How To Create and Use a Separate Data Partition

There are advantages to creating a completely separate partition for your data files instead of keeping them on a dedicated /home partition, or on the / (root) partition with the system files.  Here are a few:

1.  Makes use and sharing of data easier between different operating systems on the computer (Windows or Linux).  Instead of having data created while using each OS saved to its own location, they can all read/write data to one central location.
2.  Eliminates potential problems with more than one Linux distro using the same /home partition, where the user program configuration files may conflict with each other.  (Although it's more rare, this can also happen when upgrading a distro to the latest version of itself.)
3.  Makes re-installation of the operating system, upgrading to new distro versions, and switching to different distros easier.  Data is safely off on its own partition, so no need to copy it back on after a new install.  Just link to the partition again after replacing the root partition with the new installation.
4.  Save time for newbies and experienced users whose system gets broken for some reason, requiring a re-installation.  No need to attempt accessing broken install to copy off data before replacing the system -- it's already safely off in its own location.


Notes on example used in this tutorial:

1.  Mount points can be anywhere you like, but are most typically made under /mnt, /media, or your /home.  This example has the mount point under /mnt.
2.  You can name your mount point anything you want as long as it doesn't conflict with an already existing filename under that location (mount point).  This example uses the name "DATA".
3.  Anywhere you see "yourusername" in a command, you are supposed to substitute your actual user name in it's place.
4.  The location of the data partition on the drive for this example is /dev/sda5.  Make sure you substitute your specific partition in place of sda5 when running these commands.
5.  If you want to also have a separate /home partition to preserve your config files for future reinstallations, feel free to do that.  That will have no effect on anything below.  (Just remember that it will not need to be more than a few GB's in size if it's only holding the config files.)
6.  Everything below is done using commands in a terminal.  (I've never tried using a GUI, don't know if it's even possible to use a GUI, and wouldn't bother learning the GUI if it were possible because the terminal is quicker.)



Use GParted from a live Linux DVD/USB to create the partitions you want for the operating systems you plan to install.  Or use it to make changes, additions, re-sizings, etc. to the partitions already on the disk.  Create your data partition and format it according to your needs -- eg. Ext4 if to be used with Linux distros; NTFS if to be shared with a Windows OS.  (Here is a good tutorial for GParted if you need it:  GParted partitioning software - Full tutorial.)

After installing a Linux operating system, create a mount point for the data partition (eg. /mnt/DATA)

• * For an Ext4 formatted partition, add an entry like this to end of file

• * For an NTFS formatted partition (used if sharing with Windows), add an entry like this to end of file

I have just installed L-L and like the look of it, but would prefer to have my panel 1 at the top of the screen, so I can put  a dock at the bottom.
I'm sure with other XFCE distros there was an option to place panels top or bottom, but I cannot find this.

Probably an easy answer, but I''m to thick to see it, 

I've made up a dock through using panel 2, which is currently on the left side of the screen, but I'd prefer it at the bottom.

Hi, I've recently installed L-L . I've tried many distros but recently have been looing for a small one to use on an elderly machine and this it.

It looks neat so I guess I'll stick with it.

Hello,

Whilst looking in the log files I found the the following:

What are the advantages of using a long term release like Ubuntu vs. a rolling distro for the basis of Linux Lite?

The more I read about Linux, the more confused I get. :-\

Hi have been a member of the linux distro community forum but as i only use linux lite now reckon i  better join the lite forum.
Hoping to be around for quite some time.
Thanks
David

Installed Linux Lite on my mate's old laptop last week, his major complain being that he can't change the brightness. Not by the Fn keys or elsewhere.

Anyone got any clue on how to fix that? Real Linux newbie here still, but I installed Linux Lite so that his dying laptop could perhaps last a little longer. Windows was crippling it even further.

So, any thoughts on how to troubleshoot/fix that?

Hello everyone. My name is Jim and I just downloaded and installed Linux Lite. I feel like a fish out of water. I can't even figure out how to install a program that isn't already in the system. I was wondering if there might be a good tutorial to watch to figure this all out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Have a great day!

Jim

I clicked on the revert button to reset my menu - but it did not go back to the original state as it was during and after installation. Instead, the "Install Updates" disappeared and the icons for the first 3 submenus for System went missing.

:-\ After reading post about users losing their menu items, Linux Lite installed modified desktop, and warnings from Valtam about resetting menu I wonder about the Install Updates - Terminal. Some of the updates I can see are from Jerry Bezencon (Valtam) but some but some are from Ubuntu and some I do not reconize. Are all updates offered by this program from or screened by the Linux Lite Development Team; therefore, safe to do?

I no longer even ask Synaptic to check for update dues to be concerned about messing up Linux Lite.