I'm normally a Slackware user but I'm doing some testing on other distros to learn deb and rpm systems. I'm wanting to add a debian partition, but I only have a 6.0.x set of discs and I'm running on a shared internet connection that won't allow me to easily download a full set of the newer ones (netinstall isn't an option because the shared connection requires authentication).

So my question is: With my 6.0.x stable set of discs, can I easily upgrade to the most current testing version? And if not, can I at least easily upgrade to the most current stable?

Thanks

The answer is "yes" to both questions, assuming you have the bandwidth for the updates.

To update your Squeeze/Stable/6.0.x system, use your choice of apt-get or aptitude (I prefer apt-get):

To upgrade Stable to Testing, you'd better get a more experienced Debian user to talk you through it; I believe it is recommended to upgrade the kernel and toolchain first, before you do the dist-upgrade.

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I would add that the upgrade should probably be done straight after install without adding any additional packages. For example if you prefer KDE or LXDE just leave it as Gnome until it's updated then install a different desktop environment or display manager.
Apologies if the above is obvious but not doing it like that has cost me hours.

The important thing is to realize that to move to testing you have to have a fully up to date stable install.

Trying it with anything less will lead to trouble.

There have been some posts of folks having trouble going from Squeeze to Wheezy lately. I have upgraded several myself with no problem.

I usually install the netinstall for squeeze and go up from there as I have the band width for it. This is a lot simpler more basic system and updates quite easily. I add things like the the entire xorg/xserver and DE after upgrading.

I think that if you leave Squeeze about as default as possible you will have fewer problems.

You need to change your /etc/apt/sources.list from calling for 'squeeze' to calling for "wheezy". That will, when Wheezy goes stable, remain Wheezy the new stable.

If you want to stay with testing at that time you want to use "testing" in the sources.list. The install I am on now started life as Squeeze when it was testing. I liked it so much that I changed the "list" to read testing instead of squeeze.

One thing to consider if you want Wheezy is there is only ONE disk you need. Disk 1. That will install the base Debian install, complete with the default packages the Debian packages with their OS. This is fully functional and there are few packages you need beyond what is on there. They are all available in the repos and you can get all you want for less band width than downloading even the second disk unless you want an awful lot of packages.

Downloading and installing Whezzy that way will probably use less band width than updating and adding to Squeeze.

You may want to look at the last few pages of this "sticky" thread from this sub forum;
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...e-list-330913/

Very handy in setting up your sources.list. I say the last few pages because it was started in 05. The information is a little out of date on the early pages as the repo structure has evolved some since then. The whole thing is interesting however.

No matter how you get to Wheezy install the package "apt-listbugs". This will warn you of KNOWN bugs on packages you are about to install or upgrades of packages installed. This is a very nice thing to have and can save you some trouble.

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