Ubuntu

how to move Xubuntu to a new computer

Asked by Hammad Sheikh

I would like to know if it is possible to move Xubuntu (7.10) to a new computer by just installing the old hard disk into the new computer. I imagine that you can somehow use the recovery mode to de-install the drivers for the old system and install the drivers for the new one.

Background: My old computer just broke down (some motherboard issue). A friend of mine gave me a slightly better one (his old computer) but without a hard disk. I would like to stick my old hard disk into the new computer and somehow get my Xubuntu started without having to re-install the system and set it up again from the scratch. Basically, it is necessary to make Xubuntu remove all hardware drivers and scan for new hardware.

How can I achieve that?

PS: I have some expertise in hardware but am a Xubuntu Newbee.

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Jon Cummings (markinchina2003) said : 		#1

I have many times taken a harddisk from one computer to another and linux worked most of the time especially if the two motherboards are similar.
I think you are better off to do a fresh install of Xubuntu but first put your data on some media such as an old harddisk or a memory stick or dvd and then drag it onto your newly setup Xubuntu harddisk.
Good luck,regards,Jon.

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Hammad Sheikh (hsheikh) said : 		#2

A. Which folders will I have to backup if I decide to do it the cumbersome way?
B. There must be some way to make Xubuntu install new hardware drivers. Some option in the recovery mode, maybe?

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Jim Hutchinson (jphutch) said : 		#3

You will want to save your /home for sure. /var, /etc, and /usr/local are also common dirs to back up.

You can also use

dpkg --get-selections > installed-software

to create a list of all packages you have installed and then on the new install do

dpkg --set-selections < installed-software

To reinstall everything. I've never actually tried this myself so I'm not sure if you need to follow that with anything else or if it just installs. Maybe someone with more experience on this can confirm. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AptGetHowto has more info on apt but I didn't see anything on this particular use.

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