System Restore for Peppermint: Timeshift

[GNULINUX]

System Restore for Peppermint:  Timeshift

We all like to tinker with our Peppermint OS but sometimes it goes wrong... Timeshift may save your day!
Confirmed working on Peppermint 6 & 7


How to install:

Add the PPA:

Code: [Select]

sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:teejee2008/ppa

Update the Package cache:

Code: [Select]

sudo apt-get update

Install Timeshift:

Code: [Select]

sudo apt-get install timeshift

If you're using the BTRFS file-system there's no need to install another version (all is merged in one version)!
See Settings -> Type. Screenshot under Extra Screenshots.


How to use:

After install, Timeshift can be found in the Menu under System Tools, it needs your password to open!
At first run you will be presented with a wizard which will configure the basic settings to your needs.

User interface:


Create: Make a snapshot of the current state
Restore: Restore your system to a previously taken snapshot
Delete: Delete one or more snapshots
Browse: Browse previously taken snapshots
Settings: Extra configuration options for setting up the backup location, scheduled snapshots and filter options
Wizard: Reopens the initial setup/install wizard, basically the same as Settings

Extra Screenshots:

Settings -> Type:


Settings -> Location:


Settings -> Schedule:


Settings -> Filters:


Settings -> Filters -> Summary:

[close]

What does Timeshift backups:

Timeshift backups your entire Peppermint OS, including personal (program)settings minus your personal files!
To make this crystal-clear: Your personal files stay as they are if you restore to a previous snapshot...
You can change this behavior via Settings -> Filters.

Timeshift can run from your installed system AND from a live system (CD-DVD-USB) to restore your Peppermint OS and boot-loader!


Enjoy your Peppermint! 

[Tea]

This prog will not rescue a non booting system - if you need to restore the snapshot you need to prepare a bootable pen drive or Live CD. After booting from it, install TimeShift by running apt-get in a terminal window or by downloading and executing the installer.

also removing timeshift  via  sudo apt-get remove timeshift does not remove the snapshots - remove manualy or via timeshift before uninstalling.

[GNULINUX]

Thanks for you comment Tea,

This prog will not rescue a non booting system...

Not sure what you're saying but Timeshift will "rescue" your system as long as you're able to (live) boot from CD/DVD/USB 
This was also mentioned in my first post...

...also removing timeshift  via  sudo apt-get remove timeshift does not remove the snapshots - remove manualy or via timeshift before uninstalling.

Indeed, that is what should be expected from every (backup) utility, isn't it? 
Example: Imagine you remove LibreOffice and it deletes all documents you've made with it...

Greets!

[PCNetSpec]

Example: Imagine you remove LibreOffice and it deletes all documents you've made with it...

LOL

You can be sure this is coming in a future Microsoft Office (subscription) version.

[Elemec]

Handy! I've never seen other Linux Forum mentioning something as handy as this (maybe i did and didn't notice). Seems very useful, i'll leave it installed.

[GNULINUX]

Yep, it's essential for "new" users and even for seasoned user, unless your name is PCNetSpec! 

Not sure why this isn't advised/mentioned more...
Maybe people see it as a failure if they can't fix their system and have to use something like Timeshift to correct their "mistakes"?

I personally think it's a SUPER tool when you like to tinker with your system! 

[acer]

[Blatent BUMP! due to the usefulness of this app for noobs and others]

GNULINUX, this is excellent!

This should be one of the 1st apps installed for noobs to linux/peppermint. 

It will save you the headaches as it has done for me in the past by taking a tweak or two, too far..

Sticky/FAQ per chance? 

[perknh]

Yep, it's essential for "new" users and even for seasoned user, unless your name is PCNetSpec! 

Not sure why this isn't advised/mentioned more...
Maybe people see it as a failure if they can't fix their system and have to use something like Timeshift to correct their "mistakes"?

I personally think it's a SUPER tool when you like to tinker with your system! 

It is an excellent tool. 

I wonder why Timeshift remains a PPA and has not yet become a program to be found in the repositories. 

[PCNetSpec]

Would be a WHOLE lot better if it let you choose where to do the backups .. I have a NAS but no easy way to get Timeshift to back up there:
(need to check if it can be conned by symlinks)

[acer]

Author has updated the software last week Timeshift v16.10.5 
http://www.teejeetech.in/2016/10/timeshift-v16105.html

[GNULINUX]

@ perknh: Don't really know, there are worse things in the repositories... 

Would be a WHOLE lot better if it let you choose where to do the backups ..

For clarification: You can choose the location but I get what you mean... no directory choice!

I read somewhere that's all because of the way backups are stored (hard links between different backups). You also can't simply copy them from one location to another unless it's a single (or first) full backup!


@ acer: Yeah, I know but thanks for mentioning!

Was going to update the screenshots and adjust a bit of text until I saw something is missing in the user interface (thankfully it doesn't affect the use and reliability).
I'm actually awaiting a new update... If it doesn't come in a week or so I'm going to update the first post anyway!

Screenshot...

[close]

EDIT:  Added a screenshot of the user interface!

[acer]

I've just checked my installed version and it's 16.10.6 (64bit) 
Must be a point release earlier this week

[GNULINUX]

^ Still missing the Delete icon... 

PS: Added a screenshot to my previous post.

[perknh]

@ perknh: Don't really know, there are worse things in the repositories... 

Good point!  I'll see where we are by November with this, and then I'll install it. 

[emegra]

Would be a WHOLE lot better if it let you choose where to do the backups .. I have a NAS but no easy way to get Timeshift to back up there:
(need to check if it can be conned by symlinks)

i love Timeshift but as far as I can see it will only backup to a local drive, but that might be corrected in time, but nonetheless if you have the disc space I would highly recommend it in fact i would advocate for it's inclusion in PM8


Graeme