System migrating to larger ssd

Basic Help & Support
1

Hi,

I have to migrate my system to a bigger ssd. I think this is the easiest way. Before I do anything - I read about many pages how to do it, and beside this I would like to discuss it. I have a plan - I will write it right now, and I would like to ask any suggestion, because I have never ever done this before.

On my ssd (which is use right now) I have

  • a freespace partition,
  • a partition1 (fat) - for boot
  • a partition2 (ext4) - for the system
  • a freespace partition - I dont know for what…
  1. So I have an ssd in my pc. I will connect the new and bigger to the comp.
  2. Download Clonezilla, and make a Clonezilla live usb.
  3. Make a backup and restore it to the new ssd.
  4. Get the new ssd uuid and change it in the fstab.
  5. Boot and use kde disk to expand the partiton to the whole ssd.

That is my plan… Any suggestion?
Thank you :slight_smile:

2

So I have done it - and it was easier than I thought.

I tried Clonezilla, but I didnt want to install anything or so. So I chose command-line.

sudo dd if=/dev/sda of=/dev/sdb bs=64K conv=noerror,sync

if = inputfile
of = output
bs = bitsize
conv = noerror and sync if finds error will try again.

I checked with fdisk-l the path, and it takes few minutes.
Changed the ssd and thats all.
After boot I resize the partition with KDE disks.
Done. :slight_smile:

1 Like
3

Moving to a New SSD: My Way

I tried Clonezilla in the past, but I found this method to be quicker and easier for me.

For partitioning, I’d suggest using gparted instead of kde-disk.
It’s the default in Mabox and works great. :wink:

Here’s my quick and simple method for moving to a new SSD:

  1. Backup Your Home Directory

    • Especially the dotfiles (.config, .mozilla, etc.) to an external disk.

  2. Make a Software List

    • Create a list of your favorite apps and put it in an install script.
      (script attached)

  3. Swap the SSD

    • Replace the old SSD with the new one.

  4. Install Mabox

    • Install it fresh on the new SSD.

  5. First Boot Setup

    • Update the system and run your install script to install your favorite software.
    • Reboot the system.

  6. Transfer Config Files

    • Connect the Backup disk (or old ssd), and copy over .config, .mozilla, and any other important dotfiles.
    • Reboot the system and check if all is working like it should.

  7. Manual System Tweaks

    • I don’t have a lot of custom system changes, so I set up root stuff by hand.

  8. Enable Cron Jobs

    • Activate cronnie for the scheduled tasks I need.

Script Example

Here’s a simple script you can adapt. It installs software from a list (using yay), enables the UFW firewall, and activates SSD trim.

#!/bin/bash

# Enable UFW (firewall)
ufw_enable() {
    sudo ufw enable
    sudo ufw status
}

# Enable SSD TRIM
ssd_trim_enable() {
    sudo systemctl enable fstrim.timer
    sudo systemctl start fstrim.timer
}

# Install software if not already installed
install_pkg() {
    if yay -Qi "$1" &>/dev/null; then
        echo "Package '$1' is already installed."
    else
        echo "Installing '$1'..."
        yay -S --noconfirm --needed "$1"
    fi
}

# Your favorite applications
apps=(
    firefox
    inkscape
    gimp
    ufw
)

# Install apps
for app in "${apps[@]}"; do
    install_pkg "$app"
done

# Final setup
ufw_enable
ssd_trim_enable

echo "Done!"

Feel free to modify it to fit your setup.
If you don’t use yay, swap it with your preferred package manager.

:bird:

2 Likes
4

Thank you. :slight_smile:
I ask you because I would like to know more, and almost everybody knows more than me.

  1. I don’t understand (because the lack of knowing) why its easier, and why do you install a new system.

  2. I don’t touched my original ssd. Just after dd I swaped them.

  3. I tried gparted before, but I have some problem (I cant remember what) - of course because my stupidity. Nothing serious but I cant reattach or so, I cant remember.

  4. I have few custom changes, but I use everyday Darktable and Gimp, Wps office, and so. You know lid screen lock, opensnitch.

  5. In my solution after cloning there is nothing to do, just swap.

  6. I use yay - as You suggested me last time. :slight_smile:

  7. I dont know what “ssd_trim_enable” means.

Thank you :slight_smile:

5
2 Likes
6

Thank you for the tip. I read through the link. I checked fstrim service but it was disabled. I turned it on, and checked it again. It works now.

Thank you :slight_smile:

1 Like
7

For me that’s quicker than finding out another way. No luck with snapshot tools like Clonezilla.
Though people talk really good about it. Not sure about Manjaro (arch) and clonezilla. (attached a link)

I use gparted as long as i know without issues. I say it because KDE has component you don’t need. It’s just to keep the system cleanisch. Though it is possible to use kde-disk.

This part i don’t undestand. Specially the swapping part.

I never had that luck that easy. For me its quicker to reinstall new system and bring back dot files and do some manual stuff.

I use yay because of AUR packages.

@napcok was quicker with the link :wink:

Conclussion.
I am not the right person to help you futher with Clonezilla or dd from live iso.

found a post about cloning on Manjaro forum.

:bird:

Good luck…

1 Like
8

I sent my .config files to dropbox - so I had a copy. I just made the cloning and pull out the original small ssd and put the new bigger into my comp. Just what I tried to write

You are the right person. :slight_smile: You always help me. :slight_smile: It was easier to do with dd. Its working and done. :slight_smile:
Thank you. :slight_smile:

1 Like
9

dd is a powerfull cool tool :wink: . Great that worked for you.

Then we meant the same in other words. :crazy_face:

:bird:

1 Like