[Ubuntu-SG] Ubuntu-related article on ST Digital Life

Wed Aug 20 01:39:27 UTC 2008

On Wed, 2008-08-20 at 09:26 +0800, Kelvin Quee wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> Why so complex???

Only the author knows , or maybe he doesn't know. Who knows? I got dizzy
reading so I gave up half way.

regards
billy

> 
> KQ
> 
> 
> available here -
> http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Digital%2BLife/Technology/Story/STIStory_269872.html
> 
> Aug 20, 2008
> 
> Get ready to go /home on Ubuntu
> 
> So you've been running Ubuntu Linux on your rig for a while. LIM YEE 
> HUNG shows how to preserve your settings by shifting your /home folder
> WITH the recent release of the new Ubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron), successor 
> of the Gutsy Gibbon, you might be tempted to upgrade to enjoy the 
> cleaner graphical user interface and improved video compatibility. Plus, 
> its updated Linux kernel brings greater reliability and security.
> 
> However, upgrading to the new version will cause you to lose all your 
> data. The system will also revert to the default settings, meaning that 
> you lose all your painstaking work configuring that snazzy 3D desktop 
> cube that Linux is famous for.
> 
> Skip the aggro: Put your /home folder (where all your data and settings 
> are stored) into a separate partition. This way, it remains intact when 
> you upgrade and all your stuff is preserved.
> 
> For this operation, you will need an Ubuntu Live CD. You can create it 
> by downloading the CD image from www.ubuntu.com and burning it on a 
> blank CD. Or order a free CD from the website.
> 
> Your hard drive cannot be used when modifying the partitions in it. So 
> you will have to boot the Live CD instead.
> 
> In the live session, install the Gnome Partition Editor (GParted) by 
> using the Synaptic Package Manager (System >Administration >Synaptic 
> Package Manager). Install GParted. Note that an Internet connection is 
> needed.
> 
> Once it is installed, run GParted with administrator privileges. Press 
> Alt-F2, and type in 'gksudo gparted' to run GParted with root access.
> 
> In GParted, first create some free space for your new partition by 
> shrinking one of the existing partitions. Right-click the partition and 
> select 'Resize/Move'.
> 
> Choose the size of the partition you want. The free space generated by 
> the shrinking operation will be used for your new partition. Tip: Give 
> it at least 5GB of space, as this is where all your data such as 
> documents, music and videos will be kept.
> 
> After shrinking the partition, right-click the new empty space generated 
> and select 'New'.
> 
> In the 'Create New Partition' settings window, select 'ext3' under 
> Filesystem, leaving the other values as is.
> 
> Note that all these operations have not been set into motion: you will 
> need to apply them. Do a quick double check. Once you are satisfied with 
> your new partition layout, click 'Apply'. The operation should be 
> finished in a matter of minutes.
> 
> Once complete, take note of the name of the root partition, where your 
> /home folder currently resides, and the name of your new partition. In 
> this example, it is /dev/sda2 for the current home folder and /dev/sda5 
> for the newly created one.
> 
> Voila! You have successfully created your new partition. Now it's time 
> to place your /home folder in it. In the following commands, remember to 
> replace the partition names used in the example with your own partition 
> names. For example, if your original /home partition is /dev/sda3, then 
> replace all instances of /dev/sda2 in the examples with /dev/sda3.
> 
> Open up a terminal window (Applications >Accessories >Terminal) and 
> mount both partitions by typing:
> 
> sudo mkdir /old
> 
> sudo mount -t ext3 /dev/sda2 /old
> 
> sudo mkdir /new
> 
> sudo mount -t ext3 /dev/sda5 /new
> 
> Then, back up the /home directory and move it to the new partition by 
> typing:
> 
> cd /old/home
> 
> sudo find . -depth -print0 , sudo cpio --null --sparse -pvd /new
> 
> sudo mv /old/home /old/old_home
> 
> sudo mkdir /old/home
> 
> Now, you need to direct the system to use your new partition as the 
> /home partition. First, type:
> 
> sudo cp/old/etc/fstab/old/etc/old_fstab
> 
> sudo nano /old/etc/fstab
> 
> This will take you to the nano text editor, where you can then add in 
> this line:
> 
> /dev/sda5 /home ext3 nodev,nosuid 0 2
> 
> Save the file and exit the editor, then reboot the computer. Your 
> computer should now be using your new /home partition.
> 
> However, if you made a mistake and things go wrong, do a recovery using 
> your Live CD and start all over again. (Or get someone to help you this 
> time.)
> 
> To recover your old settings, boot into the Live CD, open a terminal 
> window and type:
> 
> sudo mkdir /recovery
> 
> sudo mount -t ext3 /dev/sda2 /recovery
> 
> sudo cp -R /recovery/old_home /recovery/home
> 
> sudo cp /recovery/etc/old_fstab /recovery/etc/fstab
> 
> Then reboot the computer.
> 
> If everything works fine, then you can remove the old /home directory to 
> save disk space. Open a terminal window (Applications >Accessories 
>  >Terminal) and type:
> 
> sudo rm -rf /old_home
> 
> Now that you have your data all safe and sound in your new home 
> partition, you can look forward to the next release of Ubuntu, the 
> Intrepid Ibex, coming your way in October.
> 
> The writer is an Ubuntu user and is studying in Britain
> 
> available here -
> http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Digital%2BLife/Technology/Story/STIStory_269872.html
> 
> -- 
> Kelvin Quee
> +65 9177 3635
> kq at kquee.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 