Backing up cache archives

[Joe Giles]

Gabriel Dragffy wrote:
> Hi, have installed much software, codecs and tools on my kubuntu system, there 
> are many packages in my apt cache archive from the multiverse. How can I make 
> a backup CD of all these so that if I later reinstall kubuntu, I can install 
> all my software from the backup rather than re-download everything again? 
> It's also useful as I may reinstall my computer (for whatever reason) in the 
> absence of an internet connection and it seems a little unfair that I would 
> have to miss out on all the fun.
>
>   
One thing I have just learned and works quite well for me if I have to 
rebuild is this process:

dpkg --get-selections > installed_packages

This will get a list of EVERYTHING installed on your system. Evey 
package that you installed on your machine will be listed in this file.. 
Copy this file to a floppy or network share then proceed to rebuild your 
system...

Then, after you rebuild your system, set up your sources.list the way 
you had it before, and copy your installed_packages files back to your 
fresh install, and issue these commands:

apt-get update
dpkg --set-selections < installed_packages
apt-get -u dselect-upgrade


This will read the installed_packages file and install all the software 
you had before. Works like a charm and saves ALLOT of time. You will 
still have to configure the software afterwards, but if you are brave, 
just tar up your /etc and your (dot) files in your home dir and restore 
those as well...

Hope this helps...

Joe