New Install +

[boysha]

I hope this is not going to sound stupid or dumb...
I would like to install a new version of Ubuntu. I am thinking, if I was to keep the /home the same as it is right now, with all my files that are there now and just recreate / and SWAP, I should be able to install clean Ubuntu that has my old Home partition with all my files, right?
If not, please explain.
Thanks!

[NormanFLinux]

If you do a clean install, you'll erase your files. Are you going to do a back up of them first? You can save your files and settings only IF you upgrade within Ubuntu from an existing version to a new one.

Hope this helps.

[boysha]

Thanks. I was under the impression that if I was to leave my old Home and reformat/ create other partitions that I will be left with a new version and old Home.
Thank you.
Cheers!

[Hedgehog1]

If you do a clean install, you'll erase your files. Are you going to do a back up of them first? You can save your files and settings only IF you upgrade within Ubuntu from an existing version to a new one.

This is not correct. You can do a clean install and keep you data if you have a seperate '/' and '/home' partition. I do this, and many of the forums power users do it as well. It gives you the best chance of a clean 'upgrade' by actually doing a clean install of '/' and leaving the '/home' partition untouched.


First, define your '/' (root) partition:

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7520/04allocdrivespace2.png

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/9673/05allocdrivespace3.png

Then define your '/home' partition:

IF YOU ARE DOING AN UPGRADE, DO NOT FORMAT THIS PARTITION!

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6828/07allocdrivespace5.png

This separates your documents and 'stuff' from the system files and 'stuff' in the '/' partition.

The Hedge

:KS

p.s. To learn how to move your '/home' into it's own partition: SeparateHomePartition (http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/separatehome)

p.p.s. Backing up your data 'just in case' a big install or upgrade is, however, always a good idea.

[YesWeCan]

BUT...you lose everything in /

So you would need to reinstall all applications you use.
You would need to reconfigure any global config files that you have changed (in /etc)
And maybe some other stuff.

So just be aware of this.

You can use 'dpkg --get-selections > beforefile' to list all your apps. into a file named beforefile. This may help when reinstalling. After the new install, run it again and then do a 'diff beforefile afterfile' to see what has changed.

Canonical recommend doing a upgrade rather than a clean install and I would recommend the same unless you have nothing important to lose.

[Hedgehog1]

YesWeCan,

boysha wants to start with a clear '/' - and keep '/home':



I would like to install a new version of Ubuntu. I am thinking, if I was to keep the /home the same as it is right now, with all my files that are there now and just recreate / and SWAP, I should be able to install clean Ubuntu that has my old Home partition with all my files, right?

An upgrade is not going to get him that result.


The Hedge

:KS