grub installation packages or backup OS

[Tiago Almeida]

Hi, a few weeks ago i had a power failure in my house that has damaged my desktop, since this had corrupted my OS. I couldn't do anything on grub rescue, so i had to reinstall Linux again. In order to prevent losing all my stuff and recover my OS, should i install some grub packages in order to obtain more resources for when that happen again or should i backup my OS?

 

[arochester]

1) It is very probable that your stuff was still there after the power failure, could be copied off and reinstated in a new install.

2) It is possible that just Grub was broken and could re-installed.

3) Backup. Backup. Backup.

4) Keep a LiveCD handy for emergencies...

 

[Tiago Almeida]

should i do both then? Install all necessary grub packages and then backup periodically my OS? I'd like to backup to my usb pen, could you show me some tutorials to do that?

 

[ryanvade]

should i do both then? Install all necessary grub packages and then backup periodically my OS? I'd like to backup to my usb pen, could you show me some tutorials to do that?

It depends on which distro you are using. Debian based systems have a program available called SystemBack. It can be used similarly to Windows Backup/Restore. The program can create OS backups that can be run live on USB or DVD. But it does not backup personal data.

I would check out a program called Deja-dup. https://wiki.gnome.org/action/show/Apps/DejaDup?action=show&redirect=DejaDup
Definitely my favorite backup program.

 

[Tiago Almeida]

I'm using Mint. Does your favorite backup program backup all data?

 

[Darren Hale]

Welcome this could help
http://linuxmint.tumblr.com/post/29062190772/best-free-backup-software-for-linux-simple

Available from package manager

 

[ryanvade]

I'm using Mint. Does your favorite backup program backup all data?

All User data.

 

[Tiago Almeida]

Mint has a program available called Backup Tool and i think it's enough for me.

 

[labrat]

You could probably have chroot'ed into that system, run fsck on all partitions, fixed file system errors and just rebooted...

 

[Tiago Almeida]

I couldn't do that because on grub rescue, my system files could not be found in any partition and i was limited up to a half-dozen commands, that was bad
as bad

 

[Tiago Almeida]

Is it enough to backup only my installed applications or should i backup all file system? All my important personal data is inserted on my Dropbox.

 

[labrat]

You can chroot in from a livecd or another running system - of course you cannot chroot in from grub rescue...

Backup /home and maybe /etc (or just the config files from there which you have modified) the rest can be reinstalled when the OS is reinstalled.