Backup "/" partition for reinstall

proxima_centauri · 2009-01-12 20:31:07

Hi there,

I am considering migrating my current "/" partition (XFS) to ext4 when it reaches core. I wanted some opinion as to the easiest, or best way to backup and transfer my existing XFS / partition data to the reformatted ext4 "/" partition. [I have a seperate /home partition as ext3 which I will deal with later]

Is it possible to use a live-cd to copy current "/" data to my external harddrive, format the parition to ext4, and then simply copy back my system data from the external HD? EDIT: I just realized my current /home parition would be large enough to house all / data, so can I use same method only using /home partition instead of external HD
Any better ideas?

Any input is appreciated.

Last edited by proxima_centauri (2009-01-12 20:33:12)

Xyne · 2009-01-12 20:36:48

I've juggled around logical volumes using "cp -a" without any problems, so I think your plan would work. Just remember to edit /etc/fstab to reflect the changes (xfs->ext4 and maybe a new UUID if you're using UUIDs in fstab).

Last edited by Xyne (2009-01-12 20:37:03)

proxima_centauri · 2009-01-12 21:09:44

OK, thanks for the reply,
I would have forgot about the UUID's and filesystem change in fstab. Hopefully all goes well

brisbin33 · 2009-01-12 21:41:15

proxima_centauri wrote:

I would have forgot about the UUID's and filesystem change in fstab

don't forget /boot/grub/menu.lst too.

proxima_centauri · 2009-01-12 21:47:36

Yup, would have forgot that too, friggin' UUID's. thanks for the reminder.

BTW, Is there any advantages to using UUID over the regular /dev/sda1 format? Seems like it just makes things more complicated.

brisbin33 · 2009-01-12 21:54:16

proxima_centauri wrote:

Is there any advantages to using UUID over the regular /dev/sda1 format? Seems like it just makes things more complicated.

i use UUID's because i have more than one sata drive, so depending on how udev loads them my / could be sda or sdb or even sdc. using LABELs would give you the same advantage but also be human readable.

Mektub · 2009-01-13 02:36:25

proxima_centauri wrote:

Yup, would have forgot that too, friggin' UUID's. thanks for the reminder.
BTW, Is there any advantages to using UUID over the regular /dev/sda1 format? Seems like it just makes things more complicated.

I really prefer using BY-LABEL, since I have the power to maintan my labels, thru e2label.

Moving whatever to another partition ? Just swap the labels.

User Brain0 has made a very good Wiki entry about "Persistent block device naming":

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Per … ice_naming

Example in my menu.lst:

kernel /boot/vmlinuz26 root=/dev/disk/by-label/archabit ro vga=773

Mektub

proxima_centauri · 2009-01-16 06:45:27

I reformatted my partition with mke2fs -T ext4 /dev/sda2
then I tryed mounting it to cp my backup with mount -t ext4 /dev/sda2. It said it couldn't mount ext4.
Im not quite sure how to install on to ext4 either since when you select your mount points you can't choose ext4....
I think I'll just wait till the arch iso supports format and install with ext4 and do a complete reinstall.

rscholer · 2009-01-16 07:36:38

proxima_centauri wrote:

Im not quite sure how to install on to ext4 either since when you select your mount points you can't choose ext4....

Afaik you just need to mount your ext3 partition as ext4.

Arch Linux

#1 2009-01-12 20:31:07

Backup "/" partition for reinstall

#2 2009-01-12 20:36:48

Re: Backup "/" partition for reinstall

#3 2009-01-12 21:09:44

Re: Backup "/" partition for reinstall

#4 2009-01-12 21:41:15

Re: Backup "/" partition for reinstall

#5 2009-01-12 21:47:36

Re: Backup "/" partition for reinstall

#6 2009-01-12 21:54:16

Re: Backup "/" partition for reinstall

#7 2009-01-13 02:36:25

Re: Backup "/" partition for reinstall

#8 2009-01-16 06:45:27

Re: Backup "/" partition for reinstall

#9 2009-01-16 07:36:38

Re: Backup "/" partition for reinstall

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