2

(see solution at the end of this post)

I have my hard drive partitioned in 2: one for OS (lubuntu 18.10) and the other for my data. I want to do a 'fresh upgrade' to version 19.04. So I created a bootable USB with lubuntu-19.04-desktop-amd64.iso.

The problem is that I don't see the option (as it used to be) to select the partition where to install lubuntu. The install app shows correctly both partitions, but the options I have are deleting them or creating new ones. I just want to override (ie erase and install lubuntu 19.04 in) the 18.10 partition, without touching the partition with my data. Does it make sense? I know this is not crazy, because exactly this option was in the installer when I installed 18.10 and exactly due to that is that I organized my disk as mentioned (so I don't have to erase [and then populate again with my data] the disk every time I upgrade Lubuntu).

I don't want dual boot or anything 'strange', I only want to have Lubuntu 19.04 in one partition while keeping the other partition with my data.

Edit1: I am aware of the instructions in the manual (https://manual.lubuntu.me/stable/1/1.3/installation.html). But even when I tried to follow them, it is not easy for a beginner as there is no explanation on how to edit a partition. (e.g. Should I mark the flag? Or any other flags? What is the meaning of the other options? etc.)

Edit2: I think I am much better informed now. Just in case, I am showing here exactly what I see and I would like to know if my reasoning is right: 1) these are the options I have when trying to install Lubuntu 19.10: enter image description here

2) This is how I see my HD from the installer (the bigger partition is my data): enter image description here

3) when I click 'Edit' with the current Lubuntu partition selected, I see this: enter image description here

4) so please advice me are this options the appropriated ones to install Lubuntu 19.10 over my current Lubuntu, and leave my data partition untouched?: enter image description here

Edit3 (solution): After trying different options, I discovered that if I boot the ISO using UEFI boot option then Lubuntu installator offers the option to install over a previous installation without touching anything else. The original post was originated because I chose the "normal" boot from USB option (since I don't even know what UEFI means I didn't want to play with that, I just assumed that booting from USB would be all I needed). Thus, now I learned that booting a USB with or without the UEFI option makes a difference for the installer. Problem solved. Thanks everybody!

terauser
  • 63

3 Answers3

1

In the installer, select "Manual" (Lubuntu uses a different installer. In the regular Ubuntu installer, you would choose "Something Else"). This brings you to a screen where you can assign the different partitions yourself. Just have your Lubuntu installed on your current "lubuntu 18.10" partition (have that mounted to / and have it reformatted), and do not couple your data disk. This will install the full system on that partition, and leave your data disk alone. After installation, you can then have the data partition automatically mount during startup on a location of your choice by adding it to /etc/fstab.

vanadium
  • 97,564
1

Backup! Backup!! Backup!!!

Please make backups (two or three) of your important data before you try any of this. Make backups in two or three different external drives.

Select Manual Partitioning

As others have already said. In Lubuntu it is called Manual Partitioning in Ubuntu it is Something Else.

Select the partition containing the OS

As you have done in the picture below, select /dev/sda assuming that is the Ubuntu system partition mounted as /.

enter image description here

  1. under Content select the Format button (as above).

Note: This will erase everything in your /home/$USER folder unless it is in the second partition. If you want to keep your documents, music, photos in the /home/$USER folder then select keep button. If you decide to format the system partition you can always restore the contents of the /home/$USER folder from backups.

  1. Select File System ext4 (as above).
  2. Select Mount Point / (as above).
  3. Leave Flags as is. No special flag are needed.

Click OK.

Make sure your data partition is untouched.

  1. under Content select the Keep button (This is the important part).

If you had used /home as the mount point of your data partition in the existing installation, then:

  1. Select Mount Point /home (Don't do this unless you are sure you have been using the second partition as your /home).

You may not have to edit your second partition details unless you had /home there. If so, you can hit Cancel and keep everything as is for /dev/sda2.

Click Next at the bottom right of the screen and continue with the installation.

Hope this helps

user68186
  • 37,461
0

If it was me, I'd use "Manual Partitioning" enter image description here

Picture from the manual page you already referenced, but please select Manual Partitioning not what is shown

Select your existing partitions, plus ensure "Format" is unticked.

It'll cause the installer to take note of your software, erase system directories, install, then add-back your additional packages (if available in new release) without touching your data (unless you have format ticked).

This method can be used to skip releases (ie. I'd recommend you use 19.10 unless you want to repeat this process next month, standard (non-LTS) releases require release-upgrade every 6-9 months)

guiverc
  • 33,561