Backup and restore

A backup helps before major changes or installing another image. First decide what you want to be able to recover.

Backup	Contents	Purpose
System settings	Configuration, channel lists and other selected files, plus information for restoring plugins.	Configure a freshly installed, compatible image again.
Image backup	The selected installed image, including its software and configuration, in the format supported by the receiver.	Return to a known image state.
Recordings and personal media	Separately copied movies, music and other personal files.	Protect against loss or failure of the recording drive.

An image backup does not automatically copy your HDD or NAS recordings. A settings backup normally excludes movies as well. Backup archives may contain network credentials and other login data; keep them private.

Finding the functions

Open Menu → Setup → Software Management. Alternatively, use short Blue → Software Manager in QuickMenu.

System settings and the complete image have separate backup functions. Open original image ↗

Back up system settings

1. Mount the intended backup drive and check that it is reachable and writable. A directory name alone does not prove it is mounted.
2. Open Backup System Settings.
3. If prompted for a destination, select the intended drive. With only one suitable destination, this selection may be skipped.
4. Wait for the success message. Do not interrupt the backup with a GUI restart.
5. Check the archive on the chosen drive and also copy it to a PC or another independent destination.

The current settings archive is named enigma2settingsbackup.tar.gz. It is stored below the selected destination in a folder following the pattern backup_<image>_<device>. Earlier backups may have dated names. Exact directory names vary by receiver; do not blindly copy an example name.

What gets backed up?

Under Software Management → Advanced Options, three lists serve different purposes:

Entry	Meaning
Show Default Backup Files	View the files selected by the image. This list is read-only here.
Select Additional Backup Files	Add your own files, such as a configuration file you created.
Select Excluded Backup Files	Choose exceptions to leave out of the backup.

Advanced Restore lets you choose older backups by date. Open original image ↗

You can open folders. An unselected parent folder can still contain individual files included in the backup. Yellow displays selection information. Open original image ↗

The defaults include existing configuration files such as /etc/enigma2, network settings and mount entries. The actual list depends on installed components and files present. The plugin list is not a permanent copy of every installation package: reinstalling plugins requires available packages or feeds.

Restore settings

For automatic restoration after flashing, including Turbo/Fast/Slow and plugin reinstallation, see AutoRestore and add-ons. The root password stored in the backup may also apply again.

1. Make the backup drive available at the expected path again.
2. Use Restore System Settings for the current backup. For an earlier version, open Advanced Options → Advanced Restore and select the archive by date.
3. Check your selection and confirm. Existing settings are replaced; the receiver or interface restarts afterwards.
4. Check tuners, network, mounts, channel lists, timers and plugins. Restored network settings can also change the receiver’s IP address.

After flashing, the first-start wizard may offer to restore a backup it finds. A problematic old setting can come back with it. When troubleshooting, a fresh setup followed by selective data migration can therefore be useful.

Complete image backup

Open Software Management → Image Backup. With MultiBoot, first select the image to back up. Green / Start opens the destination selection, after which the backup begins.

This selects the image to back up. Highlighting an entry does not create a finished backup. Open original image ↗

Use a destination with enough free space. The result is stored in its images subfolder. Size and format depend on the image and device support. Wait for completion and keep an additional copy outside the receiver.

A compatible image backup can be installed through Flash Online. A complete image backup is not automatically portable to another receiver model. With MultiBoot, you can use another suitable slot and retain the working image.

When no backup is found

Check the mounted drive, selected backup destination and directory structure first. Then check the archive’s date and file size. An empty list does not necessarily mean the archive was deleted; its original drive may simply be unavailable.

Verification status: These native dialogs were opened on the test receiver. A complete backup/restore cycle was not performed for this chapter.

Sources: settings backup and restore, image backup.