Ghost14 -recovery"changes to WIM" hangs -Backup"not be performed while Windows"

Short History:
    Bought Ghost 14  (and didn't send in rebates) therefore full price.
    I bought a new Gateway#GM5688E AMD 3 core computer with Vista Home Premium. 
    Want to switch stock C drive to a VelociRaptor 300GB. 
    I have done this many times on old computer and XP and ghost 12.
    Wasted full week trying to get Ghost 14 to work.
Problem 1:
     When I try to make a recovery disk it runs in circles at
    "Capturing all changes to WIM file   this may take several minutes. "  0%  for HOURS
Problem 2:
    Try to make full backup of C:\
    "This operation cannot be performed while Windows is running.
     You must complete this operation inside the recovery environment.
     Would you like to continue?"

 

====================

Friday nite attempts:


Drive Backup of C:\          (to drive D:)
"This operation cannot be performed while Windows is running.
You must complete this operation inside the recovery environment.
Would you like to continue?"
--------
Tried to create custom symantec recovery disk:
copies files for a long while then:
"error E7D6001A: could not  erase media 'R:' Please insert a writable CD/DVD media."
     [note to programmers:   Why not just say:   Please remove the Factory Ghost 14 disk
     that WE told you to put in the CD/DVD drive   and insert a new blank CD/DVD. 
     Also kill that disk autostart window that may pop up]

"Capturing all changes to WIM file   this may take several minutes. "
computer is writting lots of files...
 -  killed it after nearly 2 HOURS...
new disk doesn't look written on.
----------
message about COM  surragate? that I didn't write down.
---------

 


found and read a lot of the Norton forums for any ideas
--------------------------------------------------------

removed Ghost 14
restarted computer
unplugged internet wire  to prevent updates
installed ghost 14
restarted computer

 

now I could do my first full backup of C:    !!!   WOW

 (haven't tried it again yet to see if it still works)

 

activated ghost  to enable   Create Recovery Disk
ran Create Recovery Disk
(internet still unplugged)
used automatic for drivers
same stupid error  "E7D6001A: could not  erase media 'R:' Please insert a writable CD/DVD media."
put in a DVD cuz you give no clue how much space is needed  (a CD is cheaper)
went to lunch  at 12:35        4:27pm..still at 0%   
   ResourceMonitor shows ModifiableSRD.exe is writing c:\...\PVH-PC_SRD.m01 
 -  killed it after nearly 4 HOURS...and it is hard to kill

 

 

restarted computer
plugged in internet
ran liveupdate - the NortonGhost update window takes a lloonngg time   -bottom of main NortonGhost

says "cannot connect to the agent on PVH-PC " 
restarted computer

ran liveupdate - restarted computer      to be sure it's all updated and fresh
tried  Create Recovery Disk
5:00   ...5:45 killed it.      NOT WORKING

restarted computer
trying  'Custom'   for drivers  in  Create Recovery Disk
5:50   ...  5:59    WOW !!!   FIRST Time     Got  new window "Finalize settings for burning to CD/DVD"
"Capturing all changes to WIM file   this may take several minutes. "
6:02  ...      6:45 .still at 0%   
I Killed all Ghost windows.

Shut off computer.


Without a trusted backup AND a recovery disk  Ghost 14 is useless.!!
Don't know if Ghost 12 will run on Vista.

NO MORE HAIR TO PULL OUT