need to switch computers without losing data

[Andy Green]

jim tate wrote:

> No problem, That is the nice thing about Linux, Linux will detect new 
> hardware and make changes on new hardware.

The kernel will have a go at it, but if the initrd made when your kernel 
package was installed does not include drivers critical for booting on 
the actual computer you are booting from, it will fail to boot (eg, 
right SATA driver in there).  You can come up on the install CD in 
rescue mode and reinstall the kernel package, regenerating the initrd, 
but that isn't trivial unless it's the kind of stuff you do all day.

Also X won't start faced with different video hardware, unless you were 
on vesa anyway.

But I agree, at least you can expect to be able to meddle with it and 
get it working if it doesn't go smoothly, and that's a lot better than 
the alternative!

-Andy