On 11/3/18, Pascal Hambourg <pas...@plouf.fr.eu.org> wrote: > Le 03/11/2018 à 09:45, local10 a écrit : >> >> Am looking for an (easy) way to create a backup copy of working bootable >> Debian Buster HD. The idea here is to have a second bootable >> fully-functional HD which is normally offline but updated from time to >> time, including all user data and installed packages. >> >> So for that purpose I have two HDs (working and backup), both are the same >> model, the same size, both are partitioned exactly the same way (three >> partitions: /boot, /, swap). Rsync-ing "/" partitions is not a problem and >> coping boot partition files from "working /boot" to "backup /boot" could >> be easily done too. However, I'm having issues making the backup HD >> bootable. Either I'm doing something wrong with grub-install and/or >> perhaps just coping files from "working /boot" to "backup /boot" isn't a >> good idea? > > Copying files is not enough. > 1) You must properly install GRUB on the backup disk : > > grub-install --boot-directory=/backup-boot-partition-mount-point \ > /dev/backup-disk > > 2) The partitions on the backup disk have different UUIDs but config > files such as /etc/fstab, /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/resume and > /boot/grub/grub.cfg reference UUIDs of the original disk partitions and > must be adjusted.
Pascal's is the method I used. Mine is simpler since it's all in one place, e.g. I: grub-install /dev/sdk Being reminded about the additional boot-directory step is handy/bookmarkable. "man grub-install" gets us that and so much more. :) What I wanted to add about the fstab, etc, is OMG!!! /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/resume HOW MANY bug threads here about resume not resuming would be fixed with that right there? I never heard it before, at least not where it cognitively took a foothold. I fully understand its effect. I change fstab ALL THE TIME. /boot/grub/grub.cfg, too, via running update-grub where appropriate specifically because of UUIDs and now lately PARTUUIDs**.. Resume has NEVER hit my radar like those others. I wonder how many people that tip will help now..... OR not.... :) Cindy :) ** PARTUUIDs (in fstab) are an accidental find that have been helping boot 3TB gpt hard drives when boot errors were saying *correct*, *properly identified* UUIDs did not exist. -- Cindy-Sue Causey Talking Rock, Pickens County, Georgia, USA * runs with duct tape *
