Can't upgrade 10.04 LTS with Upgrade Manager

[kyphos]

I have an older desktop system with 10.04 LTS. Support has come to an end, so I have to upgrade.

Being relatively unskilled in things Ubuntu, I'm following the instructions here (which stipulate I first must upgrade to 12.04):
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PrecisePangolin/ReleaseNotes/UbuntuDesktop#Upgrading_from_Ubuntu_10.04_LTS_to_U buntu_12.04_LTS

Upon launching the Update Manager, it puts up an error message telling me my version of Ubuntu is no longer supported and needs to be updated. Update Manager then freezes and has to be force-quit. I've tried a few times, and rebooted for good measure. No matter - Update Manager won't progress past the error message.

This system does not have an optical drive, so booting from a LiveCD is problematic.

Any suggestions gratefully received. Thanks.

[v3.xx]

You need to do a EOL upgrade.

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/EOLUpgrades

[kyphos]

Thanks for the pointer to the EOLUpgrades page.
Unfortunately, it's over my head. For example, the first instruction says:
To begin the upgrade, make sure you have a sources.list like the following, with CODENAME being your release, e.g. quantal.

I don't know where to look to see if I already have a sources.list file, nor how I'd modify it as required.

The instructions go on to say:
You can use -backports and or -proposed if you want.

I don't know what either of those terms mean, much less whether I'd want to use them:-(

[yancek]

The sources.list file is a simple text file and is located in the directory: /etc/apt/

The code names are shown at the Ubuntu site below for releases. 10.04 is Lucid Lynx.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Releases


You can use -backports and or -proposed if you want.

Can't help with that, never done it but someone else should know.

[v3.xx]

First make a copy of your sources list.


sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list.old

Then edit your original sources list.


gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Comment out (#) ALL lines or remove them if you want and add just the following lines.


deb http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security main restricted universe multiverse

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/EOLUpgrades#Update_sources.list

Then update your current install.


sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

From there you should be able to upgrade to 12.04.

You should also disable all PPA or other third party software.

Release upgrades can go smooth or completely wrong. Do you have backup?

[mörgæs]

Before attempting to upgrade please run
sudo lshw -sanitize > lshw.txt and post lshw.txt in CODE (not QUOTE) tags. It will show us your hardware details.

I am not sure an upgrade to a new Ubuntu is the right way to go. We might be able to suggest something with better performance for your older desktop.

[Bucky Ball]

I am not sure an upgrade to a new Ubuntu is the right way to go. We might be able to suggest something with better performance for your older desktop.

I fully agree. A LOT has changed since 10.04 LTS. I'd suggest a clean install of Xubuntu or Lubuntu 14.04 LTS (Ubuntu Mate is apparently light, too).

You could create Ubuntu 14.04 LTS install media, boot from that and 'Try Ubuntu'. See what happens. If it's a nightmare speed-wise or graphics-wise, another, lighter flavour is in order.

[coffeecat]

@kyphos, I suggest you do not install Lubuntu or Xubuntu until you have posted your hardware specifications and until you have understood the pros and cons of the various Ubuntu flavours. Members are right to caution you that older hardware might do better with one of the lighter flavours. However, it could very well be that your hardware can cope with the newer and heavier Unity desktop that Ubuntu now comes with, thank you very much. Until you have confirmed what your specs are, everything else is assumption.

Perhaps more importantly, you need to be aware that the old gnome2 desktop, which you use in Ubuntu 10.04, is now obsolete and has been replaced by the newer Unity desktop. Some like it; others dislike it. If you would prefer to stick with the old gnome2 desktop, then the Mate fork, which comes in the Ubuntu Mate flavour as Bucky Ball suggests, might be a good choice for you. If you need more information about all these desktops, just ask. But be aware that some members here allow their own preferences to colour the advice they give - as in so much of life.

Trying out the various Ubuntu flavours in a live session is a good idea. If you have the bandwidth, there's nothing stopping you from downloading Ubuntu, Ubuntu Mate, Xubuntu and Lubuntu and trying them all out, seeing which works on your hardware and which you prefer, making your choice, and not someone else's

[v3.xx]

Or just install the "Flashback" desktop (similar 10.04 desktop) if the "Unity" desktop will not perform.


sudo apt-get install gnome-panel

And choose your desktop at login.

[kyphos]

Thanks to all who have responded. The Ubuntu community is extremely supportive and I really appreciate the help.

A couple of you (wisely) asked about my hardware environment in order to better advise what release to migrate to (if any). It's a tiny (literally) Zotac ZBOX HD-ID11, with an Atom CPU and 2 GB of RAM. I don't do a lot with it. Browse the web, monitor my LAN, update/maintain the firmware in various routers & switches, and run Wireshark occasionally to troubleshoot network problems.

Below is the output from lshw, as requested by morgaes. Given the diminutive capabilities of the Zotac, my intent was to upgrade to the next (after 10.04) LTS release, which presumably is less demanding than 14.04 LTS.



computer
description: Desktop Computer
product: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
vendor: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
serial: [REMOVED]
width: 32 bits
capabilities: smbios-2.6 dmi-2.6 smp-1.4 smp
configuration: boot=normal chassis=desktop cpus=2 uuid=00020003-0004-0005-0006-000700080009
*-core
description: Motherboard
product: To be filled by O.E.M.
vendor: To be filled by O.E.M.
physical id: 0
version: To be filled by O.E.M.
serial: [REMOVED]
slot: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
*-firmware
description: BIOS
vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
physical id: 0
version: 080016 (08/25/2010)
size: 64KiB
capacity: 960KiB
capabilities: isa pci pnp upgrade shadowing escd cdboot bootselect socketedrom edd int13floppy1200 int13floppy720 int13floppy2880 int5printscreen int9keyboard int14serial int17printer int10video acpi usb ls120boot zipboot biosbootspecification
*-cpu:0
description: CPU
product: Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU D510 @ 1.66GHz
vendor: Intel Corp.
physical id: 4
bus info: cpu@0
version: 6.12.10
serial: [REMOVED]
slot: CPU 1
size: 1666MHz
capacity: 1666MHz
width: 64 bits
clock: 167MHz
capabilities: boot fpu fpu_exception wp vme de tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx x86-64 constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm movbe lahf_lm pse
configuration: id=0
*-cache:0
description: L1 cache
physical id: 5
slot: L1-Cache
size: 48KiB
capacity: 48KiB
capabilities: internal write-back data
*-cache:1
description: L2 cache
physical id: 6
slot: L2-Cache
size: 1MiB
capacity: 1MiB
capabilities: internal write-back unified
*-logicalcpu:0
description: Logical CPU
physical id: 0.1
width: 64 bits
capabilities: logical
*-logicalcpu:1
description: Logical CPU
physical id: 0.2
width: 64 bits
capabilities: logical
*-logicalcpu:2
description: Logical CPU
physical id: 0.3
width: 64 bits
capabilities: logical
*-logicalcpu:3
description: Logical CPU
physical id: 0.4
width: 64 bits
capabilities: logical
*-memory
description: System Memory
physical id: c
slot: System board or motherboard
size: 2GiB
*-bank:0
description: SODIMM DDR2 Synchronous 667 MHz (1.5 ns)
product: ModulePartNumber00
vendor: Manufacturer00
physical id: 0
serial: [REMOVED]
slot: DIMM0
size: 2GiB
width: 64 bits
clock: 667MHz (1.5ns)
*-bank:1
description: DIMM [empty]
product: ModulePartNumber01
vendor: Manufacturer01
physical id: 1
serial: [REMOVED]
slot: DIMM1
*-cpu:1
physical id: 1
bus info: cpu@1
version: 6.12.10
serial: [REMOVED]
size: 1650MHz
capabilities: ht
configuration: id=0
*-logicalcpu:0
description: Logical CPU
physical id: 0.1
capabilities: logical
*-logicalcpu:1
description: Logical CPU
physical id: 0.2
capabilities: logical
*-logicalcpu:2
description: Logical CPU
physical id: 0.3
capabilities: logical
*-logicalcpu:3
description: Logical CPU
physical id: 0.4
capabilities: logical
*-pci
description: Host bridge
product: N10 Family DMI Bridge
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 100
bus info: pci@0000:00:00.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
*-multimedia
description: Audio device
product: N10/ICH 7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1b
bus info: pci@0000:00:1b.0
version: 02
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=HDA Intel latency=0
resources: irq:16 memory:fe9fc000-fe9fffff
*-pci:0
description: PCI bridge
product: N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 1
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1c
bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pci pciexpress msi pm bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=pcieport
resources: irq:24 ioport:d000(size=4096) memory:fea00000-feafffff ioport:fbf00000(size=1048576)
*-network
description: Ethernet interface
product: RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller
vendor: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
physical id: 0
bus info: pci@0000:01:00.0
logical name: eth0
version: 03
serial: [REMOVED]
size: 10MB/s
capacity: 1GB/s
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi pciexpress msix vpd bus_master cap_list rom ethernet physical tp mii 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd 1000bt 1000bt-fd autonegotiation
configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=r8169 driverversion=2.3LK-NAPI duplex=half ip=[REMOVED] latency=0 link=yes multicast=yes port=MII speed=10MB/s
resources: irq:27 ioport:d800(size=256) memory:fbffb000-fbffbfff(prefetchable) memory:fbffc000-fbffffff(prefetchable) memory:feae0000-feafffff(prefetchable)
*-pci:1
description: PCI bridge
product: N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 2
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1c.1
bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.1
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pci pciexpress msi pm bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=pcieport
resources: irq:25 ioport:1000(size=4096) memory:feb00000-febfffff memory:80000000-801fffff(prefetchable)
*-network
description: Wireless interface
product: AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express)
vendor: Atheros Communications Inc.
physical id: 0
bus info: pci@0000:02:00.0
logical name: wlan0
version: 01
serial: [REMOVED]
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list ethernet physical wireless
configuration: broadcast=yes driver=ath9k ip=[REMOVED] latency=0 multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11bgn
resources: irq:17 memory:febf0000-febfffff
*-pci:2
description: PCI bridge
product: N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 3
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1c.2
bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.2
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pci pciexpress msi pm bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=pcieport
resources: irq:26 ioport:e000(size=4096) memory:fcf00000-fdffffff ioport:ce000000(size=301989888)
*-display
description: VGA compatible controller
product: GT218 [ION]
vendor: nVidia Corporation
physical id: 0
bus info: pci@0000:03:00.0
version: a2
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list rom
configuration: driver=nvidia latency=0
resources: irq:18 memory:fd000000-fdffffff memory:d0000000-dfffffff(prefetchable) memory:ce000000-cfffffff(prefetchable) ioport:ec00(size=128) memory:fcf80000-fcffffff(prefetchable)
*-multimedia
description: Audio device
product: High Definition Audio Controller
vendor: nVidia Corporation
physical id: 0.1
bus info: pci@0000:03:00.1
version: a1
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=HDA Intel latency=0
resources: irq:18 memory:fcf7c000-fcf7ffff
*-usb:0
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master
configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:23 ioport:cc00(size=32)
*-usb:1
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d.1
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.1
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master
configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:19 ioport:c880(size=32)
*-usb:2
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d.2
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.2
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master
configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:18 ioport:c800(size=32)
*-usb:3
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #4
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d.3
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.3
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: bus_master
configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:16 ioport:c480(size=32)
*-usb:4
description: USB Controller
product: N10/ICH 7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1d.7
bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.7
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pm debug bus_master cap_list
configuration: driver=ehci_hcd latency=0
resources: irq:23 memory:fe9fbc00-fe9fbfff
*-pci:3
description: PCI bridge
product: 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1e
bus info: pci@0000:00:1e.0
version: e2
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: pci bus_master cap_list
*-isa
description: ISA bridge
product: NM10 Family LPC Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1f
bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: isa bus_master cap_list
configuration: latency=0
*-ide
description: IDE interface
product: N10/ICH7 Family SATA IDE Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1f.2
bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.2
logical name: scsi0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 66MHz
capabilities: ide pm bus_master cap_list emulated
configuration: driver=ata_piix latency=0
resources: irq:19 ioport:b880(size=8) ioport:c400(size=4) ioport:c080(size=8) ioport:c000(size=4) ioport:bc00(size=16) memory:fe9fb800-fe9fbbff
*-disk
description: ATA Disk
product: ST98823AS
vendor: Seagate
physical id: 0.0.0
bus info: scsi@0:0.0.0
logical name: /dev/sda
version: 7.01
serial: [REMOVED]
size: 74GiB (80GB)
capabilities: partitioned partitioned:dos
configuration: ansiversion=5 signature=00087f97
*-volume:0
description: EXT4 volume
vendor: Linux
physical id: 1
bus info: scsi@0:0.0.0,1
logical name: /dev/sda1
logical name: /
version: 1.0
serial: [REMOVED]
size: 71GiB
capacity: 71GiB
capabilities: primary bootable journaled extended_attributes large_files huge_files dir_nlink recover extents ext4 ext2 initialized
configuration: created=2011-01-14 17:12:31 filesystem=ext4 lastmountpoint=/�����}�O������)�H� �=�/���)�~C!������������}�����)��)��� modified=2015-06-07 17:13:58 mount.fstype=ext4 mount.options=rw,relatime,errors=remount-ro,barrier=1,data=ordered mounted=2015-10-05 14:58:53 state=mounted
*-volume:1
description: Extended partition
physical id: 2
bus info: scsi@0:0.0.0,2
logical name: /dev/sda2
size: 3152MiB
capacity: 3152MiB
capabilities: primary extended partitioned partitioned:extended
*-logicalvolume
description: Linux swap / Solaris partition
physical id: 5
logical name: /dev/sda5
capacity: 3152MiB
capabilities: nofs
*-serial UNCLAIMED
description: SMBus
product: N10/ICH 7 Family SMBus Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 1f.3
bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.3
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33MHz
configuration: latency=0
resources: ioport:400(size=32)

[v3.xx]

my intent was to upgrade to the next (after 10.04) LTS release, which presumably is less demanding than 14.04 LTS.

True and 12.04 can run Unity in 2D mode, so maybe that will suit you. If not, the Fallback desktop can still be installed. Fallback uses the same window manager as your current 8.04 install (metacity).

[Dennis N]

We have the identical model (ID-11) to yours, but no longer use it. Originally (2010) it ran Ubuntu 10.04. Then I installed either Lubuntu or Xubuntu releases - the last installed was Xubuntu 14.04. Xubuntu 14.04 worked well, and I would recommend using that. It still has support period left.

I bought a Zotac ID-18 in Dec 2014 for $99 from Amazon.com and retired the ID-11 to storage. This one is UEFI, cool, quiet and very nice. A real bargain.

[mörgæs]

For an Atom it's a good idea to install a light Buntu like one of the suggestions mentioned here but there's no point in picking the old 12.04. The semi-old 14.04 X/Lubuntu or Mate are better choices.

You could also take 15.10 (beta) if you want the latest applications. Don't get scared by the 'beta' status, in my experience it is stable as of now.

Whatever you do, do a fresh install. Upgrades are risky.