[ale] how do I properly move my home folder from ubuntu to mint

[bugs at solprime.net (Bugs)]

Ron,

Read up on rsync and don't use NTFS.
If you have no other place to put it, use tar to make a single file that
preserves UNIX modes and owner info.

Examples:
rsync -x -H -a -v --stats -P /home/myuser/
/path/to/my/Linux/formatted/drive/homedir/
#reinstall your dist
rsync -x -H -a -v --stats -P /path/to/my/Linux/formatted/drive/homedir/
/home/myuser/

tar -c -v -j -f /path/to/my/windows/drive/home.tar /home/myuser/
#reinstall your dist
cd / ; tar -jxvf /path/to/my/windows/drive/home.tar

On 05/26/2013 10:19 AM, Ron Frazier (ALE) wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I just had a frustrating experience and want to learn how to avoid it
> next time.
>
> Previously, I had set up all my machines to dual boot with ubuntu and
> windows.  I've now decided to move to Mint since I'm disenchanted with
> ubuntu.  Yes, I know they share the same core.
>
> The hdd in question had an ext4 partition which was ubuntu and an ntfs
> partition which I use for data.  I booted a mint live cd, mounted the
> ubuntu file system by clicking it within the file browser, and copied
> my ron folder to the ntfs partition.  It complained about some files
> being inaccessible, but still copied about 43 MB of data, which looked
> like the right number.
>
> I then proceeded to install mint in the ext4 partition.  When I
> started the installer, I selected the option to erase ubuntu and
> install mint.  I eventually got mint booting and working the way I
> wanted.  Then, I went back into the file browser and told it to copy
> the files back from the ntfs partition to the new mint home directory
> and merge any duplicate folders.  I made the mistake of using a move
> command rather than a copy command.  At some point, it generated
> another error saying it couldn't copy some files.  I cannot remember
> the exact message.  I clicked skip all.  The net result is that about
> 43 MB of data was copied to my new home folder and about 387 MB of
> data wasn't copied.  Unfortunately, the files were removed from the
> ntfs folder even though they were skipped, which I think is a design
> flaw.
>
> The net result is that I lost about 9/10 of what was in my original
> ubuntu home folder unless I can find a backup somewhere.  I don't
> think there was anything too critical, but who knows.
>
> So, can anyone please tell me the proper procedure to move the
> contents of my home folder from a ubuntu install to a mint install so
> this doesn't happen next time I install mint on another computer?
>
> Any help is appreciated and thanks in advance.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ron
>