disaster-recovery.md

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Data Recovery	How to back up your files if your operating system doesn't boot	files backup deja-dup	/_social/article	/_social/article	false	software-troubleshooting	true

This guide helps users recover data and restore system functionality after _OS failure, update issues, bootloader errors, or hardware problems.

If you can't boot your installed OS

Pop!_OS

• Use Recovery Partition: Hold Spacebar or press ESC at boot menu. Select Pop!_OS Recovery
• If Recovery is missing: Create a Live USB from this link.

Ubuntu

• Use Live USB: Download Ubuntu ISO from this link and flash using Rufus or Startup Disk Creator.
• Boot from USB and select Try Ubuntu.

Connect to Internet

• Use the top-right system menu to connect to Wi-Fi or ethernet.
• A stable connection is recommended for installing backuo tools or uploading data.

Mounting the Installed OS

• If Disk is Encrypted:

sudo cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/sdX ubuntu-root 
sudo mount /dev/mapper/ubuntu-root /mnt

• If Disk is not Encrypted:
• Open Files > Other Locations and locate your system drive.

Backup Tools

Deja Dup

• Available via Pop!_Shop or Ubuntu Software Center.
• Supports local, remote, and cloud backups.
• Can be scheduled for automatic backups.

Installing Deja Dup

• Appears as Backups in the Activities menu.

sudo apt install deja-dup

Rsync (CLI)

• Preserves file permissions and supports resumable transfers

rsync -avxP \
/path/to/directory/to/backup \
/path/to/directory/for/storing/backup

Note: Upload speeds can vary depending on your internet provider, cloud service, or physical location and may even be subject to throttling. For faster and more reliable file transfer, it's recommended to use a wired Ethernet connection whenever possible.

Current backup Tools

While Deja Dup remains a top choice for casual desktop users due to its simplicity and built-in GNOME intergration, several other tools offer more flexibility, performance, or control depending on audience.

• Deja Dup -- encrypted backups with cloud support (Google Drive, Nextcloud)
• Timeshift -- ideal for system snapshots and rollback (especially on Ubuntu/Pop!_OS)
• Duplicati -- web-based interface, encrypted backups, supports cloud storage

CLI & Power user Tools

• BorgBackup -- deduplication, compression, encryption; great for data recovery
• Restic -- fast, secure, cross-platform; supports many backends (SFTP, AWS, etc.)
• Rsync -- highly customizable; ideal for scripted or incremental backups

Enterprise-grade Solutions

• Amanda/Zamanda -- centralized backup management, tape support
• Veeam Agent for Linux -- commercial-grade, agent-based backups with recovery tools

Selecting Data to Back Up

• By default, Deja Dup backs up the Home directory.
• Excludes Downloads and Trash.
• Use + and -- to customize included/excluded folders.

Choosing a Backup Location

External Drive

• Use USB 3.0 or 2.0
• Match or exceed the size of you OS drive.

Internal Drive

• Open Files > Other Locations
• Look for secondary drives or partitions.
• On System76 devices, secondary drives may be labeled Extra Drive.
• Refer to your model's service manual to remove the drive.
• Use a USB-to-SATA adapter to connect it to another system.
• Back up data using the steps above.

If the Drive is the Problem

• Stop using the drive immediately.
• Contact a professional data recovery service.

Note: System76 and Ubuntu do not offer or partner with recovery service. Drive manufacturers may offer recovery options under warranty.

Set Up Scheduled Backups

Use Deja Dup or rsync to automate backups on a daily or weekly schedule. This ensures your data is protected without manual effort. Follow the 3-2-1 Backup Rule To protect your data against hardware failure, theft, or unexpected events:

• 3 total copies of your important files
• 2 stored locally (e.g., internal drive + external USB)
• 1 stored off-site, such as:
  • A cloud storage service (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, Backblaze)
  • An external drive kept at a trsuted relative's house
  • A secure location like a safety deposit box This layered approach ensures that even if one or two copies are compromised, your data remains recoverable.

Restoring Data after Reinstall

1. Open Backups.
2. Click Restore

3. Select the backup location.

4. Deja Dup will restore the most recent backup to its original location.