Q: first a backup ever have a WD 120GB Ghost.
I divided into 80gb/31gb.
Now I have everything from programs / OS wise installed on first partition and have MP3, maps, videos, media files downloaded are stored the 31gb partition.
Its a fresh install of Windows 2000 and just added a number of files added to the second partition, because I thought it would be only the first partition.
So mind I started the backup process that one hour or so, use 6 CDRs and I noticed it even copied my info from the second storage partition.
Question is this: I
Since partitioned the drive, what shall I do to drive in the future this image to properly install get? Can I just reformat the whole 120GB shows 6 drives will do the rest? It will automatically create 2 partitions? Or if I just format the drive with no partitions and Ghost back, it will only write all the info to a partition?
Does that make sense? I just want to know, since the photo was taken from two partitions do I need to format (for future restore), the drive in exactly the same way or what will I do to my 120 in the same way. Its kinda hard to explain but I hope my point across.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
You don't have to do anything. If you backed it up correctly, your two partitions will be restored to the way it was when you backed it up.
I believe you did a drive image instead of a partition image, that's why both of your partitions are backed up.
You make a very good point!
I personally only use "partition to image". Easier to restore if I change the hard drive. By the way, if using winXP or 2000 and making the backup as "partition to image" I recommend using the switch -fdsz (clear signature bytes). Not a problem replacing hard drives and restoring partitions 
Alex
Re:I have an old Cyrix 233 box with a couple of old 20GB hard drives on it. I back up the four other machines on my network using Ghost with TCP/IP. I have a single network storage drive that I don't back up this way because it would be too large, but all other drives are imaged this way. Typically an entire backup image for a single machine is 4-10GB, so I have room for about two full backups of each machine. Storing 20+GB worth of images on CDR would not only require 30 CDs, but would also require a lot of CD swapping and time.
I just wanted to mention this as an alternative to backing up to CD. If you have old hardware that's not good for much any more, it is sufficient to serve as a network backup device. Just get yourself a pretty inexpensive HD and you're good to go.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Turkey -
Then you are backing up for the situation that Windows becomes corrupt in some way. If your drive fails you are lost.
Exactly what I was thinking when I read that. Imaging programs should be something everyone uses. Of course this is not at all the case. 
Re:For the paranoid – external backup in a fireproof safe
For the cautious users – backup to an extra HD
For the budget users – backup to CDs
For the temp. purpose – backup to a separate partition
Re:I use partition images saved to a 2nd HD.
(has a FAT partition)
I can backup a 30gig drive in about 15 minutes this way.
Re:Turkey -
Then you are backing up for the situation that Windows becomes corrupt in some way. If your drive fails you are lost.
Re:I tend to do partition images only. Never run into integrity problems, but I use small (windows only) partition to back up. Backing up and entire drive on like 7-13 cd's is just crazy. Now with winXP you shouldnt need to really use ghost with the system restore. Then again I guess it depends on what you are trying to do.
Re:guy makes a VERY good point!!!
Learned the hard way myself. Drove me right into the hands of DriveImage.
But to answer the question yet again, if you do a "drive image", no matter what you do to the drive, restoring will bring it back to the way it was when you backed it up… that is if you did an integrity check!
Re:I give you the advice that I learned o so very very painfully:
Do an integrity check on the image before you go and format anything. O the suckage!!
To answer your original question: you can shuffle around partitions and sizes from within ghost just before you start the reimage. You can even restore a partition to one of a different size provided there's guyugh room to store the data.
Re:Yes, the backup discs will bring your hard disk back to the way it was when you backed it up.
Re:So if I formatted the whole drive as one partition , the back up discs would bring it back to 2 partitions? Or how would I have to leave my hard drive to allow a proper restore with these back up discs?
Re:You don't have to do anything. If you backed it up correctly, your two partitions will be restored to the way it was when you backed it up.
I believe you did a drive image instead of a partition image, that's why both of your partitions are backed up.
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