A first step before things go wrong

Hi All,

The first thing I learnt after owning a computer is to backup my OS before things could go really wrong. I went wrong hell a lot of times and immediately I press the format button but then realized it was not the cure for all.

Found that a perfect solution is to backup a successful install of any OS with our favorites installed. Alright straight into the point, Of all the Backup solutions I came across Symantec Ghost best suited for my needs. I would guide you how to use this one which is as simple as drinking a soft drink.

BACKUP:

STEP 1: After Installing a fresh new OS, start installing all your favorite apps without screwing your OS. Hope after all makeup your baby is as good as you thought. For me,

My Desktop

STEP 2: Get BARTPE which is really a very useful kit to have for almost all crisis we face in windows. It comes with preinstalled version of Symantec Ghost and also other useful utilities.

2.1-In case u find it hard to create a BARTPE try following the links like this or this. U can also get some pre made images in underground sites which I cant mention here.

STEP 3: Boot using the bootable CD and you’ll end up in a screen having a kinda Windows 98 style menu. Now navigate to START –>PROGRAMS –> SYMANTEC GHOST v8 –> GHOST.

Mockup of the Symantec Ghost Window

Now after clicking ‘OK’, navigate to LOCAL –>PARTITION –> TO IMAGE, then select your hard disk and then select the right partition where your OS is installed. Then select to place to save the drive image.

STEP 4: Then it will ask for the Compression range whether NO – No compression at all, FAST – Better compression and speed ratio, HIGH (my choice) – High compression but slow speed. That is it now you are all set to play like hell with your OS.

After some months of usage say you screwed up your system and after tons of google searches & suggestions you find yourself in a dark room, In comes GHOST to give you light

RESTORE:

Step 1: Boot again with your bootable CD and follow the same way to launch GHOST then, LOCAL –>PARTITION –> FROM IMAGE and select your previously saved Backup(GHO) file on your drive.

Selecting the backup file

Step 2: Now select your screwed up partition on which you want to restore the image and that is all. You have got back to your OS with your favorites installed.

Now Sit Back and Screw Your System Again..!!!