where is the ‘How To’ upgrading from 12.3 to 13.1?
I looked …and nothing is obvious for my brain…I googled it and its on another site…
How To Upgrade From openSUSE 12.3 To openSUSE 13.1 | Unixmen
omg that was like several layers deep after clicking to find that yes?
At a glance its very intimidating, allot to do on a command line …
way too complicated and out of the way still for the obvious idea of bumping up from 12.3 to 13.1.
How about a simple “Upgrade” link right off the download page? with a step by step walk through? or a video? for lamers like me.
“Start the openSUSE installation and pick new Installation instead of Upgrade”
whats wrong with just clicking ‘upgrade’…? why even have that option if you just want to upgrade?:sarcastic:
Its most likely obvious that people are going to want to upgrade from 12.3 . Not having a direct upgrade link on the download page is …uhm ‘strange’.
yes I’m a stranger to all this .
Thanks for the link btw. yes that was what I was looking for, but not as complicated.
???
Just boot from the installation medium and select “Upgrade an existing installation”.
Nothing to do on the command line there.
See here for a detailed explanation: SDB:Offline upgrade - openSUSE
(there is a link to that on the Online Upgrade page…)
whats wrong with just clicking ‘upgrade’…? why even have that option if you just want to upgrade?:sarcastic:
Who said there’s anything wrong with it?
alanbortu gave you a link to a page describing how you could do an online upgrade, i.e. without an installation medium, in the running system.
There’s a link there to the offline upgrade as well, which you do by booting of the installation medium and choose “Upgrade an existing system”.
Its most likely obvious that people are going to want to upgrade from 12.3 . Not having a direct upgrade link on the download page is …uhm ‘strange’.
yes I’m a stranger to all this .
Thanks for the link btw. yes that was what I was looking for, but not as complicated.
Why would you need a link on the download page?
Isn’t it obvious that you would need to boot the downloaded installation medium? And what to choose when you are asked if you want to “Install a new system” or “Upgrade an existing system”?
It’s not really that complicated… 
wolfi323 wrote:
> Why would you need a link on the download page?
> Isn’t it obvious that you would need to boot the downloaded installation
> medium? And what to choose when you are asked if you want to “Install a
> new system” or “Upgrade an existing system”?
> It’s not really that complicated…
I don’t think it’s obvious. The download page states that some of the
downloads are suitable for upgrades, but doesn’t provide any hint at all
as to how to go about it. I think it’s reasonable that it should provide
a link to http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Offline_upgrade.
The front page http://www.opensuse.org/en/ also only provides a link to
the online upgrade, and you have toread quite a long way and quite
carefully on that page to realize that offline upgrade is an option that
might be quite sensible (I for one would never do an online upgrade)
So I think alienbee’s comments are useful, constructive criticism that
could usefully be acted upon.
As to making a video, perhaps alienbee would like to contribute one 
I don’t quite agree there.
The link is in the Summary, i.e. the first section. So you don’t really “have to read quite a long way”…
So I think alienbee’s comments are useful, constructive criticism that
could usefully be acted upon.
I didn’t want to put down his comment.
I just wanted to point out to him that you can upgrade using the DVD, and that it is mentioned on the online upgrade page as well.
And I still think that it’s obvious to boot from the installation DVD after downloading it to do the actual install/upgrade.
But well, if somebody wants to add such a link, I will say nothing against it…
But there is already a link to Portal:Installation - openSUSE on the right side where it says “Getting Help”…
wolfi323 wrote:
> djh-novell;2605740 Wrote:
>> The front page ‘openSUSE.org’ (http://www.opensuse.org/en/) also only
>> provides a link to
>> the online upgrade, and you have toread quite a long way and quite
>> carefully on that page to realize that offline upgrade is an option that
>> might be quite sensible (I for one would never do an online upgrade)
> I don’t quite agree there.
> The link is in the Summary, i.e. the first section. So you don’t really
> “have to read quite a long way”…
The link is in the last line of a 17-line section that follows a whole
load of guff, so yes not only do you have to read quite a long way, but
you have to read quite carefully to even spot the link.
>> So I think alienbee’s comments are useful, constructive criticism that
>> could usefully be acted upon.
> I didn’t want to put down his comment.
> I just wanted to point out to him that you can upgrade using the DVD,
> and that it is mentioned on the online upgrade page as well.
>
> And I still think that it’s obvious to boot from the installation DVD
> after downloading it to do the actual install/upgrade.
> But well, if somebody wants to add such a link, I will say nothing
> against it…
It sounds to me like you are actively seeking to push the view that
there’s no problem. The reality is that when people bother to report
that they found something confusing, it’s usually best to try to remove
the source of confusion, even if you personally do not find it confusing.
> But there is already a link to ‘Portal:Installation - openSUSE’
> (http://en.opensuse.org/Portal:Installation) on the right side where it
> says “Getting Help”…
That link is labelled “Installation Guides” which is not something I
would click on to find advice about upgrading! And even if you do click
on it, it doesn’t say anything about upgrading except for a couple of
links that are not in the main body of advice. I had to search the page
to find them 
Again, you seem to be clutching at any straw rather than admit there
might be ways to improve the site.
On 2013-12-06 12:02, Dave Howorth wrote:
> I don’t think it’s obvious. The download page states that some of the
> downloads are suitable for upgrades, but doesn’t provide any hint at all
> as to how to go about it. I think it’s reasonable that it should provide
> a link to http://en.opensuse.org/SDB:Offline_upgrade.
Well, that’s true. As that page is not a wiki, to add that you have to
request it from… who? Dunno really. The webmaster perhaps.
> The front page http://www.opensuse.org/en/ also only provides a link to
> the online upgrade, and you have toread quite a long way and quite
> carefully on that page to realize that offline upgrade is an option that
> might be quite sensible (I for one would never do an online upgrade)
That’s because the people that wrote that wiki were not aware of the
offline method. When I wrote the offline method page (months or years
later), I had to find a place where to write a reference in the online
method page to the offline method page, and had to wait months before it
was accepted and visible. You are right, it should also be in the
“related articles” section.
And I can not add a link on the front page to it, either.
True, the installation portal does not list the upgrade methods.
(notice that the installation link refers to the activedoc server, not
the wiki).
> So I think alienbee’s comments are useful, constructive criticism that
> could usefully be acted upon.
>
> As to making a video, perhaps alienbee would like to contribute one
You could ask on the wiki forum, or the wiki mail list. But, this is an
area that sorely needs contributors.
Perhaps a comment can be added on the “discussion” link of those pages.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
Well, a Webbrowser normally highlights the link. So IMHO it should stand out at first sight.
But anyway. Just forget what I wrote.
>> So I think alienbee’s comments are useful, constructive criticism that
>> could usefully be acted upon.
> I didn’t want to put down his comment.
> I just wanted to point out to him that you can upgrade using the DVD,
> and that it is mentioned on the online upgrade page as well.
>
> And I still think that it’s obvious to boot from the installation DVD
> after downloading it to do the actual install/upgrade.
> But well, if somebody wants to add such a link, I will say nothing
> against it…
It sounds to me like you are actively seeking to push the view that
there’s no problem. The reality is that when people bother to report
that they found something confusing, it’s usually best to try to remove
the source of confusion, even if you personally do not find it confusing.
I’m not trying to push anything. I’m just stating my opinion. Like you do, or anybody else here.
And I wanted to point alienbee to the offline upgrade page.
I guess one source of confusion here was, that he got presented the online upgrade link in the first place, although he actually wanted to do an offline upgrade.
Again, you seem to be clutching at any straw rather than admit there
might be ways to improve the site.
No. Of course you can always improve something.
You are putting words in my mouth here.
And why should I admit (or not want to admit) that the page could be improved anyway?
It’s not my page.
If you want to improve it, just do it or make someone do it. I won’t hinder you. And I won’t criticise you either for doing that.
I also tried to find the pages via google the other day and found I was baffled to find the proper pages. I too find this a ridiculous situation and wonder why the upgrade can not be found at the top of google search or why it is not on opensuse site.
I only read the OP first post so maybe this is solved now but the point is I had many problems finding the same info the other day. Are we all getting the same google results??, this should be easy to verify.
Apparently not. What keywords did you google for?
I get this:
http://susepaste.org/images/39780539.png
So the german openSUSE upgrade page is the first result, and the english one is still at rank #4, after two other german results.
Sorry, I had to do it in Windows right now…
If you click Get It! on the opensuse.org site you are directed to the download page.
This is what the download page <http://software.opensuse.org/131/en> offers: (emphasis added)
Live GNOME
A GNOME desktop you can run from DVD or from USB stick.
Can be installed as is (no upgrade).
Live KDE
A KDE desktop you can run from DVD or from USB stick.
Can be installed as is (no upgrade).
Rescue
Rescue system that you can run from CD or from USB stick.
Can not be used for neither installation nor upgrade.
Network
Downloads the installation system and all packages from online repositories.
Suitable for installation or upgrade.
In other words, the opensuse download page states that of the 4 download options available (the 5th is for oS Derivatives) only the net iso can be used for upgrading.
Apparently, that is not the case. Other iso images can be used for upgrading, as well as “zypper dup”. So yes, the option to upgrade from the previous version could be explained more clearly.
I also have a question: I have not yet upgraded from v. 12.3. Which upgrade method is preferable? (I have a v. 13.1 Net Install disk ready, if that is the best method).
Thanks in advance for the orientation.
Please d_hinds,
Your contribution to the present subject is appreciated. But when you have new question of yourself, then please do not litter this thread, but make a thread of your own with a title that expresses the essence of your question. That is the best way to draw attention to your problem.
You missed the first one which should be expanded by default:
**4.7GB DVD (also suitable for USB stick)**
Contains a large collection of software for desktop or server use.
Suitable for installation or upgrade.
Apparently, that is not the case. Other iso images can be used for upgrading, as well as “zypper dup”. So yes, the option to upgrade from the previous version could be explained more clearly.
Wrong, you cannot do an upgrade with the LiveCDs, only a fresh install.
And you cannot install/upgrade with the RescueCD as stated.
And “zypper dup” is not really something you would download on the Download Page, would you?
So there is **one **other option to do an upgrade (other than “zypper up”): the full DVD iso, which you didn’t list for some reason.
I also have a question: I have not yet upgraded from v. 12.3. Which upgrade method is preferable? (I have a v. 13.1 Net Install disk ready, if that is the best method).
If you already have the Net Install disk ready, just use this. But you have to have a working Internet connection during the upgrade of course, because this one downloads all packages from the online repos.
I always use either this or the “zypper dup” method for my upgrades…
Understood. (Although rather than litter, I consider my query to be a logical addition to the original theme, which may explain why I received an additional response. IAC, I’ll remember that for next time, hcvv).
True, that was up above the choices for the type of connect and number of bits. (It requires a large download and burning a DVD, however). I copied and pasted the rest of the options verbatim.
No it is isn’t a download, it’s keystrokes in a terminal.
I guess I didn’t see it.
Yes, I have a working connection and have used net installs to install openSUSE before. There seems to be a larger number of options and I have had better results than with the larger iso images.
And that was my question: Whether the Net Install or zypper dup would be the best option.
My original post today was not done from openSUSE, and I logged into it and installed the updates. But on rebooting, the Sparky boot menu shows it is still 12.3. With zypper dup (which I have never used), I assume I must add new repositories. If simply typing “zypper dup” into a terminal will upgrade my 12.3 installation to 13.1, I’d give it a try and if problems arise, I could always use the net install disk to do an upgrade install to the same partition - I hope.
Any opinions? (Or I can start a new thread if necessary). I am in openSUSE at the moment.
IMHO it doesn’t matter really. Others might argue that an upgrade in the running X system is dangerous.
But I often did it that way (inside KDE) and never had problems.
My original post today was not done for openSUSE, and I logged into it and installed the upgrades. But on rebooting, the Sparky boot menu shows it is still 12.3.
You installed upgrades? I think you mean you installed the standard online updates, right?
Of course you stay on 12.3 that way, which is still supported for another ~10 months.
With zypper dup (which I have never used), I assume I must add new repositories. If simply typing “zypper dup” into a terminal will upgrade my 12.3 installation to 13.1, I’d give it a try and if problems arise, I could always use the net install disk to do an upgrade install to the same partition - I hope.
Yes, you would have to change your repos to the 13.1 ones before running “zypper dup”. Otherwise “zypper dup” will upgrade you to … 12.3.
Instructions are here as already posted in this thread:
SDB:System upgrade - openSUSE
On the other hand, booting the NET-install ISO and selecting “Upgrade an existing system” does the same really, but you wouldn’t have to change the repos yourself.
And especially this time, the CD/DVD installer does some cleanups, which you should do manually when upgrading via “zypper dup” (although it’s not really necessary IMO):
https://www.suse.com/releasenotes/x86_64/openSUSE/13.1/#idm140213091865472
Oh and btw, disregarding which method you choose, your boot menu will still say “openSUSE 12.3”. You have to change that manually in YaST->System->Boot Loader->Boot Loader Options afterwards.
But that’s only a cosmetical issue, it doesn’t cause any problems, you’re really booting 13.1 despite of choosing 12.3 after the upgrade.
Thanks Wolfi, I’ll go ahead and give it a try. The instructions are clear enough.
As you said, after updating 12.3 it was still 12.3, as
**cat /etc/SuSE-release
**showed:
openSUSE 12.3 (x86_64)VERSION = 12.3
CODENAME = Dartmouth
This is Gnome, but that shouldn’t matter.
As long as you don’t change your repos to the one’s of the newer version, you will stay on 12.3 as already said.
There’s no such thing on openSUSE like an automatic distribution upgrade.
The standard online updates only bring you security- and bug-fixes, but no upgrade to a newer openSUSE version.
If you boot from the CD/DVD and choose “Upgrade an existing system”, this will be done for you of course.
On 2013-12-06 23:16, d hinds wrote:
> And that was my question: Whether the Net Install or zypper dup would
> be the best option.
Both download all during the operation, but what they do is different.
Only use if your internet is fast or have a lot of time.
As for your question, read the docs… it is there. The netinstall is
similar to the offline upgrade method.
Online upgrade
method
Offline upgrade
method
And another link I don’t have available just now, on doc.opensuse.org
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 11.4, with Evergreen, x86_64 “Celadon” (Minas Tirith))