Best partitions for new system? [Solved]

[arp]

Hello, Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm going to do a clean upgrade from MX 19 to 21. I'm not an advanced user however. Any advice on whether to keep current partitions or improve them somehow would be welcome!

Code: Select all

System:
  Host: <filter> Kernel: 4.19.0-18-amd64 x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 8.3.0 
  parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-18-amd64 
  root=UUID=<filter> ro splash quiet 
  acpi_enforce_resources=lax 
  Desktop: Xfce 4.14.2 tk: Gtk 3.24.5 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm4 
  dm: LightDM 1.26.0 Distro: MX-19.4_x64 patito feo February 15  2020 
  base: Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster) 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Apple product: iMac7,1 v: 1.0 serial: <filter> 
  Chassis: type: 13 v: Mac-F4238CC8 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Apple model: Mac-F4238CC8 v: PVT serial: <filter> BIOS: Apple 
  v: IM71.88Z.007A.B03.0803051705 date: 03/05/08 
CPU:
  Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core2 Duo T7300 bits: 64 type: MCP 
  arch: Core Merom family: 6 model-id: F (15) stepping: A (10) microcode: 95 
  L2 cache: 4096 KiB 
  flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 7980 
  Speed: 944 MHz min/max: 800/2000 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1214 2: 1197 
  Vulnerabilities: Type: itlb_multihit status: KVM: Split huge pages 
  Type: l1tf mitigation: PTE Inversion; VMX: EPT disabled 
  Type: mds 
  status: Vulnerable: Clear CPU buffers attempted, no microcode; SMT disabled 
  Type: meltdown mitigation: PTI 
  Type: spec_store_bypass status: Vulnerable 
  Type: spectre_v1 
  mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer sanitization 
  Type: spectre_v2 
  mitigation: Full generic retpoline, STIBP: disabled, RSB filling 
  Type: srbds status: Not affected 
  Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected 
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD RV610/M74 [Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT] vendor: Apple 
  driver: radeon v: kernel bus ID: 01:00.0 chip ID: 1002:94c8 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.4 driver: ati,radeon 
  unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa resolution: 1680x1050~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: AMD RV610 (DRM 2.50.0 / 4.19.0-18-amd64 LLVM 7.0.1) 
  v: 3.3 Mesa 18.3.6 compat-v: 3.0 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel 82801H HD Audio vendor: Apple driver: snd_hda_intel 
  v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 chip ID: 8086:284b 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k4.19.0-18-amd64 
Network:
  Device-1: Broadcom Limited BCM4321 802.11a/b/g/n 
  vendor: Apple AirPort Extreme driver: wl v: kernel port: 3000 
  bus ID: 04:00.0 chip ID: 14e4:4328 
  IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter> 
  Device-2: Marvell 88E8058 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet driver: N/A port: 2000 
  bus ID: 05:00.0 chip ID: 11ab:436a 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 931.51 GiB used: 139.51 GiB (15.0%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Toshiba model: HDWD110 size: 931.51 GiB block size: 
  physical: 4096 B logical: 512 B speed: <unknown> rotation: 7200 rpm 
  serial: <filter> rev: A8J0 scheme: GPT 
Partition:
  ID-1: / raw size: 19.53 GiB size: 19.10 GiB (97.79%) 
  used: 7.66 GiB (40.1%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
  ID-2: /home raw size: 900.26 GiB size: 885.13 GiB (98.32%) 
  used: 131.85 GiB (14.9%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda3 
  ID-3: swap-1 size: 11.72 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap 
  swappiness: 15 (default 60) cache pressure: 100 (default) dev: /dev/sda2 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 14.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: radeon temp: 13 C 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 1999 
Repos:
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list 
  1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-updates main contrib non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list 
  1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster main contrib non-free
  2: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian-security/ buster/updates main contrib non-free
  3: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mx.list 
  1: deb https://mxlinux.grena.ge/mxlinux/mx/repo/ buster main non-free
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/various.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/whatsie.list 
  1: deb https://dl.bintray.com/aluxian/deb/ beta main
Info:
  Processes: 267 Uptime: 35d 37m Memory: 5.80 GiB used: 1.38 GiB (23.8%) 
  Init: SysVinit v: 2.93 runlevel: 5 default: 5 Compilers: gcc: 8.3.0 alt: 8 
  Shell: quick-system-in running in: quick-system-in inxi: 3.0.36 

[Eadwine Rose]

Code: Select all

lsblk -f

If you post this, it may show some more needed info for those in the know on your current partition scheme.


edit:

Info is in the QSI by the looks. NEVER MIND. :)

[fresh_orange_00]

Hello, Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm going to do a clean upgrade from MX 19 to 21. I'm not an advanced user however. Any advice on whether to keep current partitions or improve them somehow would be welcome!

Code: Select all

System:
  Host: <filter> Kernel: 4.19.0-18-amd64 x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 8.3.0 
  parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-18-amd64 
  root=UUID=<filter> ro splash quiet 
  acpi_enforce_resources=lax 
  Desktop: Xfce 4.14.2 tk: Gtk 3.24.5 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm4 
  dm: LightDM 1.26.0 Distro: MX-19.4_x64 patito feo February 15  2020 
  base: Debian GNU/Linux 10 (buster) 
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Apple product: iMac7,1 v: 1.0 serial: <filter> 
  Chassis: type: 13 v: Mac-F4238CC8 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Apple model: Mac-F4238CC8 v: PVT serial: <filter> BIOS: Apple 
  v: IM71.88Z.007A.B03.0803051705 date: 03/05/08 
CPU:
  Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core2 Duo T7300 bits: 64 type: MCP 
  arch: Core Merom family: 6 model-id: F (15) stepping: A (10) microcode: 95 
  L2 cache: 4096 KiB 
  flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 7980 
  Speed: 944 MHz min/max: 800/2000 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1214 2: 1197 
  Vulnerabilities: Type: itlb_multihit status: KVM: Split huge pages 
  Type: l1tf mitigation: PTE Inversion; VMX: EPT disabled 
  Type: mds 
  status: Vulnerable: Clear CPU buffers attempted, no microcode; SMT disabled 
  Type: meltdown mitigation: PTI 
  Type: spec_store_bypass status: Vulnerable 
  Type: spectre_v1 
  mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer sanitization 
  Type: spectre_v2 
  mitigation: Full generic retpoline, STIBP: disabled, RSB filling 
  Type: srbds status: Not affected 
  Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected 
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD RV610/M74 [Mobility Radeon HD 2400 XT] vendor: Apple 
  driver: radeon v: kernel bus ID: 01:00.0 chip ID: 1002:94c8 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.4 driver: ati,radeon 
  unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa resolution: 1680x1050~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: AMD RV610 (DRM 2.50.0 / 4.19.0-18-amd64 LLVM 7.0.1) 
  v: 3.3 Mesa 18.3.6 compat-v: 3.0 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel 82801H HD Audio vendor: Apple driver: snd_hda_intel 
  v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 chip ID: 8086:284b 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k4.19.0-18-amd64 
Network:
  Device-1: Broadcom Limited BCM4321 802.11a/b/g/n 
  vendor: Apple AirPort Extreme driver: wl v: kernel port: 3000 
  bus ID: 04:00.0 chip ID: 14e4:4328 
  IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter> 
  Device-2: Marvell 88E8058 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet driver: N/A port: 2000 
  bus ID: 05:00.0 chip ID: 11ab:436a 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 931.51 GiB used: 139.51 GiB (15.0%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Toshiba model: HDWD110 size: 931.51 GiB block size: 
  physical: 4096 B logical: 512 B speed: <unknown> rotation: 7200 rpm 
  serial: <filter> rev: A8J0 scheme: GPT 
Partition:
  ID-1: / raw size: 19.53 GiB size: 19.10 GiB (97.79%) 
  used: 7.66 GiB (40.1%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
  ID-2: /home raw size: 900.26 GiB size: 885.13 GiB (98.32%) 
  used: 131.85 GiB (14.9%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda3 
  ID-3: swap-1 size: 11.72 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap 
  swappiness: 15 (default 60) cache pressure: 100 (default) dev: /dev/sda2 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 14.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: radeon temp: 13 C 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 1999 
Repos:
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list 
  1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-updates main contrib non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list 
  1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster main contrib non-free
  2: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian-security/ buster/updates main contrib non-free
  3: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian/ buster-backports main contrib non-free
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mx.list 
  1: deb https://mxlinux.grena.ge/mxlinux/mx/repo/ buster main non-free
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/various.list 
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/whatsie.list 
  1: deb https://dl.bintray.com/aluxian/deb/ beta main
Info:
  Processes: 267 Uptime: 35d 37m Memory: 5.80 GiB used: 1.38 GiB (23.8%) 
  Init: SysVinit v: 2.93 runlevel: 5 default: 5 Compilers: gcc: 8.3.0 alt: 8 
  Shell: quick-system-in running in: quick-system-in inxi: 3.0.36 

How do you improve a partition?

[siamhie]

Code: Select all

Memory: 5.80 GiB used: 1.38 GiB (23.8%)
  
ID-3: swap-1 size: 11.72 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap 
swappiness: 15 (default 60) cache pressure: 100 (default) dev: /dev/sda2

Swap size looks fine for the amount of RAM you have.

Code: Select all

ID-1: / raw size: 19.53 GiB size: 19.10 GiB (97.79%) 
used: 7.66 GiB (40.1%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1 
  
ID-2: /home raw size: 900.26 GiB size: 885.13 GiB (98.32%) 
used: 131.85 GiB (14.9%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda3

I would probably want to bump up root to say 50GB and then the rest for home.

[timkb4cq]

In my humble opinion, over the course of time it works better to have your long term data (pictures, videos, documents) in a separate data partition rather than in your /home partition. Easier to back it up, safer when you install a new OS version, easier to multiboot (it's very nice to still have your last OS version usable while shaking out your new one) and not worry about incompatible config files in /home.
That also makes a separate /home partition unnecessary though it's fine to have if you prefer it.
And as a minor point, you probably don't need that large a swap - these days swap = ram is more common than the old swap = 2 x ram but you've got the space and certainly it doesn't hurt anything.
I have several OS versions installed here with 32GB or 64GB (depending on OS) roots, no separate homes, a 2TB data partition, and ~500GB dedicated partition for Virtual Machines.

YMMV, my use case likely doesn't match yours very well...

[arp]

I've gotten some useful responses -- thanks. One person ask for this --
$ lsblk -f
NAME FSTYPE LABEL UUID FSAVAIL FSUSE% MOUNTPOINT
sda
├─sda1
│ ext4 rootMX19
│ 215e3a88-a5fd-441a-ad73-276b8bb190aa 10.5G 40% /
├─sda2
│ swap swapMX
│ ce705e2f-21ec-423b-8cb5-1ad0b0deca46 [SWAP]
└─sda3
ext4 homeMX
48d32ef6-d8e2-4c22-b8e7-3a719b0d9814 708.3G 15% /home

[pannet1]

In my humble opinion, over the course of time it works better to have your long term data (pictures, videos, documents) in a separate data partition rather than in your /home partition. Easier to back it up, safer when you install a new OS version, easier to multiboot (it's very nice to still have your last OS version usable while shaking out your new one) and not worry about incompatible config files in /home.
That also makes a separate /home partition unnecessary though it's fine to have if you prefer it.
And as a minor point, you probably don't need that large a swap - these days swap = ram is more common than the old swap = 2 x ram but you've got the space and certainly it doesn't hurt anything.
I have several OS versions installed here with 32GB or 64GB (depending on OS) roots, no separate homes, a 2TB data partition, and ~500GB dedicated partition for Virtual Machines.

YMMV, my use case likely doesn't match yours very well...

yesterday, my root partition ran out of space and i could not install flatpak packages anymore. luckily i had a separate /home partition, so i could softlink the /home/pannet1/flatpak to /var/lib/flatpak directory. This is one advantage of having a separate home directory.

[oops]

...
YMMV, my use case likely doesn't match yours very well...

+1 good practices, I do almost exactly like you (except for the /home, I still keep a separate partition, because my PCs are multi-users).

[S.t.e.P.]

I've gotten some useful responses -- thanks. One person ask for this --
$ lsblk -f
NAME FSTYPE LABEL UUID FSAVAIL FSUSE% MOUNTPOINT
sda
├─sda1
│ ext4 rootMX19
│ 215e3a88-a5fd-441a-ad73-276b8bb190aa 10.5G 40% /
├─sda2
│ swap swapMX
│ ce705e2f-21ec-423b-8cb5-1ad0b0deca46 [SWAP]
└─sda3
ext4 homeMX
48d32ef6-d8e2-4c22-b8e7-3a719b0d9814 708.3G 15% /home

seems like your root partition is very little in space. You seem to have >700GB on disk, so you could shrink "home" in GParted and make a new root Primary partition with at least 60 GB.

[figueroa]

I think your fine but not flexible. If you only have one drive, I suggest shrink your large home partition to @400GB, more or less, then create another empty @20GB partition you can use to install MX-21 without overwriting MX-19. In the remaining space, create another data partition about the same size more-or-less as your /home partition.

Someday, you may want to upgrade to MX-22 or MX-23 (or some other distribution), and at that time, you can install the new OS over the old MX-19 installation.

Where do you put your backups/snapshots? Do you have another drive for that purpose? Backing up is important and backing up to your primary (or only) hard drive is somewhat like not having backups at all.