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Pierre Mar 10, 2023 @ 4:16pm

Back up or image micro SD card

Hi all does anyone know the best method to create a snapshot of the micro sd card, I have just finished downloading emudeck and set up some emulators. I do not want to loose it all and to have to go through resetting everything up. Should I just back up the card or the whole steam os??

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Showing 1-10 of 10 comments

Mahjik Mar 10, 2023 @ 5:23pm

I personally view the OS as replaceable so I would not back it up. The OS actually does its own self backup.

As far as backing up you SD card, check out this in the Discover store:

https://flathub.org/apps/details/org.gnome.DejaDup

Last edited by Mahjik; Mar 10, 2023 @ 5:24pm

Pierre Mar 11, 2023 @ 12:33pm

That's great thanks, how do you do a self back up? What's wrong with the OS and what do you use the instead?

Mahjik Mar 11, 2023 @ 2:12pm

The OS does it automatically between upgrades. You can check by shutting down. Then pressing POWER+ QAM (QAM is the quick access menu with three dots on the right) which will then display a menu allowing to load a previous system backup.

Just back out of the menu without loading a previous configuration, but that will give you an idea about the functionality.

ReBoot Mar 11, 2023 @ 10:55pm

Your folder struxre on the SD card is jsut that, a folder structure. My point is, there's nothing wrong with going the low-tech route & backing said folder structure up.

Pierre Mar 13, 2023 @ 9:19am

Originally posted by ReBoot:
Your folder struxre on the SD card is jsut that, a folder structure. My point is, there's nothing wrong with going the low-tech route & backing said folder structure up.

Ok should I just keep it simple and back up to another micro SD card rather than go through all the hassle

ReBoot Mar 13, 2023 @ 9:21am

I was rather thinking, you could ZIP the whole folder structure and put it where you generally put all your backups.

Pierre Mar 13, 2023 @ 10:31am

oh yea thats a good idea, will i have to format the hard drive or anything

d[-_-]b Mar 13, 2023 @ 11:22am

you can use dd if=$SDcardLocation of=AnewLocation.iso to create an exact image of the sdcard (if its full)

or you can zip up the files and put them somewhere for later

you can setup a nas or sshfs to copy files over

the easiest and kinda decent route, since its best to backup to a separate device, is to have a look at nextcloud, its like dropbox and other equivalent products but its free and you can host it yourself. you can install it on all your devices, steamdeck/ pc/ phones.
its a good way to backup and share between all devices without subscription fees

Pierre Mar 13, 2023 @ 2:03pm

whats dd if=?

i just checked nextcloud but it only has 2-5 gb free. My microsd card is 256gb, mainly with steam games(I am not bothered about backing these up as they can easily be re-downloaded) and emulators/ roms which is what i want to keep mainly and also the settings i have for gamemode.