Cloneing Suse 10.3 Installation To Different Hd

Because the repair feature on SUSE 10.3 does not work it takes some extra steps to get the cloned image to boot. After some experimentation I have came up with a method that works for me.

I like to clone my installation to a spare HD (I physically disconnect it after checking for operation) as a backup in case of Hardware failure and it enables me to play with things and restore the image of my drive when something gets screwed up.

Items needed. Printed copy of /etc/fstab and /boot/grub/menu.lst plus the drive id for each drive.
My SATA is /dev/disk/by-id/scsi-SATA_ST380811AS_6PS0RT84 and My IDE is /dev/disk/by-id/scsi-SATA_Maxtor6K040L0_K10DP5ZG
Also I use a copy of Parted Magic and Super Grub boot Disks to set the cloned disk to proper booting.

First clone the Image from the Operational drive to the destination.

Now disconnect the Operational drive and boot with Parted Magic CD. Check your Partitions have been properly copied. Using the mount utility under Tools, mount the root partition, and than open the thundar editor and open /etc/fstab and change the /dev/disk/by-id/ to match the drive you have cloned to for all the partitions. Then open /boot/grub/menu.lst and change the /dev/disk/by-id/ to be matching as well.

Now reboot with the Super Grub disk find the Boot and Tools area. Select to activate Partition, picking the root partition for SUSE. Now using Super Grub CD Pick the GNU/Linux section and Fix MBR (Auto). It well tell you it has done so. Now you are free to boot up the cloned HD and are as good as old.