How-to Convert from EXT4 to BTRFS

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How-to Convert from EXT4 to BTRFS

16 December 2021, 16:37:09

Hi,
I first have to say thank you to our friend tintin (https://forum.artixlinux.org/index.php?action=profile;u=862) who supported my suggestion to make this thread. (our briefe discussion here https://forum.artixlinux.org/index.php/topic,3354.msg22120.html#msg22120)

The reason I suggested to make this thread was that BTRFS and baloo snapshots -on KDE Plasma - didn't play well. Baloo keeps reindexing each snapshot as a separate/additional drive. This caused a few problems:
1- Searching for a specific file in dolphin returns multiple entries for the same file (imagine searching for 5 files having limotux in the filename and you had 10 snapshots you will get 50 results returned)
2- index size keeps growing with each snapshot
3- during indexing the new snapshot the system becomes unresponsive.
That's why I didn't continue using BTRFS.

In the other thread (previous link) tintin came up with a genius idea

. I call it genius because I never found anywhere a solution, I even tried other forums.

He simply suggested to make the root partition BTRFS and make the home partition EXT4. WOW!
This way, snapshots will be taken only on the root/system partition and not home folder.
Problem solved in a simple genius way.

So, I started this thread, hoping to get simple steps and commands to copy/paste. I'm hoping for such a how-to step by step because it is a "sensitive" procedure. You can simply lose data, lose the system and reinstall (one of the reasons I'm here is Artix is a rolling release - but I don't mind reinstall and don't care about my data if it includes easier/simpler steps - I don't want to give tintin or anybody hard time or take much time)
I will appreciate whoever comes across this post to go to the other thread (https://forum.artixlinux.org/index.php/topic,3354.msg22120.html#msg22120) and press "Like" for tintin's post, just as appreciation for him and a thank you if you find this subject useful.

Sorry for the lengthy post.

Re: How-to Convert from EXT4 to BTRFS

Reply #1 – 16 December 2021, 17:14:30

Quote from: limotux – on 16 December 2021, 16:37:09

Quote
I first have to say thank you to our friend tintin

Quote
tintin came up with a genius idea . I call it genius because I never found anywhere a solution, I even tried other forums.

He simply suggested to make the root partition BTRFS and make the home partition EXT4. WOW!
This way, snapshots will be taken only on the root/system partition and not home folder.
Problem solved in a simple genius way.
No, the idea is from VictorBrand:
https://forum.artixlinux.org/index.php/topic,3354.msg21972.html#msg21972

Quote
So, I started this thread, hoping to get simple steps and commands to copy/paste. I'm hoping for such a how-to step by step because it is a "sensitive" procedure. You can simply lose data, lose the system and reinstall ...
I'll let the specialists give you appropriate recommendations, as I don't have a lot of experience with filesystems.

Re: How-to Convert from EXT4 to BTRFS

Reply #2 – 16 December 2021, 17:36:23

Quote from: tintin – on 16 December 2021, 17:14:30

No, the idea is from VictorBrand:
https://forum.artixlinux.org/index.php/topic,3354.msg21972.html#msg21972

I'll let the specialists give you appropriate recommendations, as I don't have a lot of experience with filesystems.

More respect for you for being honest.
I read the post previously and now and as far as I understand he just mentioned he is using BTRFS for the system and EXT4 for home. So, it is me who was not that smart

to figure out that this configuration sorts out the baloo issues.

By the way I went through https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/btrfs#Ext3/4_to_Btrfs_conversion (Well, seems I'll be back to university and study it as I studied before). It seems to be written for advanced users or developers. Everything detailed and assuming the reader simply knows much more than I know! But I'll try read and learn more. This is the fun!

Even though, I don't have the guts to do it on my own. As you mentioned

Quote

as I don't have a lot of experience with filesystems.

Same here! Such thing is serious and sensitive.
UPDATE:
I have only one physical SSD, default installation default partition (selected use entire disk)
UPDATE2:
I just reinstalled, manual partitioning, 50 GB BTRFD for system, the rest EXT4 for home.
Still I hope we put a simple guide how to "convert" already installed system.
Of course noticed much faster boot time almost half previous boot time with EXT4.