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I have an Ubuntu 12.04 backup that I did in 2017. I want to restore it to a server having Ubuntu 18.04. I've tried simply restoring the files with the exception of /boot and /etc/fstab as instructed here: https://serverfault.com/a/177230/124296

The first problem I have is that the new sudo user account is getting mapped to a random (I guess matching the user id) old account and I don't have the required password (I only have the one for root). Essentially if I do sudo after the restore I can't authenticate.

The second issue is that when I try to connect on a new Putty session it's unable to start an SSH session so I can't login as the old root account.

Is there a way to merge the old and new user accounts so I continue to use the new sudo user after the restore?

Are there files/directories I should avoid overwriting so the new system gets the applications and settings of the old one without rendering it unusable?

KalenGi
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    You can't just 'restore' a 12.04 on top of an 18.04. The backup you used will break everything when straight restored. You should instead 'restore' the 12.04 backup to a secondary directory, and then extract the bits you actually need. Consider that between 2012 and 2018, the system has RADICALLY changed from the perspective of config files, libraries, etc. so you can't reliably restore a 12.04 on top of an 18.04 as you are anticipating doing. – Thomas Ward Sep 03 '19 at 14:33
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    Generally with Linux, better to do new install & restore from your backup. Where backup is /home, your data, your applications & since server any folders in / like database, web or other server apps that you install. Note that your link is 9 years old and was mostly discussing moving to a new system with same install. https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2389631&p=13757986#post13757986 & https://askubuntu.com/questions/2596/comparison-of-backup-tools – oldfred Sep 03 '19 at 15:40
  • @ThomasWard For once, I agree with you. ;-) (See answer) – Fabby Sep 05 '19 at 21:38

1 Answers1

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What you're trying to do is impossible:

There are 2 kinds of backups:

  • System Backups
  • Data Backups

A System Backup should be restored to an empty hard drive and it'll boot

A Data Backup should be restored to a running system

What you're trying to do is to restore a Data Backup of / to a running system and that will not work! So restore the /home/xxx/Videos, Documents, Pictures but do not restore the system files, unless you have a Cold¹, Off-line System backup

Note 1: for the pros: yes, I know you can make warm, on-line system backups, but it doesn't look like the OP has one of these.

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