How to extract files from a Ghost Image disk?

medicineman3 · 09-19-2004, 03:14 AM

I run WinXP with SP2 and had recently backed up my system using Norton Ghost 2003.
I had a major crash where the system couldn't be restored. So, I went to load the Ghost Images from the DVD's I had burned them onto. I got an image corruption error and couldn't load the images onto the hard drive.

My question is, is it possible to extract files (such as my documents) from the disk images even though there is a corruption them?

I already tried using the ghost explorer with no luck.

johnwill · 09-19-2004, 09:37 AM

If they're corrupted, I don't know of any way to access them. If I'm using GHOST for such an operation, I do an image check before I need them to insure that they'll be readable in the future.

medicineman3 · 09-19-2004, 01:50 PM

Yeah, I realize that. Did a check right after I made the images and they checked fine.
For some reason they got corrupted after the check, or I did something to them. When I check them now it runs about 10% then I get the error.
I already did a clean reinstall of the OS.
I was just hoping there may be a way to, or some software out there, that can at least extract the files I need.
I tried the Ghost Explorer and Isobuster but no luck.

johnwill · 09-20-2004, 03:55 PM

Compressed GHOST image files are somewhat fragile. I normally use USB/Firewire disks for that kind of backup, they're more likely to keep the image safe. :)

medicineman3 · 09-20-2004, 05:48 PM

Aside from damage from excessive heat exposure or scratching the disks I thought the images would be safe. Apparently I did something to them while checking the images.
Symantec suggested running Ghost Explorer in the DOS command line, using the -ignoreindex or -corrupt commands.

I tried running it as recommended but can't get it to work. After opening the DOS prompt amd entering the "D:\Program Files\Symantec\Ghost\Ghostexp.exe -ignoreindex" command I get an error saying ":\Program isn't a valid index" or something to that effect.
Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?
What I get when I open the DOS prompt is "C:\<Documents and Settings\Username>"
I then switch it to "C:\" and try the command, but get the error.

I would provide a link to Symantec's Forum thread but I can't turn on the HTML here :)

johnwill · 09-21-2004, 07:25 PM

AFAIK, you can't damage a CD-R/RW image by reading it, I can't imagine how you could have damaged them. It's hard to know what happened, but I have been very unsuccessful in recovering a GHOST image if it comes up corrupted. I've had excellent luck with external disks, as well as disk drawers, and that's basically how I use GHOST. I have written GHOST images to CD's after first splitting them up on hard disks, and that has been pretty successful. There may be issues with writing directly to CD/DVD media, since it's been the one area that I have had several issues.

09-19-2004, 03:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
medicineman3 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sunny California Posts: 3 OS: WinXP	How to extract files from a Ghost Image disk? I run WinXP with SP2 and had recently backed up my system using Norton Ghost 2003. I had a major crash where the system couldn't be restored. So, I went to load the Ghost Images from the DVD's I had burned them onto. I got an image corruption error and couldn't load the images onto the hard drive. My question is, is it possible to extract files (such as my documents) from the disk images even though there is a corruption them? I already tried using the ghost explorer with no luck.

09-19-2004, 09:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	If they're corrupted, I don't know of any way to access them. If I'm using GHOST for such an operation, I do an image check before I need them to insure that they'll be readable in the future. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-19-2004, 01:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
medicineman3 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sunny California Posts: 3 OS: WinXP	Yeah, I realize that. Did a check right after I made the images and they checked fine. For some reason they got corrupted after the check, or I did something to them. When I check them now it runs about 10% then I get the error. I already did a clean reinstall of the OS. I was just hoping there may be a way to, or some software out there, that can at least extract the files I need. I tried the Ghost Explorer and Isobuster but no luck. Last edited by medicineman3 : 09-19-2004 at 02:15 PM.

09-20-2004, 03:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Compressed GHOST image files are somewhat fragile. I normally use USB/Firewire disks for that kind of backup, they're more likely to keep the image safe. :) __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

09-20-2004, 05:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
medicineman3 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sunny California Posts: 3 OS: WinXP	Aside from damage from excessive heat exposure or scratching the disks I thought the images would be safe. Apparently I did something to them while checking the images. Symantec suggested running Ghost Explorer in the DOS command line, using the -ignoreindex or -corrupt commands. I tried running it as recommended but can't get it to work. After opening the DOS prompt amd entering the "D:\Program Files\Symantec\Ghost\Ghostexp.exe -ignoreindex" command I get an error saying ":\Program isn't a valid index" or something to that effect. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong? What I get when I open the DOS prompt is "C:\<Documents and Settings\Username>" I then switch it to "C:\" and try the command, but get the error. I would provide a link to Symantec's Forum thread but I can't turn on the HTML here :) __________________ " I feel like an itty bitty worm on a big friggin' hook! "

09-21-2004, 07:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 31,468 OS: XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	AFAIK, you can't damage a CD-R/RW image by reading it, I can't imagine how you could have damaged them. It's hard to know what happened, but I have been very unsuccessful in recovering a GHOST image if it comes up corrupted. I've had excellent luck with external disks, as well as disk drawers, and that's basically how I use GHOST. I have written GHOST images to CD's after first splitting them up on hard disks, and that has been pretty successful. There may be issues with writing directly to CD/DVD media, since it's been the one area that I have had several issues. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience