Attempting upgrade 14.04lts to 16.04lts

[grey1beard]

I ran sudo apt-get update, then apt-get upgrade, followed by backing up my 14.04 lts, on my RM 32bit laptop, onto an external hdd.

Went to Applications/System Tools/Administration/Software Updater, and ran it.
After it told me that the system was up-to-date, I then hit the Upgrade button.
Gave my password to authenticate, the pop up disappeared and that was the last thing that happened !

I tried it twice, but with the same result, so here I am, with a request for help.

I prefer to go this route, but if I am strongly advised to go by another one, I will gladly follow instructions.

John

[kerry_s]

sudo apt install update-manager-core
sudo do-release-upgrade

if you can a clean install is always the best way to go.

[grey1beard]

sudo apt install update-manager-core
sudo do-release-upgrade

Is that what you are referring to as a clean install, or would that the route via a new OS on a disc ?
Thanks for the quick reply, by the way.
John

[grey1beard]

update-manager-core is already the newest version.
update-manager-core set to manually installed.


john@john-RM:~$ sudo do-release-upgrade
[sudo] password for john:
Checking for a new Ubuntu release
No new release found

So what next ?
John

[kerry_s]

yeah i meant fresh from disc or usb

maybe it needs a flag, try " man do-release-upgrade " see what the manual says. not sure since i've always done fresh install.
i do remember seeing some using a " -d " for it. aka: sudo do-release-upgrade -d

[grey1beard]

sudo do-release-upgrade -d still gives the same 'no new release found', and the man page doesn't show anything that might be useful.

[mörgæs]

If you can live with 14.04 a few months more you can do a fresh install of 18.04, skipping 16.04.

[grey1beard]

At least 16.04 lts has been around for 2 years, so should have any initial problems sorted !

[ubfan1]

I second/third the new install route, but for the upgrade, take a look at "Software and Updates" under the "other software" tab, turn off any PPA sources (if set). Then run the update again and try the upgrade.

[grey1beard]

Thanks ubfan1, when my current(v.slow) download finishes, I'll give that a try.
John
EDIT there are also two 'independent' in the list of other software. Should I leave those, or turn those off as well ?

[ubfan1]

Uncheck everything under the "other software" tab, then after the upgrade, you may set them if you still need whatever they supply.

[oldos2er]

yeah i meant fresh from disc or usb

maybe it needs a flag, try " man do-release-upgrade " see what the manual says. not sure since i've always done fresh install.
i do remember seeing some using a " -d " for it. aka: sudo do-release-upgrade -d

"-d" means upgrade to a development (that is, pre-release) version. You really should warn people about what exactly it does, since not everyone is ok with running alpha or beta pre-release versions, especially LTS users.

[cruzer001]

To further add to oldos2er post:

If on 16.04 for the -d switch will upgrade to 18.04. The -d switch will do nothing when used on 14.04.

-d, --devel-release
If using the latest supported release, upgrade to the development release
The -d switch could be used to version upgrade a LTS before the first point release of the next LTS.

LTS systems are only automatically considered for an upgrade to the next LTS via do-release-upgrade with the first point release. So for example 14.04 will only upgrade once 16.04.1 is released. If you want to update before, e.g. on a subset of machines to evaluate the LTS upgrade for your setup the same argument as an upgrade to a dev release has to be used via the -d switch.
https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/serverguide/installing-upgrading.html

So just be careful how you use it.

[grey1beard]

Thank you for the cautionary comments, good people.
I do have 16.04 on a usb stick ready for a fresh install, but have yet to take the step of re-ordering my boot up sequence.
One other thing that concerns me is the possible/probable/certain loss of all my 'remembered' passwords on various sites that I am frequently logging in to.
I did suffer the effects of this on a recent 'clear all history' action I took, and then regretted it !
Which of these options will likely occur ?
Many thanks for your help,
John

[Irihapeti]

Sorry to be a bore, but please do a backup before you begin. Many have skipped this and regretted it. :cry:

You could keep your passwords in a password program such as keepass/keepassx. Even if you don't use it for everyday logging in, you at least have a record of them.

[grey1beard]

Thanks for your input.
Yes, as noted in my OP, I have done a back up as the first step, onto an external hdd.
Not familiar with password keepers of any type.
Do I have to type then all in, or does the software automagically extract them with just a couple of clicks ?
John

[Irihapeti]

I know that some of the password keepers allow you to import using a .csv file.

I'm less clear about how to get passwords out of Firefox or other browser; it's been a long time since I've saved passwords in a browser.