Why can't I upgrade?

I have several times tried to upgrade my computer to a newer version of Ubuntu. For some reason my computer failed to fetch some upgrades, telling they were not found. How do I proceed? Please note that I understand very little of computers.

 

What version of Ubuntu do you have currently running?

Alt +F2 and type gnome-terminal then run this command

Code:

# cat /proc/version

 

My current version is 8.04 (hardy)

Kernel Linux 2.6.24-28-generic

GNOME 2.22.3

 

never mind

 

From http://www.xubuntu.org/get

(Xubuntu is Ubuntu with XFCE desktop)

Upgrading

Please make sure to backup your data before attempting an upgrade.
If you are using Xubuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron" or newer, you can upgrade your system using the update manager.

• If you are running a Long Term Support release (e.g. 8.04) and want to upgrade to a normal release (e.g. 8.10), then you first need to make sure a new release is listed in the Update Manager. You can do so by opening Applications->System->Software Source, then, in the "Updates" tab, set "Show new distribution releases" to "Normal releases". http://xubuntu.org/sites/default/files/screenshot2_2_0.png
• Open Applications->System->Update Manager. http://xubuntu.org/sites/default/files/update-manager-updates_0.png
• Click the Check button to check for new updates.
• If there are any updates to install, use the Install Updates button to install them, and press Check again after that is complete.
• A message will appear informing you of the availability of the new release. http://xubuntu.org/sites/default/files/update-manager-upgrade_0.png
• Click Upgrade.
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

 

The release the Update Manager offers me is 8.10, and it tells me it "could not find the release notes". Apparently online upgrading is not possible anymore?

 

Why not just download a copy of 10.10 and burn the disk to install fresh?

 

My apologies for giving you wrong information. I was posting while home eating for lunch, and should have read closer.

You CAN upgrade from 8.04 to 8.10 then to 9.04 then to 9.10 and so on. You have multiple upgrades and some were not smooth at all.

Why not simply follow hrlow2 advise? Backup home, install and move home back to your current install.

 

As usual, BOOOM gives the best advice.

Assuming an online upgrade like you described, you are probably looking at a 3-4+ hour process (based on my experience upgrading "1 level" with DSL) and risking a lot of breakage for your programs, settings.

Following BOOOM's advise, you're probably looking at a 1 hour event (including download/burn of ISO) with ideal setup for your machine and fully intact /home data.

IMO, the choice is easy...good luck!