[ubuntu-uk] ubuntu-uk Digest, Vol 24, Issue 49

[Green, Matthew A.]

PassivePROFITS (a.k.a PP) Wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> This is my first post to the list.  I'm new to both
> Lunux and Ubuntu, though I've tried on and off over
> the last 10 years to get a linux installation working,
> finally, with Ubuntu, I've done it (or more accurately
> the OS community has!!).
>
> Anyway.  Having just fully set up my desktop (LAMP
> installation of server running fine!), I've just
> trashed it by misconfiguring x.org config.  I perhaps
> could have tried some neat boot CD to fix it, but
> thought better, and have just started completely
> reinstalling.
>
> My question, so I don't end up losing a day (again!)
> is what is the best method for me to backup my / ??
>
> FWIW, I've only got one partition spare on my current
> HD.  It's large enough to copy / to, but it is
> currently formatted as NTFS.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1.  Which utility do I use to back-up / ?
>   
There are 2 tools you might like to look at - partimage & g4l - I prefer 
partimage as I think it's straight forward - good how-to at 
http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partimage.  G4L makes a bit for bit 
copy, but it copies the "blank" space as well - couldn't figure out to 
turn that off.
> 2.  Can I back up direct from / (ex3) to NTFS
>     (or do I need to format current NTFS to ex3 1st?
>   
I don't think (not 100% sure) you'll be able to write to NTFS (excluding 
experimental stuff) so either reformat first or save to a network folder 
if you've got another PC you can connect to?
> Quick answer giving me a SIMPLE solution (as I'm
> completely new to CLI etc, too!!) really appreciated
> QUICKLY!! ....  I'll need to do this backup in a
> couple of hours (overnight tonight latest!) ...
>   
Hope this hasn't come too late to be useful.

Matthew Green