How to have 13.1 with 12.3 as back-up ?

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

For several years kept two versions, current with immediate past, in separate partitions ** /** root and** /home**, which has been useful when things went wrong.

This changed, fortunately no real problems with 12.3 …

12.3 (and 13.1 ?) documents

1.3. Installing openSUSE¶](http://doc.opensuse.org/documentation/html/openSUSE/opensuse-startup/art.osuse.installquick.html#sec.osuse.installquick.install)

** Use these instructions if there is no existing Linux system on your machine, or if you want to replace an existing Linux system. **

Any simple instructions to install 13.1 while keep separate as back-up 12.3 ?

Nice to have easy install method for 13.1 yet retain 12.3 for easy switch back if problems occur.

.

#2

You just have to be careful in the partitioning section of the install. Make sure that you don’t touch the partitions used by 12.3. Once you are passed the partitioning section, everything should be fine.

#3

On 2013-10-26 15:06, paulparker wrote:
>
> For several years kept two versions, current with immediate past, in
> separate partitions * /* root and* /home*, which has been useful when
> things went wrong.

…

> Any simple instructions to install 13.1 while keep separate as back-up
> 12.3 ?

Same as you did it for years.

There are many ways of doing it, each admin has his preferred way.

–
Cheers / Saludos,

Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)

#4

Hi,

what is your question, actually?

Or is it a language problem?

I have 2 partitions for / (root),
as well as two partitions for /home
(currently all on the same hard disk).

This gives me the opportunity to install a newer OS,
while keeping bootable the older one.
As well this provides the possibility for simple backups,
although backups of really important data would best be put
on an external hard disk.

The 2 separate / and /home partitions, that’s what you
created and use as well, at least as far as I understood
from your posting.
Am I wrong?

If not, there would absolutely be no need to change that.

#5

I have 12.3 and 13.1
Separate root and home for each

1      32.3kB  62.5GB  62.5GB  primary   ntfs            type=07 2      62.5GB  65.7GB  3142MB  primary   linux-swap(v1)  type=82
 3      65.7GB  250GB   184GB   extended                  boot, type=05
 5      65.7GB  86.6GB  21.0GB  logical   ext4            type=83
 6      86.6GB  160GB   73.4GB  logical   ext4            type=83
 7      160GB   182GB   21.6GB  logical   ext4            type=83
 8      182GB   250GB   68.4GB  logical   ext4            type=83

5+6 is 12.3
7+8 is 13.1

#6

Our set ups appears similar, though self without ntfs .

Lot of practice, so reasonable at following clear instructions with what I do not understand :slight_smile:

Truly great advantage with Linux is ability to run several separate systems on the one computer, then when one system/version crashes out, with other usually can just restart and switch into it to continue working, as resolve problem by reading or posting here :slight_smile:

Not sure what went wrong… blame self usually works ok :slight_smile: though like to learn why at restart was unable to access either 12.3 or 13.1 with system messages about multiple systems, to many boot flags ?

LESSON: first time in ages did not keep notes (ignoring own advice) of what planned and did on paper to refer back to. Lesson re-learned :slight_smile:

Wiped the HD clean, now thinking around what best format and layout for 500 GB to suit UEFI.

Will re-install 12.3 then 13.1 tomorrow… or perhaps the other way around.

#7

At last is running OK :slight_smile:

Was never clear when it was safe to remove source USB device without causing complications.

A timed delay showing when is OK to remove source USB device may reduce confusion.

Using parted able to change this line :

 2      10.7GB  32.3GB  21.6GB  ext4            primary  **boot, legacy_boot**

so now shows:


linux-3xoi:~ # parted /dev/sda print unit s print unit chs print
Model: ATA ST500DM002-1BC14 (scsi)
Disk /dev/sda: 500GB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt_sync_mbr

Number  Start   End     Size    File system     Name     Flags
 1      1049kB  10.7GB  10.7GB  ext4            primary
** 2**      10.7GB  32.3GB  21.6GB  ext4            primary
 3      32.3GB  54.0GB  21.7GB  ext4            primary  boot, legacy_boot
 4      54.0GB  215GB   161GB   ext4            primary
 5      215GB   376GB   161GB   ext4            primary
 6      376GB   484GB   107GB   ext4            primary
 7      484GB   500GB   16.3GB  linux-swap(v1)  primary

This appeared to fix the loop message about MULTIPLE boots selected.

NOTE: Did not see extended partition format offered when choosing and creating partitions.

Is this normal for when no actual DOS/HPFS partitions present ?

With parted do not view which partitions were / or /home

Proceeded to the GNOME LOGIN, however still not able to login.

Another re-install, this time chose add repositories prior installation, then when installation completed watched automatically the update process run, with many updates and fixes loaded… then to LOGIN.

Logged in OK :slight_smile:

Restarted and logged in OK, so added some other users, then restarted again, pre-boot during start-up both 13.1 and 12.3 versions were offered as choices :slight_smile:

Regard my problem as now RESOLVED, everything appears to be running fine :slight_smile: