[SOLVED] Converting ext4 to btrfs / btrfs-convert command not found.

[nhtrader]

Without going through the trouble of creating a separate LiveCD for kub 18.04, I like to get the tool btrfs-convert onto my trial copy of kub.
Apparently, btrfs-convert is unavailable on the installation ISO/USBstick.

I successfully performed a fresh install of 18.04 and created 3 partitions: / , swap, /home (root & home as ext4)

Now I have decided to convert ext4 to btrfs b/c I'd like to take advantage of data compression.

I insert my installation ISO/USB stick and boot from it rather than my partitioned SSD.

I run konsole and execute sudo su
# fdisk -l

and I see all of my devices as expected. ( ?=/dev/loop0, SSD=/dev/sda, USBstick=/dev/sdb)

/dev/sda1 EFI
/dev/sda2 LinuxFSdev/sda
/dev/sda3 swap
/dev/sda4 LinuxFS

next, I verify that the pkg btrfs-tools is installed. Confirmed latest pkg 4.15.1-1build1

now I execute command:
# btrfs-convert /dev/sda4

command not found error appears.

I double check that btrfs-progs is installed. Confirmed.

now I check the btrfs-tools pkg
# dpkg-query -s btrfs-tools

status instll ok installed
Source: btrfs-progs
Version: 4.15.1-1build1
Depends: btrfs-progs
Description: transitional dummy package. It can be safely be removed.

# dpkg-query -L btrfs-tools

btrfs-convert is missing

but these exist:
/bin/btrfs
/bin/btrfs-debug-tree
/bin/btrfstune
plus many more

I would have thought that I could use the installation USB/ISO as a LiveCD to make Hard Drive changes. However, this one tool is missing - btrfs-convert

I then tried to purge and reinstall the pkg, but that didn't work either.

What's the easiest way to add btrfs-convert to the trial version of kubuntu 18.04?

[GreyGeek]

Converting ext4 to btrfs / btrfs-convert command not found.

Without going through the trouble of creating a separate LiveCD for kub 18.04, I like to get the tool btrfs-convert onto my trial copy of kub.
Apparently, btrfs-convert is unavailable on the installation ISO/USBstick.
....

I used mkusb to create a persistent LiveUSB of Kubuntu 18.04 on a 16GB stick. Yesterday, while running it for other purposes, I saw an update notice. 384 files came down and updated nicely. I had installed btrfs-tools on it previously and those tools included the btrfs-convert.. However, I never have used that tool because I prefer fresh installs. No upgrade problems.

Edit: Checked again after reading Oshunluver’s post below. Can’t find the convert command.

[nhtrader]

Well, in addition to your observation, I just installed btrfs-tools and its depdency btrfs-progs to my working kub 18.04.

The goal was to have btrfs-convert installed on the /dev/sda4 so that when I reboot using the installation stick in trial mode, I could copy this tool from /dev/sda4/tool_location to the working root system.

But guess what? btrfs-convert is missing from my working K1804. It isn't available on my hard drive either.

So what is the new name for this tool since it is no longer packaged within btrfs-tools?

BTW, I tried the command "# btrfs convert" just in case it has been folded into the main tool. But that failed. Now what?

Is conversion now "verboten"(fordidden)?

[oshunluvr]

AFAIK, they're not including btrfs-convert in the current package because; 1. It was buggy and 2. It's being re-written but isn't complete enough to distribute.

I'm not sure what you mean by Kubuntu "trial version."

Either re-partition and re-install (you don't need or want a separate home partition if you use BTRFS), wait for the update, or boot to a liveUSB containing 16.04 and use the older convert tool. You could try forcing a downgrade of the btrfs-tools package by manually installing and older version but who knows what incompatibility problems you might run into.

IMO, compression is one of the lower of the advantages of btrfs unless you're working with very small devices.

[nhtrader]

I'm not sure what you mean by Kubuntu "trial version".

When you insert an installation CD/USB stick, you have the option to Try Kubuntu or Install it. I choose to try it, which IMO, acts like a live CD.

And thanks for answering my question. I'll try to force a downgrade of the package. (Something new to learn... never did that b4)

[oshunluvr]

If you're still running from USB, IMO it would be much easier to boot to 16.04 live and convert the partitions that way. Less chance of breaking something too.

To downgrade that package, you'd have to install a separate PPA like this one, then force the package downgrade, and hope the package "gets along" with the kernel, then once done, purge the PPA. Seems like a lot of work to get to "maybe". This is something I would try in a Virtual machine before attempting it on an installation.

Also, a new install would probably take less time unless you've already spent hours customizing.