However following a reformat and reinstallation of everything I thought I would download the Ghost installation files and see how it looked and see if maybe there was an option to get SSR in it's place for GPT drives. No luck with the later but according to the pdf manual Norton Ghost does work with GPT drives.
Extract from the Ghost 15 manual:
Supported file systems Norton Ghost supports the following file systems:
■ FAT16, FAT16X
■ FAT32, FAT32X
■ NTFS
■ GUID Partition Table (GPT)
■ Dynamic disks
■ Linux Ext2, Linux Ext3
■ Linux swap partitions
So my question is, will Norton Ghost 15 work with my GPT SSD boot and OS drive? Will I be able to make images of the disk and will I be able to restore from these? Will I loose any functionality because it is a GPT drive?
As you can see I haven't actually finished the reinstallation yet. It's pretty bare at the moment. I'm thinking I will do an image of the system while I have only the OS and all drivers installed and then another another once everything is installed and then a full data backup.
So, I need to know if I can do that with Ghost, or if I need SSR. Also can I make an boot drive initial image using Windows 7 utilties until the Ghost/SSR thing is determined?
However following a reformat and reinstallation of everything I thought I would download the Ghost installation files and see how it looked and see if maybe there was an option to get SSR in it's place for GPT drives. No luck with the later but according to the pdf manual Norton Ghost does work with GPT drives.
Extract from the Ghost 15 manual:
Supported file systems Norton Ghost supports the following file systems:
■ FAT16, FAT16X
■ FAT32, FAT32X
■ NTFS
■ GUID Partition Table (GPT)
■ Dynamic disks
■ Linux Ext2, Linux Ext3
■ Linux swap partitions
So my question is, will Norton Ghost 15 work with my GPT SSD boot and OS drive? Will I be able to make images of the disk and will I be able to restore from these? Will I loose any functionality because it is a GPT drive?
I have a computer with a UEFI BIOS. I chose to disable UEFI and installed my Win7 and Win8 in MBR mode. For what I do, UEFI isn't as flexible as MBR (the old standard) mode. I'd consider starting again and installing Win7 in MBR mode. Up to you.
Brian_K writes: "I'd consider starting again and installing Win7 in MBR mode"
I was dreading that response. I knew it was coming. That means reinstalling everythng and recreating all accounts and then transfering all folders for all users to the data drive, one at a time (thank you Microsoft). So many hours.
Brian_K writes: "For what I do, UEFI isn't as flexible as MBR"
In what way are BIOS-MBR drives more flexible than UEFI-GPT drives (aside from being imagable by Ghost)?
A. No. GPT disks are self-identifying. All the information needed to interpret the partitioning scheme of a GPT disk is completely contained in structures in specified locations on the physical media.
I guess thats why it says Ghost can support GPT and not a operating system installed as UEFI.
Q. Can Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008 read, write, and boot from GPT disks?
A. Yes, all versions can use GPT partitioned disks for data. Booting is only supported for 64-bit editions on UEFI-based systems.
Note that last part “Booting is only supported for 64-bit editions on UEFI-based systems”
My reply on your original question:
Sorry to say Ghost 15 will not work with your system being installed as UEFI.
If it was Windows 7 64bit installed on MBR drives it would work fine but only Symantec System Recovery 2013 will work on a UEFI setup like that.
I also agree with Brian, since you just installed the system, if you have no need to UEFI you may want to consider starting over.
I’m not sure what a “Asus x79” Motherboard is, but if your refering to a “Sabertooth”, that is what Brian is using and he has it installed on a regular MBR drive. (non-UEFI).
That means reinstalling everythng and recreating all accounts and then transfering all folders for all users to the data drive, one at a time (thank you Microsoft). So many hours.
You can leave it as UEFI if it doesn't bother you. After all, every OEM Win8 computer is sold with a UEFI OS. I didn't realize you were so far into the install.
In what way are BIOS-MBR drives more flexible than UEFI-GPT drives
I multi-boot a lot of OS, which can't be done with UEFI. Or I don't know how to. My BIBM boot manager only works in MBR mode.
You GPT data drive will work fine if the computer runs in MBR mode. But I accept it could be a big job to change. I'm used to MBR mode and i see few, if any advantages for me to change. Secure Boot is an advantage but "so what". My HD0 is 240 GB and not 3 GB so UEFI isn't needed there.
. That means reinstalling everythng and recreating all accounts and then transfering all folders for all users to the data drive, one at a time (thank you Microsoft). So many hours
You could consider this but it is complex if you aren't familiar with the software...
DaveH writes: "If it can't access the drive then Ghost 15 would not work for you anyway."
Right,,,, Well I guess I won't be needing or using or installing my copy Ghost 15 then.
I will have to look at SSR. Has it been used much? Is likely to still be buggy? I would hate to use and be replying on it only to find I couldn't restore from it when the time came.
Brian_K writes: "Can you do me a favour? Boot from your Ghost CD and see if you can view files on your 2.5 GB HD"
Sorry, no Ghost CD, My SSD came a free full installation of Norton Ghost but I had to download that, which I did, but I have never run the download. No point in installing it now, iIf I get SSR I would just have to uninstall it and then I would worry that it had left registry clogging traces of itself.
