MX-Remaster [Solved]

[Duliwi]

With regard to the upgrade from MX-19 Xfce to MX-23 Xfce I am currently investigating the function "persistence" in various MX tools and try to understand how it works and how different MX-tools, that can deal with persistence work together or how they should be combined to create my upgraded MX-19 as live USB Image instead of creating it directly on my hard drive. (This way, I can experiment with upgrading and I have all time of the world with configuration, because my old MX-19 is still running as my working system.)

This is how I came across the following:

Text form From "MX-Remaster"-Help:

k20240110-220831.png

Step 1: If you are already running an installed version of MX-14, use the antix2usb application by clicking Start menu > MX Tools > Create Live USB. This is the easiest way to go since you simply check the boxes in the lower right corner to create the persistence files.

Is this still relevant, or is it outdated? Does the antix2usb application still exist?
I have not found it in MX-23 live Image.

[CharlesV]

To clarify:
1) you want to make a liveUSB of your MX-19 - keeping your data ( persistence ) ?
__ First, make a REAL backup of your MX-19
__ Then, make a Snapshot using MX Snapshot - Preserving accounts (for personal backup)


2) You want to upgrade your mx-19 to MX23 ?
__ I am going to say dont do this - do a fresh mx23 install!


3) Once you mx 23 up, then get your data back on board ( NOT a restore to the home, restore to some other location and then COPY over data but not the .configs! If you need to work through them one by one.)
__ THEN, if you NEED your MX-19 operational, create a VirtualBox install OF that mx-19

[dolphin_oracle]

probably time to update that bit in the help file.

[Duliwi]

probably time to update that bit in the help file.

To clarify:
1) you want to make a liveUSB of your MX-19 - keeping your data ( persistence ) ?
__ First, make a REAL backup of your MX-19
__ Then, make a Snapshot using MX Snapshot - Preserving accounts (for personal backup)


2) You want to upgrade your mx-19 to MX23 ?
__ I am going to say dont do this - do a fresh mx23 install!


3) Once you mx 23 up, then get your data back on board ( NOT a restore to the home, restore to some other location and then COPY over data but not the .configs! If you need to work through them one by one.)
__ THEN, if you NEED your MX-19 operational, create a VirtualBox install OF that mx-19

I was not precise enough in my post #1.

1) I have already done this some days ago. (real backup with Vorta and Timeshift and MX-Tool-Snapshot.)
2) I mean upgrading by a fresh MX-23 install and by keeping home. Yes, maybe "upgrade" is not the right term for this?
3) I have not only to work through the home, but also through "/". Copy config files and files into "/". This will all take time and I do not want to be without my well configured system during this time. This is why I consider to create my whole system as live USB stick first.
I have already created an operational VirtualBox install of my old MX-19.

[CharlesV]

Got it thank you for the clarification. I *never* do it the way your outlining, someone else here may have a better idea on this method.

Here is how I do this type of upgrade:

On my old system ( the MX19 ) I create a VIrtualBox of the new MX23 load. Then, I get that as configured as I can - including apps I want, configs I want etc. I can test and work this as long as I need to get it right ( use timeshift IN this VM to revert if needed. )

Then, once I am 'done' and happy with the VM, I write THAT out to snapshot and live USB, and verify that I can boot from it on the machine I am going to install too. (but not install yet.)

*Then* back up my MX-19, then create a Snapshot of that, then write that iso out and verify I can boot up on it.

Then I install the new mx23, as soon as it is functional, then I work out any new kinks. And if it is taking longer than I need, I create the VM of the MX-19 so I can get to all of my stuff quickly. (I have not had to do this last step the last three updates. )

I also have a second machine already ready to go .. just in case :-) (I LIVE on my two main rigs.. so I cannot be down .)

[Duliwi]

Thank you.

I imagine it like this:

I'm keeping my normal MX-19 installation for the time being. Whenever I have time, I start my MX-Live USB stick with the MX-23 iso. I configure and install things there. Then I save the changes to the live stick. Because I have other work to do, I close the live system and continue working normally with my MX-19, which is still installed. When I have some time again, I start the MX-23 live USB stick again and continue where I got stuck and configure and install more things and save. Etc.

Edit: OK. But this method may only work for the configuration of "/" .
Edit2: This does not matter. I have forgotten it. But now I remember: The goal is to create first an MX-23-Live stick with all system-updates and all programmes I will need and all configurations on "/" and all files I need for "/" (like additional Fonts or PPD's) and so on. ( Home therefore does not yet play a role in this step. )

But your method doesn't sound bad either.

[CharlesV]

Put that MX23 in a VM and work it up when you have time ... THEN cut the liveUSB and test it .. and your gonna be much further ahead imo ... But yes, THAT is the way to do it (again - imo )