What Software R U Using for System Backups

[FenderGuy]

Well, heretofore, I was using Redo Backup to backup the Linux Mint 19.2 (Cinnamon) installation on our Samsung Notebook; however, since the installation, Redo Backup has been acting wonky - it keeps running after the timer indicates that it's supposed to be finished. I manually stopped the program and there IS a backup file created, but I'm hesitant to test it because I have a working system right now.

What software are you guys using to back up your Linux Mint install images (and please don't recommend Timeshift - I prefer something more geared to the neophyte ).

Thanks, guys!

[JoeFootball]

What software are you guys using to back up your Linux Mint install images (and please don't recommend Timeshift - I prefer something more geared to the neophyte ).

For complete system backups, I use Clonezilla Live.

It archives the entire hard drive, so if the physical drive fails, I just replace it, and image the drive. Alas, it's an inefficient backup methodology, as I'm completely backing up everything every time, but it only archives the used blocks on the disk, so it's not the full drive size. I have an external hard drive as a repository, and as I need room, I just delete the oldest archives.

A caveat that the user interface is old school, and so-called neophytes (and others) are hesitant because of it, as well of the numerous options it offers. That said, it works as advertised, and I use the defaults the vast majority of the time.

Joe

[rjsrjs]

To backup my system files on to two different USB HDD's I use Timeshift. Used to back up system and Home Dir with Timeshift and used it to put on another laptop and it worked great. Am running out of USB disk space so now backing up system files only with Timeshift.

To backup Home Dir I'm using Grsync, Luckybackup, Mint backup Tool.
All seem to backup fine but haven't had to restore anything yet. Checked them with file manager and as far as I can tell everything is there if needed.
One of these days I'll try Clonezilla when I get another Lenovo Laptop to experiment on.
Good Luck.

[JerryF]

...
What software are you guys using to back up your Linux Mint install images (and please don't recommend Timeshift - I prefer something more geared to the neophyte ).

Thanks, guys!

To be frank, Timeshift is one of the easiest programs to use---much easier than Clonezilla.

I use Aptik in addition to Timeshift. Aptik (version 18.x) is free, but no longer maintained. Version 19 is $25. Aptik has always been easy to use.

[bob466]

What software are you guys using to back up your Linux Mint install images (and please don't recommend Timeshift - I prefer something more geared to the neophyte ).
Thanks, guys!

Have a look at this...works perfectly and easy to use...viewtopic.php?f=42&t=264431#p1434480

[catweazel]

Why do people keep promoting Timeshift as a backup solution when it clearly is no such thing. Even the author says it is not a backup tool.

... and please don't recommend Timeshift ...

[ajgringo619]

Why do people keep promoting Timeshift as a backup solution when it clearly is no such thing. Even the author says it is not a backup tool.

... and please don't recommend Timeshift ...

+1
I love Timeshift, but not for backups.

[JerryF]

Why do people keep promoting Timeshift as a backup solution when it clearly is no such thing. Even the author says it is not a backup tool.

Because the title of thread asks "...for System Backups" which Timeshift does. Plus, FenderGuy was looking for something geared to the neophyte and Timeshift is one of the easiest programs to use.

The default settings for Timeshift don't include user data, but you can include it so that Timeshift can be used as a backup program. I recommend a separate disk to hold the snapshots. Then if you set Timeshift to include your home directory, it will backup your data too.

When Timeshift creates the first snapshot, it creates a copy of everything so it has a baseline, then after that, when any additional snapshots are created, the changes of any directories/files from that baseline are copied to a separate snapshot directory.

Easy to restore your computer to a prior time---and if you want, using a file manager, you can browse those snapshot directories and restore a single file or directory. I don't think Clonezilla can to that.

Not knocking Clonezilla, but for a neophyte, it's not the easiest to use.

[JoeFootball]

... using a file manager, you can browse those snapshot directories and restore a single file or directory. I don't think Clonezilla can to that.

Actually, you can do that with a Clonezilla archive, but it's admittedly a cumbersome process.

Not knocking Clonezilla, but for a neophyte, it's not the easiest to use.

It's actually easier than it first appears. It's the text-based UI and number of available options that makes it appear daunting. That said, I would agree that perhaps there are better "neophyte-oriented" solutions.

One of these days, I have to put together a Clonezilla tutorial.

Joe

[athi]

It's actually easier than it first appears. It's the text-based UI and number of available options that makes it appear daunting. That said, I would agree that perhaps there are better "neophyte-oriented" solutions.

One of these days, I have to put together a Clonezilla tutorial.

Joe

Yes, these old text based UI reminds me of the disk utilities from the old days (Ghost, PQMagic etc.) that can run off a CD. Simple and to the point, no eye candy.

[JoeFootball]

"If I was stranded on an island and the only way to get off the island was to make a pretty UI, I’d die there."
-- Linus Torvalds

[AndyMH]

Redo for partition images although macrium reflect is another one with an easy to use GUI (but windows based). For file level backup - Timeshift for system snapshots and backintime for data (/home).

[LogMan]

I only use Terabyte Unlimited for all my OS needs, imaging, partitioning, Boot Manager, have used their products for years and wouldn't use anything else.

https://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm

[OveS]

Timeshift for system backups, Cronopete for /home. Both backup to an external USB disk.

[roncraig]

Clonezilla -- no muss, no fuss. Just a straight image the whole drive in case of failure and restore the image to get back up and working pronto.

[jglen490]

I always have a separate / partition and /home partition.

For data and user file backups - rsync.

I don't backup system files. If something happens, reinstall. Time-wise, it's at least a wash.

[pbear]

I don't backup system files. If something happens, reinstall. Time-wise, it's at least a wash.

This is what I do also. Helps to have very detailed notes, including copy-and-paste text for all Terminal commands.

Main time savings is not having to make backup image after backup image, each of which takes quite a while to run.

Also, makes fresh install for major upgrades much easier, e.g., 18.x to 19.x, as only have to adapt the notes for changes in the new version.

[all41]

I always have a separate / partition and /home partition.

For data and user file backups - rsync.

I don't backup system files. If something happens, reinstall. Time-wise, it's at least a wash.

omg--almost exactly how I do things.
In addition to /home and a couple others I also include /var/cache/apt/archives in my rsync list,
so I don't have to re-download those files when bringing up a new system.

Best part is 'something never happens' to need a reinstall, and I molest and violate on a daily basis.

If you need a gui app for rsync have a look at luckybackup in the repositories.
This is an intuitive interface with easy scheduling.