I normally start using the new versions of Ubuntu when it enters the last part of the alpha stage. I always did a clean install until now. I was going to upgrade when Ubuntu released the 5th alpha version of Ubuntu 8.04, but I changed my mind when I saw the list of open issues. Some of the major issues were resolved when Ubuntu released the final alpha version. I thought I would do an upgrade from Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon to Ubuntu 8.04 instead of doing a clean install of Ubuntu 8.04. I wanted to see how smooth Ubuntu upgrade goes from an end user point of view.
I started the upgrade process by starting the update manager from a terminal (using update-manager -d command). The upgrade took around 20-30 minutes. I was twice prompted during the upgrade to select either the latest version or the package maintainer’s version (I think one was for Samba. I don’t remember the other one). I selected the package maintainer’s version (though I wanted to go with the default option which was current or new version, don’t remember the exact wordings). After the upgrade was done, I rebooted the system as Ubuntu requested me.
When I rebooted the system, my laptop’s touchpad was not working, but the keyboard was working. I entered the username and password and pressed enter. The system just hung. It didn’t login. I tried 2-3 times rebooting, but it didn’t work. I then downloaded the Ubuntu 8.04 ISO image through my desktop and burnt it to a CD. I then rebooted the laptop and installed Ubuntu 8.04 alpha 6 from the CD. I formatted the boot, root and swap partitions and left the home partition untouched. I was prompted only once this time, for Samba. I selected the default option. The installation was done, rebooted my system and voilà!!! I could login and got my system back. All my preferences were left untouched, my Firefox bookmarks was there since I left the home directory untouched.
The overall experience was mixed. I’m not sure if the installation would have gone smooth if I had gone with the default option when prompted, during the upgrade. If you are not a technical person, then this upgrade snafu would raise your blood pressure since you are left with a non workable system. It would still be an issue if you want to install through the CD as I did, if you don’t have a separate partition for your home directory and you haven’t backed up your files (I did a backup before I started this experiment). I would still rate the upgrade from one version of Ubuntu to a newer version much superior than the upgrade from Window XP to Windows Vista. This might not be the case with everyone. Caution: Always back up your files before you upgrade.
Update: I forgot to write that Ubuntu 8.04 detected my wifi card without any problem, but the issue is, the light that shows if my wireless connection is on and is working, is not working. The light stays off even when my wireless is working fine. There is no problem with the light since it works when I boot into Windows and it worked fine until Hardy upgrade. I hope they fix this before the final release.
Technorati Tags: Ubuntu 8.04, Ubuntu 7.10, Gutsy Gibbon, Hardy Heron, Windows XP, Windows Vista
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