Somehow I managed to squeeze myself and Free Geek Vancouver into today’s edition of Vancouver 24 Hours. Hoorah!
http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2010/06/21/14469491.html
Here’s an old but great trick. I had a server that was dying on me, I wanted to clone the computer but didn’t want to have the hassle of taking it apart. By using netcat and the dd command I was able to clone the computer over the network.
First on the destination computer, but up off of Ubuntu 10.04 Desktop liveCD and execute the command:
nc -l 10000 | dd of=/dev/sda
Then on the source
dd if=/dev/sda | nc
Wait for the dd command to finish. Then reboot the new hardware, if you’re lucky it should just boot and you’re done! Yay! If not boot the destination up off of the liveCD once more and mount the drive. Edit any changes in drives (sda/sdb/hda) in /etc/fstab as well as grub. As well as any other changes you have to do, perhaps your modprobe.conf file needs editing. Once done make a new initrd and you’re happy!
/sbin/mkinitrd -v -f /boot/initrd-new.img 2.6.21
Free Geek Vancouver (FGV) is a non-profit computer reuse and recycling centre. They accept all computers, old and new as well as related electronics whether they are working or not! FGV is comprised of volunteers who breathe new life into these electronics to create functioning and useable computers. These born again computers are then either sold at low costs or are granted to various non-profit organizations in need. The computers that cannot be salvaged are disassembled properly and sent to various ethical recycling plants. Free Geek follows a strict recycling code of conduct set in place by the Basel Action Network. This ensures that our electronic waste is safely and locally disposed rather than shipped to developing nations where it often contaminates air and water.
You can help Free Geek by bringing your used computer down to be recycled! They’re located at 1820 Pandora St in Vancouver. Or if you are interested in lending a hand the please come down this Saturday at either 2 or 4pm for one of our infamous tours!
In today’s world we are becoming attached to our technology. For many computers are the first things we see in the morning, and the last thing we see before we sleep. They take our daily abuse now if only when we could give them the proper ending they deserve!