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View Full Version : upgrading problems, your experience



renebs
October 30th, 2009, 09:49 PM
Hi,

I posted, here on the Community Cafe this thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=8188925) a day ago. It basically stated the typical problem one might face when he/she upgrade/install a new (ubuntu) distro version (btw the thread was moved to Installation/Upgrade, I believe it's not supposed to be there, I haven't had a problem installing ubuntu 9.10)

So, I want to list here what kind of problem I faced and others might as well and, hopefully, get feedback on how *you* would manage to solve this kind of problem (it all boils down to minimizing the time required to have your system running as before).

When considering to move to a new distro, it has been quite useful to me to have:
1) Backup
2) /home on different partition
3) Install the new distro on a different partition (if you have the space) instead of updating
--- why? If something doesn't work the way supposed to, you will still have your working environment within your old distro installation

I may or may not do:
4) Create NEW username for your new distro.
--- Why? many config folders/files (most of the time starting with . and written to $HOME) are Software version specific and may start giving random errors that may be a pain to find out why.

OK. Now, I would like to ask about 4) above. Instead of following that rule, I used the same username I had with 8.10 when upgrading to 9.10 and, therefore all my configuration files where used in 9.10.

BUT, when I go to use F-spot, for example, my database and configuration files are not being read. Also beagle's database had to be reconfigured. And other problems as well.
*With Compiz: I had to reconfigure all the corner/displays shortcuts I like to use on Gcompiz, that in itself takes about 10min, until I remember the correct plugin I used and so forth).
*With gpodder, my config rss feeds where lost as well.

So my question is, if you do a fresh install how do you keep your configuration files organized so that you don't have to use a lot of time to make your new distro running the way it's supposed to? How do you do it?

grizato
October 30th, 2009, 11:10 PM
Here's a method I found on the forum:

*Copy all the files in your /home/(user)/ directory onto a flash drive or something.

*Get Karmic, same username(prefferably the same password) and then, when It's all up and running either:
*Boot into another OS(puppy linux is what I use for those kida stuff) and swap your old files with the new ones and then reboot int Karmic.
*Manually do it inside the OS(not recommended but may work).

I think that would just about do you. I did the same thing once (http://tecky-junk.blogspot.com/2009/09/ubuntu-cpu-bug-with-fix.html)the other way around so I think this may work.:p

renebs
October 30th, 2009, 11:34 PM
I kinda of done this, without knowing it. Instead of login in inside GDM (graphical interface) I did login over the terminal (by pressing CTRL+ALT+F2), moved my DOT folders to another place. Logged in (over the GDM) and later moved the dot folder back to $HOME root.

Thanks for the advice anyway. My big regret is the F-spot database...


Here's a method I found on the forum:

*Copy all the files in your /home/(user)/ directory onto a flash drive or something.

*Get Karmic, same username(prefferably the same password) and then, when It's all up and running either:
*Boot into another OS(puppy linux is what I use for those kida stuff) and swap your old files with the new ones and then reboot int Karmic.
*Manually do it inside the OS(not recommended but may work).

I think that would just about do you. I did the same thing once (http://tecky-junk.blogspot.com/2009/09/ubuntu-cpu-bug-with-fix.html)the other way around so I think this may work.:p

Hyporeal
October 31st, 2009, 01:06 AM
I think the location of f-spot config files was moved in Karmic.

Jaunty: ~/.gnome2/f-spot/
Karmic: ~/.config/f-spot/

Maybe this is the problem. I performed an upgrade (not a fresh install), which migrated my f-spot files flawlessly.

renebs
November 2nd, 2009, 04:57 PM
I think the location of f-spot config files was moved in Karmic.

Jaunty: ~/.gnome2/f-spot/
Karmic: ~/.config/f-spot/

Maybe this is the problem. I performed an upgrade (not a fresh install), which migrated my f-spot files flawlessly.

That worked. Thanks.