Upgrading from LL2.8 to LL3 - can I keep the same '/home' partition?

[m654321]

Just a quick question.

When upgrading from LL2.8 to 3.0, can I keep the '/home' partition (to preserve configuration files) or should I do a complete clean install, i.e. delete the old '/home' under LL2.8 and install a new one under LL3.0?  I don't know if this makes any difference, but maybe I should mention this  LL2.8 set-up was installed on a PC in CMS mode and was not installed with UEFI.

Many thanks in advance for your feedback.
Mike

[firenice03]

If /home is on a separate partition, yes I believ so... Still back up you stuff as you never know.
If you didn't create the "/home" partition when 2.8 was installed then no it will be overwrote during the 3.0 install.

During the install you would of chosen the "Something Else" to create the partitions manually.

Hope this helps...

[LL-user]

Hi Mike,

In addition to what firenice03 has pointed out which covers the installation process itself and the possibility to keep "/home".

No doubt you can always keep your home folder and if it's by restoring a backup after installation. For all your actual documents/data files you have in your home folder this definitely makes sense and won't cause any problems.

That might be different however with all the configuration files you have in your home folder! The question is whether they will cause problems when they get used with software (including the Desktop environment) having been upgraded to a higher version with a new release/installation.

Therefore - as also pointed out in this post - I always prefer a clean/new start. Then I restore my actual data files and only specifically selected (and tested) configuration files.

All the best

[m654321]

If /home is on a separate partition, yes I believ so... Still back up you stuff as you never know.

Thanks Firenice for your reply - sorry, just need to clarify as I didn't put my question clearly. My question was an 'either/or' type - which one are you saying yes to - ?  :-\ Thanks.

My intuitive (though inexperienced) thoughts on this is that the configuration files between LL3 and LL2.8 may conflict with each other: configuration files preserved in LL2.8 '/home' partition, may conflict with the configuration needs  following the replacement of the existing LL2.8 '/root' partition with LL3 ...
I'll post any result here if/when I go ahead with this.

Yes I have a separate '/home' partition & yes all data is safe and backed up routinely. My '/home' is symlinked to a separate physical drive on the same PC, and this drive has just one partition for data storage so data is as safe as houses 

Mike

[liamjake05]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui5jBdTIuyI

I know it is for Mint but this video has useful information for the partitioning. When you install LL 3 Follow the video above and when LL 4 comes you can keep your home folder.

[LL-user]

Hi Mike,

Nope, it's not my gut-feeling. I've used the method I described many, many times

As always, there are many ways to skin a cat...

Good luck!

[firenice03]

If /home is on a separate partition, yes I believ so... Still back up you stuff as you never know.

Thanks Firenice for your reply - sorry, just need to clarify as I didn't put my question clearly. My question was an 'either/or' type - which one are you saying yes to - ?  :-\ Thanks.

If home is its own partition  (you used the something else during install) it would be preserved and could be shared... 2.8 configs would be there for 3.0 to use or any other distro.. Configs could pose a problem.
Now I'm not certain, but if you use a different username for each distro would it keep folders seperate??

And, If home isnt on its own partition, it will be seperate for each distro.

Hope it clarifies, as it depends how you installed 2.8

[m654321]

Many thanks for your feedback firenice03, LL-user & liamjake05 

Mike

[LL-user]

My pleasure, Mike

Let us know how it goes...

[firenice03]

Many thanks for your feedback firenice03, LL-user & liamjake05 

Mike

No problem  8)