MX Linux Forum

Hi all,

Since MX 23 KDE is out I decided to do a /Home folder backup and then restore it in a new MX 23 KDE installation.

I used GParted to write a GPT partition table on the SSD. Then I created one ext4 partition for my backup - currently close to 700 GB.

When I want to do the backup I see that the new partition only belongs to root and only root can change and write onto the disk.

What did I do wrong - and how do I fix it?
I want to write my Backup unto the disk and restore my data after the new install.
Or am I doing this all wrong and think or go about it the wrong way?????

Use the MX Tool: Disk Manager

I checked the disk manager help files - it says to not use it for remote disks but fstab disks - local disks - only.. and it doesn't tell me what to do or how to change parameters so the Backup disk can be used properly by me and have it not set as root only....

I once messed up a whole system by changing permissions - so I really am careful and do not mess around with permissions and groups - I am not that versed..

GParted gives the ownership to root by default. Therefore you "have to" change them to user ... :

viewtopic.php?p=737168#p737168

(In case you're afraid of: we can do it together, don't worry, be happy :) )

Hello Charlie,

The topic you mentioned says:
===============================================
Mount all such partitions first (ext4 ones, this won't work for ntfs) : you can simply open the file manager and click them to mount/open..

Then:

sudo chown -R username:username /media/username/*


But, this one is even better (as the username:username part may not always be correct)

First check the id with the command
CODE: SELECT ALL

id
(Generally it's 1000 for the 1st created user especially on Debian), then, according to the output, i.e.

sudo chown -R 1000:1000 /media/username/*

say:

sudo chown -R 1000:1000 /media/charlie/*

=========================================================

On my file manager it says
/media/a98425f5-f852-4f30-88fc-1f1ce52ebd6d

Would I have to do that or simply go for:
sudo chown -R 1000:1000 /media/monamtb/*

I am the only user on my system.
Actually, I really don't understand what that command makes MX Linux do......

When you click that partition and it gets mounted (open), if it shows the address like this:

/media/a98425f5-f852-4f30-88fc-1f1ce52ebd6d

then:
or with a dot instead of the * (alternatively)

Btw. you can assign a better (easy to distinguish/recognize) label for the partition(s), say DATA or BACKUP (in GParted, though it's also possible via cli).. currently the label seems to be a98425f5-f852-4f30-88fc-1f1ce52ebd6d )

You can check the label(s) with

monamtb wrote: Tue Aug 29, 2023 9:11 am...Actually, I really don't understand what that command makes MX Linux do......

In slow motion and roughly we can translate as:

"Change the ownership" "Recursively" to : User (id) and Group (id) of this path: /.../.../...


(... 'Recursively' to make it be applied to all sub folders and files, otherwise just "that" directory will be changed)

Charlie,

Thanks again so much, you are a genius.

I want to do the name reassignment and I guess I will do that in GParted.

You solved the issue and explained it to a newbie like me in an understandable manner - that is so precious.

By the way - where do I see or find these User id and Group id numbers??

You're welcome, my pleasure :)

just the command shows them all.. (id directly for the current user.. i.e. id charlie for user charlie's info ... ) (Also as you already know, you can use "MX User Manager" for all, to see, change etc..)

Just, when labeling it needs to be "not mounted", so, either on file manager unmount it first then open GParted or on GParted (it'll already warn you) right-click on partition: "Unmount" .. then right-click again: "Label File System" ...

The advantage of "good" labeling is that it'll be shown like that everywhere: on terminal, file manager, partitioning tools, also during installation.. and you won't be afraid of choosing the wrong partition etc...