bootable flash drive with Ghost

The Franchise · Joined: Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 477 Location: Arkansas

Hi,
I would like detailed instructions on how to make a bootable USB flash drive with Ghost on it.Can't seem to find what I need.I've used HP to make the drive bootable. It boots up says Windows ME emergency is starting up and then there is a command prompt: C:\ and nothing else. Files from a Ghost floppy have been copied to the drive. Of course I'm doing something wrong and yes something stupid but somewhere I've missed something.
Don't really need it.Just a puzzle to solve.
Shocked

Jimmy

BudDurland · Joined: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 522

If you type 'ghost' at the C:\ prompt, what happens? If you are rewarded with 'bad command or file name', make sure to switch to the directory that contains the ghost program using 'CD <directory name>'

The Franchise · Joined: Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 477 Location: Arkansas

Hi,
make sure to switch to the directory that contains the ghost program using 'CD <directory name>'
Not really sure what you mean. This is where it is located: H:\Ghost.
Tried all that I know to and still nothing. The Ghost floppy just boots up into ghost.Why not the flash drive? I'm trying to learn but no light bulb yet.
Thanks for helping.
Jimmy Question

Werebo

Allo Jimmy Smile

It would seem you have your USB drive stick ready to boot from, the next step is to tell the BIOS to boot from there, instead of the hard drive.

If you enter the BIOS (At boot-up and before you get the Windows 'Splash-Screen' appear, tap the appropriate key - it varies from mobo to mobo, most times it's the 'Del' key - but not always Confused

), it should be in the obstruction manual

Once you've got there, look for an entry somewhere that lets you change the Boot order. It's most likely looking at either the hard-drive or CD/DVD drive first. (On my Asus board, I can set it to look in 3 places - HD - CD/DVD USB slot). Tell it to look for the USB first of all, the 2nd/3rd choices are what you prefer, but it'll boot up faster if you point it to HD before CD/DVD Wink

Save and exit the BIOS and reboot, with the 'Ghost' flash drive in the slot and either pray or cross fingers, depending on your preferences

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

Jimmy,
I would have thought you'd already have that problem solved by now.

OK, by the numbers, here's how I just did it.

Making a Flash Drive bootable to Ghost 2003:

Insert your Flash Drive into the USB slot and determine in My Computer what the drive letter is.

Run the HP formatter program.
Under 'Device', scroll down to your FD drive letter.
Set the 'Volume Label' to what ever you want it to be.
Under "Format Options" check:
Create a DOS Startup Disk

Under, Using DOS System files located at:

Select: A: (or your source boot disk)

Click: START

When operation is complete:
Copy all the files from your Ghost boot floppy, to the USB Flash Drive.

NO need to copy the three system files:
command.com
IO.SYS
MSDOS.sys

I just did this entire process using my Ghost 2003 boot floppy as the source and a 256 meg Sandisk Cruiser flash drive as the target.
It worked like a champ.

Now, print this out for reference.

Good Luck,
The Doctor

The Franchise · Joined: Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 477 Location: Arkansas

Doctor,
Sorry, still the same thing.Off to work making plywood now but will keep trying.
device: only one option
I did use fat32 but have tried all 3 options
DOS file systems at "A" ,a disk that I know will boot up into Ghost.
Will try to copy fies a different way.Open up ghost folder and copy individual files and the others as individual files.
At least now I don't feel as stupid as before.
Confused

Jimmy

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

There are many ways to copy files.

My favorite is probably, to select all the files you want to copy.
Hold down the left control key while you click the files with your mouse to select them, then right click the group of files and select "Copy".

Then go to the target ( like your flash Drive ) in MY Computer, and put your mouse cursor on it, right click and then click "Paste" from the drop down menu.

Job done!

Doc

BudDurland · Joined: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 522

I know this will sound silly, but is there an AUTOEXEC.BAT on the flash drive? It should contain something like this:

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

BudDurland · Joined: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 522

Certainly, Doc, the AUTOEXEC.BAT file can be as simple or complex as need be. I was just trying to stay focused on the problem as I understand it: Franchise needs ghost to automatically start when the system is booted from the flash drive. I'm just looking to move the big rocks first. But, maybe I mis-understood the original question.

The Franchise · Joined: Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 477 Location: Arkansas

I'm still trying.auto exe is as the Dr's.Learned a bunch.The whole point of the exercise is see how things work and to make them work the way I want.Sure beats a jig saw puzzle as mental exercise!Thanks for all help.It is much appreciated.
Jimmy Very Happy

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

BudDurland · Joined: Dec 05, 2002 Posts: 522

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

Bud,
Jimmy and I have been working on this for quite a while now. Wink

When he said "boots up into Ghost", I'm sure he meant "boots up into the Ghost menu" which looks something like this:

GHOST 2003 Menu [4

1. Run Ghost to make a new image. (Windows XP Only)
This program will delete all temp files, cookies, histories, etc.
The Cleanup works only on a FAT-32 partition.

2. Run Ghost
This program runs Ghost alone, with NO cleanup being done.
Use this version to do Ghost Restores or Ghost image without cleanup.
You must use this option on any NTFS partition.

3. Run Ghost on Windows 98 or ME (delete the Swapfile and all temp's, etc.)

4. Delete all Restore points (Windows XP. Works on FAT-32 partition only)

5. Delete Windows "Pagefile" (Windows XP. Works on FAT-32 partitions only)

6. Remove all the old Restore files in Windows ME.

(Revised 12-17-07)
Type in a number at the DOS Prompt and press ENTER.

****************************************
That's my Ghost 2003 boot menu, which I know many users have copied for their own use. (In fact, this disk has gone worldwide.)
It makes the disk very useful for HD's from DOS to Vista.
Most of the batch files have drive letters in them. This poses a real problem when all of a sudden the program is booting up to a C: prompt instead of the expected A: prompt.
I'll get it all figured out. I always do.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor

The Franchise · Joined: Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 477 Location: Arkansas

That's right.At one point I could boot into Ghost without the menu(forgot now how I did it) but I want the menu first.
Jimmy Smile

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 2240 Location: Central FL, USA

We'll get there Jimmy! Wink

All it takes is time, effort and a little help from GOD. Wink

I'm still trying to figure out why one FD formats out to boot as A: and another one made exactly the same way boots up to a C: prompt.

Big mystery and the crux of our problem.

Y'all have a great day now, Y'hear?

The Doctor