[SOLVED] Save My Home --> Fresh Install

jv2112 · 10-31-2010, 07:36 AM

When I set up my netbook originally I placed my data(Abyss) and Home directories on sepearate partitions so I could change or upgrade distributions without a major headache.

Now with that done (see set up below) how would I proceed ?

When I install a new distribution it will want a home designated. Is it as simple as manually setting up partitions, select current / , /home & don't format Home ?

Would it just be easier to cp or rsync home to a folder on mydata partition then copy back whatever I think is relevant after install ?

Thoughts ?

Quote:

Filesystem Type Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/sda1 ext4 11G 3.1G 7.5G 29% /
none devtmpfs 995M 284K 995M 1% /dev
none tmpfs 1003M 0 1003M 0% /dev/shm
none tmpfs 1003M 332K 1002M 1% /var/run
none tmpfs 1003M 0 1003M 0% /var/lock
none tmpfs 1003M 0 1003M 0% /lib/init/rw
/dev/sda6 ext4 4.6G 374M 4.0G 9% /home
/dev/sda7 ext4 210G 150G 51G 75% /media/Abyss

Drakeo · 10-31-2010, 07:55 AM

how did you save your home folder did you do it as root and just copy it. if so then you changed ownership to root. so what you need to do it compress each folder (user) in the home directory to a tar.gz now after the install and setting up new users like the old. as root copy the compressed folder over to your /home/ and change permissions to the user that will be using it. if using the kde desktop just right click and then click properties. change permissions and ownership to the user you want. sign in as that user and extract it.
As it extracts it may complain do not worry just overwrite.

onebuck · 10-31-2010, 08:01 AM

Hi,

Plus, don't forget there will be GNU/Linux specifics for each install. You may need to remove any DE (environment) specifics, i.e. remove '~.kde'. If not you will have conflicts.

thorkelljarl · 10-31-2010, 08:05 AM

You will get a different result...

If you install a new version of a linux distribution with a separate "/home" and do not format your existing "/home" both the contents of "/home" and the existing settings and modifications to such things as you desktop will be applied to the new installation.

If you copy your content files to some storage medium, then copy them to a new version of "/home", they should be without the legacy from the prior installation.

jv2112 · 10-31-2010, 08:05 AM

So back up to my data partition then restore what is relevant you think is the best course of action ?

I have the space so I rather not compress. I thought I would just use rsync. The same two users will be on the computer after the update (Going from LM9 -> Dream Linux 4.0)

Any other thoughts ?

onebuck · 10-31-2010, 08:14 AM

Hi,

There will be content specific needs for each GNU/Linux. That's why everyone is telling you to move only the basics to the new '~'.

jv2112 · 10-31-2010, 08:25 AM

Thanks