But I agree that Alok's best bet is probably to upgrade to a more recent supported distribution which will probably fix functionality otb. Running a live usb would be good way to test. If so the best advice I can give as far as upgrading would be to move /home directory to its own partition, and move all of the dot files from the root of the user home to another folder (just so you don't lose any configuration files you may have created; leaving them may cause the upgraded system to eat your cat) then when you install the new system DON'T format the /home partition and you should be ok. Especially if you're upgrading to a newer version of the same distribution. I have done the same steps even switching between distros without issues

Hey Ezekiel - I didn't notice those 2 entries before. Might be something. Still, the fact that he can see his speaker in the Blueman GUI seems to indicate that basic Bluetooth is functioning. He has absolutely no Pulseaudio components installed, however, and these are required for streaming sound over Bluetooth. This is where the major problem comes in: the system is so out of date, the package management system can no longer sync its database. Unless you think it's possible to work around the issue and somehow update the installation so that package management functions again, I believe a complete reinstall will be required.

** EDIT ** Cross-posted with #31 above :-) ... I believe we are on the same page. Thx for the suggested methodology.

Dear TheEzekielProject,

The position seems to be that I should follow Rickkkk's suggestion and simply upgrade to Linux Mint 18 - which I'd be happy to do. But the steps suggested - moving /home to its own partition, etc - are beyond my modest competence! Would I have to do all this from some graphical user interface, or from the command line?

As you can see, there are degrees of "newness" at play here!

And yes, many thanks.

Alok_Rai : I'll chime in with an opinion : it depends if you wish to save any data or configuration details. If you don't have any data to save and don't mind starting from scratch, it can be simpler. I personally prefer a clean install over an upgrade.

Ezekiel - what do you say ?

Thanks! There's nothing there that needs to be backed up - and no config details that I can think of. In which case, it sounds like a clean install for me, right?

Download the LM 18.2, make a bootable pendrive, and boom! I know that's a fantasy - as I remember from the last time I did an upgrade - days of fiddling to get the printer to work, and stuff. But I'm prepared to give it a shot. Still, I'd welcome any tips anyone might have.

As mentioned by both Ezekiel and myself, try out Mint 18.2 live before obliterating your current system. It'll give you the chance to make sure it's compatible with your computer before you actually change anything. Once you're satisfied, you can format and install.

Cheers - let us know if you need any other assistance down the road :-)

"try out Mint 18.2 live" means bootable pendrive, right?

Thanks.

Yes, a bootable pen drive. And if you have no important data to save a clean install is definitely the fastest and easiest way to go. I can't say for Mint specifically, but the user friendliness of linux has come a long way in the last few years. Especially in areas of getting hardwares to play nice with linux

Success!!!

Am on the bootable pendrive right now - but the Bose is emitting music - and it is music to my ears!

Thank you, good people - thank you ever so much.

One last piece of advice possibly - the screen has an "install linuxmint" button - which, I presume, would set up a more lasting relationship with the LM 18.2 that is on the pendrive right now. Do I need to take any precautions before I hit that install button - other than backing up stuff? Or perhaps not even that?

Hey Alok - great news ! :-)

Glad to hear Mint 18.2 has the Bose singing straight out of the box .. ;-)

You are correct that the "Install Mint" icon will start the process of permanently installing Mint on your hard drive. If you are satisfied that everything works as expected, you can go ahead and do that. At one point, you will be asked if you want to use the whole hard disk for Mint (or some language to that effect): If, as you say, you have nothing you want to keep on your drive, this is the way to go for the cleanest install. The Mint installation procedure is almost completely automated and takes care of pretty well everything on its own. You will simply be asked a few questions near the end to set up a user name and specify your time zone, but that's about it. I can't think of anything else to warn you about.

After the install, don't be surprised if you have to tweak a few things to get the configuration back to what it was during your live session (with the pendrive). This is normal and usually minor, if needed at all.

Let us know if you need any more help and congratulations on your positive outcome !

Thanks again!

Does the permanent "install" slip into the position of the earlier version that is being replaced - while leaving everything else - which is already backed-up elsewhere, but it would be nice if it weren't disturbed - more or less intact - files, documents, music, etc??? Or does the new version - 18.2 - do a proper format before it gets into the act of installing itself?

Hey Alok,

The short answers are "no" to your first question and "yes" to your second question.

The type of installation we are recommending is the "cleanest" method, and it will format your entire hard disk and permanently erase everything on it. This is why we asked you to make sure everything you wanted to keep was backed up elsewhere (not on this computer) and that there was nothing on this computer that you wanted to keep.

There are other ways to install, however I still recommend the cleanest way (above), especially considering the state your current system is in.

Nevertheless, if you want to explore other options, let us know !

Thanks, Rickkkk! I will again back up the things I am particular about - and then go for the "cleanest" install.

Good to know the bluetooth speaker is working out of the box on Mint 18.

Just a suggestion but during the install you might have the option to put /home on a separate partition and in the future that can make upgrading without losing data simpler. Then you don't have to backup, reinstall, and then restore. You can just install the new version just make sure that the option to format /home is NOT selected

... another suggestion ... Keep your system updated regularly. I maintain my linux systems weekly:

... this will synchronize your package database with the online repositories.

... and after:

... this will apply changes ... ... OR (optionally):

.... this will apply changes and also remove unneeded packages ... My preferred method.

Cheers !