Intro [^]
SystemRescueCD is an excellent Live CD. It contains cloning software too (FSArchiver and partimage, to be spesific), but is unable to clone a whole disk, instead of only individual partitions.
Clonezilla Live is a great cloning solution, but it is unable to do anything but clone. For general system administration, you need a lot more functions - like these offered by SystemRescueCD.
Clonezilla-SysRescCD has all of the functions of both discs. It's a multi boot CD, so switching between CDs requires a reboot, but using both individual discs requires switching the physical disc - in addition to rebooting.
But, of course, to be able to use SystemRescueCD's functions, you need to know how to use them. We don't have permission to redistribute SystemRescueCD documentation, so this page contains only just enough information to allow you to look for more help in SystemRescueCD documentation.
Which boot option to pick? [^]
Here is a list of the most important boot options:
- SystemRescueCd: default boot options
- SystemRescueCd: all files cached to memory (docache)
- SystemRescueCd: framebuffer console in high resolution
- SystemRescueCd: do not ask for keyboard, use US keymap
- SystemRescueCd: directly start the graphical environment
- SystemRescueCd: 64bit kernel with default options
2) SystemRescueCd: all files cached to memory (docache)
3) SystemRescueCd: framebuffer console in high resolution
4) SystemRescueCd: do not ask for keyboard, use US keymap
5) SystemRescueCd: directly start the graphical environment
6) SystemRescueCd: 64bit kernel with default options
If you're accustomed to graphical environment, choose the option directly start the graphical environment. In graphical environment you're able to use graphical programs, like GParted and Mozilla Firefox. Terminals are also available, so using graphical environment doesn't prevent using command line. The only negative thing of graphical environment is that it slows booting process down a bit - and it's often just plain unneeded.
If you're accustomed to command line and know already that you're not going to use any graphical program, choose the option framebuffer console in high resolution. Booting to command line is a bit faster process than booting to graphical environment, and you can start X manually later.
Alternatively, you can select default boot options. However, if you do so, the text in the screen will be bigger and you'll be able to see less text at once.
If you want to chroot on an existing GNU/Linux partition containing 64-bit programs, select 64bit kernel with default options. Even if you don't want to chroot, 64-bit kernel may be a bit faster than 32-bit one. However, 64-bit kernel requires a x86-64 processor, for example AMD Athlon 64 or Intel Core 2.
You need the option all files cached to memory (docache) if you plan to burn discs while using SystemRescueCD. The option copies the whole SystemRescueCD to the memory of the computer during the boot process, allowing you to put another disc to your CD/DVD writer while using SystemRescueCD. The negative thing is that reading all the contents of the disc slows boot process down a lot.
Finally, the option do not ask for keyboard, use US keymap may be useful if you have an English keyboard. By default, SystemRescueCD asks the keymap to use during boot. If you don't answer in 20 seconds, SystemRescueCD chooses the US keymap. However, if you have chosen the option do not ask for keyboard, use US keymap in the boot menu, SystemRescueCD chooses the US keymap immediately. No waiting, no questions.
After booting [^]
HELP!!! Where are the desktop and Start menu? [^]
Simply type this command and press ENTER twice:
wizard
Connecting to the Internet [^]
The CD doesn't contain any SystemRescueCD documentation, because we don't have permission to redistribute it. In addition, our time is limited and we can't rewrite it all. So, you need to connect to the Internet to be able to read SystemRescueCD's official online documentation.
SystemRescueCD establishes an Internet connection automatically, if you're in a network using DHCP. Nowadays, most people are.
If the network doesn't use DHCP, you have to configure Internet settings by hand. You should be able to do so if you've previously configured your settings in the operating system you normally use. First, stop the NetworkManager daemon:
/etc/init.d/NetworkManager stop
After that, run the following command:
net-setup eth0
Note: In the command replace eth0 with the network interface you want to use.
When you're done [^]
When you're done, you naturally want to either shut the computer down or reboot. Wait! Don't do it yet!
Both I and Spiros have found out that letting a live CD to automatically unmount partitions is often a bad idea. It can damage the filesystems of the partitions which were mounted when the computer was shut down and destroy any files in the partitions, even them you didn't use within the CD.
So, I recommend unmounting them refore shutdown or reboot. Just run these commands when you're done.
If you want to reboot:
cd
umount -a
reboot
If you want to shut down:
cd
umount -a
poweroff
More info [^]
Here are some links to the official SystemRescueCD resources.
SystemRescueCD - http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page
Detailed packages list- http://www.sysresccd.org/Detailed-packages-list
Manual - http://www.sysresccd.org/Online-Manual-EN
FAQ - http://www.sysresccd.org/FAQ
Howto - http://www.sysresccd.org/Howto
Forum - http://www.sysresccd.org/forums/