NEWBIE FAQ:

Really not interested in reading 17 pages of posts? Neither was I... So here's all the stuff I wish I could have just read in one post, compiled from previous posts and some of my own additions for issues I ran into when I flashed my N810 and was setting it up with pbeasy.

Q: I'm worried about using this program, I don't know much linux and I might loose everything.
A: If you're NOT worried about your data, then you don't have anything to worry about. Should you decide you're not happy with the results, you can always follow the instructions to reflash your device, and you'll get it back to factory standard.

If you're worried you might loose your data, really what you're saying is "I don't know if I have a good backup". If that's because you don't do backups, you're nutz. If you only use the Backup\Restore program that came with your device, you probably have reason to be concerned as it only backs up a portion of your device's data. One way or another, you've come to the right place! The "pb" program comes with a far superior Backup utility, which I highly recommend using even if you never do Clone your device.

So before you start with "pbeasy", run the "pb" program. Have a look at the Backup option, read the Help and you'll be good to go. The key here is to make sure you are happy that all your data has been backed up. I would suggest backing up your system to an external memory card, then copying those backup files from the memory card to your desktop computer. If you can open the backup files on your desktop computer and see your precious files nice and safe, you'll have the warm fuzzies and want to try Cloning. (Windows users can install the free 7-Zip program for opening the backup files) Keep in mind if this is your first time, you'll want to back up at least the internal jffs2 drive (/dev/mtdblock4 on mine), and the internal memory card (/dev/mmcblk0p1 on mine) before getting started.

Q: I am clicking the big "CLICK > < HERE" link in the instructions, but all I see is a bunch of text junk!
A: Instead of clicking on it, click and hold your stylus on the link until a menu appears. Choose "Save as..." from the menu. Save the file wherever you like (it defaults to "Documents", that's fine). Once it's done downloading, run the File manager program, locate the folder you saved the file into, double-tap the "console-tools" file and follow the instructions.

Q: When Partitioning, what is the first FAT partition for?
A: This is a FAT partition for general compatibility with what maemo is expecting to see. I would recommend a minimum of 64 MB. This partition becomes /media/mmc2 on my N810. Maemo uses this location for apt temp files, and some software programs store their data files here. On mine its also the place it wants to put virtual memory, so if you choose to use virtual memory instead of a swap partition, you may want to add 128 MB to your total (128 + 64 = 192 MB). Techie note: Don't forget this is a FAT partition, you won't be able to sym link folders out of here. "Maemo expects a FAT partition to be there, so I always put one. If you connect to an USB it could cause you problems. I always keep it. Also application manager uses it and other things. For compatibility sake and to save from troubleshooting, I would keep a small partition, 16-32MB minimum." (penguinbait)
If you use the Wayfinder map program, read this.

Q: When Partitioning, what is the second FAT partition for?
A: This is actually for the swap partition, 256 MB is a reasonable choice. In simple terms, a swap partition gives you more memory, allowing you to run several programs at the same time. The swap partition is in lieu of "virtual memory" (i.e. you will not need to enable virtual memory if you use a swap partition).

Q: I did the Clone, and I now have a text menu appear when it starts up, but it will only boot off the first item (jffs2)
A: Even though the Clone appeared to complete successfully, it didn't. You need to re-run the Clone a second time.

Q: How do I know if the swap partition is working? (this is assuming you have now successfully booted into your newly cloned partition)
A: Run X-Terminal and enter
If the "total" for "Swap" is 0, your swap is NOT working.

Q: How do I fix the swap?
A: You could try and run "pb" from X-Terminal, and choose the "Swap" menu item. But I found this didn't help, it only listed the internal jffs2 partition. If that doesn't work for you either, below is my cheater way to make it work. Just keep in mind, this may not be the same way penguinbait does it, so later on if you want to try the pb > Swap option, you may want to first undo these changes.

Assuming you let pbeasy set up your partitions, in X-Terminal enter:
Make a note of which partition's type is "linux swap" (mine was /dev/mmcblk0p3).

If you have troubles with the sudo commands, you may need to install the "sudser" program first. For the techies who are already root (via ssh or otherwise), make sure you remove the sudo from each command.

For whatever reason, Maemo doesn't pay attention to the fstab file. We can make it pay attention to the swap by adding a reference to the /etc/init.d/rcS file.

First we'll make backups of the files we're going to change, then we'll edit the rcS file. At the X-Term prompt, type:
Once the file is open hit "G" (that's shift-g) to go to the bottom of the document. Move the cursor to the beginning of the "exit 0" line. Type "i", then type:
and hit the Enter key.
If you run into any troubles and want to exit without saving, just hit Escape then ":q!" and hit Enter (note there is an "Esc" button at the bottom of the X-Term window).
The last few lines of the file should now look something like this:
Now hit Escape, and type ":x" and hit Enter. All being well you should be back at the command prompt.

Now edit the fstab file:
Type "Ga" then Enter. That's shift-g, a, then the Enter key. Now type out the following, replacing "mmcblk0p3" with the partition you noted from running sfdisk earlier.
Again hit Escape, type ":x" and hit Enter.
If you'd like to activate the swap immediately, at the command prompt type:
From now on you can add & modify swap partitions from the fstab file as usual. Just remove any reference to the swap partition from the fstab file if you'd like to stop using it.

Q: I shutdown my device, and then when I started it back up again, I didn't get the menu!
A: That can happen when you have your device plugged in for charging. When it's charging it doesn't shut down all the way. Just unplug it, turn it off then back on again, and you should get the proper menu (you can then plug it back in to continue charging).