Imaging Windows Vista Using Symantec Ghost

[Windows Vista Tips] [Windows Tips] [Computer Tips]

All of the information, instructions, and recommendations on this Web site are offered on a strictly "as is" basis. Remember "Murphy's Law." Please take the proper precautions before attempting any of the tips or modifications listed here.

Problem / Description

After restoring a full disc image (2 partitions, one of which is diagnostic) using Ghost v7.5, Windows Vista Business failed to start with a Windows Boot Manager error message.

Error message

Windows Boot Manager

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:

Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \Windows\system32\winload.exe
Status: 0xc000000e
Info: The selected entry could not be loaded because the application is missing or corrupt.

ENTER=Continue ESC=Exit

Issue

Windows Vista records the signature bytes of the hard disc drive and checks the signature on each boot. If they differ, Windows will fail to start.
When Ghost v7.5 restores the image, it clears or modifies the signature bytes.

Resolution

Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your computer.
Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
Click "Repair your computer."

The following was displayed when I did this on my computer:

System Recovery Options
Windows found problems with your computer's startup options.
Do you want to apply repairs and restart your computer?

Repair details:
The following startup option will be repaired:
Name: Microsoft Windows Vista
Identifier: {A99999AA-9999-99AA-A9A9-A99999A9AA99}
Windows Device: Partition=Not found

After clicking the [Repair and restart] button, windows reboots and installs a "generic volume driver" then requires a reboot.

Generic volume
Device driver software installed successfully.

After rebooting, everything appears okay. Windows Vista boots without any errors.

Prevention

When restoring an image to the same computer/hard disc drive using Ghost v7.5, add the -FDSP switch to preserve the signature bytes on the destination disc.

Use BCDEdit before creating the image to tell Vista to use the default drive when booting. See: Vista and Ghost (Using BCDEdit)

Boot the computer into Vista, open a command window with Administrator privileges by right-clicking on Command Prompt and choosing "Run As Administrator."
Run the following three commands within the command window:

BCDEDIT /set {bootmgr} device boot
BCDEDIT /set {default} device boot
BCDEDIT /set {default} osdevice boot
Shutdown the computer.
Use Ghost to create an image of the hard disc drive.