nixos-4screen/docs/00_backup_plan.md

Phase 0: Full System Backup (CRITICAL)

Objective: To create a complete, offline, and verified backup of all critical data from both the Ubuntu and Windows operating systems before beginning the migration process.

Do not proceed to any other phase until this phase is 100% complete. Data loss is irreversible.

Instructions for Backup Operator (Human or AI)

1. Identify Backup Target

• Requirement: You will need an external storage device (e.g., a USB hard drive or NAS) with enough free space to hold all the data you intend to back up.
• Recommendation: This drive should be dedicated to the backup and stored offline (disconnected from the computer) once the backup is complete.

2. Backup Ubuntu Data

Your personal files are the top priority. System files can be reinstalled by the new OS.

• Primary Tool: rsync is the recommended tool for its efficiency and ability to preserve permissions and metadata.
• Source Directories: The most common locations for user data on Linux are within the /home/<username> directory. You must identify and back up, at a minimum:
  • /home/<username>/Documents
  • /home/<username>/Pictures
  • /home/<username>/Music
  • /home/<username>/Videos
  • /home/<username>/Desktop
  • /home/<username>/Downloads
  • /home/<username>/dotfiles (as mentioned in the main plan)
  • Any other project or data directories inside your home folder (e.g., /home/<username>/dev, /home/<username>/workspaces).
• Docker Data:
  • Stop all running containers: docker stop $(docker ps -aq)
  • Identify Docker's data directory, typically /var/lib/docker. This contains volumes, images, and container configurations. Back this entire directory up.
• Server Configurations:
  • Snapcast config: Locate and back up the configuration files (e.g., /etc/snapserver.conf, /etc/snapclient.conf).
  • Other server configs (Apache, Node.js services): Back up relevant files from /etc/ and any service data files.

Example rsync Command:

# Replace <username>, <external_drive_mount_point>, and <backup_folder_name>
# The -a flag archives, -v is verbose, -h is human-readable, --progress shows progress.
rsync -avh --progress /home/<username>/Documents /<external_drive_mount_point>/<backup_folder_name>/

Run this for each source directory.

3. Backup Windows Data

• Method: Boot into your Windows 10 operating system.
• Source Directories: Connect your external backup drive. Manually copy the entire contents of your user folders to the backup drive. These are typically located at:
  • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents
  • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Pictures
  • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Music
  • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Videos
  • C:\Users<YourUsername>\Desktop
  • C:\Users<YourUsername>\Downloads
• Thoroughness: Be meticulous. Ensure you copy all personal data. Do not worry about program files or the Windows directory itself.

4. Verification

A backup is not a backup until it is verified.

• Procedure: After the copy process is complete for both operating systems, safely eject and reconnect the external drive.
• Spot Check: Browse the directories on the backup drive. Open a few files of different types (documents, images, music files) from both the Ubuntu and Windows backups to ensure they are not corrupted and are fully readable.
• Compare Sizes: Use a disk usage tool (like du -sh on Linux or checking folder properties on Windows) to compare the size of a few source directories with their backed-up counterparts. They should be identical.

5. Completion

• Once verified, disconnect the external backup drive.
• Store it in a safe, separate physical location.
• You may now proceed to Phase 1.