Ext3 to ext4 , dumb question

English Applications
1

Is it possible to use YaST to change partitions from ext3 to ext4?

2

I assume that’s possible, if you don’t mind losing all of the data. I don’t know whether it is possible to do that and retain the data.

I did something similar a long time ago. I first backed up the data to an external drive. I then reformatted as “ext4”. And then I restored the data. I think I was booted to a live USB when making that change.

3

It can be done in situ…
https://www.howtoforge.com/tutorial/migrate-ext2-ext3-filesystem-to-ext4/

4

Nitpicking

  1. It cannot be done using YaST (which was the original question)
  2. It must be done offline so for root you need some other way to boot and access root partition
  3. There are various filesystem features that were added in ext4 and are not supported by ext3. Adding any of these features will make filesystem incompatible with ext3. So original question strictly speaking has no blanket answer - user must decide which ext4 features user needs.

Of course, adding features will not affect existing data, meaning filesystem layout will be less optimal than if you started with ext4. Which is one reason to recommend creating new filesystem and copying data over converting in place.

5

No, not a YaST action, just pointing to another means to an end. Caveat Emptor principle applies :wink:

6

I found that link last night & have it bookmarked, but the #2 instruction is my concern.
I don’t have a Leap 15.2 Live USB, unless my install USB is considered a Live USB.

I am not fearful from reinstalling and selecting ext4 for / & /home partitions. Wouldn’t be the first time I reinstalled an OS to hopefully ‘refresh’ things.
I just have to decide what in my home directory, I want to back up, (or all of it).

7

The more important question is: Does it make sense? I never tinker with the filesystems holding my data. I always create a new filesystem and copy the data with rsync, a procedure proven by daily execution:

**3400G:~ #** systemctl cat backup-home* 
**# /etc/systemd/system/backup-home.timer**
[Unit] 
Description=Backup of /home 
After=local-fs.target 

[Timer] 
OnCalendar=daily 
AccuracySec=1m 
RandomizedDelaySec=30m 
Persistent=true 


[Install] 
WantedBy=timers.target 

**# /etc/systemd/system/backup-home.service**
[Unit] 
Description=Backup /home 
Requires=HDD.mount 
After=HDD.mount 
After=local-fs.target 

[Service] 
Type=oneshot 
ExecStart=/usr/bin/rsync -a --exclude=.cache /home/ /HDD/ 
**3400G:~ #**