Norton Ghost users - Welcome to Symantec System Recovery!
As announced today (15 March 2013), Norton Ghost 15 is being discontinued, and will be replaced with Symantec System Recovery (SSR) 2013 Desktop edition. Click here for details. We'd like to welcome those customer who already have made the transition, or are thinking about it! Please use this thread to discuss any non-technical issues, such as functionality, upgrade information, etc. If you encounter a technical issue and require technical epertise, you are in good hands. This board is monitored by several SSR specialists, ready to assist. Simply start your own thread with your question.
On the surface, Ghost 15 and SSR 2013 are very similar in the look and feel. The console hasn't changed much, so using the product itself should not be much of a learning curve. However, the engine itself has gone through several improvements. Here are a few of the changes in SSR 2013 from Ghost 15:
- Support for Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8
- UEFI Support: Symantec System Recovery now enables boot from UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) in addition to BIOS.
- 64 bit Support: 32-bit and 64-bit recovery disks are now included.
- USB Recovery Disk: Create a custom Symantec System Recovery Disk on a USB device. Add 32- or 64-bit drivers.
- Advanced Monitoring and Reporting: Symantec System Recovery Monitor is a new monitoring solution that's extremely simple to use and is FREE of charge to all Symantec System Recovery 2013 customers. It's a standalone and lightweight solution for managing up to 100 nodes. It’s simplicity and no extra dependency eliminates the learning curve for users. Intuitive GUI along with essential action controls provide crisp status along with ability to take desired actions seamlessly through the same view.
- Improved support for virtual environments: Greater support for ESX, VMWare, HyperV, and Citrix.
- Smart Reconciliation: Now Backups and reconciliation are efficiently done by smartly tracking changed blocks. The reconcile time is drastically reduced to seconds by eliminating the need to do a complete reconcile in cases of crashes or abrupt shutdowns. In addition, incremental backups are now up to 750% faster. (Incremental Backup without reconcile at least 35%, Full Backup 15% faster, Incremental Backup with reconcile – At least 750% faster than Norton Ghost 15)
For more information on SSR 2013, visit http://www.symantecsystemrecovery.com.
Again, welcome Norton Ghost users! Please let us help make the transition to SSR 2013 as seamless as possible.
Comments 47 Comments • Jump to latest comment
Is SSR 2013 backward compadible with the images created with NG15?
I'm checking on this for you....
Please mark thread as solved if you consider this to have answered your question(s)
I've just had this confirmed: yes, SSR 2013 is backwards compatible with Ghost 15.
Please mark thread as solved if you consider this to have answered your question(s)
If SSR2013 is backward compatible with Ghost 15 how do you get the SSR2013 to reconize the G15 backup jobs and back up history ? Ghost 15 was deleted by Norton Removal tool and I could not reload G15 so I had to load SSR2013. I hope I can use the GB15 files that are on my backup drive if not I am in for another long backup session. a note ( Nortons Removal tool removed GB15 when I was having trouble with N360) I back up very many photos and it takes very many hours do it from scratch. I hope someone can help!!!
The history and job data for Ghost 15 was likely deleted by the Ghost removal tool. The data you backed up was not deleted, but if SSR 2013 did not recognize the backup job and history from Ghost, it looks like you will need to recreate your backup job(s). The Norton removel tool does indeed remove everything Norton.
One suggestion - if you backup your entire volume that contains the pictures, a single backup file is created (e.g.: MyComputerBackup.V2i). Within SSR 2013 is a tool that allows you to mount that image fileanytime to a drive letter. You can use Windows Explorer to browse that drive letter and copy files from. Additionally, if your volume crashed and the drive was replaced, you could restore the volume verbatim back to the new drive.)
Andy Horlacher
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Thanks Andy H. I guess I will setup new backups and go from there. Thanks for the help. Hope to get the 40% coupon soon so I an purchase SSR 2013. Thanks again !!!
Andy
Thanks for your help just finished my backup. I started all over with a new backup job took about 16 hrs but I have my photos backed up !!! A little panic when Norton Removal Tool deleted Ghost 15 but all is good now. Ready to buy SSR 2013 when the coupon comes.. Thanks again!!!!!
Andy,
Got my discount coupon and have purchased SSR 2013 and downloaded. My question before I start to unzip and load will I get an email with a license key ? If not when I load will it wipe out the trial and save my backup jobs to the new program? I do not want to run another 16 hr backup. Thanks....
After the purchase, I got an email the following day with the license key. I have been testing SSR 2013 for two weeks and each time I started it, it prompts me for the key (which I did not have previously). The trial software evidently stops working after 60 days.
I entered the key and now no longer get the prompt. It did NOT overwrite any backups etc. I have done in the last two weeks.
You should also go to the Symantec website and register your product.
Thanks JohnTech !!!!
hi guys
i need your help anyone of you there, i have server windows7 ultimate 64bit, C\:drive-500GIG, D:\Drive-500GIG(Archive), S:\Drive(RAID5-4T(Storage), I take image for back up using Norton ghost 11.0 is no problem. now I re-image the server there have problem in the hard drive, the D:\Drive become S:\Drive, and the S:\Drive become D:\Drive is twisted by itself, i have 3 times to re-image is the same result. why is twisted by itself? i need your helf guys.thnz
hi guys
i need your help anyone of you there, i have server windows7 ultimate 64bit, C\:drive-500GIG, D:\Drive-500GIG(Archive), S:\Drive(RAID5-4T(Storage), I take image for back up using Norton ghost 11.0 is no problem. now I re-image the server there have problem in the hard drive, the D:\Drive become S:\Drive, and the S:\Drive become D:\Drive is twisted by itself, i have 3 times to re-image is the same result. why is twisted by itself? i need your helf guys.thnz
Once the image is restored, Windows takes over and assigns the drive letters. You can make the changes to the drive letters of the drive inside of Windows. Follow the instructions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/change-add-or-remove-a-drive-letter
If this is Norton Ghost 11, please use the Ghost forum for your questions here: http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-Ghost/bd-p/Norton_Ghost
Andy Horlacher
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Hi, I just found out that Ghost will no longer be supported and we should move to SSR13. I am ok with this exciting move but here is my issue... about a month ago or so my Windows XP computer died (i.e. some hardware, not the hard disk) and I had to buy a new computer. I was "forced" to get a Windows 8 computer. I have at least 3-4 Ghost 15 licenses of which I could not install one on this new Windows 8 computer.
I checked the Ghost forum and a lot of people were complaining not being able to use Ghost 15.0 on Windows 8 and caught by surprise. I must admit when I bought Ghost 15 licenses (retail boxes), I didn't pay attention at the time since I made assumption that newer versions would support newer Windows OS and I was simply behind in not having the latest OS.
Is there any way for me to get at least one (may be two) Ghost 15.0 license upgraded/changed to SSR13 desktop edition?
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Anil
I've just seen the announcement as well and downloaded SSR 2013. When I read the readme file I saw two bullets that caught my attention:
Symantec System Recovery 2013 does not support computers that use the GRUB boot loader.
Symantec System Recovery 2013 does not support computers that use Fedora Core3 Ext2/Ext3 or Grub 2 boot managers.
I do have Grub2 with WIndows 8 and Ubuntu 12.10 on my system. What is not functioning with SSR 2013?
(When I was still on Windows 7 & Ubuntu 12.10 with Grub 2 as boot manager Norton Ghost 15 worked perfectly).
I did install SSR 2013 and made one backup of my C-Disk, no errors encounted.
Thanks for any assistance.....
Michael
Michael -
The backups will complete succesfully, as SSR 2013 supports those file systems. The issue would likely be during the restore. All partitions will likely be laid down succesfully, but the GRUB and\or GRUB 2 boot manager may not lay down correctly, resulting in a non-bootable system, which would require you to rebuild your GRUB bootloader.
Andy Horlacher
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Andy,
thanks for your fast response. So, together with a tool that rebuilds my GRUB environment ('boot-repair') this should work fine, correct? First restore the system, then repair the boot manager and then restart....
Another question: for my system would you recommend to use the Windows or the Linux version of SSR 2013? In the Windows version I could not see my Ubuntu partition (ext4), would I see the NTFS partitions in the Linux version?
Thanks again.
Michael
Yes, that should work. Test that scenario and let me know.
Andy Horlacher
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Hi Andy,
thanks, I will try that once I do have the coupon and have bought the product.
As far as I know, one cannot restore with the test version....
One correction to my earlier statement that I could not see my Ubuntu partition. It shows up if I click 'hidden disks' (or so). But slecting this partition does not allow me to use 'incremental backups'. But I can live with that as currently I backup this partition via Clonezilla.
I will come back once I checked the suggested process and let you all know the outcome.
Best regards
Michael
Just installed the trial version and everything went great. Want to make the purchase but don't have the coupons that were mentioned... when can I expect them?
The coupons are being generated and should go out shortly. If you are using the SSR 2013 desktop beta but did not download it throught this link, please do so asap: http://check.symantec.com/ssr2013_tw_en.html. This is for desktop version only.
Andy Horlacher
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Thanks! I'll look forward to receiving it.
Purchased multiple licenses, running now on both Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 8 with no problems. Thanks Symantec!
I uninstalled Ghost15 via Control Panel taking the option to keep the settings, then installed SSR 2013. My backup jobs were successfully imported from Ghost into SSR. I made a couple of One Time Backups to test the system and the recovery points were successfully created. However the Event Log now reports "Error 7000, The SymSnapService failed to start due to the following error: The system cannot find the file specified". Services reports that the SymSnapService Startup Type is 'Automatic' but the service is not started.
Win7 Pro x64.
-
-
7000
0
2
0
0
0x8080000000000000
157302
System
Aquarius
-
SymSnapService
%%2
Can you verify that these SymSnap errors were generated after SSR 2013 was installed and began running backups? If so, Ghost 15 may have not completely uninstalled -- SymSnap is no longer used in SSR 2013. Follow the instructions here to uninstall Ghost 15: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH204831
(Note: You may need to repair the installation of SSR 2013 after you follow the technote)
Andy Horlacher
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Hello
I have backup savesets going back some years using both Ghost and the earlier "Norton Save & Restore" Products.
If I buy the SSR2013 solution that I have been offered at a discount, will this product be able to support any needed restores of years-ago backups using these two products?
thank you
bl1257
If you can open\retore those files from Ghost 15, you should be able to do those same files with SSR2013. Install SSR 2013 in demo mode and test, just to be sure. Once installed, double-click on any of your backups files. It should open up in Recovery Point Browser, which means SSR 2013 recognizes it.
Andy Horlacher
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Hi,
Tried to install and run unsuccessfully SSR2013.
Install went fine, service chaecked and started but when I launch SSR2013, nothing happens after the startup window. When launching manually, I get following error:
As another stranded Ghost user (8 licenses of 12, 14, and 15) I want to understand the SSR cost model.
Ghost was a one-off puchase in that I did not have to keep throwing money at it unless I wanted a newer version or had to migrate because something else changed (re-image to newer OS).
What is the model for SSR 2013 Desktop? It looks like one pays by the year on each seat. It looks like the average cost per year is reduced if you buy multiple years at the same time.
So what happens if I pay for a 1 year license and then don't pay for another year. Does it stop working entirely? Does some zombie-like semi-functionality ensue (like the trialware that nags and won't really let me create a custome SRD? Or does it just become nagware but still continue to function.
There does not appear to be reduced cost for a larger number of seats. Does one have to move up the relationship ladder with a larger number of seats for that to occur?
I need to understand the recurring cost of SSR 2013 versus a one-off product like Macrium Reflect - where it appears I have a standard 4-pack forever license for less than the SSR 2013 one year, one seat cost.
Thanks
Does some zombie-like semi-functionality ensue (like the trialware that nags and won't really let me create a custome SRD? Or does it just become nagware but still continue to function.
You CAN create a custom SRD whilst in trial mode. What you CANNOT do in trial is perform a cold backup (cold backup = backup via SRD whilst operating system is shutdown).
As for your other questions, I would recommend you contact customer care:
http://www.symantec.com/support/assistance_care.jsp
Please mark thread as solved if you consider this to have answered your question(s)
HI Ken-G,
I am with the Customer Care Team, Symantec System Recovery 2013 Desktop Edition is what we call a perpetual license. Thus, although 1 year of support is bundled with the license, it is not required to renew the support contract to continue using the product.
Some benefits of a current support contract is eligibility to call into the Enterprise Technical Support team for assistance and also free upgrades to future versions that are released while the support contract is current.
I can assure you it will not "nag" you if you choose to not renew the support contract. It will continue to work.
Regards, Nicholas
Question:
If I already have Symantec Ghost Solution Suite 2.5 do I need to update to SSR2013?
It still seems that SGSS2.5 is still being updated. Is this correct?
Hi ARoewe,
You can post your Symantec Ghost Solution Suite questions in this forum https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/endpoint-m...
Best,
Cheryl
Endpoint Management,
Endpoint Virtualization
Community Manager
www.twitter.com/EMnV_symc
Need Altiris help? IRC chat #Altiris
...
This isn't a question about SGSS, It is a question about SSR.
Since my company already has SGSS2.5 do we need to start looking into moving to SSR or are we good with SGSS2.5?
That depends on what you need...SSR 2013 is a disaster recovery solution for quickly recovering from a 'system down' state, while SGSS is more of a deployment, imaging and system management solution. Many customers use both solutions, as they serve different needs.
Andy Horlacher
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Thank you, that is what I wanted to know.
Hi,
I'm testing SSR 2013 (we already use BESR 2010). The install was fine and creating an image of a server was fine also. However, the SRD iso doesn't seem to boot, I have downloaded a few times and have tried the 64 and 32 bit versions. Am I missing a step? I'm doing what I used to do with BESR?
regards
Raj
What are you booting it on? Physical or virtual machine?
Are you booting from the ISO image, CD, USB etc?
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I tried both physical and virtual.
With VWWare virtual I tried to boot from the iso and for the physical I created a CD from the iso
The ISO should work in a virtual machine as long as the virtual CD is connected to the VM. Is this ESX? If yes, what version?
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We have ESXi 4.1, the iso is in the iso library and virtual CD is connected to it.
I also created a CD from the iso and tried it on a physical server.
The name of the iso file is SSR11.0.0.46600_AllWin_English_SrdOnly.iso
For ESX, please refer to:
http://www.symantec.com/docs/TECH201701
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Thanks for the info, that's great.
Just to clarify, so the SRD for SSR 2011 can be used with SSR 2013?
Yes
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Many thanks
Just so I am clear on the SSR 2013 installation process...
I have Window 7-64 computers that are currently running Ghost 15 and that have W7-64 savesets created by Ghost 15.
I should manually un-install Ghost 15 via the Control Panel before installing SSR 2013 rather than expect SSR 2013 installation to recognize Ghost 15 and un-install it for me. Correct?
Assuming that is correct - I should select the option during the manual un-install that allows me to keep save sets, backup definitions etc.
Another question (probably an ignorant one) ....
In the past when working with Ghost I seem to recall having the situation where Ghost could use older savesets for the purposes of restoring files but did not include the savesets in the cacluation of how much space was being used by backup information. This may have been due to operator error(s) on my part or due to a re-install that lost setting because some other Norton product failed and Norton removal was needed.
If SSR 2013 is installed after taking the proper option during the Ghost un-install, will the automatic management of the backup destination (that deletes old savesets when a threshold is reached) recognize all of the old savesets and continue to manage the backup destination using the rules that were established under Ghost?
Thanks
Ken - You will be prompted to uninstall Ghost 15 when SSR 2013 is installed, and you will be asked if you want to retain the settings from Ghost 15. If you choose to retain the settings, SSR 2013 should pick up where Ghost left off.
Because the incremental engine changed in SSR 2013, the first backup after the installation will be a base backup, after which the incrementals will proceed as scheduled.
Andy Horlacher
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