I was able to convert the image from vmdk to gho w/ ghost32 and then deploy it. Is there a way to directly deploy a vmdk to a PC using ghostsrv?

Yes, so long as VMDK itself is intact you should be able t odeploy it from either Console or directly from Ghostcast server. Just select VMDK file rather than GHO. You can also use -ad or -adddisk switch and you can also  manually select VMDK files from ghost itself.

Cheers.

Well, I wish it was that easy. When I browse to my vmdk Console says it's not valid, and prohibits me from running the task. Please be more specific.

If I open ghostsrv and browse to my vmdk file I get an error message stating that "path to vmdk" is not a valid image file. 

yet I can convert it to gho using ghost32. What am I doing wrong?

When you browse for VMDK file in Console in create resource dialog "properties for new image". If VMDK file is ok it should load it, say status "File OK" and show you all the partitions in that VMDK. This doesnt happen for you?

Also when in ghost you use /ad switch and navigate to that disk can you see all partitions with valid data? Can you please post screenshot of ghost screen when you do partition to image, select VMDK disk and paste partition screen here?

Thanks.

I'll be able to post the screenshots tomorrow. The only features of my vmdks that might be getting in the way:

2gig span files

allocates space on the fly. 

Would this have any effect?

I'll post the errors tomorrow. ...Also, I've noticed there are two updates to GSS 2.5 that I haven't applied. Will these help w/ this issue?

If ghost reads your VMDK fine then I expect no problems. Allocate space on the fly is what pretty much anyone is using VMDKs like. It is not often that people pre-allocate space upfront.

It is Friday in NZ so you might not expect an answer from me until NZ Monday but I will try checking your reply over the weekend.

LU2 has ghost exe updated but I do not recall VMDK specific features being addressed. However generally it is a good idea to keep yourself up to date due to other important fixes :)

Cheers.

*removed- file doesn't exist anymore*

Thanks for the pictures. Something for you to check. When you created this VMDK have you cleanly dismounted it? What I mean is - you installed XP in Vmware, perhaps other programs and then cleanly shutdown your virtual OS rather than just power off? Ghost will complain if VMDK is not mounted. Also - please check that machine where you are running COnsole and Ghostcast server has ghost32.exe under c:\program files\symantec\ghost folder.

If you could also post a picture of partitions in VMDK as ghost sees it would be great!

Thanks.

the OS was properly shutdown, and ghost32 is in the default location.

I don't know what this means?

If you could also post a picture of partitions in VMDK as ghost sees it would be great!

Ghost doesn't "see" the image. I'll post what Windows "sees."

btw, It's late here; my wife will kill me if I don't go home.

Thanks for your help.

*removed- file doesn't exist anymore*

Here's few pictures of what I was asking for.

Also what version of VMware are you using? I dont recall seeing this naming scheme before? Usually all subsequent VMDKs are suffixed with -00001.vmdk rather than -s001.vmdk?