Fresh Install or Upgrade

English Install/Boot/Login
1

What’s the general opinion on whether a fresh install of 11.2 or an upgrade from 11.1 would be easiest? Take the required back-up of data as read:)

I’m quite happy with my system just now, although I have a weakness for always having the latest version of anything. I have also installed a few extra programs (NetBeans, Eclipse) outwith the Package Manager and would like these to still be available after the upgrade/install.

Or do I curb my enthusiasm and stay with 11.1?

2

IMHO when considering an update to 11.2 … more important to ask is:

  • Did you look at the features being offered by 11.2 to see if there is anything specific there that you wish to get?
  • Are all the 3rd party apps that you like to use now ready for 11.2? *]Have you read any horror stories about your hardware not working with 11.2 ?
  • are there aspects to 11.1 that you do not like, and you have hope that 11.2 might address it ?

Having typed that, to answer your question, I always go for a clean install.

3

In my opinion both fresh install and upgrade are easy.
Your “weakness” is also mine … and I went to 11.2 essentially to take advantage of the newer KDE.

I opted for upgrade because I wanted to maintain most of configuration files, settings, options, etc. (am I lazy?) … and it worked that way.

My configuration is separate /home directory, i did a snapshot using clonezilla and a “manual” backup of most important data/files. Changed to “init 3”, set correct repos and “zypper dup”. No need of any of the backups.
Solved a problem with video driver (blank screen a no keyboard → advice: set non graphical start, it’s easier to fix video issues), a stupid thing with Virtualbox, wicd and k3b … and that’s all.

Now I’m a happy 11.2 user.

I will surely face (hard?) difficulties with novell client and groupwise client (I’m taking time now …), but thing were not smooth with 11.2 either …

Bye, bye, Good luck.

4

OK, thanks for the advice. I think I’ll wait until I’ve got some extra time on my hands to sort any issues.

I’ll try to remind myself of that when I knacker my installation through impatience…

5

Yeah, vote for a fresh install. You´ll notice the difference right away. :wink: