[Fwd: Re: [wplug] Moving to new computer]

[Kevin Squire]

On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 14:04:39 -0400
Mike Procario <lists at procario.org> wrote:

> 
> Greg Akins wrote:
> 
> >2 questions.
> >
> >1.  I am planning on getting a new computer.  My current computer
> >(Mandrake 9.2)  I would love to get as much stuff transfered as
> >possible without worrying about reinstalling everything individually.
> > This seems
> >like a lot to ask, but is there an easy way to move an existing
> >installation to a new computer?
> >
> >2.  I think my biggest problem is that I don't consistently install
> >programs in the same place.  Some are in my home directly, some are
> >installed from RPMs and go to /usr... Some are installed from "make
> >install"...  What do more experienced users to to ensure they're
> >systems are more manageable?
> >
> >Any pointers to more information would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> >
> >  
> >
> In the finest tradition of mailing lists, I will not actually answer
> the question, but go off on a tangent and discuss why your situation
> is not a problem for me and then bring up what is a problem for me.
> ;-)
> 
> For me a new computer is an excuse for a new distro. My requirements 
> tend to be simple so any distro meets them.
> 
> Firefox, mutt, vim, gnucash, python, openoffice.
> 
> My bigger problem has tended to be drivers. Is the new computer's
> video card, sound card, etc  supported on my current  distro or will I
> need to upgrade or completely switch distros.
> 
> 
> --
> Mike Procario
> "Another casualty of applied metaphysics" -Calvin and Hobbes
> 
> 
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> wplug at wplug.org
> http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug

Well, since someone else did it first, I now fill obliged to follow up
with the "Your situation is not a problem for me..." (but then I will
give my answer ;-)  )

For your question #2  "What do more experienced users to to ensure
they're systems are more manageable?"   (and My Tongue in Check
answer)Install Debian, or Debian-like.  ;-)   
<END RANT>
I used RedHat for 3+ years, and had the same problem. And I too would
use a new computer as a reason for a distro upgrade/switch.  Since I
switched to Debian (using Sarge right now), and their "ump-teen million"
packages, I have never had to install from source.  So if I move to a
new computer, all I do now is but a base Debian install on the new
computer, then:
  On old computer -- 'dpkg --get-selections > foo.txt'
  copy foo.txt to new computer and run --
  'dpkg --set-selections < foo.txt ; apt-get -u deselect -upgrade'
All the same programs/etc are now installed.

For your question #1 -- Maybe someone more intellegent can correct me,
but could you not just put Old HD in the computer as Primary Slave, New
HD in as Primary Master.  Then Boot with Knoppix (or what ever you
prefer) and do some formatting to the New HD, and then 'cp -a
/PATH/TO/OLD/HD_PARTION /PATH/TO/NEW/HD_PARTION' a few times.  You will
have to do something special with GRUB/LILO (not sure of the exact
stuff, but I know it will include the "change root" command)  






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