Norton Ghost

[chim_chim]

I just finished building my computer and updating it with all of my favorite programs. I backed up the whole HD including MBR(14ish GB total) to three DVD-R's using Ghost. These are my questions:

1. If Windows crashes and I can boot up, do I just format the hard drive and then insert my three backup disks? Will that get me back to my previous config?

2. I'm building a computer for my brother with the exact same parts as mine. Can I just insert my three Norton Ghost discs and be ready to go? If I have to re-register the programs that's no problem since I'm going to buy him separate copies of WinXP etc.

Basically, I just want to make sure I don't have to reinstall all my programs one-by-one again. Thanks.

 

[mosin]

Take a look here. There are some things to study in order to get the image from the CD to your drive. It will work, however, and it is pretty easy to figure out.
http://ghost.radified.com/

 

[M11]

I just finished building my computer and updating it with all of my favorite programs. I backed up the whole HD including MBR(14ish GB total) to three DVD-R's using Ghost. These are my questions:

1. If Windows crashes and I can boot up, do I just format the hard drive and then insert my three backup disks? Will that get me back to my previous config?

Insert the first ghost disc (assuming you copied the boot files to the disc) or the ghost floppy and disc one upon bootup. It will format and restore automatically.

2. I'm building a computer for my brother with the exact same parts as mine. Can I just insert my three Norton Ghost discs and be ready to go? If I have to re-register the programs that's no problem since I'm going to buy him separate copies of WinXP etc.

Reinstall, no. Reactivate, possibly. It depends on the parts. If it does ask you to reactivate, in the wizard is a dialog to change the Product Key. Enter the Key that came with his legal copies and you will be able to activate as you did before. However, there is a chance no activation will be needed, but once again this depends on the hardware configuration, most notably parts and MAC address. For a good overview of Microsoft activation, see http://www.licenturion.com/xp/fully-licensed-wpa.txt

If you post a list of installed applications, I can help you identify what will need reactivation and help you find the best prices to relicense all of the non-free installed applications.

 

[chim_chim]

Thanks for the good replies guys.

If you post a list of installed applications, I can help you identify what will need reactivation and help you find the best prices to relicense all of the non-free installed applications.

I'm using all freeware and programs included with my hardware(PowerDVD, FarCry) except for the following:
Win XP Pro Upgrade Academic (Newegg $84)
Norton Systemworks 2003(Newegg $20)


One more question: Is Sygate a sufficient firewall? I'll be using FireFox for my browser if that makes a difference.

 

[mosin]

It is good. So is Kerio and Zone Alarm.

 

[Ice Czar]

http://www.wilders.org/firewalls.htm
http://www.robertgraham.com/pubs/firewall-seen.html
http://www.mynetwatchman.com/kb/res-falsepos.htm
http://www.mynetwatchman.com/kb/default.asp

a firewall is as good as its default rules or as good as the rules you create

also a hardware NAT firewall is nice, and is common with most routers

 

[M11]

Thanks for the good replies guys.
I'm using all freeware and programs included with my hardware(PowerDVD, FarCry) except for the following:
Win XP Pro Upgrade Academic (Newegg $84)
Norton Systemworks 2003(Newegg $20)

You will need to reactivate the windows. Just change the product key as I mentioned earlier. The Norton Systemworks will need no changes made to it, just be sure to purchase another license for your friend. However, no reinstall/reactivation is necessary

One more question: Is Sygate a sufficient firewall? I'll be using FireFox for my browser if that makes a difference.

What sort of environment are you in and what is your internet connection? If you trust everone on your network, you'll be fine with NAT at the router (assuming you're not on dialup). Just keep windows and your antivirus up to date and you'll be fine. Anymore, software firewalls belong in the realm of untrusted networks, such as college campuses. If your LAN is safe, there are far greater threats in email and browser exploits for worrying about a firewall to not be worthwhile.

 

[Ice Czar]

for worrying about a firewall to not be worthwhile.

now now, dont discourage the security learning curve
Its worth learning how to configure rules and monitor logs

 

[M11]

now now, dont discourage the security learning curve
Its worth learning how to configure rules and monitor logs

You have a good point. But I've been sick/injured these past few days and I'm feeling a bit weird right now

I guess I should have rephrased-in the worm/hacker/JeffK infested world in which we live, a software firewall should be lower on his priority list in typical network configurations. With all the BS, there are more important things to focus on. But it is a good still to have.

 

[Ice Czar]

Hope you have a speedy recovery
indeed there are a great number of other areas for security studies
but firewall logs (especially outside a NAT router in a DMZ) can point out exactly how wild and woolly the great intraweb is

Its rather easy to ignore the dangers if you dont realize that nasties are trying to kick in the door 24\7

 

[chim_chim]

One last question now. I went with the Antec SLK3700BQE instead of the Sonata case, so I don't have a front audio port. I'm going to have to be able to switch between speakers and headphones, and I really don't want to reach behind the computer each time. Will my best bet be to use a speaker extension cable such as these?

 

[Ice Czar]

there are also baycovers that will transfer all that forward

yes a University LAN should be considered a pit od vile infection
like the nastiest youll ever see, depending on the admin
who has to purge all these infected computers brought back and hooked up each semester

 

[M11]

I'll be entering college in September. For that environment you'd recommend a firewall, correct?

Hell yes. Or I can send you a tutorial on installing sasser now and get it out of the way
Just go with the Norton Firewall you have in your systemworks. It is fairly hard to screw up. If you feel a little more enterprising, go with ZoneALarm

One last question now. I went with the Antec SLK3700BQE instead of the Sonata case, so I don't have a front audio port. I'm going to have to be able to switch between speakers and headphones, and I really don't want to reach behind the computer each time. Will my best bet be to use a speaker extension cable such as these?

Speaker extention cables are more than fine if you don't mind a little wire mess (like a true geek). Besides, extention cables of any sort always come in handy.

 

[M11]

yes a University LAN should be considered a pit od vile infection

1/3 of all new viruses are seeded to the internet through university LANs. Just some food for thought.