[Bug 876146] Re: Upgrading Ubuntu is risky (unusable or unbootable PC). What can be done to safeguard data, revert failed upgrades and overall reduce the risks?

[manny]

Apart from recommending the user to backup the files that matter to
them.

Another thing that is important and should be recommended is for the
user to try/test the new ubuntu version first.

And this can only be done right now with a disc or usb stick.

So if you insert a disc/usb one can be automatically created for you.

Once the user has tested the new version and verified everything works
and the performance is still acceptable on their hardware, then they can
choose to install/upgrade, right there from the disc/stick.

I think testing it first avoids some headaches and wasted-time by having
to revert everything back to a previous state/version later on.

Sure, You can still upgrade without doing the recommended steps of
"testing and backing up", but do so at your risk, only if you know what
you're doing and have experienced to fix potential problems yourself.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/876146

Title:
  Upgrading Ubuntu is risky (unusable or unbootable PC). What can be
  done to safeguard data, revert failed upgrades and overall reduce the
  risks?

Status in NULL Project:
  Invalid
Status in “update-manager” package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  Please note: This bug report will now be used to track specific code
  changes for reducing the risk of upgrading (see comment #14). Please
  stay on topic. We also have enough cases of problematic upgrades.
  Thank You.

  *Report:

  ===References:

  - Typical bad upgrade user case (forum post):
  http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1860359

  - Unusable upgrade pic (unbootable)
  http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=204320&d=1318627364

  - [ubuntu] Thread for failed upgrades (huge list within 24 to 48 hours)
  http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1858475

  - Unofficial poll, but might serve useful as another source of data and user cases. Also, reference for future polls. Current sample of about 3k users, ~22% needed to reinstall.
  http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/10/how-well-did-your-ubuntu-11-10-upgrade-go/
  http://www.reddit.com/r/Ubuntu/comments/lm036/how_well_did_your_ubuntu_1110_upgrade_go/

  ===Description:

  Lots of angry users with broken computers that need rescue...

  The friendly Upgrade popup has become a mouse trap for new and
  unsuspecting users.

  Warnings and fail-safe alternatives and/or advise should be offered.
  Specially for users who cant risk having their computers broken (only
  have 1 OS). Nor have the knowledge, will, time and patience to fix
  something like this.

  I think this should be Critical for "Precise" pangolin as the number
  of users upgrading will be in the Tens if not hundreds of thousands
  (or millions...), since this will be the new LTS.

  ===Initial proposal:

  See comment #10:
  https://bugs.launchpad.net/ayatana-design/+bug/876146/comments/10

  ===Other related helpers for the upgrade problem:

  -There is no "feedback and reporting tool to count the number of bad
  upgrades" and their related causes. Users should be able to give
  immediate feedback after every upgrade (successful or not). "Ubuntu-
  bug upgrade-report" on startup after an upgrade and a section on
  launchpad or dedicated site.

  -Update/upgrade manager should offer an auto-backup wizard to safe
  guard important user files to another partition, external storage or
  online (See comment #10).

  -Also separate branches for testing and a better release process/cycle would certainly help diminish the amount of bugs and many upgrade problems as it has been discussed here:
  http://netsplit.com/2011/09/08/new-ubuntu-release-process/

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