this post was submitted on 22 Oct 2024
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Migrating a linux install to a different drive (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) by Presi300@lemmy.world to c/linux@lemmy.world
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The title pretty much speaks for itself... I have a linux install that I've spent a considerable time configuring, which is unfortunately installed on a drive that's starting to show signs of dying.

My question is: how, if there is a way, can I migrate said linux install over to a different drive, while preserving all the configurations and such.

EDIT: Thank you to everyone who commented! I made the transfer, using dd and it went mostly smoothly, even if it did take a while.

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[–] Presi300@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Hm, using a smaller block size does make sense, but I imagine that cloning an entire drive with 512 byte blocks is gonna take 10 million years. Especially this one, since the main reason I'm suspecting that it has started failing is because it's slowed down to the point where it drags down the entire system when even the smallest of loads hit it...

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

That's a bad sign. First off stop using it so that you don't make it worse. Next take a backup. I think dd automatically skips over bad blocks but I don't remember. Also, I would not go straight to another drive but instead go to a file.

I don't mean to freak you out but there is a chance you are going to lose data.

[–] Presi300@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

I already have all data I care about backed up, so even if I lose some, it's not a big deal

[–] sylver_dragon@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

If you suspect a failing drive, you may want to consider using ddrescue as opposed to dd. The tool is specifically designed to help with failing disks.