[SOLVED] Making a backup of an installed distribution with all the changes intact

Aquarius_Girl · 01-29-2011, 09:58 AM

Is it possible to make an ISO of the distribution already installed?
Well actually, I have made various changes according to my choice and don't want to do them again if I have to reinstall.

Any hints?

jschiwal · 01-29-2011, 10:14 AM

OpenSuSE has a web site where you can create your own distribution, test it online, and create an iso when finished.

You could also simply backup your system. Then you can simply restore from backup instead of re-install from a custom install disk.

Aquarius_Girl · 01-29-2011, 10:18 AM

Thanks for responding, you also said something regarding backup, how's that to be done?

Aquarius_Girl · 01-29-2011, 10:50 AM

I found this: http://www.instalinux.com/, but didn't find it much helpful, I selected Debian for a trial and I thought I would be asked to choose each and every software myself...

tacticalbread · 01-29-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Thanks for responding, you also said something regarding backup, how's that to be done?

You could use DD to create an image of your current install/partition, and use DD again later to restore it.

http://linuxpoison.blogspot.com/2009...-using-dd.html

Aquarius_Girl · 01-29-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacticalbread

You could use DD to create an image of your current install/partition, and use DD again later to restore it.

Thanks to you, the following quote is from that link:

Quote:

The command: dd -if /dev/hda1 > partitionimage.dd will backup "/dev/hda1" partition.

Does that mean if I create a separate partition for installing softwares and I back up that partition, will I get all those softwares up and running once I restore it?

tacticalbread · 01-29-2011, 11:49 AM

It will restore the partition to exactly as it was when you made backup, so yes.

Also, there seems to be a typo in that article :|

if should be

Code:

dd if=/dev/hda1 of=/path/to/partitionimage

actually, here's a better article: http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Dd

Aquarius_Girl · 01-29-2011, 12:34 PM

I am thankful to you for your help, I shall look up that new link soon.

retxed · 01-29-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

Is it possible to make an ISO of the distribution already installed?
Well actually, I have made various changes according to my choice and don't want to do them again if I have to reinstall.

Any hints?

You can try "Remastersys", I think it does what you want to do.

SkyerSK · 01-29-2011, 12:59 PM

As others stated, you can use various tools. One thing is using backup software, but as for being absolutely sure, I would use dd program too.

Code:

dd - command
if - input file, in this case should be block device
of - output file

Using dd, you can make "copy" of selected file/device (device is file, actually), with everything included. Make sure to use right device. "mount" and "fdisk -l" may be usable for verification. Also be aware that created file would be copy of it's original, not kind of install process - same configuration, same bootloader configuration, etc.

Regards,
Skyer

Aquarius_Girl · 01-29-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retxed

You can try "Remastersys", I think it does what you want to do.

I am thankful to you, I looked it up and I think 'Remastersys' can be very helpful when I am using Mint/Ubuntu.

Aquarius_Girl · 01-29-2011, 01:03 PM

Thanks Skyer, I shall use dd for NON debian based systems

SkyerSK · 01-29-2011, 01:15 PM

No problem, good luck with backing up.

retxed · 01-29-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anisha Kaul

I am thankful to you, I looked it up and I think 'Remastersys' can be very helpful when I am using Mint/Ubuntu.

Cheers

learned a lot form this thread.

Aquarius_Girl · 01-29-2011, 11:55 PM

Debian based systems have so much support all over, same is not the case with rpm based systems!