new jaunty install to replace hardy

[corkscrew]

I want to install jaunty but dont wish to lose all my settings etc in my Hardy Heron is this possible?
I have 4 existing partitions for hardy
root
home
swap
data

can just install to root and leave home as it is?

[madverb]

Yes

[corkscrew]

what will happen to existing programs i have installed ie i have open office 2.4 and jaunty comes with version 3 which i want anyway

[Sef]

what will happen to existing programs i have installed ie i have open office 2.4 and jaunty comes with version 3 which i want anyway
They will be updated. You should do a clean install. If you want to do an upgrade, then you will need to upgrade to 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex), then upgrade to 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope.)