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How can I copy an installed Linux system to another PC? (feddit.org)

submitted 5 days ago by mech@feddit.org to c/linuxquestions@lemmy.zip

15 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I've spent considerable time configuring my Linux system (1) and I would like to have the exact same system on another PC (2).
What would be the best way to do that?
Hardware on (2) is different, but tested compatible with the kernel.
(2) has a smaller drive size, so simply dd'ing the entire drive from a live USB won't work.

Here's what I'm planning:

install same distro on (2), using the same username as on (1)
create a list of installed packages on (1)
install same packages on (2) using the package manager
copy /home and /etc from (1) to an external EXT4 drive
boot (2) from a live USB and mount the external drive
delete /home and /etc on (2), then copy them over from (1)

Will this cause permission issues? Is there a quicker way?

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[–] ProfessorNeurus@infosec.pub 31 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

You could use clonezilla right? If the data of the old drive "fits" in the new smaller drive, then it can be done (if I correctly recall, it's one of the advanced options).

https://clonezilla.org/clonezilla-live/doc/02_Restore_disk_image/advanced/09-advanced-param.php

[–] passenger@sopuli.xyz 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Or rescuezilla which might be easier to use.