@dezix in the future, it is best to consider a very old thread like this as a reference and include a link to this thread into a new question.
Old threads are old threads, LQ never deletes them.
If you wish to question LQ's policies on handling of very old threads, then suggest you use the
Contact Us link here or at the bottom of every LQ form.
Your continued replies in this thread are probably best served to clarify and help solve your question versus insulting the
dd command.
None of: The original question, The first follow up, nor your added new question are very clear.
They seem to say, "I want to make an exact clone, but I want it to be unique. What files do I edit?"
These do not cover any more details about what exact result you wish to attain. There are no files to edit.
Step 1:
Make a clone of your existing OS. This is what mrrangerman has answered, and answered very well.
Are there any further questions as to how to do this step?
Result:
You now have two identical copies of your OS.
If you wish to make the new copy unique in some manner, then:
Step 2:
Boot the clone and edit whichever files you wish to, and now once you've done this, you have a new, unique copy of your original OS, however changed to suit whatever needs you feel make sense, such as host name or other relevant information.
As far as what files to edit, there is no fixed list and it is solely up to the user's choice.
If you modify settings, relevant files should be updated automatically.
For instance if you change the host name, you can do that using the
hostname command. This will edit the appropriate system files.
The original poster mentioned editing the fstab. Editing fstab is somewhat a normal thing for a person to do, but only if they choose to do so.
When someone has made an exact duplicate of an OS, the system files will be a duplicate from the original disk.
The question therefore would be what differences the OP or you, dezix, are envisioning to make with your new copy?
Only knowing what customized changes you wish to make, can people advise what next steps to take. And once again, this applies only after you have made your copy of the OS.
