Updating my Linux Mint 17.2

[teosebastian]

Hello guys, after a few hours of reading about this Operation System I finally decided to try it out. I used Unetbootin to create a Live version of Linux Mint, but I did not realize, that it was an older version (17.2). Then I installed it on my computer, so now I have a dualboot: Windows 7 and Linux Mint 17.2 (Linux has 31.5GB - is it enough?). When the next version of Linux comes out (19) I want to upgrade it, but I do not really know how. Is there anybody who could explain this to me?
Thank you so much and sorry for my (probably) bad English.

[karlchen]

Hello, teosebastian.

Sorry to say so, but there will be no officially supported direct upgrade path from Mint 17.2 to Mint 19.
So in case you wish to switch to Mint 19, you will have to backup your data and re-install Mint 19 on the same disk partition where Mint 17.2 lives now.

Best regards,
Karl

[teosebastian]

Oh, I understand. I thought that it would be easier. But I will try my best to do it somehow. What if I try a Live version of 19 (when it will be available) and install it - will be there a button, where I can replace this version of Linux Mint (17.2)? Because when I was installing Linux, there was an option to install it on dual-boot or to replace Windows.

[karlchen]

Hello, teosebastian.

I am afraid, but I have the next disappointing piece of news. On dual boot systems like yours (and mine), where there is Windows and a Linux system, the Linux installer is not smart enough to suggest replacing the existing Linux system by a newer Linux Mint system.
You will have to use the installation option [Something else ..] and then instruct the installer precisely on which disk partition to install Linux Mint 19, by selecting the disk partition where there is now Mint 17.2.

If you open a terminal inside Mint 17.2, execute the commandline

Code: Select all

sudo fdisk -l

(note, the option is hyphen lowercase L), mark the complete screen output and paste it in your next reply, then it should be possible to identify precisely which disk partitions are in use by Mint 17.2.
These will be the partitions which the installer will have to re-use when you install Mint 19 in the future.

Regards,
Karl

[teosebastian]

Thank you for helping me

Code: Select all

Disk /dev/sda: 160.0 GB, 160041885696 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 19457 cylinders, total 312581808 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xca9ab9dd

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sda1   *        2048      206847      102400    7  HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sda2          206848   125011967    62402560    7  HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sda3       125011968   166955007    20971520    7  HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sda4       166957054   312580095    72811521    f  W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sda5       166957056   246121125    39582035    7  HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sda6       246122496   310484991    32181248   83  Linux
/dev/sda7       310487040   312580095     1046528   82  Linux swap / Solaris

[Hoser Rob]

It's not so hard to install over an existing Linux partition using the "something else" option. I've done this a n umber of times and the GUI will clearly show which partition has the Linux on it. It'll be the big ext4 format one.

I've seen a lot of beginner issues installing Linux that seem to stem from doing a lot of manual steps that I've never needed.

[karlchen]

Hello, teosebastian.

The 2 disk partitions which you will have to re-use when installing Mint 19 some day are:

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   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
[...]
/dev/sda6       246122496   310484991    32181248   83  Linux
/dev/sda7       310487040   312580095     1046528   82  Linux swap / Solaris

/dev/sda6, filesystem type ext4, mount point / (root filesystem)
/dev/sda7, swap device, no mount point
The installer will list them as /dev/sda6 and /dev/sda7 as well.

Regards,
Karl

[all41]

Even if there was an upgrade path I would still suggest the steps in karlchen's 1st reply.

A fresh installation makes much more sense considering the major differences in the Mint 19 release,
and personally I have never been pleased with upgrades, even within the same release series, and have always
reinstalled fresh, replacing the upgraded system. At least then I know I am not carrying forward any errors or cruft
leftover from removed applications.

After a fresh install I usually leave most of the backed-up personal files on the backup drive until I actually need them.
Same with software--I install apps only as I actually need them, as opposed to batch installing every app installed in
the old release.

Some may want all the apps from the old release installed and ready to go.
'Aptik' in the repositories that may be useful in this situation.

[JerryF]

...
Windows 7 and Linux Mint 17.2 (Linux has 31.5GB - is it enough?)
...

31.5GB for Linux is a bit small if you plan on storing files in Home. You'll soon run out of space.

If one of those HPFS/NTFS/exFAT partitions is for files, then 31.5GB for just the Linux system should be ok.

[KBD47]

31 gb I'd use a single partition with root. I've installed Mint on 32gb usb sticks (full install) single partition without issue. Just keep in mind not much room for extras, but plenty of room for software.
I'd choose 'something else' during install, look hard at the partition to choose the right one (mint), double click on it, set for ext4 with mount point (/) drop down box usually has that, go ahead and tick the format box, then be careful where you install grub. Not sure how you did that the first time, but probably sda.

[Moem]

Mod note: rawill's questions are now here.