Upgrading Ubuntu 10.10

[jamesdsimone]

I have a dual boot WindowXP/Ubuntu 10.10. Unfortunately it was one of my first dual boot systems and I was not aware of certain things so I installed Ubuntu along side of XP not in separate partitions or on different hard drives. I also did not use a LTS version of Ubuntu and after letting the computer sit for a while could no longer access automatic updates. So how do I undate Ubuntu? Can I reinstall Ubuntu over the old install without disturbing XP? There is no data on the Ubuntu install I have to worry about but lots on the XP install.

 

[lxskllr]

Unless you used wubi, Ubuntu has its own partitions. You can either download isos of old releases to do incremental upgrades until you get current, or wipe/reinstall. The former is more interesting, while that latter more reliable.

 

[jamesdsimone]

So I can just reinstall and my Windows install will be untouched? I assume Ubuntu will handle the boot menu as previously? What's wubi?

 

[lxskllr]

So I can just reinstall and my Windows install will be untouched? I assume Ubuntu will handle the boot menu as previously?

Correct, but you want to ensure you didn't use wubi. Wubi will show up in Windows add/remove programs. You can also confirm using Ubuntu's disk utility. A default install will give you three partitions including XP; ntfs, /(probably ext4), and swap.

When you do a new install, I'd do manual partitioning, and point it to your old Ubuntu partitions. There may be a more magical way of doing it, but I haven't made a dual boot in a long time. Doing it manually will be more certain. Ubuntu should discover XP, and setup the correct boot entries.

If you do in fact have a wubi install, I'd uninstall through Windows, and make a normal dual boot(shown above). What I do to maximize space is delete everything in windows I don't want, turn off hibernation, turn off page file, reboot, defragment, recreate page file. That'll push the contents to the front of the disk, and leave more room for Ubuntu partitions.

 

[jamesdsimone]

The hard drive is not partitioned both windows and Ubuntu are in the same partition. I will check the windows install for wubi. Thanks for the help. I'll let you know.

 

[jamesdsimone]

There is a Ubuntu entry in my Window add/remove programs. So I use wubi? Can I simply uninstall Ubuntu through Windows and then reinstall?

 

[lxskllr]

There is a Ubuntu entry in my Window add/remove programs. So I use wubi? Can I simply uninstall Ubuntu through Windows and then reinstall?

I believe wubi has been discontinued. It was a cool way to try Ubuntu at close to native speed, but it could be a bit fragile. It bridged the gap between running a live cd, and doing a real install.

If you want to continue using Ubuntu, I'd uninstall through Windows, reboot to make sure everything is cool, then do a normal install after doing the initial Windows prep work I mentioned above.

I don't know what your reasons for running Ubuntu are, but depending on your use, running from usb, or a virtual machine in Windows may serve your needs with less chance of screwing up your Windows install.

 

[jamesdsimone]

I use Ubuntu mostly to run Handbrake but I also want to get more familiar with the OS. I don't have to upgrade on this computer but do want too.