Installing Gentoo: multiple gentoo installs & maintenance
so my question is about the most efficient way to gentoo all these above computers, perhaps from one of my computers, and (sync??) transfer update all the others. i think i will probably use the same profile & flags on all computers, to keep it simpler.
tar backup restore
identify and mount directories/devices for backup sources and targets, i.e.
-- backup, which directory
-- backup, to which file, located where
tar - tape archiver
http://gnu.org/software/tar/manual
backup
descend into directory, and
restore
descend into target directory, and un
combine tar with netcat to backup/restore across the network, significantly more efficient as the same system is not reading/writing at the same time, unless you are on a slow network.
-- backup, which directory
-- backup, to which file, located where
tar - tape archiver
http://gnu.org/software/tar/manual
$ tar --helpsome useful options
$ man tar
-c, --create create a new archive -t, --list list the contents of an archive -x, --extract, --get extract files from an archive -a, --auto-compress use archive suffix to determine the compression program -f, --file=ARCHIVE use archive file or device ARCHIVE --numeric-owner always use numbers for user/group names --owner=NAME Force NAME as owner for added files. --one-file-system stay in local file system when creating archive -p, --preserve-permissions, --same-permissions extract information about file permissions (default for superuser) --show-defaults show tar defaults --ignore-failed-read Do not exit with nonzero on unreadable files. -v, --verbose verbosely list files processed --xattrs enable extended attributes support
backup
descend into directory, and
tar
current directory avoiding absolute pathname risks$ cd {backup-directory} $ sudo tar --ignore-failed-read --one-file-system --numeric-owner --xattrs -capf /mnt/backup/{backup-filename}.tar.xz .
restore
descend into target directory, and un
tar
$ cd {target-directory} $ sudo tar --one-file-system --numeric-owner --xattrs -xapf /mnt/backup/{backup-filename}.tar.xz
combine tar with netcat to backup/restore across the network, significantly more efficient as the same system is not reading/writing at the same time, unless you are on a slow network.
gentoo kernel compile
I seem to be doing this so often that I need a ready reference. So here's a post :)
This sound device does not have any controls
I have no sound, on my recent gentoo install.
So I try
LXQT Mixer
wouldn't open. I don't even get any error/warning messages. This is not good.So I try
alsamixer
.$ alsamixer ... This sound device does not have any controls.
Installing Gentoo: su permission denied
i can't seem to su. i know i'm typing the correct passwords.
basically su would allow you to become that user, if you knew that user password. simple.
sudo to become that user without knowing that user password.. sounds strange? but there are many use cases where this is very handy.
i've been using a combination of the two above, all along. till now..
$ su anotheruser Password: su: Permission denied
basically su would allow you to become that user, if you knew that user password. simple.
sudo to become that user without knowing that user password.. sounds strange? but there are many use cases where this is very handy.
i've been using a combination of the two above, all along. till now..
gentoo install x86 btrfs
this as a quick start guide to the much longer and more comprehensive gentoo handbook. but please understand what i have done, and not blindly copy. you should definitely read the gentoo install handbook a few times before even attempting an install.
Installing Gentoo: .keep files
what are all these .keep files littered all over the filesystem? they all seem to be empty. if they are not needed, can i delete them?
Installing Gentoo: too much diskspace used
how can i reduce the clutter? my main aim in moving to gentoo was to have and maintain a stable, lean & clean system.
Installing Gentoo: how to list all installed packages
So many ways to list all installed packages. This topic is like a ready reference.
Installing Gentoo: dependency hell?
I have always been a minimalist.. Bigger is not always better. Efficiency is the key.
This particular post helped get a better understanding of Portage, the heart of Gentoo.
This particular post helped get a better understanding of Portage, the heart of Gentoo.
Installing Gentoo: emerge-webrsync first run errors
Update: I have now migrated to git sync, as suggested by Buffoon.
Gentoo Chat: noob coming over
Just like life, seemingly unimportant things that we do, later on prove to be make or break incidents.
My first post in Gentoo Forums, while installing for the first time. I didn't expect much when I posted this, but later proved to be a life-saver to my Gentoo life. If not for these initial posts and these lovely folks, I probably might not have continued on with Gentoo.
My first post in Gentoo Forums, while installing for the first time. I didn't expect much when I posted this, but later proved to be a life-saver to my Gentoo life. If not for these initial posts and these lovely folks, I probably might not have continued on with Gentoo.
gentoo first attempt
i finally decided to jump in, and created another btrfs partition for gentoo with two subvolumes. with btrfs i don't have anything on the root subvolume.
i really didn't expect an install to drag on for so long. i don't like to give up part-way, unless i feel it is a lost investment.. and i was losing it! i would have, but for some kindly folks on the gentoo forum. the gentoo forum is one of the most responsive and helpful forums i have been in.
i really didn't expect an install to drag on for so long. i don't like to give up part-way, unless i feel it is a lost investment.. and i was losing it! i would have, but for some kindly folks on the gentoo forum. the gentoo forum is one of the most responsive and helpful forums i have been in.
multiboot btrfs subvolumes
this idea has been knocking around in my head for a while. i want to document it, while it is still there and to flush it out later..
i usually multiboot, and have several operating systems on the same disk. my currently laptop has about dozen+ partitions. each os is fully contained within a partition, including the bootloader on pbr. mbr is clean.
i usually multiboot, and have several operating systems on the same disk. my currently laptop has about dozen+ partitions. each os is fully contained within a partition, including the bootloader on pbr. mbr is clean.
debian to gentoo
as debian builds more & more complexity/layers obscuring internals from users, i get more & more disillusioned by the current crop of debian decision-makers. jessie, the current debian stable seems no longer stable, and an unstable init at it's core.
wheezy is/was the last stable version gone oldstable now. oldstable is expected to be even more stable than stable. but recent updates have littered wheezy with systemd and ubuntu garbage including upstart. even oldstable has had more than a few days downtime recently, due to buggy updates. sad debian :(
wheezy is/was the last stable version gone oldstable now. oldstable is expected to be even more stable than stable. but recent updates have littered wheezy with systemd and ubuntu garbage including upstart. even oldstable has had more than a few days downtime recently, due to buggy updates. sad debian :(
bios acpi dsdt
bios: basic input/output system
acpi: advanced configuration power interface
dsdt: differentiated system description table
wheezy32: debian wheezy 32bit
arch32: arch 32bit
identify
so how do you identify, if your bios is broken/buggy? check kernel logs:
msft indicates that toshiba bios is specific to microsoft, particular to a windows version.
poor strategy, unless they were paid-off by microsoft.
confirm
how do you confirm whether bios provided data is usable? decompile & recompile.
a successful recompile, no errors/warnings indicates a good bios! and this has nothing to do with any operating system.
we need
the second command decompiles this .dat into .dsl
the third command attempts to compile, thereby generating the errors/warnings we are looking for.
i see this on wheezy32
12 errors, 24 warnings, i.e. not good!
i get the same results on arch32 too.. so don't go blaming wheezy32!
acpi: advanced configuration power interface
dsdt: differentiated system description table
wheezy32: debian wheezy 32bit
arch32: arch 32bit
toshiba bios
seem to be one of the most notorious and worst broken. do not choose toshiba
for anything but windows, and even with that be careful. dodgy bios implementations are like broken foundations to build your home, if you want to live there yourself!identify
so how do you identify, if your bios is broken/buggy? check kernel logs:
$ dmesg -l err toshiba_acpi: Error reading LCD brightnessindicates direction of problems. this error points towards a buggy implementation of acpi by toshiba.
$ dmesg | grep DSDT ACPI: DSDT 0x00000000B7CEF000 095BA (v01 TOSINV TOSINV00 00000001 MSFT 01000013) TOSHIBA Satellite detected - force copy of DSDT to local memory ACPI: Forced DSDT copy: length 0x095BA copied locally, original unmapped ACPI: EC: Look up EC in DSDTindicates that bios data is (used as original, forced) not overidden.
msft indicates that toshiba bios is specific to microsoft, particular to a windows version.
poor strategy, unless they were paid-off by microsoft.
confirm
how do you confirm whether bios provided data is usable? decompile & recompile.
a successful recompile, no errors/warnings indicates a good bios! and this has nothing to do with any operating system.
we need
iasl
, for this purpose.$ apt-cache show iasl Description: Intel ASL compiler/decompiler iASL compiles ASL (ACPI Source Language) into AML (ACPI Machine Language). This AML is suitable for inclusion as a DSDT in system firmware. It also can disassemble AML, for debugging purposes. Homepage: http://acpica.org
# apt-get install iasl
$ iasl -h
$ cd /tmp $ sudo cat /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/DSDT >dsdt.dat $ iasl -d dsdt.dat $ iasl -tc dsdt.dslthe first command reads the dsdt data. do it as root.
the second command decompiles this .dat into .dsl
the third command attempts to compile, thereby generating the errors/warnings we are looking for.
i see this on wheezy32
$ iasl -tc dsdt.dsl Intel ACPI Component Architecture ASL Optimizing Compiler version 20100528 [Jul 2 2010] Copyright (c) 2000 - 2010 Intel Corporation Supports ACPI Specification Revision 4.0a dsdt.dsl 3401: 0x00000000, // Length Error 4122 - ^ Invalid combination of Length and Min/Max fixed flags dsdt.dsl 3408: 0x00000000, // Length Error 4122 - ^ Invalid combination of Length and Min/Max fixed flags dsdt.dsl 7148: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7165: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7214: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7231: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7275: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7489: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7506: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7523: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7540: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 7557: Name (_PLD, Buffer (0x10) Error 4080 - Invalid object type for reserved name ^ (found BUFFER, requires Package) dsdt.dsl 8873: Method (_GTM, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTM) dsdt.dsl 8873: Method (_GTM, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTM) dsdt.dsl 9033: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTF) dsdt.dsl 9033: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTF) dsdt.dsl 9101: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTF) dsdt.dsl 9101: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTF) dsdt.dsl 9174: Method (_GTM, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTM) dsdt.dsl 9174: Method (_GTM, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTM) dsdt.dsl 9334: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTF) dsdt.dsl 9334: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTF) dsdt.dsl 9402: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTF) dsdt.dsl 9402: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTF) dsdt.dsl 9507: Method (_GTM, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTM) dsdt.dsl 9507: Method (_GTM, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTM) dsdt.dsl 9667: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTF) dsdt.dsl 9667: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTF) dsdt.dsl 9735: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTF) dsdt.dsl 9735: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTF) dsdt.dsl 9808: Method (_GTM, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTM) dsdt.dsl 9808: Method (_GTM, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTM) dsdt.dsl 9968: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTF) dsdt.dsl 9968: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTF) dsdt.dsl 10036: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1088 - ^ Not all control paths return a value (_GTF) dsdt.dsl 10036: Method (_GTF, 0, NotSerialized) Warning 1081 - ^ Reserved method must return a value (Buffer required for _GTF) ASL Input: dsdt.dsl - 10111 lines, 370896 bytes, 4450 keywords Compilation complete. 12 Errors, 24 Warnings, 0 Remarks, 37 Optimizations
12 errors, 24 warnings, i.e. not good!
i get the same results on arch32 too.. so don't go blaming wheezy32!
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