2010 Mandriva Update

[dannn]

Is it worth installing it? I only just got the message saying i have to download 6 GB of a new version?

Does it install itsself once downloaded or will I have to go through the process of installing it from a live cd again?

[MikeTbob]

I'm not too sure because I haven't used Mandriva in a long time but I think this means you are updating the entire system to the newest version over the Internet but you shouldn't have to go through the install process again.

I do not recommend upgrading systems this way because in my opinion it leaves behind a lot of cruft and things aren't as clean as I like...instead I like to get the latest version of whatever distro, burn it to DVD/CD and perform a clean install but this is just a personal preference and you are free to do whatever you like.

[dannn]

It was a bit of a nightmare last time because it was my first time installing Linux and accidently wiped my windows partition with the live CD. Maybe it will be easier this time round...

What version of linux do you use?

[MikeTbob]

It was a bit of a nightmare last time because it was my first time installing Linux and accidently wiped my windows partition with the live CD. Maybe it will be easier this time round...

What version of linux do you use?

Is should be easier the second time you install, jusrt be sure to install onto your existing Linux partitions and not erase the Windows partition this time.
I use an advanced version of Linux, it's called Gentoo and I do not advise newbies to use it but I also have a Linux Mint installation too, just because I like it.

[dannn]

I don't fancy hand editing configuration files

Thanks for your help though Mike.

[MikeTbob]

No problem, be sure to check out a couple of other distros too, just to broaden your horizons a little bit. Remember, you can always run LiveCD/DVD's without installing to the hard drive just to test them out.

[nmset]

I don't fancy hand editing configuration files

You can use Mandriva Control Centre for all the system configurations, you should not have to edit files manually. Most distros have graphical tools to do this.

You are really advised to burn a DVD and install freshly. My past experience wih upgrades of Mandriva is rather bad. If you can still do it, you should reserve 3 to 4 partitions on your drive to install distros you want to test drive.

Good luck.