[NCLUG] Backup to another HDD? CD-RW issues?

[Gabriel L. Somlo]

Dan,

If the two HDDs have identical geometry, you could simply make a
one-to-one copy using dd:

	- boot off some rescue floppy or CD

	- run
		dd if=/dev/hda of=/dev/hdb

	  where hda is your source disk, and hdb is the destination.

If the geometry isn't identical, you could create partitions of
approximately the same size on the target disk, and copy your data
using dump and restore. Again, this is best acomplished when your root
partition is mounted read-only, or if you boot from a
CD/floppy/whatever.

	- make sure you format your swap partition, e.g.
		mkswap /dev/hdb1
	- copy all files from your root (and other) partitions:
		mke2fs /dev/hdb2
		mkdir /tmp/target
		mount /dev/hdb2 /tmp/target
		cd /tmp/target
		dump 0f - /dev/hda2 | restore rf -
		rm restoresymtable

	at this point, you still need to install the bootloader (run
lilo or grub). I would replace the target drive as hda (that's what
*it* thinks it is, now :) ) and then, after booting from CD again, I'd
run

	mount /dev/hda2 /tmp/target
	chroot /tmp/target /sbin/lilo  (or grub, depending on what you
use).

Now you'd be ready to boot off your new "hda" drive.

Hope this helps,
Gabriel

On Wed, Aug 27, 2003 at 09:38:59AM -0600, Dan Fink wrote:
> I really need to do some serious backups on my Linux box. I'm using the 
> latest version of KRUD.
> 
> Can anyone point me in the right direction as to how to make a complete, 
> bootable copy of my current 40 gig HDD onto another 40 gig HDD, using 
> KRUD? I have a CD-RW drive but no DVD-R, and it would take a stack of 
> CDs to back everything up.
> 
>  Plus I can't get my CD-RW to work with KRUD (a whole 'nother issue -- 
> it's an I/OMagic brand that does not seem compatible with Linux. Will be 
> getting a Plextor soon). The I/O magic drive causes a system hang when I 
> try and use gtoaster to burn backups.
> 
> I'd like to make the HDD image so I can be back up and running at work 
> quickly if something breaks.
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> DANF
>