COMPUTERS, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY

[Pluggy]

Just to show computer troubles afflict those who used to earn a living by them, about a month ago my wifes laptop bought in May 2018 succumbed to the dreaded broken screen hinge. Its been botched for the time being with sticky tape I decided it wasn't worth trying to repair having done many when I was in the game. Difficult to get to even when laptops were mare more repairable than now, near impossible to get parts for and very expensive if you could. Then yesterday my laptop which is the same model and couple of months older (March 2018) decided it was going out in sympathy. Same side same problem. So now mine is sporting sticky tape. I'll probably replace them both, my birthday which marks the 5th anniversary of mine being new is coming up. Looks like I'll treat ourselves to new computers. Then its removing what will probably be Windoze 11 and installing Ubuntu. I'm too dependant on Linux now to contemplate Microsoft's offering. The laptops are both HP 250 G6. Now apparently replaced with the HP 250 G9.- Looks near identical...

[Tizer]

I googled HP 250 G and got a fright when I saw the price! We've never had a laptop so I didn't realise they were so expensive.

Our PCs are still going strong and I'll soon be upgrading them to the latest Ubuntu LTS version. I know I have to go through the intermediate LTS first. I'll start with my PC and back up all the data on my two external drives together with my Mozilla and Thunderbird profiles. I'll then try the offered route via the Upgrade button on the Software Updater widget. If all goes well then the same for Mrs Tiz's PC. If it all goes as expected then Stanley can follow what we've done.

[Pluggy]

The HP 250 G9 starts at sub £400 https://www.ebuyer.com/1542380-hp-250-g ... q8b9es-abu which is the level I'm looking at. They do go up to about double that. I couldn't build a half decent desktop for that today

[Tizer]

Yes, I was forgetting that we've had Brexit, Covid, the Ukraine war, tiffs with China, semiconductor shortages and lots of other shortages. No wonder computer prices are high!

[Big Kev]

Paulette's old Samsung RC520 laptop seems to be hanging in OK. It's been running 22.04 LTS for several months without issue (it'll probably stop now I've said that).

[Stanley]

I dread the day when I have to upgrade Ubuntu. I shall be shouting for help!! How much longer can I hang in without change?

[Tizer]

Fear not, we've got Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Long Term Support) until April 30, 2023. I'm soon going to upgrade to the latest LTS version and will keep a log and let you know how it goes.

[Stanley]

Thanks Peter.....

[plaques]

Still can't get my head round quantum computing and reaction at a distance. A second computer knowing the answer from the first the instant it computes the result is beyond me. I quite understand that currently computing is in sequences one step at a time. An example of this is the spread of snooker balls at the first break. Then we come to the human brain which appears to know the answer before the problem comes. Why do people duck before things hit their head? Is this predetermination where the future is set or does the brain contain some quantum computing function.
All above my pay grade. I'll leave it for the Ubuntu users to sort out.

[Stanley]

We don't duck any faster than you Ken.....

[Tizer]

Some good news for Stanley here...
Over the last couple of days I've delved into the guides and advice for upgrading from our Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Long Term Service) for which the security updates end in April. There is a new LTS offered every two years and each lasts for 4 years. The 20.04 and 22.04 are available. The recommended way to upgrade is to simply open the Software Update widget and click on the Upgrade button but it's essential to do it in 2 steps: upgrade completely to 20.04 first and then you can upgrade to 22.04. In the past I've found that method unreliable and have preferred to back up my data and profile, download the .iso file for the version I want, burn it to a DVD then boot the install from that.

Knowing that Stanley will be needing to upgrade soon I decided to take a belt and braces approach this time. I would burn the two iso files to DVDs as `insurance' but then go for the simple method described above. If there was a glitch I could fall back on the DVDs.

Today, having done a final back up and taken some photos of my desktop for reference, I took the plunge, went to the Software Update widget and clicked Upgrade to 20.04. I can report that the process of upgrading took only 30 minutes, everything seems to work and I'm a happy bunny! I'm writing this from 20.04 now. All my data and profiles are there and appear to be working OK

I've decided that the sensible thing to do is to stay on this version until it runs out in 2 years time. I know that the 22.04 will be a bit more daunting because some applications, such as Gimp which Stanley and I use, won't be included by default and we'll then have to use other ways to install those application. So, let's enjoy 20.04 for the next two years!

I'll write down the steps needed so that Stanley, if he wishes, can follow what I've done when he's feeling relaxed and ready for an upgrade!

[Pluggy]

My laptop has been on 20.04 for a good while now, although it was a clean install from scratch. If its any consolation Windows10,vs Windows 11 is very controversial.

[Big Kev]

I think I still have 20.04 on a USB stick, I used it for a fresh install on Paulette's laptop (ex Windows 10), I presume upgrading Ubuntu is a similar process.

[Stanley]

Thanks Peter. I shall look forward to your instructions and will follow them to the letter! It all sounds like good news.

[Tizer]

I've made a draft guide for upgrading to Ubuntu 20.04 and sent it by PM to Pluggy and asked if anything needs changing or adding before sending it to you. It worked for me OK so I expect it will do the job for you too.

[Stanley]

Thanks to both of you for taking the trouble. I shall decide what to do when I get it.

[Pluggy]

I've perused Tizers notes and it looks OK. If you make sure all your stuff is baked up before you start, if something does go badly wrong we should be able to sort something out between Us. I'd say go for it,if it all goes pear shaped we'll sort something out.

[Stanley]

Thanks Stephen, I take it for Baked read backed.
One question, do you mean everything or just data. If I have to back up everything include a section on how to do that because I have no idea....

[Tizer]

I'll send you the guide I've written and that will tell you what to do. We'll agree a time when you want to do the upgrade and then you should back up your files immediately before that. I'm not an early bird so I suggest you back up during a morning and then do the upgrade that afternoon and I'll be here in case you need help.

[Stanley]

Thanks Peter, I've printed it out and have responded. I am in trouble immediately, I don't know how to back up Firefox or Thunderbird....

[Tizer]

I've sent you an email asking how you do your routine data backups.

[Stanley]

This upgrade is frightening me to death. I'd willingly pay someone if there is another Pluggy about!

[Stanley]

There's no way I shall sleep if I go to bed for second sleep, I am worrying about upgrading Ubuntu. So my cure for this is to finish breakfast and then do it! Cross your fingers....

[Stanley]

\well, it took just over an hour and was not as complicated as the instructions, all I had to do was put my password in... I think I shall go and have that second sleep now....
(PS, I now appear to be running version 20.....)

[Tizer]

(PS, I now appear to be running version 20.....)

Well done. I hope you managed to sleep! If you have any doubts click on the `gearwheel' icon to open the Settings window. Pull the L.H. scroll bar down to see `About' at the bottom and it will display your version number. Mine states `Ubuntu 20.04.5 LTS'. You should have all your past Thunderbird email and Firefox bookmarks, as well as your data files.