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Software - Support => Installing Linux Lite => Topic started by: Vera on November 27, 2018, 08:26:54 PM

Title: Is it possible to install LL keeping an existing partition (an ext4?)
Post by: Vera on November 27, 2018, 08:26:54 PM
I'm looking to install LL4.2 as the sole operating system on my computer (replacing the 3.8 that is currently running). In the pic below is my current disk partitioning scheme. I'd like to know if it's easily possible for a beginner such as myself to install LL4.2 keeping my /dev/sda6 partition AND all the data it contains? If so, can that partition be mounted when needed with my 4.2 system?

It's basically a backup directory where I keep backup files. I think of it basically like a big USB stick that happens to be internal instead of external.

I don't want to keep anything else, just /dev/sda6.

(https://pod.thomasdalichow.de/uploads/images/scaled_full_122c6dbebf40da5a56f5.png)
Title: Re: Is it possible to install LL keeping an existing partition (an ext4?)
Post by: firenice03 on November 27, 2018, 09:30:35 PM
Yes just don't touch sda6..LOL  ;D ;D

When you boot the LiveUSB to install, choose the "Something Else" option.
You will be presented the same gparted screen; from here you can format "/" sda1 if you like... I believe it will format by default during install. .. Same ext4 is fine...
When installing select sda1 as where to install LL, set the flag?label? as "/" (drop down option) as well as the bootloader (it will be below this portion, or at least not sda6)

It will reuse swap... thou it may format it.

As sda6 is labeled "/mybkp" you shouldn't have any issues reusing this partition from 3.8 to 4.2 (as "/home" could due to the slight differences between versions)...
Oh you will want to copy off anything within "/home" as I am assuming by the screenshot its part of sda1 and will be formatted...

I think that's it.. Although if you can, a back up of sda6 on another disk/elsewhere never hurts, just in case...
Title: Re: Is it possible to install LL keeping an existing partition (an ext4?)
Post by: Vera on November 27, 2018, 09:42:03 PM
Thanks so much @firenice03 ! OK I will try it like you said and I will see what happens.

To answer your questions, yes /home is part of sda1 and I understand it will be reformatted. Everything in my current home directory AND in the sda6 is backed up on an external hard drive, so it's not a problem if I do something wrong during the install. Still, I'd like to keep the sda6 so will try what you said.

As it's getting late where I am, there's a chance I might not get it done tonight, but will try it first thing tomorrow! Very excited to do this! Also, if this works as hoped, it'll make it easier for any subsequent fresh installs I do later along the line.

UPDATE - IT WORKED!!
Thanks so much! I could see the volume and mount it. I was able to access all the data on it too. Marking as solved. It REALLY helped that you said:

Yes just don't touch sda6..LOL  ;D ;D

... because during in the install process, I kept wondering "shouldn't I be trying to DO something with sda6??" but I reminded myself you'd said not to touch it, so I left it alone, and sure enough your method worked. This will REALLY help me for future installs.