I am not absolutely certain what your question entails regarding Norton Ghost but the Dell provided (Norton copyright) restoration software is based on this program. I assume that the screen you refer to is one encouraging your purchase for the whole program as opposed to just the ruminants installed from the factory. 

 

The restoration program is invoked by pressing CTRL+F11 during the boot process before WinXP has a chance to load.  A GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen will appear providing the user with the option to rewrite the drive with the factory installed image or abort.

 

There is an image file in one partition and Dell installed diagnostic software installed into another partition on most newer computer hard drives. This was done for several reasons. The primary reason is to inovoke a full disk restoration in the event of castastrophic damage to the original WinXP installation. There is no need to provide an Operating system CD unless the customer wishes to purchase one. The system can be completely restored by Dell remote if necessary. So there are many reasons why these partitions exist on newer Dell computers.

 

Some people may argue that it is just a sales ploy to encourage new customers to buy more software while other people find the installed software and partitions a life saver. It all depends on the perception of the end user how good or how often they may require an image to restore. The Dell provided image restoration sofware works flawlessly, I know, because I have used it on a Dimension 9100 that no longer booted to WinXP for some odd reason.

 

Do you need to buy the full package? That is entirely up to you, but it is not a must have.

 

 

Start here to get a handle on the two different "Ghosts" that Dell uses.  Then check here for the nitty-gritty on actually using Ghost.  And if you have questions, the Ghost experts hang out here.  (Seriously!  The real experts are not at Symantec.)

 

There used to be a decent tutorial on the Symantec site, but I haven't been able to find it recently.  (Perhaps someone else has a current link.)

 

Dan Goodell

 

I can agree with the logic in the links provided but most people don't backup anything ever. That is a fact of life. It is always best to have an image file squirreled away on a DVD but most people won't do it and won't buy the software to do it. So as much as I like to agree, it is likely not to happen on a frequent basis.

 

If under warranty a hard drive failure occurs you get a new one from Dell with the operating system and image included. If on the other hand the drive fails after warranty the end user is left to his/her own discretion. In either case, all those pictures of Sloggo attacking the mailman are gone forever.

So, are all of you pretty much in agreement that I should not bother with this installation because I have all I need as Dell provided?  I guess that's exactly what I am getting at is why install all of these unnecessary programs?

 

I know when I got my first computer several years ago I knew absolutely NOTHING. I try, and I know much more than I did at that time, but obviously not enough!  :smileymad:  At any rate, I had things I didn't utilize on it and later figured out there was never a reason to take up disc space for all of this "stuff."  

 

Anyway, you are all so kind to try and help those of us who are, well, dummies! Thank you for the links, too. I'll look into them and at least learn about this.

 

Your answers are much appreciated.

 

Debbie

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ManyDimensions wrote:

I can agree with the logic in the links provided but most people don't backup anything ever. That is a fact of life. It is always best to have an image file squirreled away on a DVD but most people won't do it and won't buy the software to do it. So as much as I like to agree, it is likely not to happen on a frequent basis.

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I am sorry but you lost me, what are you agreeing to and why? I do not understand the reason behind the post, are you talking to the OP or Dan? Again, these old eyes and feable mind are not what they use to be.

 

Linda

Dan,

 

I see. I had read your response rather quickly as I was leaving. Now that I see it again, I understand what you are saying. I kept thinking that this all sounded strange, but that I would just have to research it more. Quite honestly, I thought, "What am I missing here!?"  

 

Thanks Again!

 

Debbie

"So, are all of you pretty much in agreement that I should not bother with this installation because I have all I need as Dell provided?  I guess that's exactly what I am getting at is why install all of these unnecessary programs?"