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

Wed Aug 20 03:32:20 UTC 2008

A bit is a huge understatement :)

On Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 11:26 AM, John Thng <johnthng83 at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Aug 20, 2008 at 9:39 AM, Maung Myat Thu @ Billy Aung Myint <
> billy at ubuntu.sg> wrote:
>
>> 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
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Ubuntu-SG mailing list
>> Ubuntu-SG at lists.ubuntu.com
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-sg
>>
>
> A bit confusing for typical Singaporeans.
>
> --
> Ubuntu-SG mailing list
> Ubuntu-SG at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-sg
>
>
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