Contemplating updating / new install of LM22 from LM19 <Resolved>

[carver]

I'm wondering about updating or doing a new install to LM 22 from LM 19.1. I'm running LM 19.1 on an Acer Aspire E15. I don't remember exactly when I bought it, five years ago is my best guess. It is running fine on 19. I've completely removed Windows. So would it be worth it? Reading about 22 it looks to be somewhat more user friendly which is a plus as on occasion when I do get into the nuts and bolts of getting something to work or fixing a problem I'm still pretty much a newbie. Recently I failed to get an Epson 4180 scanner to work. Mint sees it but Xsane shows no driver available and I can't seem to get Epson's drivers to work. I recall reading somewhere that LM22 has something called driverless printing and scanning. Maybe a fix for my scanner issue? What are your thoughts and recommendations? Any warnings? Time to move to 22 or not?

Thanks for all the info. It helped. My current plan of action is to do a fresh install of 21.3. Scanner-wise I'm contemplating buying a new scanner. Hate to see the 4180 go but without a working driver.... Thanks again to all who replied.

[fatso]

Upgrade to LM22 was a disaster for me (too many things didn't work anymore, too many things got removed...including apps I paid for), and fresh install didn't help. Re-installed LM21.3, running a 6.5 kernel and all is good now.
Just my 2 cents.

[Schultz]

You're more than likely going to have to do a clean install as Mint 19 is long dead. It will be quicker anyway as you'd have to first go to 20, then 21, etc., if it would work at all. I don't have any input for your printer/scanner problems, but the time to upgrade is long past for version 19. By the way, how did you keep your browser up to date with Mint 19 being dead?

[carver]

Firefox version is 113.0.2 which is the version Software Manager shows as most recent. It is working fine. Maybe another reason to update. I found fatso's remarks interesting. Maybe I go with 21.3. Since you mentioned I'd have to step up one version at a time I am leaning heavy towards the fresh install.

[Jolly Roger]

Hi carver
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Usually before a request, it is useful to publish the Technical Characteristics of the PC, to help Users who wish to contribute.

Information before posting, link:

app.php/help/faq

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=83444

viewtopic.php?p=1806121#p1806121
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Alternative via Terminal Command (inxi) link:

https://github.com/smxi/inxi

https://smxi.org/docs/inxi-man.htm

Code: Select all

inxi -FxxxmJz

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Easy Linux Tips Project

https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/1.html


In the Help, it is indicated to do a New installation, since it is a new version, and many things have changed.
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End Support Linux Mint Distributions, link:

https://linuxmint-user-guide.readthedoc ... grade.html
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Usually, before installing, it is always best to check your PC for compatibility, via a Live USB stick, to see that everything is working properly,
see link:

https://www-alternativalinux-it.transla ... x_tr_hl=it
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More information, link:

https://www-alternativalinux-it.transla ... x_tr_hl=it
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Installed in Laboratory Test PC, (Lenovo ThinkCentre Edge 92Z / Intel Core i5-3470S / Seagate Disk HDD 500 GB / RAM 8 GB)
Linux Mint works reasonably well.

[Schultz]

Firefox version is 113.0.2 which is the version Software Manager shows as most recent. It is working fine. Maybe another reason to update. I found fatso's remarks interesting. Maybe I go with 21.3. Since you mentioned I'd have to step up one version at a time I am leaning heavy towards the fresh install.

That's because the version 19 repos are no longer maintained (being long since dead). FF is now up to (at least) version 129! I hope you weren't doing anything important on the web the last few years.

Fresh install is definitely the way to go. Version 21.3 will be maintained till April 2027.

[Professor_Slughorn]

Mint 21.3 and 22 use a newer version of Cups which should work better with a new printer. I use Mint 21.3 and had no issues getting an Epson ET 3830 to work.

Mint 19.3 – Cups version 2.27
Mint 21.3 – Cups version 2.41
Mint 22.0 – Cups version 2.47
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=mint
Cups - https://openprinting.github.io/

Your Epson 4180 is about 20 years old. The documentation has a copyright date of 2004. Not sure if a newer version of Mint will help.
https://files.support.epson.com/pdf/per418/per418bb.pdf

[AndyMH]

That printer is too old to support driverless printing.

For scanning, vuescan will work, it's not free but you can try it for free (scans are watermarked). You could try NAPS2, but I have a suspicion that if sane doesn't see it, NAPS2 won't.

[Swissfella]

Upgrade to LM22 was a disaster for me (too many things didn't work anymore, too many things got removed...including apps I paid for), and fresh install didn't help. Re-installed LM21.3, running a 6.5 kernel and all is good now.
Just my 2 cents.

Same here - avoid 22 Wilma like the plague. My laptop booted and then scrolled pages of code to stop me getting bored. I went back to Virginia asap and life is good again.

[AndyMH]

Update works for some and not others. I last tried it with LM19 to LM20. It didn't work, too many foreign packages and when I finally got it to boot there were issues. I always do a fresh install on a major version change. I'll be staying on LM21.3 for a while, there is nothing in LM22 that represents an improvement for me, in fact the opposite, pinta and qt5 settings no longer available in the standard repos to name the two I've found to date.