new to linux I need a user guide for systemback

The storage directory (for restore points) and the working directory (for Live images) are just a simple directories on a Linux filesystem (ext4, btrfs...). So you just need to select a directory with some (several GB) free space. Or just use the default '/home' directory, if there is enough free space, then OK. But the processes are faster (I/O operations) when you using a seperated disk. And if you store the restore points on a seperated disk, then it is also safer.

Hi Kendek, I am actually trying to create a system copy, but can't get it to work. and need a click by click explanation of how to do it. for instance, I am logged into my admin account, I click on system copy, select the partition that my system is in, then what do I do? So far 'next' is still greyed out. So I have either done something wrong, or need to do something else.

P.S I am logging out now, and will check for reply tomorrow. Thanks

If yo want to copy the system, just click on the "System copy" button. You can partitioning the disks (partition table create, partiton delete/create), just select a line and see the possibilities on the right side. The '/dev/sda' is a disk, the '/dev/sda1' is a partition on the disk... To enable the 'Next' button, you just need to set a partition with '/' mount point. So select a partition (if mounted then unmount) and select the '/' mount point. Click ont the green arrow button to set. This is the basic setting.
PS: The currently mounted (fstab stored) system partitons are not unmountable, you need to select a not used partition.

 Hi Kendeck, sorry, your answer confused me more. Why would I need to create another partition? Are you thinking that I am trying to create a copy to boot from ? Have you ever used a desktop version of Windows? After a system recovery with a factory reset of windows, the backup software can then restore all the system files and settings to the way they were before windows was reinstalled. The software retrieves the backup image from a folder in the partition where it is stored.. This can be a partition can also be used for storing personal files and folders .
 Are you saying that this is not possible for system back? Are you saying that in order to restore Mint system settings after a clean reinstall, using Systemback, the system copy must be in a partition of its own on a device that is not listed in fstab? ( I don't even know what fstab is ). Or, in Systemback, does a restore point perform the same function as a backup image does in windows? In Windows ‘restore points‘ are all lost when Windows is reinstalled.
I have only just begun to transition from Windows to Linux Mint, so am very new.
Thanks.

I do not know the Windows, I never used the Windows restoration software.
The Systemback is not just a system restore application, you can copy or install (with new names and passwords) the system.
You said taht "I am actually trying to create a system copy", so I wrote down what to do.
If you want to create a restore point, just click on the "Create new" button. If you want to restore the system, just select a restore point, click on the "System restore" and on the "Next" button.
You can select a new directory for the restore points (or for Live images), just click on the "..." button. If you using an external disk, you find it under /media/<username> dir. You can select a dir with Linux filesystem.
If the system cannot start the GUI because an error, you can switch to tty1 (Ctrl+Alt+F1) and you can use the systemback-cli command to restore the system. If the system cannot bootable, you can boot a Live system. If this is a Systemback Live, you can perform a system repair, system copy (this is the easiest) os system installation. If you do not have any Systemback Live image, just use the Ubuntu installer, boot the Live and perform a system repair (after installing the Systemback). The system repair is a semi-automatic function, because you need to mount the system partitions under the /mnt.

The Ubuntu is not a Windows clone, and the Systemback assumes some basic knowledge of the system.

Hi Kendeck, I gave the windows example in the hope that it would help you to clarify for me how to use Systemback. At present it seems that you use the term 'restore point' differently from the way it is used in windows, and this is how my confusion arose.
Many more people like me will transition from Windows, and will want to be able to use your software. Everyone has different skills and levels of understanding. I have been using Linux for a very short time., and it is very important to me to back up my system.
If writing a user guide isn't something you would enjoy to do, please would you make it easier by finding a volunteer who loves Systemback to create a very simple user guide, for all the uses of Systemback, that even someone new to Linux can understand?
Thank you:-)

I too need a guide to Systemback, even though I have some Linux knowledge. For I do not understand how the two different types of radio boxes work. With critical stuff such as backing up and restoring, this stuff needs, surely, to be *transparent*. Please advise. Thank you.