preserving existing user account

datasink · 01-16-2007, 07:45 AM

I have debian installed on my desktop. I have set aside a partition to install ubuntu from a live cd. My main user account is currently mounted on a /home partition. When I do the new installation, I would like to tell the installation software to keep and make use of my existing user account.

What should I do to make sure that this happens? I don't want the installation to wipe my /home partition.

ctkroeker · 01-16-2007, 08:26 AM

I recommend the following:
Step 1: log out and switch to another terminal ctrl+alt+F4
Step 2: rename your current users folder to username_bckp and reboot
Step 3: Install and make a new user (same as your former, I presume, hence the renaming).
Step 4: Copy the content of the folder username_bckp to username, but only what you need (.mozilla, .mozilla-thunderbird, etc.) and leave the rest be.
Done.

datasink · 01-16-2007, 08:58 AM

At what point do I do this? Before I attempt the install from the live cd? Can't I just create a new user account with a different name when doing the install?

ctkroeker · 01-16-2007, 12:31 PM

The point of renaming your current user account is so that you can use the same username, but not use the same folder, couse this sometimes creates problems. You can just install and have it mount /home as /home without bothering to rename it, although it's safer to rename it.

datasink · 01-16-2007, 08:35 PM

Thanks for the help. I ended up installing without renaming my original user directory. On install, I chose a different userid and, because /home was kept intact, I was able to look my original user directory. I can live with that.

The problem that I am facing now is a tremendously long boot time because of a fsck.fat of my primary disk drive that has Windows ME on it. I will post a new thread on that to get help.

Thanks, Bob