Beginners • Is there a simple and foolproof way to upgrade the OS?

I have three Pies running Buster. I have hesitated to upgrade the OS as it seems to be a a rather difficult and time consuming procedure.

The documentation says:

To update the operating system to a new major release on your Raspberry Pi, image a second SD card with the new release. Use a USB SD card reader or network storage to copy files and configuration from your current installation to the new SD card. Then, swap the new SD card into the slot on your Raspberry Pi, and boot.

(I note that it is NOT recommended to upgrade in situ.)

How do I know which files and configuration need to be copied? How do I find them?

Since all three Pies are running various tasks 24/7 I hesitate to take one down in order to image a second second SD card with the new OS. So, that means buying a new Pi.

All the Pies communicate with external devices such as USB webcams, Bluetooth temp/humidity sensors, a couple of UPS, etc. It seems that in order to test the new SD card I would also have to obtain new peripherals to use for testing purposes and to make sure that I have copied all files and configurations properly.

Please tell me that there is a simpler and reliable way to do this upgrade.

(Or, I can just continue running Buster which seems to be working fine for me.)

Statistics: Posted by Ratsima — Fri Oct 25, 2024 1:48 am — Replies 15 — Views 158

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