Update Pack 4 is out!

Introduction

Update Pack 4 was released as the “latest” update pack today. If you’re not using Linux Mint Debian, please ignore this post.
In Update Pack 4, the following significant changes occur which might cause regressions on your system:

1. Gnome 2 gets “upgraded” to Gnome Shell
2. The Linux kernel is upgraded to version 3.2

Changing your repositories

Please skip this paragraph if you already updated your APT sources for Update Pack 3.
Before you apply the updates for Update Pack 4, make sure you’re pointing to the correct repositories.
Edit your APT sources by running the following command in the terminal:

gksu gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Within this file, replace the following:

• Replace security.debian.org with debian.linuxmint.com/latest/security
• Replace debian-multimedia.org with debian.linuxmint.com/latest/multimedia

Your APT sources, should now look like this:

deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ debian main upstream import
deb http://debian.linuxmint.com/latest testing main contrib non-free
deb http://debian.linuxmint.com/latest/security testing/updates main contrib non-free
deb http://debian.linuxmint.com/latest/multimedia testing main non-free

Save and close the file.

Using the Update Manager

… to update itself

The Update Manager always updates itself before other packages. If you see an update for “mintupdate-debian“, accept it and wait for the Update Manager to restart itself.

If there’s a new Update Manager available, it will only list itself as an update

… to check your APT sources

At the time of writing this blog post, the latest version of mintupdate-debian is 1.0.5. From this version onwards the Update Manager is able to check your APT sources and tell you if they are properly configured.

1. Click on the “Update Pack Info” button
2. Make sure “Your system configuration” shows up as green and doesn’t show any warnings or errors
3. If you see a warning or an error, follow the instructions given and repeat the process until they’re gone.

Check the system configuration and read the Update Pack information

… to know more about Update Pack 4

In the “Update Pack Info” window, make sure to read all the information related to Update Pack 4. Some of it might be irrelevant to you, but it will only take you a minute and it might you save you hours.

… to upgrade to Update Pack 4

When you’re ready and you know all that there is to know, press the “Install Updates” button.
During the update you’ll be asked a few things. One is quite important.. the new kernel will ask you where to install Grub. Answer with the location of your current Grub menu (which on most systems is “/dev/sda“).

FAQ

Will upgrading to Update Pack 4 mean I will lose Gnome 2?

Yes. But you will also gain access to MATE (which is almost the same as Gnome 2). To install MATE install the package “mate-desktop-environment”.

Is Cinnamon included in Update Pack 4?

Yes. To install it, simply install the package “cinnamon”.

Can I keep Gnome 2 and ignore Update Pack 4?

Although it’s not a long-term solution.. yes, you can. Please read the following blog post for more info on Gnome 2, Update Pack 4 and alternative desktops.

Will LMDE get new ISO images with Update Pack 4?

Yes, in the coming days/weeks, LMDE will be released in two editions featuring Update Pack 4:

• The traditional XFCE edition
• The main LMDE edition featuring MATE 1.2 as the default desktop and Cinnamon 1.4 as a secondary desktop. MATE will work with Compiz (also installed by default) and Cinnamon will work in Virtualbox, so you’ll be able to enjoy both desktops and see which one you like best.