>> In fact, my problem is : How do I move files from an old parttion to a new >one while >> ensure all links (and things like that) are kept ? > This is the way I've done it dozens of times...its from the days prior to cp having the correct attributes to do it correctly, and maintain last access times, etc...
mount the target filesystem (lets say at /mnt) cd to the top of the one which you want to copy...lets say /usr then, this command: find . -depth | cpio -pdmv /mnt The result at /mnt will be AN EXACT duplicate of the filesystem. I understand that the more recent GNU cp will do the same, but this is the way I've always done it, and still do. Paul