LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] Debian testing, installing 64bit

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Debian testing, installing 64bit

Can I keep the old 32bit_testing /home with all the hidden directories there when moving to 64bit_testing?

Is there a way to export a list of all installed packages in aptitude or synaptic, so that when reinstalling, it can be easily imported?
(reinstalling the same system)

Yes you can. If it is on a seperate partition, just tell the installer to use it as /home when asked. If its not, tar it up, place it somewhere safe, install and untar it back.

As for the installed packages part, all I remember is that "dpkg --get-selections" will show you the packages you now have installed. You can save them on a file etc.

My recommendation to change your system to 64 bit:

1. Get a list of your installed packages and save it to a file:

Code:

dpkg --get-selections > mypackages

2. IMPORTANT! Go through the file and change all occurrences of i386 and i686 to amd64.
3. Save the file to an external medium, or to your /home partition.
4. As always before making major changes, backup your important data (/home-partition), and may be the configuration files you want to use later again from /etc.
5. Do a minimal install of Debian. Minimal means, de-select all tasks (Desktop, Laptop, Standard, etc.) when it comes to software configuration.
6. After the install comes the part to do a new install of all your packages:

Code:

apt-get update

dpkg --clear-selections

dpkg --set-selections < mypackages

apt-get dselect-upgrade

Now all you packages will be installed, this will take some time and will bring up some configuration dialogs.
7. Reboot to your new old system, restore your config-files if necessary and have fun.

For #2, maybe something like:

Code:

sed -i 's/i386/amd64/g' mypackages

and repeat replacing i386 with i686

/untested, make a backup of mypackages first