Now that I've edited my channel lineup in MythTV (zap2it is not a good source for QAM lineups here), is there a way to save the information into a .conf file?

Basically the QAM scan will find about 400 channels, and there's only 10-15 that are actually unencrypted QAM channels (and that's doing just Cable High).

So I removed all the 'unknowns", etc. from the channel listing and was wondering if there's a way to export/save/backup the new "lineup"?

I was thinking if I had that .conf file and needed to whack my install, I could just point it to one I already had.

Use the mythbackup script. It's not just for upgrades...

As a matter of fact the multi file rollover features got added specifically so people could do regular safe backups using it.

Thank you. I ran the backup and it went fine.

A followup question though:

I loaded up SAMBA and am trying to copy the two .gz backup files to my local pc, but I keep getting access denied.

Is there something "touching" the files in linux that's keeping me from copying the files elsewhere?

(my guess is maybe ownership? since I'm logged in as "Mythtv" for the Samba share?)

Yes the default for those files is that they're only accessible by root. To open them up for Samaba access do this:

Be aware that this will allow anyone with sufficient clues to see things like the "parental access codes" and the like in the DB dump, and similar things in the saved files. If this is a concern, be sure to set the permissions back when you're done.

BTW - Just because a knowledgable/determined burglar can always break in if they want to, doesn't mean you should leave the door ajar when you leave the house for the day, even if it just means that the neighbors cat comes in and uses your houseplants as a litter box.

Hehe, I like the analogy. I shall have to remember that.

As an alternative, I suppose I could login to SAMBA as root? (but I think I'd have to change the SAMBA setup for that).

Is there anything "bad" with setting the access so that the mythtv user could also access them?

Thank you again for all your help.

Once I've got things backed up, my hope is to put my "new" hard drive in there (I got a larger one) and start the install from scratch, but I want to get pictures this time and make a PDF install guide for other users as well (it's sometimes easier to see the actual screens for dumb people like me).

Then I can put the old drive back in and attempt to blow it up by upgrading the nvidia drivers (scary).

Since it's the one that is logged in automatically on the console, a junior achiever only needs to hit "Alt-X" there while you're away to get an xterm, ... Also it's default password is public knowledge (mythtv), and most folks don't bother to change it, so remote access as the mythtv user from another machine on your LAN is also pretty easy. On the other hand, a KnoppMyth system is already pretty much an open kimono... :shrug: