This is exactly why Symantec Ghost (not Norton Ghost) was the king of the hill (at the time) as you transform an automated batch file into an executable (with Ghost32.exe as an embedded file), so you have one single executable file doing all sorts of automated tasks. Like for example you could place such a file on a relatives computer and schedule it to run once a week, which will image their Windows partition onto another partition into a hidden folder and only keeps say six recent images. Symantec Ghost (in its heyday), Drive Snapshot and Image for Windows when used at their full potential (especially with automation) are just great pieces of software. The rest might have fancy user interfaces but I prefer automation and the freedom to control the program via cli.
Well put. Automation with the supportive imagers mentioned are some useful and dependable means to turn on and they complete tasks relatively at the touch of a button you might say.
I'm testing this now. It's an amazing toolkit. There is a video about it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsjGvGLLXJs made a few months ago. I noticed a few minor changes to the installation since that was made.
Quick question: I have wiped a Sata HDD and it's of course unreformatted. Should it be reformatted before restoring a DS image or does DS recognize and perform that prep first before restore. @Peter2150 use to share how he wiped drives with zeroes, emptying the drive and restoring to the empty drive successfully. I can't seem to remember if the wiped disk should be reformatted NTFS first or it can be overlayed with the restored image on the blank.
I haven't tried this boot disk but the author, Jayro, seems to be very active at this forums with three types of boot disks. Code: MediCat USB - A Multiboot Linux USB for PC Repair https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-jayros-lockpick-a-bootable-password-removal-suite-winpe.579278/ MediCat VHD - A USB Bootable Windows 11 Virtual Harddisk for PC Repair https://gbatemp.net/threads/official-medicat-vhd-a-usb-bootable-windows-11-virtual-harddisk-for-pc-repair.581637/ Jayro's Lockpick - A Bootable Password Removal Suite (WinPE) https://gbatemp.net/threads/medicat-usb-a-multiboot-linux-usb-for-pc-repair.361577/
I think the one I'm testing from the Medicat USB website is the main one, which contains some of them above. There is a lot of work gone into it. There is also a Malwarebytes Bootable from the same forum you posted about. But it's also in the Medicat USB. Code: https://gbatemp.net/threads/unofficial-malwarebytes-bootable.481046/
Got that. Thanks @Mr.X - It had been a long time since i needed to do any real life restore to a blank disk after a full wipe.
I've never used Ghost, but it was probably the first imaging software that I was ever introduced to. When I was studying network engineering many years ago, all the computers in the classroom were remotely reimaged using Ghost after every class. That Ghost logo has been etched in my brain ever since.
Symantec Ghost was amazing software (especially being that powerful in its heyday), which most people didn't know it was probably already on their computers in a hidden partition to restore the factory installed image......It was everywhere and you could walk into a computer shop and buy the home version (the last true version of Symantec Ghost). Then Symantec sold out their home users and released some garbage software "PowerQuest Drive Image" using the Ghost name and logo. Broadcom is still updating Symantec Ghost (last update June 2022) but it is so bloody slow at making images. A total let down and a disappointment to all of us who've used Symantec Ghost in the past.
I use to have Symantec Ghost CD disk box and all. It really was one of the most prominent backup programs in circulation way back when. Any idea what version it's last good one was? Oh gawd i remember that PowerQuest takeover thing too
There was a shop over here (PCWorld) years ago selling the product "Norton Ghost 2003" which was basically a front end for Symantec Ghost that ran on Windows, which rebooted the computer to boot into a dos version of Symantec Ghost for automated tasks.............They could have improved on this but no they bastardised the Ghost name. The last version of Symantec Ghost I used before switching to Drive Snapshot was version 11.5
What are the chances of, and do you think user's would support a tiny radical change from the developer to add an incremental feature in Drive Snapshot. Like you i'm tickled ,thrilled, and quite satisfied with it's longstanding and reliable GUI as very basic, even old school if you will. But since it's already competent with the Differentials, what's to say how much more by adding a Incremental feature
To get him to even consider adding incremental support I think it would take many people to contact him requesting such a feature. I can't see it happening though as he implemented differential support in 2005 and hasn't bothered with incremental support in 17 years, so I doubt he would bother unless the demand was high enough.
Fair enough @Gaddster - Thanks for your opinion about that though. We both know it's nothing worth pressing for and that Drive Snapshot if it didnt change how it is now in a century wouldn't take away anything from how long lasting and shockingly trouble-free this little backup app is been and continues to be.
I've never used incremental backups with any backup applications. Full and differentials are all I use. Each incremental relies on each other, whereas differentials don't. Time has never been an important factor for me with backups. Reliability is what I want. But you're probably unlikely to have problems with either. But there is the added chance.
I found incrementals satisfactory when and if necessary but i don't rely on a schedule for them. Use to be a fan of Differentials but found they added more to storage space than i cared to allow to pile up. In fact, as superior as the top backup/restore programs have progressed and their reliability, i simply use their in-built delete feature to keep the external drive nice and lean as well as up-to-date within reason.
In reality, you'll probably be unlucky to run into problems with incrementals. Back in my study days, it was always emphasised that incrementals carried a greater risk than differentials. But if time and storage space is precious to you, then you'll probably be fine. I think from memory, it may be slightly slower to restore incrementals as opposed to a differential.
Absolutely @Hadron- As you so correctly surmise. i thoroughly admire enjoying having ample storage space and strictly for the stockpile of Windows 8.1 systems which is served well over the years and intend to carry them forward in spite of end-of-support shortly upcoming in January. The way i see it I'd be a fool to dismiss and throw away all those years of expert AND freelance developers efforts and the time & work they undertook for security and automation plus the troubleshooting projects out of their lives where they thoughtfully fashioned exceptionally well thought out Windows Softwares and Tweak Programs. That said you are 100% right it is a task but one i put plenty of thought into in order to organize and make use with room to spare.
Sergei Strelec PE is the Go-To UFD Boot Media for when i restore with Driver Snapshot. I insert my DS version and it's a easy restore.
Code: https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Sergei-Strelec-s-WinPE.shtml https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Sergei-Strelec-s-WinPE.shtml#download
