Converting Linux File System From Ext3 To Ext4

The Ext4 (Fourth Extended File System) is an advanced and effective journaling file system that is developed as successor of Ext3 file system. It provides high performance and removes 64-bit storage limits of earlier file systems. The file system supports backward compatibility with the Ext3 and Ext2 file systems. Thus it is possible to mount Ext2 and Ext3 file system as Ext4. To gain benefit of these advanced features, you need to migrate file system from Ext3 to Ext4. Before migrating the file system, you should create full backup of your data as failure of this process may lead to data loss and require Linux Data Recovery to be sorted out.

Converting a non-root file system

If you are converting Ext3 file system, which can be unmounted, this is quite simple process. Follow underwritten steps for conversion:

Unmount the volume.
Run file system check using fsck.ext3 command to make sure that it is in sane situation.
Enable new features of Ext4 on file system using tune2fs command.
Run fsck.ext4 command. It will find errors that are usual. Let the command fix them.
Edit /etc/fstab file to make it “Ext4” in place of “Ext3” file system for /home.
Mount your new file system.

Converting root file system

Converting the root file system is quite tricky as you won't be able to unmount it because your computer is running on it. Go through below steps to convert your root file system:
First thing is to change /etc/fstab file as “Ext4” in place of “Ext3” for root volume.
Remount the root file system as read-only.
Check your file system using fsck.ext3 command. It will then restart your system.
Enable all Ext4 features on root file system.
Check your root file system for errors using fsck.ext4 command.

Though, it is a good idea to convert your file system from Ext3 to Ext4, but in case if the process fails and you do not have complete backup of your valuable data, you might encounter serious data loss and need to carry out Data Recovery Linux.

Recovery is best possible using third party Linux Recovery Software. The applications recovers your data in most of the data loss situations, without demanding sound and prior technical skills from you. With read-only and non-destructive conduct, Linux Data Recovery software are absolute safe to use.

Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery is the most efficient solution to handle all types of data loss situations on your Linux system. It supports recovery from Ext4, Ext3, Ext2 and ReiserFS file system volumes. The software is compatible with all major distributions of Linux including Debian, RedHat, Fedora and Ubuntu.

By: mnkstllr

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Author is researching on error of linux operating system that become the cause of data loss. For lost linux data recovery author suggested to use linux recovery softwareto recover lost linux data.