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11.2. Getting started

11.2.1. Booting the system

You must use the version of sysinstall from the FreeBSD version to which you are upgrading to boot the system.

The methods for starting an upgrade are identical to those for starting a new installation. Refer to the Handbook section Starting the Installation for more detail.

If you are upgrading via a CDROM and your drive is bootable, simply boot the CDROM. If your CDROM drive is not bootable, then a set of boot floppies will be needed. Refer to the Handbook section on creating the kern.flp and mfsroot.flp and instructions for booting.

11.2.2. Kernel Configuration

If you needed to configure the kernel for hardware (remove conflicts, change IRQ/ports), you will need to do this again to boot the newely installed GENERIC kernel after the upgrade. The /boot/kernel.config will not be preserved.

Only the basic steps for kernel configuration are shown. For detailed information, refer to the Handbook section on "Starting the Installation - Kernel Configuration".

Figure 11-1 shows the first kernel configuration menu. We recommend that you choose the Start kernel configuration in full-screen visual mode option, as it presents the easiest interface for the new user.

Figure 11-1. Kernel Configuration Menu

The kernel configuration screen (Figure 11-2) is then divided into four sections.

Figure 11-2. The Kernel Device Configuration Visual Interface

At this point there will always be conflicts listed. You now have to work through the list of drivers, resolving the conflicts.

Press X. This will completely expand the list of drivers, so you can see all of them. You will need to use the arrow keys to scroll back and forth through the active driver list.

Figure 11-3 shows the result of pressing X.

Figure 11-3. Expanded Driver List

Disable all the drivers for devices that you do not have. To disable a driver, highlight it with the arrow keys and press Del. The driver will be moved to the Inactive Drivers list.

If you inadvertently disable a device that you need then press Tab to switch to the Inactive Drivers list, select the driver that you disabled, and press Enter to move it back to the active list.

Important: Do not disable sc0. This controls the screen, and you will need this unless you are installing over a serial cable.

Important: Only disable atkbd0 if you are using a USB keyboard. If you have a normal keyboard then you must keep atkbd0.

When all the conflicts have been resolved the screen will look similar to Figure 11-4.

Figure 11-4. Driver Configuration With No Conflicts

You can now save these changes, and move on to the next step of the install. Press Q to quit the device configuration interface. This message will appear.

Save these parameters before exiting? ([Y]es/[N]o/[C]ancel)

Answer Y to save the parameters and the probing will start. After displaying the probe results in white on black text Sysinstall will start and display its main menu (Figure 11-5).

Figure 11-5. Sysinstall Main Menu

11.2.3. Select upgrade

At the sysinstall main menu, select upgrade:

Figure 11-6. Select upgrade

                        User Confirmation Requested
Before beginning a binary upgrade, please review the upgrade instructions,
which are located in the "Install" document under the main documentation
menu.  Given that you have read these instructions and understand the risks
and precautions involved, are you sure that you want to proceed with
this upgrade?
                           [ Yes ]         No