How to mount partitions in debian derivatives live installer?
 

I've tried to install many debian derivatives (makulu, kwheezy...), but every time I stopped whith the different gparted behaviour. It gives me only the option to format, not to mount a partition! I don't want to overwrite my home! So for the time being, I'm unable to experiment...
Thank's...

Hi there,

I don't know each of those installers, but I think you're right, there's no option to mount existing partitions during installation of Debian derivatives, or if there is, it's well hidden. However, you can work around this.

Let's assume you want to re-install the system, but use and mount an existing partition to /home. At first I'd make a default install, which creates a /home directory in the root file system. Leave all existing partitions alone, do not touch them.

Once the new installation is finished, log in as root and create a user account with same name as previously. Then manually add a line in /ect/fstab to mount the existing /home partition. Run 'mount -a' to mount the extra partition to /home. You may have to chown and/or chgrp all the files in the user's home if the UID and/or GID is different from the previous installation (alternatively you could force a particular UID/GID when you create the user), but that should be all.

If the existing, but now invisible directory /home in the root file system itches your feeling for aesthetics, you can log in as root again, temporarily unmount /home, which will reveal the /home directory created during installation, and then delete the now obsolete contents of that directory.

[X] Doc CPU


PS: A curious question of mine - your stats indicate that this is your first post, but you have been registered since 2009.
What for? Why would one sign up to a service when it's not necessary yet?

Hi, thank's. I will try. I was beginning to get acquainted with linux in that year, but then I passed a lot of time on mac. Now, I bought e small laptop to refresh my old habits. Besides, I prefer to look at solved problems, then to ask one myself...

I also haven't used those installers. In every distro i've tried though, (and i've installed Debian and Mepis which are Debian distros), there is an option to do as you desire, it's always in the advanced partitioning area, which isn't that hard to access, and once setup, it will set the fstab up for you automatically.

Thank you. That's exactly what makes me curious. I also installed debian and another debian derivative (sparkylinux) with no problems. Why has gparted in some cases so different options? I'm quite sure that I'm forgetting something very simple, but no idea what...

It's because many people have no idea about partitions, and the partitioning is the most delicate part of an installation (imo). If you know nothing about partitions (made even harder to understand thanks to Windows's 'drives') then partitioning and mounting would be a daunting task.
If you select the advanced option when you get to partitioning and you know what you're doing, it's usually very easy. I always suggest learning about partitions and after that always use the manual advanced option, because the auto partition option offered my most distros is unpredictable in my experience.

Don't forget to make a back up first, just in case you mess up.