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Moving my files from mint 18 to mint 17.1, running side by side on the same computer

Hello guys. I have been running Mint 18 on my computer and haven't been very happy with it. Someone recommended that I run 17.1 instead, so now they are running side by side. My goal is to uninstall 18 and just run 17.1. Is there a way to transfer all my files from one to another?

Hi eugeneatarms and welcome to LQ! :)

For just the data, the easiest way to do this would be to use what many call "sneakernet" which is a disk or thumb drive. If you have an external disk such as a USB, or can write a DVD, then put your data there, or if you can fit your data onto a USB thumb stick, then do that.

The second level to this would be a question as to how much you have changed, installed, or set up under version 18 where you need to save. Such as any profile changes, or software which you've installed. Do you have an idea about that question?

The good news is that you seem to have both versions running, so you can boot alternatively to each to get and copy over what you need until you have it all set, and then you can use a partition manager and update grub to obliterate the non-desired install and remove it from the options for boot. Recommend you get all the data and files over to your satisfaction, maybe run for some period of time to confirm you have it all, and then take your next steps, or even never take any final steps and leave the other option there forever if you don't have any drive space issues.

if runing side by side you mean dual boot then

Code:

sudo blkid <-- gets your /dev/sdxx where the other linux is on.

mount it

Code:

mount /dev/sdxx /mnt

then cd /mnt/home/user then move everything over to the other one.

Code:

mv -v * /to where you want it moved to path goes here.

it is no different then moving files from one dir to another as long as you have it mounted.

one way is to just use root user or sudo then chown user:group /path/ -R when done to bring it all back to you being the owner.

example

Code:

userx%slackwhere ⚡ ~ ⚡> cd testingmefiles

userx%slackwhere ⚡ testingmefiles ⚡> ls

A  file1.txt  file2.txt  file3.txt

userx%slackwhere ⚡ testingmefiles ⚡> mkdir goop

userx%slackwhere ⚡ testingmefiles ⚡> cp * goop/

cp: omitting directory 'goop'

userx%slackwhere ⚡ testingmefiles ⚡> cd goop                                    

userx%slackwhere ⚡ goop ⚡> ls

A  file1.txt  file2.txt  file3.txt

userx%slackwhere ⚡ goop ⚡> cd ..

userx%slackwhere ⚡ testingmefiles ⚡> mkdir ~/Movededed

userx%slackwhere ⚡ testingmefiles ⚡> mv *  ~/Movededed

userx%slackwhere ⚡ testingmefiles ⚡> ls

userx%slackwhere ⚡ testingmefiles ⚡> cd  ~/Movededed

userx%slackwhere ⚡ Movededed ⚡> ls

A  file1.txt  file2.txt  file3.txt  goop

userx%slackwhere ⚡ Movededed ⚡>

I'd think that you have two complete linux installs but we'd have to know that first.

Rsync or any of the other ways to copy data between them should work if you do have two independent installs.

Rtmistler'a or BW-userx'a posts should work if by "side-by-side" you meant duel boot ;)

Can I ask why you haven't been happy with Mint 18?

The latest version of Mint is 18.1, very soon to be 18.2. Perhaps an upgrade, and/or change of desktop environment, might solve your problems whilst also allowing you to stay as up-to-date as possible?

It runs very slow on my computer for some reason. I had 17.something on my previous computer and loved it. I'm not getting great results from 17.1, as it only has firefox 3.3 and is giving me trouble with my chrome download. The 3.3 will not allow me to download a current version of video downloadhelper. I think I'll try 17.2 and 17.3 until I find what I'm looking for. My previous computer was a CQ56 and my current one is a CQ57, which is almost identical, except with a built-in webcam.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugeneatarms (Post 5726055)

Which desktop environment are you using? If it's Cinnamon, you could try the 18.1 MATE or Xfce versions which should run a bit faster.