Arch Linux

marcs

Member

From: Italy

Registered: 2007-09-07

Posts: 63

How do not overwrite a partition (setup process)

I'm new to archlinux, and i have already a linux system, got 4 partitions :
swap
/boot
/home
and / (root).

I want to set the home partition as home but without overwriting the partition, in the setup process it says that the partition will be formatted.

I want to preserve the datas of the home partition, how can i do that ?

Thanks in advance. :)

Last edited by marcs (2007-09-07 12:23:56)

natalian

Member

Registered: 2007-09-06

Posts: 29

Re: How do not overwrite a partition (setup process)

choose not to format it on the second menu i think

marcs

Member

From: Italy

Registered: 2007-09-07

Posts: 63

Re: How do not overwrite a partition (setup process)

It says:

"Would you like to create a filesystem on /dev/sdx?"

(This will overwrite existing data!)

There's only yes or no, if i choose no the partition is not created.

edit

Ok i solved, the partition is created anyway but not formatted, you were right

Last edited by marcs (2007-09-07 12:56:32)

klixon

Member

From: Nederland

Registered: 2007-01-17

Posts: 525

Re: How do not overwrite a partition (setup process)

You should just _not_ mount the partition in the install fase. Arch will install just fine without it as it won't create user-accounts in this fase... When you're done installing, add the home partition to /etc/fstab.

be sure to _not_ create a homedir when you are creating your user and to give it the same UID number on creation. Same goes for the base-group for the user, if any.

---

Stand back, intruder, or i'll blast you out of space! I am Klixon and I don't want any dealings with you human lifeforms. I'm a cyborg!

ralvez

Member

From: Canada

Registered: 2005-12-06

Posts: 1,718

Website

Re: How do not overwrite a partition (setup process)

I the selection of drives do not include the one that has your data, that way the system will create a directory /home by default.
Then when you create your account you link it in /etc/fstab like this:

/dev/sda5 /home reiserfs defaults 0 0

Naturally, that is only an example you would use the file type (say ext3) and drive name that is appropriate for your system.

Hope this helps.

R