Restoring a Timeshift snapshot question, & future backup strategies?

Applications
1

I am wondering if there is a way to do a SELECTIVE restore of a Timeshift snapshot? Alternatively restore it to a drive that isn’t a regular system drive in a way that I could then copy files from that drive back to the system drives (giving me the same thing in effect)

This is mostly for a one-time recovery from a situation caused by my not fully understanding how Timeshift worked and how it should be used.

I recently went through a significant amount of trouble adding an NVMe drive to an older system, (see NVMe drive - better w/ a PCI card or SATA adapter? - #20 by ex-Gooserider) and while I’ve finally gotten it working my existing install except for my home directory got wiped.

Before I started, I backed up the entire system (including /home and /root) w/ Timeshift. So far, when I’ve tried to restore from the snapshot, it reconfigured everything back to the way it was before I did the hardware changes… :sob: :rage:

I had a lot of things I’d added in the way of different programs, including stuff I’d had to compile from source w/ a LOT of dependencies - not impossible to redo from scratch, but a pain if I can restore…

Either way, I am going to be changing my backup strategy. I’m thinking Timeshift is still a good choice for the system / program files, and Vorta + Borg for my /home directory. Is this a good way to go, or is there some better option?

ex-Gooserider

1 Like
2

I tried Borg , without Vorta, and found it too complicated.
I went back to plain rsync at the CLI for all my data partitions, and for VM files.
For system I use clonezilla and simply image the whole disk(s). That backs up system and data, so I have 2 backups for data. Clonezilla is slow but thorough.

I think a backup strategy has to be simple. You cant afford to get confused and make mistakes.

4 Likes
3

I have a Two-pronged approach for backups. I keep system files and my data files separated.

For system.
1 - I use Timeshift to recover my mistakes I make or to completely remove installed software.
2 - I use Clonezilla monthly to backup the EFI and root (“/”) partitions. This ensures I can restore my
system (OS) even if Timeshift fails.

For my data.
I use rsync thru a GUI program call FreeFileSync.
This way I can restore my OS without affecting my data and I can recover any of my data files
without affecting the OS.

5 Likes
4

I dont use any backup system !
Always had difficulty restoring afterwards especially just one or two files.
I have a large external hard disk box and just copy the whole computer onto that disk perhaps once per month
Then every week i just copy data files and images onto a second disk in rotation so week one disk one
Week two disk two
Week three return to disk one.

So in total 3 disks

Belt and braces approach for me.

Most of my work is on web sites so there is always a copy on the server live

4 Likes
5

That is a reasonable backup system .
I did say, backups need to be simple

3 Likes
6

Hi Paul,

After all, you use a well-structured backup system :wink:

Jorge

2 Likes