Imaging a HDD

Is there any script to include any freeware / low cost HDD imaging util (Norton GHOST?, i know not cheap ) into the native XP-PE environment, i feel like i have wasted my time getting Norton Ghost as it wont image my HDD system just reboots, BSOD, everytime its run.

System,
Intel Core 2 Duo 2x2000ghz.
1GB ram.
160GB Sata hdd.

Cheers
Rodent

Looks like the XP Live CD project has a script for DriveImageXML. It's okay but seems to need the partitions already laid out before cloning. That's just my experience though.

Hopefully someone will come out with a SelfImage script!
http://selfimage.excelcia.org/

Is there any script to include any freeware / low cost HDD imaging util (Norton GHOST?, i know not cheap ) into the native XP-PE environment, i feel like i have wasted my time getting Norton Ghost as it wont image my HDD system just reboots, BSOD, everytime its run.

System,
Intel Core 2 Duo 2x2000ghz.
1GB ram.
160GB Sata hdd.

Cheers
Rodent

Hi Rodent, Welcome aboard!

There are a number of great scripts now for this purpose, the best free one is probably Paragon Hard Disk Manager 8.0 SE (does it all - free!) available here. There are scripts now for Acronis TrueImage and Disk Director products but you have to have the licensed software on your PC to create the scripts. Ghost (depending on version) should backup your HDD fine, works good on my machines for XP or Vista (maybe SATA driver issue?). DriveImage XML works OK but very limited and slow, huge backup files etc. Try the Paragon and see if it does what you need it to. Good luck!

stay away from DriveImage XML it is not intended to work properly, and it's overbloated. If you want to work at Forensic analysis level, or with the same tool forget this tool.

@Rodent

FYI, here is a list of many apps:
http://www.911cd.net...php?t16534.html

Check also the linked to thread on MSFN.

@risolutore
Can you expand on your idea of DriveImage XML?
I have some problems in understanding what you mean, translated back into Italian your post appears as:
[Begin Italian]
Stai alla larga da DriveImage XML non è stato studiato per funzionare correttamente, ed è eccessivamente gonfiato. Se vuoi usarlo per analisi a livello forense, o con la stessa applicazione, dimenticati questa applicazione.
[/End Italian]


For the record:
1) DriveImage XML is NOT a cloning/imaging tool, it is more like a backup tool, it uses extensively MS Volume Shadow Services and CANNOT image WHOLE drives, only logical volumes.
2) DriveImage XML has NOT any use in forensic like analisys, using it for this kind of work would be like using a hammer to drive a screw, it will damage it.

jaclaz

Maybe not what rodent is looking for... but I was wondering if there is a script for WimMaster, GImageX, or ImageX? Could martinr's VistaPE scripts be adapted?

Hi Rodent, Welcome aboard!

There are a number of great scripts now for this purpose, the best free one is probably Paragon Hard Disk Manager 8.0 SE (does it all - free!) available here. There are scripts now for Acronis TrueImage and Disk Director products but you have to have the licensed software on your PC to create the scripts. Ghost (depending on version) should backup your HDD fine, works good on my machines for XP or Vista (maybe SATA driver issue?). DriveImage XML works OK but very limited and slow, huge backup files etc. Try the Paragon and see if it does what you need it to. Good luck!

The Script looks like it will do what i need, but how do you include it into the build? (call me thick )

I starting to think i bought a dud of a computer, it has issues random reboots, missing MFT, ntloader... the list gets worse but only if i leave the system running for anylength of time. lol.

***And before anyone says it, Yes I do have the latest drivers!***

but how do you include it into the build?

You make the decision on the script interface by choosing the appropriate option and configuration. Either 1) allow the script to download the software for inclusion; 2) installing from a pre-downloaded install file; or 3) from a local installation of the software.

Regards,
Galapo.

The Script looks like it will do what i need, but how do you include it into the build? (call me thick )

I starting to think i bought a dud of a computer, it has issues random reboots, missing MFT, ntloader... the list gets worse but only if i leave the system running for anylength of time. lol.

***And before anyone says it, Yes I do have the latest drivers!***

(Just saw this response, sorry for the delay)

OK, two separate issues entirely; your PC troubles and including the (Paragon) script in your build. As for the PC, you may just want to 'start over' with a fresh install, If you have the OS installation CD (and product I.D.) it's pretty easy to re-format and start clean. Once you have your backup script included in your WinBuilder project, you can easily backup the hard drive, including the OS and everything setup the way you like but there's no point in backing up a corrupted installation.

To include the (Paragon) script in your build, just copy the script into the appropriate Apps, sub-folder of your project, for example, in a LiveXP project this could be "C:\wb072a*\Projects\LiveXP\Apps\Backup" *This is the folder (can name it what you want but keep it short and clean and in your active partition root, in most cases, C:) that contains your WinBuilder.exe (only) to start but after downloading, also includes a 'Projects' folder with the sub-directory listed above where you can copy the script to. Should look like this:


Once the script is included, dbl-click on WinBuilder.exe and look for the new script in the Scripts 'tree' under Apps - Backup; click on the script and make any required option choices in the right side menu that appears. Make any other option changes at this time and make sure you set your source under the Paths tab as either your installation CD in the drive or a folder on your hard drive which you've copied it to. Now run the project (Play) and the new script(s) will be included!