Ubuntu
ubiquity package

advice backing up windows partition before ubuntu install

Asked by Sam Katz

I need advice. What I want to do is to backup the ntfs partition to an external drive and dump the contents into an easily readable format inside Linux, where I can explore the ntfs parition that is on there, and get files off. That way, I can erase the internal hard drive and let ubuntu install on the full drive.

Suggestions?

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Answered
For:
Ubuntu ubiquity Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Warren Hill (warren-hill) said : 		#1

Create a CD/DVD/USB stick and run Ubuntu from that select run from CD, try Ubuntu or whatever it is called, ie do not install

open a terminal by pressing CTRL ALT and T and enter
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
sudo fdisk -l; mount | grep ^'/dev'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enter password when requested

This will show you the drives on your system I see this:

$ sudo fdisk -l; mount | grep ^'/dev'

Disk /dev/sda: 320.1 GB, 320072933376 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 38913 cylinders, total 625142448 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 4096 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 4096 bytes / 4096 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0006d954

   Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 2048 616957951 308477952 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 616959998 625141759 4090881 5 Extended
Partition 2 does not start on physical sector boundary.
/dev/sda5 616960000 625141759 4090880 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sda1 on / type ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro)

You will have your windows drive shown. If its not mounted mount the windows drive and plug in an external drive
see here for instructions
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Mount

You can now copy the entire drive or any part of it to the external drive.

Shut down disconnect the external drive reboot and install Ubuntu you can copy your data back from the external drive at your leisure.

Can you help with this problem?

Provide an answer of your own, or ask Sam Katz for more information if necessary.

To post a message you must log in.