Hey. I’m pretty new to Linux. First time I installed it was on a VM on windows. Guess what I was running? UBUNTU!!! So, about 3 months ago I decided to actually download Linux. You know, to stick out like a sore thumb. First thing I installed was Manjaro. On the second day the kernel was gone. Wow!!! So Windows was still on my PC then and I installed Fedora KDE. Went well but then installed Fedora GNOME to rice up my PC!!! Now, I installed EndeavourOS, but after a little bit of lack of carefulness I deleted windows. So far it’s going well. I don’t use my PC too often also but just for some important stuff or to play around and explore the vast wayland (pun not intended) of Linux. But I was wondering, because of all this advanced thingy majingys, will my OS be destroyed after some time of no use? I know Linux is a harsh OS, will something happen if, let’s say I don’t update the kernel in a looooong time? Also, what happens IF I update the kernel? Is it as dangerous as a BIOS update in a thunderstorm?
No, no it won’t catch fire. Updating every few months is fine too. If I remember correctly, the Linux Unplugged podcast did a show where they hadn’t updated an Arch install in almost half a year. Updated fine. As long you read the output, understand any errors, and have a rollback plan, you’re absolutely fine.
You do not need to update every day. I tend to do it once a week, sometimes, once a month. It’s Linux. You’re in control. You choose what works for you.
Nothing bad will happen. System keeps running. Though, you may get into minor issues whenever you update next. Arch (and hence EndeavourOS) is rolling distro, i.e. you get updates and and when packaged.
But again, I often go a month without updating and no issues when I update later. YMMV.
Nothing special as such. You get a new kernel, thats all.
Ensure that the install isn’t terminated midway (eg. you closing the terminal “accidentally” or laptop battery going dead) and you’ll be fine.
PS. Kernel will be updated along with the other applications. I hope you don’t mean to do a partial upgrade (which is unsupported).
The required number of updates stack up fast and updates (if infrequent) could take quite some time and result in a number of things that you need to pursue/investigate/fix, having 20 things go wrong once a year may result in you being overwhelmed
Simplicity and best practice are to update relatively often, so that if there is a problem it’s easier to narrow down what changes.
Another thing I can add to have a stable system is to not install many things from AUR (Arch User Repository) because sometimes thing contained there could become incompatible with upstream updates.
In case you need a software not available in upstream repos, you can search for it as an AppImpage or Flatpak… or another portable way.
You could run once installed as long as the Hardware let you use it.
As long as you do not update nor install any new things
On “updating kernel” you will not do that anyway on arch/based you always update the complete system all together partly updates are not supported. Updating kernel will not burst the OS generally in case it is a good option to install LTS (long-term-supported) Kernel in addition so just in case main one has an issue you have this one to boot from. You can select from boot menu.
It is recommended to do regular updates at least once a month and … indeed before every new package installation.
I was able to update installs over after years with not updating, but that’s always little challenge!
Best approach is to take the time to at least update the OS once a month and checking changes on the Forum or arch news at least.
If you update and there’s a new kernel well then … you have the latest kernel. A BIOS update in a thunderstorm? Well that’s just something one wouldn’t do if they don’t want to bork their hardware.
Best way to install EOS is forget about all those other distros and wipe out Windows on the install. Then you’ll really have it. I don’t recommend installing during a Thunderstorm.
LOL try it being a beautiful 95 degree day and you decide to update your bios and just as it’s about to do the reboot the power goes out. That hurts cause just a couple of seconds more and all WOULD have been good.
If you have doubts or fears or whatever, try adding Timeshift to your tools. In my opinion, it should be in all distributions. You can always go back and solve all the problems.
Jumping in here, because this has kind of bugged me a little, - don’t most boards these days come with a “failover” BIOS that you can flash and restore from? I’ve built a couple of rigs with Gigabyte boards over the last 15 years, and both came with a recovery bios that you pressed a button for and it would reflash from the board backup onto the board. Crazy stuff!
