About running a one-time backup from Symantec Recovery Disk

Using a valid license key, you can create independent recovery points using the new Back Up My Computer feature in Symantec Recovery Disk. Sometimes known as a cold backup or offline backup, you can create recovery points of a partition without the need to install Norton Ghost or its agent.

With a cold backup, all files are closed when the backup occurs. You do not copy any data that may be in the middle of being updated or accessed on the desktop or server. Cold backups are particularly useful for databases. They ensure that no files are written to or accessed at anytime during the backup so you have a complete recovery point.

You can also use the Symantec Recovery Disk CD to create recovery points if you experience any of the following:

  • A level of corruption prevents you from starting Windows on the computer.

  • Norton Ghost does not function properly while it runs on a Windows operating system.

  • You want to back up the condition of a damaged system before you recover. For example, if a server or desktop is severely damaged, you can use the Symantec Recovery Disk CD to back up what remains of the system. Then, you can recover what you can later, after you restore an independent recovery point.

When you want to create a backup from the Symantec Recovery Disk CD, you are prompted for a valid license key only for the following scenarios:

  • You use the original, shipping version of the Symantec Recovery Disk CD to create a backup of a computer that does not have Norton Ghost installed.

  • The computer that you intend to back up using the original, shipping version of the Symantec Recovery Disk has an unlicensed installation of Norton Ghost.

  • You create a custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD on a computer that has an unlicensed installation (60-day trial) of Norton Ghost. You then use the custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD to create a backup of a computer that does not have an installation of Norton Ghost.

    See Creating a custom Symantec Recovery Disk CD.

  • You choose not to add a license key at the time you create the customized Symantec Recovery Disk CD.

About running a one-time backup from Symantec Recovery Disk