Windows Vista & Imaging Software

Bouncy · 30 Jan 2007 at 13:27

Today i received my version of Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64Bit Edition which i am about to install, What i would like to know is, does any Imaging Software such as Norton Ghost Work with Vista ? I would like to be able to create an Image After i have Validated Windows and installed all the updates and latest drivers for my Hardware, An Image is so much handier to reload rather than going through the whole process as mentioned AGAIN & AGAIN everytime i need to format my PC. Many Thanks in advance for any help on this matter

Nismo · 30 Jan 2007 at 13:32

I thought Ultimate had its own drive imaging/backup feature?

Failing that then Acronis True Image is pretty good

InsomniaCalls · 30 Jan 2007 at 13:32

Acronis works for me.

the-void · 1 Feb 2007 at 13:45

I have just tried Vista Backup. (Available on Ultimate, Business, Corp)

Start > Search > Backup

I created a complete PC backup to a different partition. Formatted my Vista partition. Inserted my Vista Boot Disk, selected the Repair my Computer option, and all is good.

It works in a similar fashion to Acronis. A million times better than ASR on XP. No more lost floppies.

Fr0dders · 1 Feb 2007 at 14:24

does the Vista utility have the ability to recover the image from a network drive ?

id ideall like to keep a copy of a disk image on my NAS device, well away from the PC it gets stolen / damaged etc..

further more, anybody know if TrueImage can do this ?

Immsy · 1 Feb 2007 at 15:39

MrLOL said:
further more, anybody know if TrueImage can do this ?

Yes it can using the corporate version of it.

Fr0dders · 1 Feb 2007 at 15:46

Immulsifier said:
Yes it can using the corporate version of it.

does this require a backup server running on Windows Server / Linux

i need to place the file on a network hard drive, so no server software.

Simps · 1 Feb 2007 at 17:51

the-void said:
I have just tried Vista Backup. (Available on Ultimate, Business, Corp)

Start > Search > Backup

I created a complete PC backup to a different partition. Formatted my Vista partition. Inserted my Vista Boot Disk, selected the Repair my Computer option, and all is good.

It works in a similar fashion to Acronis. A million times better than ASR on XP. No more lost floppies.

Did you have to activate Vista again when you did this ??

the-void · 1 Feb 2007 at 19:36

It didn't ask me to no. It was already activated when I did the backup. I imagine it would have kicked up a royal fuss if I would have changed anything and then did a restore. I might restore it to a different partition, see if it kicks up a fuss when it notices the serial number of the Drive has changed.

Simps · 1 Feb 2007 at 19:44

After I had setup Vista and installed everything I did a backup.
I have not formatted and used the restore yet, but I was just curious to know.
Thanks for the reply.

the-void · 1 Feb 2007 at 19:47

Just one final note though. If you dual boot XP and Vista, you are aware that all your Vista system restore points, shadow copies and system backups are deleted when you boot into XP.

Nice eh.

Simps · 1 Feb 2007 at 19:58

Cheers for that, I have removed XP for now though. I have it on a old machine just incase

BruceLee · 2 Feb 2007 at 15:06

MrLOL said:
does this require a backup server running on Windows Server / Linux

i need to place the file on a network hard drive, so no server software.

Ive used Acronis Home version and you can use network shares for storage and retrieval of the image, as long as the share is on the network (obviously) before you try to do the reinstall it will pick it up.

Reimaging off the network (at least a 100mbps one) can be a bit slow but should only take around 15 minutes I imagine.

Im very impressed with TrueImage, thankfully Ive not had to use its backups in anger yet

Fr0dders · 2 Feb 2007 at 19:57

BruceLee said:
Ive used Acronis Home version and you can use network shares for storage and retrieval of the image, as long as the share is on the network (obviously) before you try to do the reinstall it will pick it up.

Reimaging off the network (at least a 100mbps one) can be a bit slow but should only take around 15 minutes I imagine.

Im very impressed with TrueImage, thankfully Ive not had to use its backups in anger yet

can true image access network shares when booted from DVD

im after being able to wipe the HD, boot from DVD, restore image from NAS device, reboot and away.

buachille · 2 Feb 2007 at 20:30

Just one final note though. If you dual boot XP and Vista, you are aware that all your Vista system restore points, shadow copies and system backups are deleted when you boot into XP.

YOU WHAT!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

well done ms. great bit of compatibilty :confused:

BruceLee · 2 Feb 2007 at 20:42

MrLOL said:
can true image access network shares when booted from DVD

im after being able to wipe the HD, boot from DVD, restore image from NAS device, reboot and away.

Thats basically what I did, I was doing a friends PC rebuild and thought I might try one of my "base install" images I made, booted up the PC, whacked in the CD you can make to boot into an Acronis application, and from there its just like using the application in Windows, point, click and access the NAS, as long as its shared on the network it should pick it up.

Why not give it a trial run with the CD and see what it picks up. Pretty sure you can get a trial of Acronis.