I'd think there would be many similar threads already posted but I did a few searches and didn't find much, so I thought I'd start one with some specific questions.

I've been using the original version of Slack I installed, 9.1, since I got this laptop, and I'd like to upgrade. I've read UPGRADE.TXT, poked around online, but I still have a few concerns:

1. For some reason I have the mindset that it's a better idea to go to 10.0 and settle in before thinking about 10.1 (or 10.2 whenever it comes around), but looking at the upgrading procedures makes me wonder. If all you're doing is upgrading all the individual packages, is there any reason why I should or shouldn't go to 10.0 before thinking about 10.1?

2. Is there any documentation other than UPGRADE.TXT (official or not) that gives advice about doing this upgrade? I'm sure there are plenty of things to keep in mind, especially since some major things are changing. I've tried to put my specific questions here, but if anyone has any words of wisdom to pass on, I'd appreciate it.

3. One of the reasons I want to do this in the first place is the change from XFree86 to Xorg. I'm a little confused about how this works. Do I just need to run xorgconfig after doing all the upgradepkg and then make final tweaks to xorg.conf?

4. The UPGRADE.TXT file says /etc files will come in with .new extensions, but how exactly does that work? When installing from scratch those files won't have the .new extensions (right?), so how does upgradepkg know to do that? Does it not overwrite anything in /etc and just add the extensions to duplicate files, or does everything new get that?

5. The thing that intimidates me the most (other than switching X Windows systems) is letting a mass upgradepkg mess with the kernel. Will new sources go in /usr/src and /usr/src/linux link to them? Will a new kernel replace whatever is currently in /boot? I'm running 2.4.26 now, does that change in 10.0 or 10.1? Will /usr/src/linux/.config be overwritten? Will I need to recompile with the new sources? Is there a way to make /usr/src/linux/.config reflect my currently running kernel (when I did this recompile--my first--I'm not sure I did everything right and I'm not sure if that .config reflects what I'm running)? How will modules be affected, and is there anything I need to do about that (ahead of time or after the upgrade)?

6. I see from the instructions telling you to remove the KDEI packages that every single package in every directory is installed. I probably chose the "full" option when doing the original install anyway, and I know Slack avoids excess, but will this create any degree of bloat?

Sorry for the mass of questions, but I want to make sure I have everything down before trying to do this as it will affect my whole system which I have running smoothly and as I like it now.

Thanks in advance.

--EDIT--
7. I'm on the mailing list for security advisories and have been keeping track of those for 9.1, but I'll have missed many of them when I upgrade. How soon are these reflected in the ISOs, and should I download/reburn the CDs so I have the updated versions? Is there a way to see what needs to be updated (after going to 10.0/10.1) without manually checking all the old security advisories?

Wow - loads of questions!!

Before anyone can really answer any of your questions, the main questions that you need to answer are why do you want to upgrade? Do you run a mission critical server or setup?

I have tried around 20 distro's to date, and I must say I see this sort of thing all the time. I run Slack-current now and use this as my main distro. The reason - I run a desktop computer that is not mission critical, that dual boots to Vector linux and Arch linux. If I have an issue I get to learn more about linux than I did before, and then I gain knowhow for future reference. I can boot into another distro instead of using a live cd and fix the problems easily.

Linux is growing in leaps and bounds. It is up to you to figure out what your priorities are regarding your setup, and your usage.

Some concerns that I can answer are these. Slack 10.1 is the best distro I have seen to date. kernel 2.6.12-2 runs without a hitch. I run a cordless keyboard and mouse, a personal wireless network and everything is functional. I have only had to install once!!!

Xorg is basically the next release of XFree86 without the licensing issues.

Slapt-get is my friend!!

Hope this helps

I'd like to upgrade for a few reasons. First, I'd simply like to keep up to date with current versions of software and it's easier to upgrade the distro version that go around fiddling with every package as you need it. Second, for licensing and practical issues I'd like to go from XFree86 to Xorg. Third, my goal is to learn as much about the way my system works as possible (the reason I went to Linux and to Slack in the first place), and doing an upgrade like this is something I should know how to handle. It's just a personal laptop I use as my primary system at home and school, nothing mission critical.

I know I threw quite a few questions in there, but, like I said, I want to make sure I have things straight before doing something so major. If anyone can pick a couple of questions to answer every piece of help is appreciated. I suppose I'll make separate threads with the bigger questions if that's necessary, but I thought I'd try to lump it all togther. Thanks for the info.

Cool,

Upgrading in this situation is fairly easy. Make sure of a few things though.

Back up your data

Use an package manager like swaret, slapt-get or the like. Make sure you adjusted the repositories by editing the files. slapt-get is /etc/slapt-get/slapt-getrc

Next, make sure you are running a recent kernel. There is/was issues with udev. The format of the rules changed. As Slack is going toward the 2.6 kernel, udev is geared to work with 2.6 kernels. Just check though. I am using udev 0.64 with 2.6.12-2 kernel with no problem.

Once that is checked, try

you will get a list of packages you are about to upgrade, with a choice of y/N to continue.

let's assume you say yes, your system will update, and all newer config files will be saved as configname.new this allows you to move your personal settings over before re-saving the file as the original. There may be a few of them in your case.

Log out or reboot once configs are adjusted and take a breath!!

You may have to reconfigure X. just follow the usual Slack install method for this.

You could adjust your repositories to slackware 10.0 and update, then change that to slackware current, but this is double the download.

A rough guide, I know, but so much could be said.

2) To be honest, while slackpkg, swaret, slapt-get, et al are good for keeping up with /patches or -current, I wouldn't trust them with upgrading a full system.

You'd be better following the instructions in UPGRADE.TXT with all the packages (otherwise you could miss new dependencies added).

3) Yes. In particular, if going to 10.1 with X.Org 6.8.x, pay attention to the change in the keyboard driver from "Keyboard" to "kbd".

4) The files in the package contain configuration files with .new suffixes. When you do a fresh install, the files are simply renamed to drop the .new suffix.

5) If you don't download kernel packages when running upgradepkg, then your kernel won't be upgraded.

If you do install the new kernel packages, all symlinks to the old kernel will be replaced with links to the new one (and you should run /sbin/lilo before restarting).

Modules: alsa-driver must match your kernel version (e.g. alsa-driver-1.0.9a_2.4.31-i486-1 would be the correct driver package for the 2.4.31 kernel. alsa-lib, alsa-oss and alsa-utils don't need to match the kernel, just the driver version).

7) Check out the /patches directory for security updates

Thanks all for the info. I'd still like to know if there's any problem with going straight from 9.1 to 10.1 by following the UPGRADE file on the 10.1 disks. I assume it doesn't matter since you're just upgrading packages, but I'd like confirmation before I go changing my whole system.