how to reinstall and save /home?

[Randymanme]

I have several concerns and I suppose it might better to put some in different threads. 

Last January 18th, I backed up my user files (w/ drakbackup) and copied them to CD, then installed PCLinuxOS Gnome.  Following that, I couldn't figure out how to restore my backed up files to the new install.  As I recall, all the tutorials I found on the subject (mostly Mandriva) used a version of Drakbackup different from the one on my computer.  I still have the backup CD, however, and would like to access some old files.  Will someone refer me to directions?

On my current install, I have /dev/hdc7 reserved for backup CD.  [By the way, out of 5.02 GiB, 4.80 GiB is unused and 218.96 MiB is used.  Used for what, I wonder, as I haven't put anything on it.  Is it some kind of formatting information?]  Now here's my second question, may I back up my current /home, copy it to /dev/hdc7, then reinstall a fresh PCLinuxOS Gnome designating /dev/hdc7 as /home, and will it work just fine?

Or may I do the same thing only installing PCLinuxOS 2010 Beta 2?

As always, any and all help will be much appreciated.  Thanks.



[root@localhost ~]# fdisk -l

Disk /dev/hdc: 30.0 GB, 30020272128 bytes
16 heads, 63 sectors/track, 58168 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 1008 * 512 = 516096 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000555a3

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/hdc1   *           1       24990    12594928+  83  Linux
/dev/hdc2           24991       58156    16715601+   5  Extended
Partition 2 does not end on cylinder boundary.
/dev/hdc5           24991       27078     1052226   82  Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/hdc6           27078       45630     9349798+  83  Linux
/dev/hdc7           47717       58156     5261256   83  Linux
/dev/hdc8           45630       47494      939771   83  Linux
/dev/hdc9           47494       47717      112423+  82  Linux swap / Solaris

Partition table entries are not in disk order

Disk /dev/hdd: 20.0 GB, 20020396032 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 2434 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x000da042

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/hdd1               1        1913    15366141   83  Linux
/dev/hdd2            2328        2434      859446+   5  Extended
/dev/hdd3   *        1928        2292     2929687+  83  Linux
/dev/hdd5            2328        2434      859446   82  Linux swap / Solaris

Partition table entries are not in disk order
[root@localhost ~]#

[Old-Polack]

Randymanme:

No offense, but your partitions are a mess. You've got overlapping partitions, on /dev/hdc and gaps between partitions on /dev/hdd. Your extended partition on /dev/hdd is entirely filled by your swap partition, making it totally unnecessary. Both drives have the partitions numbered out of order as they actually exist on the drive disk. Being as the partitions are the foundation on which the rest of the system exists, I'd be more concerned with getting that fixed, first, than restoring any specific backup. I wouldn't trust any system built on a shaky foundation. Looks like you could use a completely fresh start.

[Randymanme]

Out of curiousity, how is it possible for partitions to overlap?  I don't doubt your observation; it's right on the fdisk -l; I just wonder what I did to accomplish that?

[Old-Polack]

Out of curiousity, how is it possible for partitions to overlap?  I don't doubt your observation; it's right on the fdisk -l; I just wonder what I did to accomplish that?

I really don't know. What application did you use to create the partitions? I use fdisk to create the partitions, then mkfs to format the regular partitions, and mkswap for the swap partition. When installing an OS, I choose the custom, or expert mode, depending on the installer, tell the installer to not do any formatting, to use what's already there, then let the installer copy over the needed data only.

I haven't had a failed installation ever, using that method.

[marian]

I don't want to interfere but is it a good idea to let /home partition (e.g. PCLinuxOS 2009) as is when PCLinuxOS 2010 final is ready and just set it as /home when installing.
Wouldn't that cause some mess?

[longtom]

I don't want to interfere but is it a good idea to let /home partition (e.g. PCLinuxOS 2009) as is when PCLinuxOS 2010 final is ready and just set it as /home when installing.
Wouldn't that cause some mess?

I am not too sure. 

However, it is recommended to use ext4 with your PCLOS 2010 installation.  Your /home folder from 2009 will still be ext3. 

Also the one should be able to read the other I would find it prudent to backup your /home folder onto something external and format your new /home partition as ext4.  After that put your stuff back and you are good to go.

[marian]

Also the one should be able to read the other I would find it prudent to backup your /home folder onto something external and format your new /home partition as ext4.  After that put your stuff back and you are good to go.

This is what I will probably do. Save /home and than just copy back some needed staff. 
Now I have /home folder but planning to make a separate partition.