Introduction

Making backup copies of your data, fixing little problems, recompiling the kernel, installing software, and tweaking configuration files are not uncommon scenarios in every day GNU/Linux life: even if you don't do it all the time, some day you will want or need to. Those tasks can be managed without any hassle at all if you use a little common sense and follow some practices and guidelines we will introduce here. These will help you when those times come and you will have to solve more serious problems, like a system that hangs at boot time.

Note

Almost all examples and tools presented in this chapter deal with the command line. Usually, restoration of a damaged system to a working state can only be done using the command line. It is assumed that you feel comfortable enough using that powerful tool.

So, on to the basic things you need to have ready...