Before we start the upgrade, is highly recommend to make a data backup. Currently is the beta version 14.04 and is not recommended to run on main computers. The final version 14.04 (Trusty Tahr) will come in less than one month (on April 17, 2014.) with new features and improvements .
Since the Ubuntu 9.10 is coming October 29th, for those who like to taste the new (beta) features here is the short how to guide to upgrade your Ubuntu Desktop. The Ubuntu developers are moving quickly to bring you the latest and greatest software the Open Source Community has to offer. This is the Ubuntu 9.10 beta release, which brings a host of exciting new features.
To upgrade from Ubuntu 9.04 on a desktop system, press Alt+F2 and type in update-manager -d into the command box. Update Manager should open up and tell you: New distribution release ‘9.10’ is available. Click Upgrade and follow the on-screen instructions.
Today Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition is available for free download and simultaneous Canonical Ltd. release Ubuntu 8.10 Server Edition. Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition is designed for the pervasively connected digital lifestyle. With new 3G network support, users can move smoothly from wired and WiFi networks onto 3G cellphone networks while traveling. Ubuntu 8.10 is also built to be shared – users can start a quick "guest session" on the fly and let someone use their computer to surf the web or check email, while maintaining the security and integrity of their own data. And if that person really enjoys their brief session as an Ubuntu guest, they can put Ubuntu on any USB key and take it home to install on their own computer rather than having to burn a CD.
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS is the upcoming version of the Ubuntu operating system. The common name given to this release from the time of its early development was “Hardy Heron”.
You can directly upgrade to Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (“Hardy Heron”) from Ubuntu 7.10 (“Gutsy Gibbon”) or from Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (“Dapper Drake”). This page continues instructions for both. (see UpgradeNotes)
Be sure that you have all updates applied to your current version of Ubuntu before you upgrade.
Before upgrading it is recommended that you read the release notes for Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, which document caveats and workarounds for known issues in this version.
Note: If you have a version of Ubuntu other than 6.06 LTS or 7.10, please see Installation/UpgradeFromOldVersion for information on how to upgrade.
Press Alt-F2 and type update-manager --devel-release
Click the Check button to check for new updates.
A message will appear informing you of the availability of the new release.
Click Upgrade.
Follow the on-screen instructions.