# NUC Hard Disk Change Guide

**Date:** 2026-02-01 17:30
**Context:** Step-by-step guide to replace NUC hard disk with larger one

---

## Prerequisites

- [ ] Clonezilla USB boot drive ([download](https://clonezilla.org/downloads.php))
- [ ] External USB drive (larger than current disk usage)
- [ ] New internal disk (must be >= current used space)
- [ ] 1-2 hours of downtime

---

## Before You Start

### Check current disk usage

```bash
ssh nuc "df -h / && lsblk"
```

### Verify services are backed up

```bash
ssh nuc "docker exec kopia kopia snapshot list --all | tail -10"
```

### Export critical configs (safety net)

```bash
ssh nuc "tar czf /tmp/nuc-configs-backup.tar.gz /data/coolify /opt/homepage/config 2>/dev/null"
scp nuc:/tmp/nuc-configs-backup.tar.gz ~/Desktop/
```

---

## Phase 1: Create Clonezilla Image

### 1.1 Boot from Clonezilla USB

1. Insert Clonezilla USB into NUC
2. Power on, press **F10** for boot menu
3. Select USB drive
4. Choose: `Clonezilla live (Default)`

### 1.2 Create disk image

```
Select: device-image
Select: local_dev (save to external USB)
Choose: savedisk
Image name: nuc-full-2026-02-01
Source disk: /dev/sda (or /dev/nvme0n1)
Compression: -z1p (parallel gzip, fastest)
Options: -fsck-src-part -c (check & checksum)
```

### 1.3 Wait for completion

- 256GB disk → ~20-40 min
- 512GB disk → ~40-60 min

### 1.4 Verify image

Clonezilla shows checksums. Note them down:
```
Image checksum: ________________________________
```

---

## Phase 2: Swap Physical Disk

### 2.1 Power off NUC

```bash
ssh nuc "sudo shutdown now"
```

### 2.2 Open NUC and replace disk

1. Disconnect power
2. Remove bottom cover (4 screws)
3. Remove old disk (M.2 or 2.5" SATA)
4. Insert new disk
5. Replace cover

---

## Phase 3: Restore to New Disk

### 3.1 Boot Clonezilla again

1. Insert Clonezilla USB + external drive with image
2. Boot from USB

### 3.2 Restore image

```
Select: device-image
Select: local_dev
Choose: restoredisk
Image: nuc-full-2026-02-01
Target: /dev/sda (new disk)
```

### 3.3 Confirm and wait

Same time as backup (~20-60 min)

---

## Phase 4: Expand Partition

After restore, the new disk has the old partition sizes. Expand to use all space:

### 4.1 Boot into Ubuntu

Remove USB drives, boot normally.

### 4.2 Expand partition

```bash
# Check current layout
lsblk

# Expand partition (usually partition 2 or 3)
sudo growpart /dev/sda 2

# Expand filesystem
sudo resize2fs /dev/sda2

# Verify
df -h /
```

### For NVMe drives:

```bash
sudo growpart /dev/nvme0n1 2
sudo resize2fs /dev/nvme0n1p2
```

### For LVM:

```bash
sudo pvresize /dev/sda2
sudo lvextend -l +100%FREE /dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-ubuntu--lv
sudo resize2fs /dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-ubuntu--lv
```

---

## Phase 5: Verify Everything Works

### 5.1 Check services

```bash
# All containers running?
docker ps

# Coolify healthy?
curl -s http://localhost:8000/api/health

# Check each service
docker ps --format 'table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}' | head -20
```

### 5.2 Test critical services

| Service | Test |
|---------|------|
| Coolify | http://192.168.1.3:8000 |
| Homepage | http://192.168.1.3:3000 |
| Gitea | http://192.168.1.3:3030 |
| n8n | http://192.168.1.3:5678 |

### 5.3 Verify databases

```bash
# LiquidGym Postgres
docker exec postgres-x4kk8g4k8w4g0cw480w84g4g psql -U postgres -c "\\l"

# LiquidGym MySQL
docker exec hgwcgs4oswwc8scg080scoo4 mysql -u root -pliquidgym_root_nuc_2026 -e "SHOW DATABASES;"
```

---

## Troubleshooting

### GRUB bootloader not found

```bash
# Boot from Ubuntu Live USB
sudo mount /dev/sda2 /mnt
sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot/efi
sudo chroot /mnt
grub-install /dev/sda
update-grub
exit
reboot
```

### NVMe device name changed

Edit `/etc/fstab` to use UUID instead of device names:

```bash
# Find UUIDs
blkid

# Edit fstab
sudo nano /etc/fstab
# Change /dev/sda2 to UUID=xxxxx
```

### Docker services not starting

```bash
sudo systemctl restart docker
docker ps -a  # Check for exited containers
docker start $(docker ps -aq)  # Start all
```

---

## Rollback Plan

If new disk fails, you still have:

1. **Original disk** (keep it safe for 1 week)
2. **Clonezilla image** on external drive
3. **Config backup** on your Mac (`~/Desktop/nuc-configs-backup.tar.gz`)

Worst case: put old disk back in, boot, everything works.

---

## Quick Reference

| Step | Time | Risk |
|------|------|------|
| Create image | 30-60 min | Low |
| Swap disk | 10 min | Low |
| Restore image | 30-60 min | Low |
| Expand partition | 5 min | Low |
| Verify services | 10 min | None |
| **Total** | ~2 hours | Low |

---

## Related

- Backup Strategy: `2026-02-01_17-30_nuc-backup-strategy.md`
- Coolify Dashboard: http://192.168.1.3:8000