System backup to another drive

[Tyrannocaster]

I have an SSD as a system drive, and I have two internal conventional disks as well, both formatted FAT-32. I'd like to backup my system to one of the bigger drives, but Timeshift tells me it can't do that. Timeshift also tells me my SSD is not a Linux formatted device, though, which is obviously incorrect. Despite that message it does appear to backup the system to the SSD, but AFAIC that's of limited value since if the disk dies, so does the backup.

Any ideas welcome.

[stevef]

Using Timeshift v19.08

Timeshift - Settings - Location allows me to specify a USB connected drive as the destination of the system back up.  The SATA attached 'data' drive also appears as an option.

[Tyrannocaster]

Using Timeshift v19.08

Timeshift - Settings - Location allows me to specify a USB connected drive as the destination of the system back up.  The SATA attached 'data' drive also appears as an option.

One of my ATA drives shows in that list but it tells me SELECTED DEVICE DOES NOT HAVE LINUX PARTITION. However, so does the system SSD which Linux is installed on. When I try to use the ATA drive, Timeshift goes to an apparent default of the supposedly unavailable SSD and backs up the snapshot there.

Literally everything I can click on in the Settings/Location window says I can't use it when I click on it. Plainly, at least one of those is wrong, but in any case I do not seem to be able to use the ATA drive for this.

[firenice03]

@Tyrannocaster

SELECTED DEVICE DOES NOT HAVE LINUX PARTITION

I saw you mentioned the partition is Linux READABLE - FAT ...
Have you tried or can you try using a Linux Partition ? ?? ? - I'd try ext4 .. See if any better results..


Might be worth a try - especially if you have room and can easily create/reformat a partition..


Some visual help
https://linuxhint.com/timeshift_linux_mint_19_usb/

[robinc]

Absolutely agree with above. Target drive needs to be reformatted to ext4

Also do make sure you include your hidden files in the timeshift backup esp if you use t'bird or browser with local portable config eg Firefox ESR

[Tyrannocaster]

Absolutely agree with above. Target drive needs to be reformatted to ext4

Also do make sure you include your hidden files in the timeshift backup esp if you use t'bird or browser with local portable config eg Firefox ESR

Good point; thanks. I am going to try using an external drive, reformatted just for this.

I admit I am perplexed that Timsehift tells me my system drive is not a Linux-formatted device, though. EDIT: just figured out that it does show the system drive as LINUX, but only until you click on the other drive - after that, the system drive returns the error message. I think this is a bug in timeshift.

Also, what is the difference between "Include hidden" and "Include all"? Wouldn't both of those mean the hidden files are included? Right now, it is set for root being Include All and my home dir as Include Hidden.

[Sprintrdriver]

I've always being using Clonezilla for system backup purposes. The nice thing about CZ is that it limits the image file size, so that FAT32 maximum file size won't be a concern.

[robinc]

Absolutely agree with above. Target drive needs to be reformatted to ext4

Also do make sure you include your hidden files in the timeshift backup esp if you use t'bird or browser with local portable config eg Firefox ESR

Good point; thanks. I am going to try using an external drive, reformatted just for this.

I admit I am perplexed that Timsehift tells me my system drive is not a Linux-formatted device, though. EDIT: just figured out that it does show the system drive as LINUX, but only until you click on the other drive - after that, the system drive returns the error message. I think this is a bug in timeshift.

Also, what is the difference between "Include hidden" and "Include all"? Wouldn't both of those mean the hidden files are included? Right now, it is set for root being Include All and my home dir as Include Hidden.

The restore process is not particularly granular. If you are using it to transfer to a new drive, you will have first installed a system on the new drive. The restore will take the dot files and folders that have been created during the new installation and put them all in a new visible folder in your user space. It will then apply the hidden files from your backup.

If you have 'include all' in your backup you'll a. have a humungous backup (assuming you keep your data in your home) and b. a long long long restore.

I use Backintime for personal data - OK it's just another rsync tool, but it keeps the 2 apart and like Timeshift creates a fully browsable file system if needed.

[Tyrannocaster]

My data is all on my secondary drives, except for stuff like browser login, cookies, prefs, and email, etc. Backup size is something like 11 gigs IIRC, so not really a problem.

[Tyrannocaster]

I've always being using Clonezilla for system backup purposes. The nice thing about CZ is that it limits the image file size, so that FAT32 maximum file size won't be a concern.

Clonezilla works, but it's not the easiest program to figure out, especially if, like me, you don't need to use it often. If Timeshift will work for me, I'll give it a try.

[Sprintrdriver]

Clonezilla works, but it's not the easiest program to figure out, especially if, like me, you don't need to use it often. If Timeshift will work for me, I'll give it a try.

Actually - you're wrong.

Clonezilla doesn't have a graphical GUI - but in every menu you encounter, you also will find a nice and easy understandable text that explain each step. If you take your time to read, you'll probably make it through. If not, just ask for help if there is a specific step you cannot figure out.

Clonezilla bonus feature 1: Just before the process starting (when all steps/manus are through) - it offer a complete command line that correspond to the action that it will takes, based on your input from the menus. Next time, you can enter that command, only changing the name of image file.

Clonezilla bonus feature 2: When browsing the folder where the image file are located, there are also backup of bios, and text files that list the current hardware.