Norton SystemWorks - Ghost and why it sucks!

[SuperAndy]

Hey all, a few months back I installed WinXP on my old computer. Well, I have a bit to say about the OS itsself but I will leave that since my article is mainly about SystemWorks.
I would give the program about a 2 out of 10.

Basically the only program on there that you really need is Antivirus. When it comes to the defragmentation programs, I somewhat wonder if that messed up some of my programs. Besides which Windows has its own defragmentor. It may take a little longer, but Windows knows how to take care of its self. When it comes to backing up your products with Ghost, I found the result ironic. I started off with a stable operating system. I was not told explicitly that before you ghost your computer you MUST make a virtual drive, so if anyone is going to use Ghost as a backup program, which I highly would like to dissuade you from, know it really well first.

Basicly after I tried to ghost the computer I lost everything, and even after I cleared the HD and tried to reinstall windows from scratch it still would not work. This may have been partly due to the fact that I was using an old computer, but then how did I install XP the first time? Also when I tried to go back to Win 98 that was unstable too.

What I am trying to say here is, if your operating system is working fine, don't screw with it. Don't use all those products non microsoft companies will try to sell you to tweak it, unless you don't mind parting with your money. All you need is one antivirus, one firewall, and the system tools your operating system came with. If you want to back up your system, don't use Ghost!

[sdkfz]

so if Im read that right you are saying that you formatted the drive and you still had issues? That does not sound like a software problem.....

[TwoRails]

I've used various versions of Ghost for years now... never a problem. When you say, I tried to ghost the computer I lost everything do you meant when you tried to make an image file? or restore an image file?

Also, isn't ...know it really well first... really true for any software? Sure, it's easy to just jump into, say, a new wordprocessor without reading the manual, but with any critical program, like any system utility, especially backup / restore utilities, it is really a must to know what you're doing or risk any negative results.

And, Ghost is the program of choice for many PC magazines and review sites; they set up their base / reference system(s) using "stock" drivers, then install the component to be reviewed (say, a video card), install the appropriate drives, do the testing / benchmarking, then the to a "fresh" install by Ghosting the drive back to the "stock" config, and repeat the process with the next component to be reviewed.

[SuperAndy]

Well, if your a computer programmer and know computers inside and out go ahead and use it. PC magazines may give it rave reviews, but I don't.
As for reading the manual, I did read the manual first and I am fairly computer literate. It was not very explicit about needing to install a virtual drive first. Also that was a minor sub heading in Ghost, whereas creating a backup was a major option. Then there was no warning to make sure one was created before rebooting and making a copy of the OS.
Not every person who decides to backup their computer is a computer wizard. Because it is so easy to screw up with this program, because it is not straight forward, the directions were unclear and it cost me a lot of money, and because it is therefore dangerous for those who arent computer geeks to use it, for those reasons Ghost still sucks, and I don't care what the latest mags say about it.

As far as my end result being a hardware or software problem after reformatting the drive, I was told that it was a hardware problem, and I find it an enigma that XP was working fine before hand. Maybe something just shorted coincidentally after I ran Ghost, I'll really never know.

But the upside to all this was after I gave up on my old computer is when I started building my new computer, rather than buying a PC or Mac.

[TwoRails]

Good luck on your new build, SuperAndy! How's it coming along?

[SuperAndy]

Build is going pretty good. I have the computer up and running now with the operating system, but now my optical drive appears to be malfunctioning.
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P4P800, ATI Excalibur Radeon 9200, 2.4 P4C, 512 MB RAM (400 MHZ), 2 maxtor ATA HDs

[TwoRails]

I hate when that happens ! :eek: - Seems like you'll be posting a new thread?

[not important]

Originally posted by SuperAndy
Well, if your a computer programmer and know computers inside and out go ahead and use it. PC magazines may give it rave reviews, but I don't.
As for reading the manual, I did read the manual first and I am fairly computer literate. It was not very explicit about needing to install a virtual drive first. Also that was a minor sub heading in Ghost, whereas creating a backup was a major option. Then there was no warning to make sure one was created before rebooting and making a copy of the OS.
Not every person who decides to backup their computer is a computer wizard. Because it is so easy to screw up with this program, because it is not straight forward, the directions were unclear and it cost me a lot of money, and because it is therefore dangerous for those who arent computer geeks to use it, for those reasons Ghost still sucks, and I don't care what the latest mags say about it.
I'm sorrry to hear of your bad experience with Ghost.
I've used Ghost for the last few years, without any manual or any real knowledge of the program, and I have nothing but praises for it. I always thought it was pretty self explanatory. It has saved me many hours of work.

[RobH]

Hey andy you said you lost it all,I did that once with Ghost,I got the source drive confused with the destination drive and wiped my image..

[Rapier]

I use the virus and One Button Check-up and the clean sweep options. I've been lucky every year to get it very cheap after rebates, usually less than $5. 2004 was free and had 2 utilities (1box each) I sold for a total $35 plus S&H.