best way to backup and restore /home directory and reinstall kubuntu
 

Hey everyone,

So I've finally given up on saving my kubuntu install that wont boot. I've searched, and looked, but couldn't find a thing.

My delema now is to make sure that I:

a) get all of the user data safely packed up onto my external USB drive. I believe it's all in the home directory. I'm not sure about getting hidden files though...

b) get the new install to go smoothly, and not mess up grub or the parralell XP install on the same hard drive.

c) get the user data back on the computer and recreate the user structure. Permissions were messed up already, so setting those up again is not an issue.

So, I've been poking around, and this is how I think things should go:

a) tar cvpjf backup.tar.bz2 /home to get my home directory backed up. Not exactly sure how to get from here to my external hd, but I'm sure I can figure it out

b) just run a live cd of kubuntu, delete the old partitions, and reinstall over them?

c) unzip the tar into by /home directory.

That's all I've been able to find so far. How do I set up the users? Will they show up as soon as I untar? Will the resinstall play nice with my windows install? Will I get all the hidden files too? Is there anything I'm missing?

Thanks!

Do want to format whole system ? or just reinstalling Kubuntu ?

if it is reinstallation, if /home is a special drive then no need of back up.
other wise you need to back up.
use "cpio" to backup.

to back up use this command
to restore use this command