Norton Ghost 14.0 [Old Version]

Ive used past versions of Norton Ghost to do backups and recoveries when they are needed and I have found the software to do what it says it will but its not the most intuitive product in the world. Having said that, I think that the older versions were better overall. The interface was very simple but it seemed to lighten the bells and whistles stuff and stuck to the basics. I think that with the new interface the product looks nicer but when you try to do too much and release a product too early it can cause problems. After reading other reviews regarding bugs and problems using the software I will have to say be careful. The backups that I did worked fine and I didnt have problems but with multiple warnings out there on the web I cant give this more than a 3 star rating. Ghost will do backups but theres too many warning signs to make this a recommended purchase. ***

Norton Ghost is in essence backup software for those who did not get an operating system that already has backup software on it. That being said, even though Im running Vista Ultimate, I decided to give Ghost a try to see what it offered. I actually like Ghost a great deal. I found the interface to be easy to set up, and the alerts that it is doing its duty each night is very reassuring. I havent had any problems with getting the files back again. Now I do have to say that I would NOT ever try to restore an entire operating system from old backup files. My home PC is running a number of large, complex software packages. If I had some sort of catastrophic hard drive failure, I would start from scratch, install those software packages fresh, and just get my data files from the backup. I imagine some small home users might enjoy the idea of restoring an entire system but for me its just not reasonable. I have hardware level protection, but if the system really does hose, Im starting from scratch to ensure everything goes on fresh and clean. So if your aim is to have your entire computer including OS and programs backed up, Id look more into hardware level (RAID etc) protection to give you the security youre seeking. I realize Ghost says it can do it - but there are so many variables and issues involved that it cant be fool-proof. I would really only use this (and any back up software) to back up data files that are changing. Organize your data files so that they are stored logically, then back them up nightly. You can always re-install Word - but you cant re-install your diary files and important correspondence. Now, that being said, why go with Ghost rather than say Vista Ultimate? I happen to love Vista Ultimate and havent had any issues with it at all. I love its functionality, and its run super smoothly with all my software. But if youre someone who wants to run an OS without a built in back up, I would definitely go with this to supplement. You want backups. Somehow computers know when you are NOT backing up, and that is when they choose to crash. Dont subject yourself to that pain. Whatever you go with, make sure you are backing up your data files.

Norton Ghost takes more than a little knowing before it works and even then it can create problems the likes of which will challenge the most experienced computer user.

OK, as an Amazon Vine member I requested, and got this, free. Turns out that was a bad idea. I have used Norton Antivirus, etc., software for years and it seems to work pretty well, although it probably slows up my computers operation a little. So I thought, hey, a strong, function-rich backup program! And all I have to do is install and review it. How sweet is that? But when I mentioned that I had scored Norton Ghost 14 to two people far more knowledgeable about computers and software than I, both IMMEDIATELY and VISIBLY shuddered, and recommended that I not even try installing it. One of these people, an IT professional who makes his living going from site to site fixing the foulups of other IT pros, told me it was buggy, poorly documented, and did nothing much that light-to-moderate users would need anyway. He pointed out that Windows XP has built-in basic backup capabilities. My son -- who runs his own Website, plus blogging and gaming online constantly and maintaining a home network with four monitors, multiple hard drives and god knows what else -- told me he never runs anything Norton anymore because it has become bloatware that slows him down. So I didnt install Ghost 14.0. (Beat me, Amazon Vine! Scourge me if you must! I have failed you, although I may have saved my computers.) I did read the manual. Folks, here is a clue: it takes Norton 9 pages of 6-point type to tell the end user what he/she needs to run Ghost, and how to install it. Not a good sign for ordinary domestic users. Some of this is repetition, but most of it is somewhat technical information about what you need to install and run Ghost 14.0, and what may happen during installation. You do need to read this carefully. I did, and it succeeded mainly in convincing me that I wasnt going to even attempt an installation unless my daughter -- also an IT pro -- was on the phone with me. I may yet install this and then update my review. For now, however, a perusal of the many, many negative comments already posted here, plus my examination of the software manual, were enough to put me off.

Ive given up on Symantec products. Norton Ghost 14.0 has worked erratically from the start, on a variety of machines with a variety of hardware and OS configurations. The tech support staff in Bangladesh invariably conclude that uninstalling and reinstalling is the answer to your problem, no matter how many times youve done it. Youll get similar responses for Norton 360, which is even worse. I wash my hands of it, and I hope you never get your hands dirtied by this product.

Did not live up to hipe. Too difficult to use and too slow to do the job. Look elsewhere, for a good backup and clone program.

I needed some help to partition my drive, but the end result is great, and I can rest easy with any fear of disaster.

I have enjoyed using Ghost 9, and for some stupid reason, decided to upgrade to 14. It installs a menu system that dumbs down and limits your options. Major problem using if you have an IDE, SCSI, or SATA drives, especially if you installed a Promise type card to get more drive slots. If you need support, all their 800 numbers go through (even during USA daytime) to India or Philippines for support, and they are all following scripted answers. If you try their CHAT they want to have you install software so they can remotely control your desktop in every case, and they still dont fix the problem, or know what is going on. The Gear Software drivers do not work in many cases. If you have other products that use drives/burners like Nero, AnyDVD, etc., you will have conflicts. The price at Nortons website is $70 and it will take more than 10 days if you select the most cost effective method of shipping box. I have wasted almost 5 hours in chat, endless on hold, ridulous telephone routing qeues, and there are no phone numbers to speak with anyone at Symantec in the USA. I will never use another Symantec product again for the rest of my life...and returned this Ghost 14

The first think you do when reviewing software --- know what you are doing. Dont assume that your Flash drives will magically work with the software. Do I think Norton Ghost is a great product that is most likely useful to people on a network trying to remotely back up and image hard drives? Yes. Do I plan to test it when I get my own wireless network set up? Yes. Do I know how to work it at the moment? No. Ill update this review when I get Norton Ghost fully deployed. I will say that I love Norton in general even if this product is a bit confusing. The domumentation doesnt provide much help.

I used this to ghost my os and it worked very well. It was a bit confusing in the beginning but worked out in the end.