Thanks to Len Sorensen, Hugh Redelmeier and Ron@bclug.ca for taking their time offering suggestions, all of which I have investigated. * * * * * * Paranoia and low tolerance for anxiety have me deciding on this strategy, to get to a Debian 12 configuration with root filesystem persistence: (1) Buy a second multi-TB SATA hard drive to install in my Debian linux PC (Western Digital or Seagate). (1) Build a bootable live Debian 12.5 linux USB memory stick. (3) Use (2) to install Debian 12 on the new SATA drive, and use this SATA Debian 12 for ongoing regular daily operations. (3) Keep both the current bootable live Debian 11 USB memory stick, and the new bootable live Debian 12 linux USB memory stick, for emergency linux boot purposes. * * * * * * This strategy offers these benefits: (1) gets regular linux operations to most current Debian version, and simplifies life by booting directly from hard drive, (2) (hopefully) saves time by booting the PC from hard disk, instead of from USB memory stick, (3) adds a large comforting increment of hard disk capacity, complementing the current 1.8 TB hard drive, which already is almost 50% used, (4) leaves me with two (2) Debian emergency boot USB memory sticks. * * * * * * I will report back on results. Steve Petrie Etobicoke (Toronto), Ontario, Canada apetrie@aspetrie.net 416-233-6116