Help with understanding 8.04 LTS

[suomalainen]

Ubunteros!

Currently I run 7.10. If I do the upgrade to 8.04 LTS does this mean I lose all my programs and settings? Is this a clean install?

I would like for this to be as painless and effortless as possible.

Thanks

[drs305]

Upgrading via the update manager should keep your settings and programs. I had no major issues upgrading from 7.1 to 8.04 As always, backup your important data files before performing any major updates.

It is not a clean install, which would be done via a CD. Opinions vary on which is better. A clean install probably does a better job of keeping things orderly but updating generally requires less work, especially if you don't have a separate home partition.

[Iowan]

Maybe it was beginner's luck, but my upgrade from Feisty to Gutsy was painless (aside from the 26 hour download via dialup). I ordinarily do a fresh install, but keep another usable machine available in case of disaster.

[drs305]

One other thought: if you don't have a second computer with access to the internet, it might be wise to download the livecd or alternate cd before doing an upgrade just so you have a way of installing the system should the update process get screwed up and you lose your distro.

[warbread]

Backup everything important to you, first. A million successful upgrades mean nothing if yours is the one that borks hardcore and you need to reformat your drive.

[mlentink]

Be afraid...
Be very afraid....


Just kidding. On one of my pcs I've done all upgrades from 6.06, and yes, it still works ok.
But I also like fresh installs, especially for my own laptop...

;-)

[steveneddy]

Use a Flash drive or CD to back up your /home folder. Literally select all items from the folder and copy over to the drive. Make sure that you hit ctrl+h to show hidden folders so you copy everything.

If you have a very full /home folder, go make a sandwich.

Come back after your sandwich, unmount the Flash drive or CD media and procede with either a fresh install or an upgrade from Update Manager.

Either should work fine, but check the forums for anyone with your hardware that may have had issues upgrading.

If your current install works great now and you didn't have to do a lot of tweaking to get it "right", then an upgrade from Update Manager should work fine.

Just hope that you have a fast internet connection because if you are on dial up it will take a few more sandwiches to get done.