linux boot process tricks

To get the system-files transfered, it's best to get a live USB-stick or CD and boot into it
(all live-distros from ubuntu to systemrescuecd are ok).
In a livesystem, you can mount the partitions and transfer the data anyway you like:

1. rsync:

parameters: " -a -v -z -h --perms -E -o -g  --times --compress --update --delete "
excludes: " --exclude="/proc/*" --exclude="/sys/*" --exclude="/mnt/*" --exclude="/media/*" "

2. copy with “cp”:

$ sudo cp -afv /to/source/* /to/target/

3. dd - can only be used, if both partitions have exactly the same size!

4. gparted

etc…

Fix fstab by mounting the new disc and editing /etc/fstab in there.
The UUIDs need to be replaced by the UUIDs of the new disc's partitions.

$ ls -l /dev/disk/by-uuid/ 

.. shows 'em all :)

Install grub2 - make the fresh harddisc bootable

$ grub-install --root-directory=/to/target-mountpoint/ /dev/sdX --recheck