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View Full Version : [ubuntu] New computer, old installation transfer



superarmy
June 23rd, 2008, 05:41 AM
My old computer broke down and I am about to order a new one, I would like to transfer my entire previous ubuntu installation. It was installed on and external hard drive and I would like to put it on the new computers internal hard drive. The only way I can think of is running an Ubuntu live disk and tranfering all the files from the external to the new internal. Would this work? If not, what can I do to achieve this?

superarmy
June 24th, 2008, 04:46 AM
bump

logos34
June 24th, 2008, 05:24 AM
Here's the way I'd do it:

Easiest way (simple, but takes longer because it copies the entire drive, including unused space):

dd

E.g.:

sudo dd if=/dev/sdb of=/dev/sda conv=notrunc,noerrorwhere sdb is external usb drive, and sda is new (same size or larger) internal drive. Make sure to get the 'if=' (source drive) and 'of=' (destination drive) correct, otherwise you will erase your ubuntu.


OR

Gparted (->'copy' option) (http://gparted.sourceforge.net/larry/move/move.htm)

OR

Faster (copies only used blocks, but you'd need a space to store the image before restoring it to destination drive):

Partimage (http://www.partimage.org/Main_Page)

You need to work from a live cd (root cannot be mounted).


Then install grub to the MBR (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=224351) of the new drive.