Hope this is the right topic for this but as it's about moving to new hardware I thought it would be?
I Have Dumped Windows for good and been using Zorin for a few weeks now , and I am very pleased with it. Had to setup quite a complex system with NAS and VMs etc so it's been quite difficult but i have now got it all set up to my liking.
Stupidly I have now been thinking I need a better PC (stupidly because I should have thought of it before doing all this work on Zorin) but I am hoping i will be able to move my complete setup over to the new PC?
I have done this before on windows a few time over the years not always easy but doable! I have used Macrium reflect in the past and am still able to get an image from the basic windows i do run still, just to backup images.
I haven't got into linux backups yet.
I am seeking advice on the best way to go about it ?
Hi, To backup your computer I would use Rescuezilla which will backup your entire drive but you need to be aware that when you purchase a new rig you will need to have a HardDrive the same size or bigger as unlike proprietary Windows backup software you cannot install to a smaller drive.
In respect of a new computer, are you thinking Desktop or Notebook? If you can afford it I would recommend links from here:
I have covered other dedicated Linux Hardware suppliers in the Unofficial Manual for Zorin 18 Core:
In terms of Notebooks I would avoid Samsung as they never provide BIOS updates.
In terms of other manufacturers that normally only provide Windows machines I would look at Dell as they were the first mainstream hardware maker to produce hardware to run Ubuntu. If you need expansion then go to a Linux hardware provider, and go for a Tower. If not needed, go for a NUC but as in all cases, read reviews before you buy.
thanks for reply!
My zorin partition is only about 200GB at the moment so as long as rescuzilla supports imaging by partition i assume that would be OK?
I'm going for Tower sized PC BTW.
I am concerned more about getting the drivers etc updated when on the new PC. should I create a new Zorin install and then try to add in my home directory? would that be hard? I know that's impossible on windows but windows will sometimes automatically install the drivers.
I am not aware that Rescuezilla can backup per partition, having said that, I am wrong. Usually it recognises partitions, so if you have manually installed Zorin on your current machine with a separate / and /home then you should be OK.
You might be best creatng just a backup of / and then create a manual backup of
/home, but remember to include the hidden folders (if not showing press Ctrl+ H) which are preceded by periods, e.g., .mozilla as an example. The hidden folders hod your application settings so when you install Zorin afresh on your new rig you can then copy your backed up /home folder once you have installed your / from rescuezilla. You may have to make some manual entries in FSTAB if /home does not get picked up.
thanks that gives me hope that I won't have to go through all the work i have done all over again.
I did read somewhere that people use this technique to go Distro hopping so i thought it might be worth a try although i bet its not as easy as it sounds 
thanks again
Mike
My advice?
Since it's a new computer with new components, I would go strictly from scratch. Along the way you learn your computer better plus you get more experience adding everything back one by one.
There is also the possibility that backup can go left, and you would have to start all over making it double work, double time.
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