/usr move to new partition was unsuccessful

Cyberman · 03-20-2009, 01:00 PM

I only had 24 MB left on my root partition. I created a new partition with GParted. I attempted to move /usr to /media/usr2 with this command:

Code:

tar cfp - . | ( cd /mnt/new_part ; tar xpf - )

I think it moved things completely.

I inserted a listing into /etc/fstab for the new partition to be /usr.
I deleted /usr from the computer. I recreated the folder.
Afterwards, I rebooted.

I have an abnormal startup session.
The computer is unable to automatically start GDM, and it throws me into the terminal.

If I

$ gdm

I am able to load gdm and login to a gnome desktop. The programs seem to be in accordance, but I am aware something went wrong with the transfer of /usr to a new partition. I am seeing a few new errors messages. I don't think they really tip me off as to how to fix this issue.

Is there something I am missing here?
I don't have the old /usr, so I can't tell if there are differences.
Was the command I used to move things bad?

omes · 03-20-2009, 01:29 PM

What is the error messages on boot and elsewhere?

nflenz · 03-20-2009, 09:34 PM

I don't see anything wrong with the command, though it would have been simpler to use "cp -rp". What errors are you getting?

lumak · 03-21-2009, 02:17 PM

When moving partitions that may have a current running process, you should boot with a rescue CD that doesn't actually boot from your hard drive. You then move it to the partition and edit the /etc/fstab on your / partition.

E.G.
Boot from CD

Code:

mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/root
mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/newusr
mv /mnt/root/usr/* /mnt/newusr
vim /mnt/root/etc/fstab

Add:

Code:

# new user partition /dev/sda2 should be updated to what the partition is!!
/dev/sda2   /usr   ext3   defaults   1   2

Save and exit vim
Reboot

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