The Ubuntu developers issue new desktop and server releases every six months. That gives us, the user the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer.

With the frequency that the developers issue the new releases, as users, now we are tasked to upgrade our operating systems to the current release. How do we do it, shall we reformat our system or simply go to the process of upgrading? I’ll prefer the latter, as this is more straightforward and simpler.

I’ve tried this and I should say that the process worked without much of a hassle. I’ve upgraded my system from Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid to Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty. The following are the steps that I did:

1. Check the installed edition on the terminal screen using any of the following commands;

lsb_release -a

or

cat /etc/issue.net

2. Configure software sources, from the menu bar; System -> Administration -> Software sources

3. In Software sources, select the server from where the upgrade will be downloaded from.

4. (Optional, but recommended) Select Best Server as this gives shortest download time.

5. Ubuntu determines the best server.

6. On the “Updates” tab, Release upgrade, “Show new distribution releases”, choose “Normal releases”

7. Close the “Software sources” window. Then proceed with the upgrade process: System->Administration->Update Manager

8. Click the “Upgrade” button to initiate the upgrade.

9. The “Release Notes” screen apperas, click on the “Upgrade” button.

10. System downloads the upgrade tool.

11. System asks to input password to perform administrative tasks.

12. System prompts for final confirmation to start upgrading.

13. System starts the Upgrade.

14. After upgrading, system cleans out-dated files.

15. After cleaning, the system prompts to restart

16. The new login screen appears.

17. After login, verify that system is already upgraded.

That’s it! Your system has been upgraded to the new release.

Good luck !

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