Norton Ghost - Backup burned directly to CD

Have Norton Systemworks 2002, which includes Ghost. I've was under the impression that you must first create a full backup copy to the HD. This is best done with a 2nd drive or a partioned drive, set up as FAT32. Once the backup copy is created, then you burn it to CD's (set at auto-spanned). Since I have one nonpartioned drive (NTFC) I thought I would not be able to do the above. My local computer builder says this is incorrect. Once a Norton bootdisk is created, the computer and Ghost can be set up to create the backup image and burn directly to the burner with no need to first copy the backup to the hard drive.
Is this correct?
Is this a safe and predictable method of backup / RESTORE?
Does this process run from a DOS program load via the bootdisk so it can include and copy all system files onto the image?
Thanks in advance.
Dennis

 

For what it's worth...I've always burned straight to CD's. And yes, I use a ghost boot disk to re-apply the image.

 

Thank you Daizy for the rapid response.
Will be getting a DVD burner next month and this is the first project i would like to tackle. Just to make sure we're on the same page.
Do a complete Ghost image burned directly to CD, never touches HD.
If HD (NTFC format) gets NUKED, fdisk, corrupted, not readable, but mechanically sound... just boot up computer with same Ghost bootdisk, RESTORE drive from image copies.
I'm a happy camper.
As long as Murphy does not pay a visit, it's as simply as that?

 

Yep. Simple as that.
Like you, I'm anxious to get a DVD burner and try it. (Don't know what the hold up is) But using CDR's...it will span on it's own. Telling you to insert the next disk as it goes.

*edit*
Just as an addendum.....
I've found it pays to partition the hard drive, down to a reasonable size before I make any ghost images. (Saves on Cd's!)

 

Thanks Daizy.....

Is there any compression of the information as this process occurs? If one can assume a 4.75 GB per DVD disk capacity.....
How many DVD's required to backup a 120 GB drive if 50% used and 50% free? If no compression, and it does the 120 GB as a single image, this is about 26 DVD disks... yuk.

 

Yep. There's a setting for compression. You won't have to burn 1:1

Do you not have that 120GB partitioned? If not, it would be a fantabulous idea to do so. In the very least, seperate your O/S from your data and apps? Keep them on another partition.

 

Thank you Daizy for all the info. Yep, I'm one big fat drive, no partition. Just want to keep it simple.. yeh, if that ever happens with computers. Once I get the drive, will try it without a partion, if I get tennis elbow changing disks, will have to consider partitioned HD.
Thanks again.

 

Just my two cents...

I have to absolutely agree with Daisy about partitioning your HD. At the very least make a separate partition for Windows. Here's another little math problem for you... use the number of DVDs you figured you would need to backup your 120GB harddrive then multiply that time $3 - $5 per disk. I rest my case . I would actually make several partitions on a harddrive that size, it makes any maintenance operations you need to perform go much quicker. hth

B

 

I split the hard drive into three partitions: XP (NTFS); Data (NTFS); and Images (FAT 32). I do this to facilitate both backup and restoration.

The fastest data transfer is from hard drive to hard drive. The OS and Program installations need a ghost type backup. Data can benefit from the compression of ghost, but it can be backed by any method. Data on a home computer doesn't change radically. There is no need to constantly reback data.

My OS/Programs partition is about 12 GB. I don't load games. This allows me to back up this partition in about 10-12 minutes. I backup when I make updates and install new programs. I may backup before I install a program, also. The restore takes about 5 minutes in this case.

Data Partition also contains MY DOCUMENTS and FAVORITES. I used Tweak UI to move both. All I have to do is to back my address book and very few email. Those I also save on my Data partition. I back that regularly as necessary.

My Ghost/images partition is sufficient to hold two complete OS/Program image files. This is in case the current proves to be faulty. I will burn image files to CD maybe every couple of months, when I have made a LOT of changes on my computer that I don't want to backtrack. Restores only take 5 minutes.

Businesses use one huge partition because they don't have TIME to do it this way. They back it to other hard drives over a network. This is a very simple way for home users.