From owner-freebsd-newbies@FreeBSD.ORG Tue Nov 25 09:49:43 2003 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-newbies@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 8B4CC16A4CE for ; Tue, 25 Nov 2003 09:49:43 -0800 (PST) Received: from hotmail.com (sea1-f74.sea1.hotmail.com [207.68.163.74]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id BF9C443FAF for ; Tue, 25 Nov 2003 09:49:42 -0800 (PST) (envelope-from crollins666@hotmail.com) Received: from mail pickup service by hotmail.com with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Tue, 25 Nov 2003 09:49:42 -0800 Received: from 216.19.22.118 by sea1fd.sea1.hotmail.msn.com with HTTP; Tue, 25 Nov 2003 17:49:42 GMT X-Originating-IP: [216.19.22.118] X-Originating-Email: [crollins666@hotmail.com] From: "clayton rollins" To: freebsd-newbies@freebsd.org Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2003 17:49:42 +0000 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: X-OriginalArrivalTime: 25 Nov 2003 17:49:42.0521 (UTC) FILETIME=[816CBE90:01C3B37C] cc: bert.lagaisse@cs.kuleuven.ac.be Subject: Re: freebsd reinstall X-BeenThere: freebsd-newbies@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list List-Id: Gathering place for new users List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2003 17:49:43 -0000 On Nov, 25, 2003, Bert Lagaisse wrote: >Hey > >My filesystem is screwed (missing package-db, missing log files, ...) after >a fsck (deleted to much) > >I think I need to reinstall my freebsd system. > >What is the best tool to make a backup of my most important files (X config >file, kde configuration stored in homedir ...) > >And most desirable in a way i can easily restore them to the directory they >belong > >Is there a less time consuming way of fixing my system ? (incl the db >containing the installed packages) > > >-- >Bert Lagaisse Hi Bert, First off: for backups, I generally just use CD-R's along with tar and gzip. (Or, if possible, get a hard drive big enough for the stuff you're concerned with.) I'm not going to say any more on that, as I don't believe you'll *need* to reinstall. (Of course, you should keep backups, anyways.) The package database can likely be restored using pkgdb; see the man page for documentation. (Specifically, look at the -F and -u switches.) The missing files can probably be restored by using touch and chmod, but you'd need to supply more information before you can be helped with that. (which files?) As I said, I believe you can get the system working without reinstalling; that's about the most I can say here (on -newbies). Since you'll probably need more/better help to actually accomplish this, I would encourage you to write freebsd-questions in the near future, which is the proper list for technical support. (It shouldn't be too hard for the masters there to help you with this.) Just to note, as a newbie, it is quite possible that I overlooked some possibilities for restoring your files. (A good example of why technical questions should be sent to -questions.) Again, you're encouraged to write -questions before proceeding. Peace and Good Luck, Clayton _________________________________________________________________ Need a shot of Hank Williams or Patsy Cline? The classic country stars are always singing on MSN Radio Plus. Try one month free! http://join.msn.com/?page=offers/premiumradio