dd question

[Jeremy C. Reed]

> Can I use dd to backup a live os?
> I'd like to just plug in a usb drive and dd the whole drive(MBR too) off to
> it.
> Can that be done?...probably not...?!

Yes it can.

It may have a few inconsistencies as some files are changing in the live 
operating system. But depending on your needs it may be good/close enough.

As for if the MBR and data being useful on the USB disk I don't know.

I generally use a disk that is identical or closely matches up with the 
hard disk that I am doing a dd from.

  Jeremy C. Reed