Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Upgrading your distro should come with a warning




It's that time of year again when a lot of the major distros are putting out new releases, and people are clambering to get the new versions installed. But there are two camps of people in this rush to get the latest and greatest. The upgraders, who prefer to leave their computer as is, and hit the "upgrade" button, hoping to come back to their computers in a couple hours and revel in their shiny new OS. Then there are those who prefer the "clean install" by backing up any important stuff, wiping the drive, and starting from scratch. But is the upgrade method really worth it?



After years of hanging out in various linux forums, I have come to the conclusion that upgrading is not worth it. Time after time, I see tons of posts after a release, such as: "sound/video/network/boot/application no longer works after upgrade. If you don't believe me, just head over to ubuntuforums.org and see for yourself. But this is by no means limited to ubuntu, but am just using them as an example because of their recent release.

Sure, there are people who have not done a clean install in years, and have upgraded successfully release after release. But I tend to think they are the exception, and not the norm. But why is upgrading such a risky business? I do not have the answer to this, as I am not a developer or programmer. All I know is the end result.

What can be done about this? I strongly believe that upgrading should come with a warning such as: "Please backup any important data before upgrading distro X, as sometimes the upgrade process can lead to instability of your system. It is recommended that you do a clean install at this time." Or something along those lines. The linux communities being inundated with cries for help after upgrades gone bad is simply unacceptable. It leaves a bad taste in people's mouths, and they tend to blame the new OS for being bad, rather than blaming the upgrade process itself.



When you think about it, it's really not surprising that upgrades go bad so easily. The new OS has to overwrite system files, settings, put in new drivers, config files and deal with mild fragmentation. To me, it makes absolute sense to wipe the drive and start over fresh. This way, you are all but guaranteed better results.

But, as you may be thinking, "I have too many files to backup, and too many apps and tweaks to the system. I do not want to go through setting it up again." Lack of planning is why people don't want to clean install. Why keep all your valuable data on the same partition as your OS? Simply by making a storage partition and keeping all important data there will keep you from having to backup before reinstalling. Mind you, it is still important to backup your stuff to an external source such as hard drive or flash drive.

Also, do you really need every config file in /home to be transferred to the new install? Simply by choosing the most important ones such as .mozilla/.thunderbird/.opera etc. you will save a lot of time and hassle. I never make a separate /home directory. Ask any linux guru who's been around, and they will tell you about config files in /home messing with a new version of application X.

You could also make a text file with all of your apps you need and run it in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install vlc gecko-mediaplyer gthumb glabels k3b seamonkey

You get the idea.

With a little bit of planning, you will actually find that clean installing can be quicker and less painful than upgrading. Thoughts and experiences with this?

59 comments:

  1. I agree - just do a fresh install. In addition to a separate /home partition, I also set up my drives with an extra OS partition. That way, if the new install is borked you can just go back to using what previously worked.

    The only adjustment I make to /home before upgrading is to move the desktop settings directory ($HOME/.kde in my case) out of the way.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's great if it works for you, but I've never been a fan of separate home partitions. Like I said in the article, I just save the "important" config files like .mozilla/.thunderbird and such. Any other configuring I need to do after installing can be done rather quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're right. I had problems upgrading from Jaunty to Karmic, and upgrading from Karmic to Lucid completely toasted grub. After fiddling with grub command line with no success, i downloaded Lucid alternate install on another computer, burned to cd and just did repair grub.

    Next time, doing a wipe-and-install.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It depends on what you use the box for, for my server I have to go the upgrade route, but for my desktops upgrade or clean install whichever works with a particular distro.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ironically, the most stable I've found is to run Debian testing ... there's no mass upgrade of your distro. You just get new versions of packages as they trickle into the testing repository. My experience is that you see very few bugs in debian testing, and that packages are pretty solid by the time they get there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. His-Curmudoness is correct. I've had similar experience, but I'm more curmudgoney than anyone.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just compress the /home directory into a rar and unpack if you do a fresh install...then you'll have to set the permissions of course.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fully agree. I always tell users to do a clean install of an operating system - whether it is Ubuntu 9.10 to 10.04 or Windows Xp to Windows 7

    ~Jeff Hoogland

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jeff's sentiments hit it on the head. It's not just a linux issue, but an OS issue. I have also seen windows upgrades go bad.

    And yeah, using Debian testing can alleviate some issues, but linux noobs barely know of ubuntu, much less other distros.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I choose another option: never touch a running system. Personally, I find the benefits a bit thin compared to the risks and the time involved. If there is an application I really want, I'll compile it from scratch. Problem solved. Installing is not something I really like to do, it takes just too much time until I got "my" system back. I especially "like" manually installing the cross compilers I need for development. Takes most part of a day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Never touching a running system is another option. However, that's not possible for those of us that report bugs and try new things, so that people like you can sit back and "never touch a running system".

    But that' OK. I enjoy doing it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I found myself incredibly lucky this time around. The "upgrade install" appeared to be working right up until it just quite, and I suddenly had no GUI (nor much no how).

    This added about 2 hours of me simply trying to "fix broken packages" in GRUB so that I could then do what I should have done in the first place: back up my files before the upgrade.

    I wont make that mistake again.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mmm, Debian.

    I had many failed *buntu upgrades in the past, but never a failed Debian upgrade. Once you're done with the *buntu, the next 'fresh install' that you do should be to Debian Testing (or Debian Sid, for the more experienced users).

    ReplyDelete
  14. My kind of thinking! :-) I'm an avid proponent of testing out new distros in their own partition (and, while in alpha/beta, in their own virtual machine!!). It's grand to know there are other people who feel the same way, because I tell other people to avoid the upgrade path when they are trying out new distros... with limited success :-(

    ReplyDelete
  15. fuck it, I just hit the upgrade button. Always have, always will. And always put home on a separate partition, that way when you get tired of one OS you can lay down another one right in its place and still have all your data. I've done it many times.

    ReplyDelete
  16. tripple boot and a storage partition
    this work bench computer has 8.04 and 10.04
    10.04 should be settled when 10.10 arrives
    then 8.04 partition becomes the playground.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I always upgrade, and haven't had an upgrade borked so bad I couldn't fix it in place in a long time, since the first year or so I used linux (switched in '98). But then again, I write operating system code for a living.

    Also, it's possible to do a clean install that preserves your home directory without a separate home partition, it's just tricky and not supported in "automatic" mode.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ubuntu upgrades have *always* been frought with difficulty and danger =D. IMO Ubuntu is a buggy and badly patched version of Debian and the purer waters lie upstream for those that are willing to climb the mountain.

    ReplyDelete
  19. btrfs system roll backs straight from grub are being considered as one future solution to your problem.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your tips about ubuntu are so helpful you're a genius guy, in the other hand I hate Microsoft too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. hello, i think that this post is very goodl, i would like to read more about this topic.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is an interesting information, I like your blog, Thanks very much! Keep posting....

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hey,
    Really this is very interesting and informative blog post. Thanks a lot for the share....

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for the nice blog. It was very useful for me. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. This was actually what I was looking for, and I am glad to came here! Thanks for sharing the such information with us.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would like read more information about this, is very interesting! Thanks for the information. A worth bookmarking blog. I would be reading your articles regularly from now on.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nice post. really very interesting things are said in this post. keep up the good job dude.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I could tell that we’re on the same interest and obsession. Good to know someone I could share my ideas. Looking forward to know and learn some more from you. I'll be glad to share my own thoughts to you soon. Thank you for sharing such valuable articles. More power!

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is what I have been searching in many websites and I finally found it here. Amazing article. I am so impressed. Could never think of such a thing is possible with it...I think you have a great knowledge especially while dealings with such subjects.
    Home Automation Systems

    ReplyDelete
  29. Actually like your websites details! Undoubtedly a wonderful provide of data that is extraordinarily helpful. Keep on to hold publishing and i'm gonna proceed reading by way of!

    ReplyDelete
  30. its really a nice one.thanks a lot for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  31. It is magnificent to know that there are others who feel the same way, thanks

    ReplyDelete
  32. I believe it finally give windows a run for there money. Then we will al be free

    ReplyDelete
  33. I don't suppose I've read anything like this before. So nice to find somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this website is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality.

    ReplyDelete
  34. "The topic that you have discussed in the post is really amazing, I think now I have a strong hold over the topic after going through the post. I will surely come back for more information. "

    ReplyDelete
  35. I’m very impressed with your interesting post. It has astonishing information. I appreciate with your great, but there is a need to little bit improve in your writing skill..

    ReplyDelete
  36. Honestly saying, excellent work. Today I have learn a new information from Your article. Thank you for posting, I am so glad by finding this link.

    ReplyDelete
  37. All Data in your Article is complete and Informative. It includes so many interesting facts. I am realy impressed with your Grt job Keep it up, I am waiting for your next Updation

    ReplyDelete
  38. I believe the things you whatever you have enclosed, all the way throughout the post are peaceful striking, good job and great hard work. I found it very striking and enjoyed reading all of it...stay it up, good-looking job. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  39. Such a very informatics post, as I have browsed the majority of your posts. But I found this post is almost certainly where I got the most useful information for my research. It is really very interesting to read this particular post. I just would like to say thanks for your great efforts.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Truly a great work is here. This is the article to whom I was searching for a long time and now I found it here, I enjoy after finding this precious post and also would like to say thanks to you for such a informative post. You have done a very impressive work.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I enjoyed reading you post. Usually writing skills is attained via practice: e. I am sharing it with my other friends on social networking sites, as the information is really very useful. Keep sharing your excellent work.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Very nice and useful information. Why not write a book about this particular subject. For today’s economic variation and be short of of opportunities, it actually will be a very hot topic. Thanks a lot

    ReplyDelete
  43. My friends love this post that carry a high profile stuff. thanks for all that.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Positively an incredible work is here. This is the article to whom I was hunting down quite a while and now I discovered it here, I get a charge out of in the wake of discovering this valuable post and likewise might want to say on account of you for such a useful post. You have done an extremely amazing work.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Upgrading your distro i agree with this keep it up

    ReplyDelete
  46. Finally I found a great site. All articles are written by very intelligent people. And I want to share this with you. You must be mentioned here that has something for everyone.Buy Facebook Fans

    ReplyDelete
  47. Very nice and useful information. All articles are written by very intelligent people.The only adjustment I make to /home before upgrading is to move the desktop settings directory ($HOME/.kde in my case) out of the way.

    Movies Jackets

    ReplyDelete
  48. I am really excited about the trailer which is going to get released in the coming month. I am sure that the visual effects works are going to get you a lot of fans. Thanks for sharing the updated, links and information. Keep posting.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I like what your blog stands for. this is my first time and here and I am pleased that i was able to find such an excellent resource for travel information. i have bookmarked your site and will be back to what new blog posts you create moving forward.

    ReplyDelete
  50. All articles are written by very intelligent people. And I want to share this with you. You must be mentioned here that has something for everyone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been waiting for someone to share this post. This has actually made me think and I hope to read more.Social Media Marketing Manchester

      Delete
    2. A lot of companies have chosen to downsize, and maybe that was the right thing for them. We chose a different path. Our belief was that if we kept putting great products in front of customers, they would continue to open their wallets.
      Glass Curtains Malaga

      Delete
    3. The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.
      Provigil

      Delete
  51. All articles are written by very intelligent people. And I want to share this with you. You must be mentioned here that has something for everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I have learned how effective social blogging can bring awareness and changes in the society. Such good sites are rare to find on the internet and I am glad that I have landed here.

    ReplyDelete
  53. ecift Check out the number of eCift.com Fans on this Facebook Page and other interesting statistics like people talking about and much more.


    ReplyDelete
  54. This blog is providing beautiful news about about the Liberian Educational Sector. It is nice to know about it this is useful information. And such blogs makes us familiar with the whole world.Social Media Marketing Manchester

    ReplyDelete
  55. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the random misinformation t hat's at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this best posting. Door Casing

    ReplyDelete
  56. No man succeeds without a good woman behind him. Wife or mother, if it is both, he is twice blessed indeed.
    Sleeping Tablets Online

    ReplyDelete