New laptop - how transfer config please?!

[Jedinovice]

Want to copy over Mint KDE settings to new laptop! Advise please!

I have finally managed to scrap together enough cash for a 2nd cheapo laptop! It has been ordered and arrives on Saturday - an Acer ES1-132 500GBHD for reference (yup, bottom of the bottom but PERFECT for my particular needs!)

Now, my existing laptop has been configured to near personal perfection since the arrival of Mint 18.0 KDE edition. I have huge number of hyperlinks across multiple browsers, file associations configured, apps like Dolphin set up with the toolbar the way I want, around fifty or so user defined keyboard shortcuts, etc, etc, etc. Even screen colours are user defined!

Rather than the usual process of exporting files and importing and manually configuring everything over a period of a week is there is a fast track method to get all my config and settings over from No1 laptop to number 2? Is there a particularly effective backup program? I’m not worried about data - that’s all backed up to external HDD’s anyway, it’s the mass of settings. Is there is ‘back up once/restore?’ approach?

If sticking with Mint 18.0 will help the config transfer I will stick but I can go to Mint 18.2… I don’t mind. I will be running 64bit KDE.

I know there are ways but what’s the easiest and fastest?

Many thanks in advance!

[catweazel]

Just take a clonezilla image of the drive and restore it to the new machine.

[Pierre]

you can also use Gparted to copy the partition(s) over to the New Drive:
https://www.ghacks.net/2010/06/03/copy- ... h-gparted/
you may also have to re-install the Grub Boot Loader,
- if the copied version fails on Disk start-up:
https://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/245
or
https://mintguide.org/tools/37-restore- ... ndows.html
this way will also work, even though you have been near any Windows System

[Jedinovice]

Okkaaayyyy...

Thanks for the data so far.

Thinks:

I know Linux uses a monolithic kernel so it may not be a problem but if I clone the OS partition would I not risk driver troubles? Dunno! Both machines are bottom of the range default Intel everything mind.

I moved my 'home' folder to a 2nd partition. I guess I could clone the OS partition and then copy home back and around?

Thanks again!

[Jedinovice]

Oh, and there is not a sniff of Windows in my household now!

[phd21]

Hi "Jedinovice",

I just read your post and the good replies to it. Here are my thoughts on this as well.

Two things to consider:
1.) Upgrade your Linux Mint to 18.1 or 18.2 throught the Mint Update Manager (choose Edit in toolbar, last option). Linux Mint KDE 18.0 was not stable IMHO.

2.) The wonderful "Aptik" application makes it easy to backup your current Linux Mint system's applications, customizations, PPA's, your "home" folder, etc... to an external USB drive. Then do a fresh install of Linux Mint on the other computer, install "Aptik", then restore your Aptik backup. They have good instructions on their website for doing this, "migrating"...

Aptik
http://www.teejeetech.in/p/aptik.html

Aptik – A Tool to Backup and Restore System Settings and Data in Ubuntu, Updated: March 9, 2017
https://www.2daygeek.com/aptik-backup-r ... sers-data/



Hope this helps ...

[Jedinovice]

Hi "Jedinovice",

I just read your post and the good replies to it. Here are my thoughts on this as well.

Two things to consider:
1.) Upgrade your Linux Mint to 18.1 or 18.2 throught the Mint Update Manager (choose Edit in toolbar, last option). Linux Mint KDE 18.0 was not stable IMHO.

2.) The wonderful "Aptik" application makes it easy to backup your current Linux Mint system's applications, customizations, PPA's, your "home" folder, etc... Then do a fresh install of Linux Mint on the other computer, install "Aptik", then restore your Aptik backup. They have good instructions on their website for doing this, "migrating"...

Aptik
http://www.teejeetech.in/p/aptik.html

Aptik – A Tool to Backup and Restore System Settings and Data in Ubuntu, Updated: March 9, 2017
https://www.2daygeek.com/aptik-backup-r ... sers-data/



Hope this helps ...

Aha! This looks like it!!! Yes, yes, yes!!! That way I can have a clean install and restore just the config! I will investigate!

I found Mint 18.0 KDE it was ropey for a long time but I was buried with work! Had to stick with a somewhat known quantity. But since the last KDE updates... it's been really rock solid! Real turn around.

Just sayin.' I will likely keep the old n2840 on 18.0 for now and go 18.2 for the new n3350.

Thanks for the heads up! I fear cloning drives could lead to wobbles given we are not talking identical HW here. Plus a LOT of data transfer!

[phd21]

Hi "Jedinovice",

You are welcome.

Regarding Aptik, do not be surprised if you still have to do some re-configuration with some applications or settings, but not much, maybe none.

- I still recommend doing drive and or partition image backups at least once a month using something like "Clonezilla Live".

- Using (re-running) "Aptik" after you get your system the way you want it, and or after installing a bunch of new software applications.

- Using a folder and file syncing application for frequent (daily) and quick backups, like "Lucky Backup", "FreeFileSync", etc...


Hope this helps ...

[Jedinovice]

Hi "Jedinovice",

You are welcome.

Regarding Aptik, do not be surprised if you still have to do some re-configuration with some applications or settings, but not much, maybe none.

- I still recommend doing drive and or partition image backups at least once a month using something like "Clonezilla Live".

- Using (re-running) "Aptik" after you get your system the way you want it, and or after installing a bunch of new software applications.

- Using a folder and file syncing application for frequent (daily) and quick backups, like "Lucky Backup", "FreeFileSync", etc...


Hope this helps ...

I have been looking at it and it seems JUST the tickt! I notice the ap compresses everything which, given my hardware, takes and age but it's very comprehensive and it's fine if the laptop is doing the work and I am not. With Aptik I believe I can install Mint 18.0 and restore all my apps and settings while holding classes. Saturday is my busiest days given I run a private extra-curricula tuition service.

The software looks just the ticket and I love that it backs up installed apps! This is a HUGE boon for me!

To maintain compatibility I will probably stick with Mint 18.0 but, as I say, it took about a year but after the last set of backports 18.0 has become rock solid! Honest! [It had horrible RAM leaks prior to that and definitely to do with Plasma 5.8 plus Kdenlive.]

Regarding backing up - I do back up! I am careful though it is not daily back ups.

Regarding drive images... yeessssss.... That assumes inexhaustable external drive store. It's taken me a the year to persuade the wife that we absolutely, definitely need two more laptops but I will take one just to survive end of semester exams! The business is going very well but it's our first year and so lots of start up costs. But the thing is that drive images are virtually an essential with Windows given its instability (and the feedback I am getting from the few Windows 10 users around here - are that it is a system hog!) Mint is much more solid! The ABSENCE of trouble I have had with Mint compared with Windows. As an O/S the only troubles I have had with Mint KDE have been:

1) Initial troubles with drivers which caused huge grief when I first got this ASUS X200 and Asus had changed the touchpad technology. After a sleepless night and someone online reading I twigged about upgrading the kernel and *flash!* *SOLVED!*
[Wife went from hating me to thinking I was total 200IQ computer guru when I told her; "I've solved it. I've solved the problem."
I learnt a lot that night. That was with Mint 17.0.

2) The RAM leaks in Mint 18.0 which seemed to be more a feature of the 'toddler' status of Plasma 5.8 at the time and not Mint. Now resolved and all my hardware is rock solid! 'Alas' due to increasing class sizes with younger children the need for technology and 'distractions; is forcing more cheap laptops. Fun for me but an additional cost! But Mint is solid across it all.

Also, it is sooo easy to install Mint that if a laptop OS ever went under I could re-install in an hour and a half tops. So I worry more about data backups and storing media for kids to watch when we are operating as a day care center!

Anyway, this Aptik looks just the ticket! Many thanks indeed!

[phd21]

Hi "Jedinovice"

You are welcome, again.

I really love the Aptik application too.

If you do not always backup your entire "Home" folder with all your custom data (downloads, music, videos, etc...), it works pretty quickly.

I still highly recommend updating your Linux Mint systems to from 18.0 to 18.1 or 18.2.... The Kubuntu Backports are now part of the Linux Mint KDE 18.x systems now, smart thing to do too.

Have a great day and night...

[Jedinovice]

I still highly recommend updating your Linux Mint systems to from 18.0 to 18.1 or 18.2.... The Kubuntu Backports are now part of the Linux Mint KDE 18.x systems now, smart thing to do too.

Well, with Apitk this becomes possible it seems.

Obviously I have to have my OS and apps in a known state before I run upgrade. But given I can now backup my OS and my apps and my settings separately... I can get the new machine to 18.0 - get it to a working point and then upgrade and see if it breaks! I still have the ASUS on standby while fixing taking place. NOT an option before and given my workload, "If it vaguely works, don't fix it!"

I only have a couple of PPA's but I have jumped to Libreoffice 5.3 via manual install so there are couple of possible glitches that might throw and upgrade. That's why I don't trust OS upgrades. I normally just do clean installs.

But Aptik looks like it squares the circle. Just gotta wait until Saturday. I selected the Acer n3350 laptop VERY carefully and it's just my kind of machine! I'm kinda an inverse power user!

[phd21]

Hi "Jedinovice",

Although everyone should be cautious with PPA's, LibreOffice's PPA is excellent and way easier to use for their current better stable versions than trying to download all their "deb" files and installing those.

You can update your Linux Mint whenever you want on either computer before or after using Aptik using the Mint Update Manager.