The pain of re-install

[graficus]

Is is possible to reinstall without losing everything you worked hard to make it work, and all the documents?

Am just looking to freshen up the system. Maybe there is no need to reinstall?

Would making a separate /home partition save all the fonts and preferences (provided i created same login name as before during new installation)?

This question probably sounds stupid to a seasoned user, but as a total linux n00b I think am entitled to one ](*,)

Thanks ;)

[NeoLithium]

I believe this is a thread that can help you out; it has several scenarios for the seperate /home. Helped me out a lot :)
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=280764

[xyz]

Nothing sounds stupid because we've all been right where you are.
Yes a home partition can prove important.
Have you had a chance of looking into backing up your system?

[graficus]

Have you had a chance of looking into backing up your system?
Hmm, sounds good. I have to read up on "how".
Its just the small stuff that gets to me. I just reinstalled today. Now I already get an error of some desktop applet crashing on startup. I'd hate to reinstall, just got my fonts looking surprisingly good, forget how...
I only have 8 gb (5 free) left on linux partition, not much room to play with.

[xyz]

Many ways to backup; here's one:
Howto: Backup and restore your system! (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=81311)
Knock on wood but...I don't remember the last time I reinstalled. Hope this won't bring me bad luck!! It's really worthwhile to spend time learning how to backup/restore!
Other ways to do it, Search or Google for: rdiff-backup, rsync backup, Partimage...
Also here:
BackUp/Restore Using a Live CD (http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partimage)
It can be a bit confusing at first; your best bet is to find 'your' backpu method...I mean the one that makes more sense to you!!


Now I already get an error of some desktop applet crashing on startup.
Now this is a different problem and it's not really a good idea to try and get help on 2 different topics in the same thread.

[mahy]

Separate /home partition rules!

[graficus]

this gives me another idea.
would it work to have 2 separate installations of linux sharing one /home partition with all the fonts and goodies in there?