SOS-Ghost doesn't detect my hard drive

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My laptop is an Asus U56E, Win7 64-bit, with C: (OS) and D; (Data) partitions.  It also has other partitions for a Linux OS,  I want to make an image of my C: partition on and external drive, a WD My Passport.  I have installed the latest Norton Ghost and updated it.

1. Ghost does not detect any drives or partitions on my laptop.

2. My drive and partitions, with drive letters, are detected in Disk Management

3. My drive and partitions, with drive letters, are detected in Ghost Recoverty CD environment.

 

My partinfo file is attached.  Please advise what my problem is.  Thanks

 

2

olddude,

 

Which partitioning app did you use to create these partitions? Was it Acronis DDS? Or a Linux app?

 

Your OS partition and Extended partition are neither cylinder or MB aligned. That's probably why Ghost can't see them. If you tick Show Hidden Drives does Ghost see the hidden FAT 32 partition?

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Hi Brian,

aI have installed and removed various linux os's, so I really don't remember just how this setup was made.  I usually use a linux app called GParted for partitioning.

 

When I tick show hidden drives, Ghost does not see any of my drives on my laptop.  It always shows F: which is my external drive.   It shows F:as both the source and destination for the backup.

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Ghost in Windows sometimes doesn't like non aligned partitions so I suggest creating the images offline by booting from the Ghost CD. Does that work?

 

Are your Win7 booting files in the hidden FAT partition?  Can you post a screenshot of Disk Management?

 

http://community.norton.com/t5/Forum-Feedback/Forum-Tip-How-to-post-screenshots-in-the-forum/td-p/254415

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disk management.png

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Boot is apparently in the partition that holds the OS, or C:  I have no idea why the hidden partition is so large (21+ gigs).

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I booted from the Ghost disk.  In a section called "explore computer" Ghost detects all my partitions.  I did'nt see an option to clone my C: drive from the disk environment.

8

Thanks for that. I haven't seen a system like yours with an Active FAT partition and System, Boot, Win7. Maybe its related to Grub.

 

When you boot from the Ghost CD, select Back Up  My Computer. You might have to enter your Ghost serial number.

 

We can look at the contents of the FAT partition later if you like.

 

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 I tried what you said.  Ghost disk environment detects my drives in "explore", but in "backup my computer", at the screen where you select a drive to back up, none are listed.  Bummer.  I am thinking I may do a reinstall of Windows on single large partition, without th e fat32 partition.  Then maybe create a data partition.  Maybe this will straighten out this weird configuration.  Many thanks for your efforts, but I think this is hopeless.

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At least we know the Ghost CD has drivers for your SATA controller as you can see your partitions in Explore.

 

But the missing partitions are another matter. I have an idea about cleaning up the Win7 partition if you would like to try it. If it works Ghost should see the partition.

 

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vERY good!  Please explain your idea to me,

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I'm willing to give it a try.  Please explain your idea, since I don't know much at all about hard drives.

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I'll get you to download BootIt Bare Metal. 30 day trial.

 

Unzip the file and make a boot CD.

 
 double click makedisk.exe, next
 dot in BootIt Bare Metal, next
 dot in I accept the agreement, next
 don't select Image for DOS (GUI), next
 dot in Mouse Support Enabled, next
 dot in VESA Video, next
 dot in Video Mode 1024*768 - 64K Colors, next
 dot in Partition Work (Don't put a dot in Normal), next
 don't choose any Device Options, next
 tick in Enable USB 1.1 (UHCI), next
 tick in Align partitions on 2048 Sectors (don't omit this selection)
 ignore Additional bootitbm.ini Options, next
 select your CD burner drive letter (you can use a CD-RW or a CD-R disc)
 Finish

 

What we'll do is resize the Win7 partition 10 MB smaller to clean up the end of the partition and then slide the partition by 5 MB to clean up the start of the partition.

 

Boot from the CD

leave the Bus on BIOS

your Drive should be 0 (only have the internal HD connected. No USB devices connected)

select the Win7 partition

click Resize, OK

in the New Size field, reduce it by 10 MB, OK, Continue, Close

this is a fast process

Win7 should now be 10 MB smaller

 

select the Win7 partition

click Slide

in the Free Space Before field, type in 5 (or use the arrows), OK

Continue

This is a slow process and could take up to an hour as it has to move all data in the Win7 partition. Just wait.

When the slide has completed click Close

Exit from BootIt BM (Edit, Power Off)

 

(don't tick any boxes I haven't mentioned)

 

Does Ghost 15 now see the Win7 partition?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I'm too tired tonight to try it.  Tomorrow, I'll give it a shot and post the results.

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Good luck with the procedure.

 

Your partitions are a mess. Two primary partitions are showing in partinfo. This is correct. Six primary partitions (the extended partition is one) are showing in Disk Management, which is incorrect.

 

 

 

 

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Okay, I did it all (with the perfect instructions you posted) but nothing changed.  No drives are visible in the Ghost program or booted in the Ghost disk.  Attached is the new partinfo file.

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Nice work. The Win7 partition is now start 2048 sector aligned but the end LBA still isn't correct. Can you use the BootIt BM CD again and resize the Win7 partition 1 MB smaller. It will be a fast procedure. Then post another partinfo.

 

Can you also send me a PM if Ghost doesn't see the partition.

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No change.

19

The end LBA is now correct.

 

Ghost doesn't like your HD. We can't make it work.

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I was afraid of that.  Thank you very much, you tried very hard to help.