveUpdate is still active for Ghost 15.
Everything seems to be working OK now with SSR 2013 able to perform bug-free Recoveries as needed of my Ghost 15 Images (Hot or Cold). Get the same garbled Partition Info Text File below with SSR 2013 in Recovery Environment as I did with Ghost 15. The HP Tools Partition is for UEFI Support if that matters - an upgrade of some kind in SSR 2013 per their Community. I'll mention this to the Case Manager as well.
OUgrad
SSR 2013 PartInfo Text File
3ÀŽÐ¼|ŽÀŽØ¾|¿¹üó¤Ph Ëû¹½¾ €~|
…ƒÅâñ͈VUÆFÆF´A»ªUÍ]rûUªu ÷ÁtþFf`€~t&fhfÿvhh|hh´BŠV‹ôÍŸƒÄžë¸»|ŠVŠvŠNŠnÍfas þNu
€~€„Š²€ë„U2äŠVÍ]ëž>þ}Uªunÿvèuú°Ñæd胰ßæ`è|°ÿædèuû¸»Íf#Àu;fûTCPAu2ùr,fh »fhfhfSfSfUfhfh|fah ÍZ2öê|Í??· ë??¶ ë??µ 2ä ‹ð¬<t » ´Íëòôëý+Éädë$àø$ÃInvalid partition tableError loading operating systemMissing operating systemc{šSþfp€ ! ~%8~& þÿÿ@7þÿÿ þÿÿX–7Èžþÿÿ
þÿÿ 5:8Uª
Edit - Maybe I need to perform a Factory Image Recovery with my HP Recovery Disc Set to see if these problems go away. It will replace all four Partitions per HP clarification. I'm currently running both PCs from SSR 2013 Recovered Images.
The LightsOut Restore Wizard is not where Ghost 15 Help>Help Topics says it is located under Start>All Programs>Symantec. Rather, my Version of Ghost 15 has it on a drop-down list in the upper left of the GUI where you find File View Tasks Computers Help. That small Tasks link has a few more entries than the large Tasks Tab with one being Set Up LightsOut Restore. So, Help Topics was not updated somewhere along the way and I do have the most current Version of Ghost after all it seems. Norton Phone Support helped me find it.
OUgrad
Thats what I said, "On the main screen of Ghost it is under Tasks > Setup Lights out Restore"
I don't have a it under the start menu either, but I figured thats because I'm on a XP system here at work.
Everything for me is under the "Norton Ghost" folder and not Symantec.
15.0.1.36526 is the most recent version. Only if you installed the original 15.0 version will live update download the service pack.
The link I gave you says 15.1 in the name of it, that includes the service pack like I already said.
If you bought the retail product since the release of the service pack, that should also have the most recent version.
Lie I also said, lights out restore will make no difference in the boot menu problem.
I'm with Red on that one, I'm convinced that it's something HP is doing and because they put bcd files in every partition.
Dave