New box - can I use my old installation?

[kenchie]

I'm building a new pc, to be dual boot Vista/Linux. I currently have OpenSuse 10.2 running perfectly on my old rig but it took me ages to get it how I wanted it. Is there any way I can put the old drive into the new pc and still use my current installation, if I just install Grub and run a repair on the installation from the install DVD? Or is this a stupid question?!

 

[SiriusB]

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. When you get your new rig, install Vista. Then whack yer Linux HDD in, change the Boot priority in the BIOS to boot from the Linux HDD and you should be good to go.

I am not sure how Linux will react to being dumped in a computer with different hardware, but I don't see it being a major problem - Linux is pretty robust.

You would, of course, have to reinstall GRUB but again, easy peasy.

Just for safety's sake I would suggest backing up your /home /usr and /var folders. I believe this is where most of your config and settings are held. Although someone will have to confirm that for me.

 

[BillytheImpaler]

I played around with doing just this. Depending on how different the hardware is you're changing to there may or may not be issues. Expect your Xserver to crash right out of the box if your GPU setup is any different. There might also be issues with other driver modules, especially sound. However, it is fairly likely that most things will be autodetected. You certainly don't have anything to lose by trying to perform the swap. if all else fails you'll have to reinstall anyway.

 

[whitecrook]

There may be a problem if you are moving arch. e.g from 32bit intel to 64 bit AMD, possibly.

You could try it, but I would probably:

1 keep you home directory, (edit and any /etc/ config files you have changed.)
2 generate a pkg list of installed pkages,
3 install new copy on fresh a hardware.
4 add home dir back in
5. install all packages again from list.

Not sure about SUSE, but this is a peice of cake with APT

 

[kenchie]

I'm moving from XP to Vista, both 32-bit, with all new hardware.