install update, does it leave /etc type, config, files intact?

[lugoteehalt]

Want to upgrade to Debian Etch from Sarge from CD.

Presumably there's an 'update' option in the installer. Have never used this before.

Do I still get to decide what is installed? (I mean, it doesn't just update everything on the computer does it?)

Are the configuration files left alone, like the ones in /etc for example? Thanks any help.

[saikee]

If it is from a CD I think you only get the alternative of keeping the existing partitions by not formatting them. The new files would be overwritten onto the old ones. It may not always work because the mixture of old and new files may cause the new version to pick the wrong one to load.

Don't think Debian is one but some distros have kernels calling the same hard disk devices by different names or by different method and so the content of /etc may have to be revised accordingly.

It of course possible to do a clean install by putting Etch on a new partition or a set of partitions if you Gparted or Parted Magic to resize the existing partitions. The files may be transferred or simply mounted on the new version.

[lugoteehalt]

Thanks saikee. Haven't got room for more partitions. How about I archive the config files using ?debconf - back this up and then do a standard install?

[saikee]

As long as you can get a copy of your data then you are safe to do a clean install (formatting the partitions) or a dirty install (not formatting the partitions).

I prefer cloning the disk (http://www.justlinux.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=149328), put away the original as a back up and do what I like with the cloned copy. That way I always have a good working copy to go back to.

[bwkaz]

Is there a reason you have to do the upgrade from the CD? If your internet connection is slow, then I could see that, I guess.

If you can install packages from the internet, you could just change /etc/apt/sources.list to point to Etch, then apt-get dist-upgrade -- that will upgrade all your packages in one go (assuming it's possible), and leave your config files intact. It may require some manual intervention though, I'm not sure.

Actually, you might be able to update sources.list to point to the Sarge CD, and do the same thing. You'd have to figure out the syntax though; I don't know it offhand.

[paj12]

apt-cdrom add
Then put the CD in the drive and press Enter. You can then run "aptitude dist-upgrade" to upgrade the system. How successful this is will depend on how complete the CD you have is. If the CD is lacking upgraded versions of some packages installed on your system, you could end up with dependency problems.

I would second the recommendation for an internet upgrade if it's at all possible. Maybe you can get a local internet cafe to let you bring your computer in and plug it in. Failing that, you might try one of the CD vendors at http://www.debian.org/CD/vendors/#uk. Many of them have a deal where you can get the entire Debian archive on a set of 3 DVDs. http://thelinuxstore.ca/ will do this for about $15 USD, but they only serve North America.

[lugoteehalt]

Great thanks all. I'll think about it.

May just do an ordinary install - at the moment there are vast ammounts of uneeded stuff.