Is there a way to back up settings ?

[Christof999]

Hi guys,

I just got my computer just the way I like it.

I was wondering if there is anyway to back up settings or configuration, and to what extent it can be done.

For example... I just got my KDE desktop the way I like it. I put a trash can on it, I shortened the bottom panel and made it transparent, I changed the splash screen, installed new icons and themes and I added new options to the right click menus.

Now all this customization takes awhile, is there a way for me to save it and back it up each time I install a system ?

What about the packages I installed. I installed KDE base and a whole bunch of packages such as grsync, kooka, kmix, kde guidance etc. Is there a way to back this up or automate it for next time ?

What about network settings, etc ? I just got NFS working. Id hate to have to do it again later on...

Whats possible to back up and whats not ? Hopefully at least the desktop look and feel.

I know sooner or later something will get broken or a new system will come out and Ill reinstall or upgrade. I want to try and save some time as it takes about one full day to set up everything since I have three computers.

Thanks
C

[Husse]

To have your /home on a separate partition goes a long way towards your goal
Tons of settings there....

[scorp123]

http://www.linuxmint.com/forum/viewtopi ... 1510#21510
http://www.linuxmint.com/forum/viewtopi ... 2526#22526

[scorp123]

(about installed packages) Is there a way to back this up or automate it for next time ?

1. Backup /etc/apt/sources.list ... or copy it to one of your other systems.

2. On system #1 issue this command:
sudo dpkg --get-selections > packagelist.txt

=> This will write your package selections and the status of all packages into that text file "packagelist.txt". Now copy that file to your other system(s).

3. On your other system(s) you now read in that file:
sudo dpkg --set-selections < packagelist.txt

=> System #2 will now take over the package selections that were previously defined on system #1

4. All you need to do now is to execute the install process:
sudo apt-get dselect-upgrade

=> Result: System #2 will now have the same packages installed like system #1.

"Armed" with these commands you can clone installations (e.g. produce identical systems with identical software selections) in a couple of minutes. Just make sure you get the /etc/apt/sources.list right (e.g. it should be the same on all systems).

Whats possible to back up ...

Everything. With my "tar + gzip" method you can in fact clone an entire machine if you wanted to. There are nicer methods to do this, but my "primitive" method at least will work even under worst circumstances. See the links above posted earlier.

I know sooner or later something will get broken or a new system will come out and Ill reinstall or upgrade. I want to try and save some time as it takes about one full day to set up everything since I have three computers.

I suggest reading this book: "UNIX Backup & Recovery". Highly recommended.

I really should post my backup scripts here ...