Reinstall Ubuntu 24.04 LTS after upgrading to an unsupported version

If you upgraded your system to an unsupported Ubuntu version, such as Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, you must reinstall Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to return to a supported environment for Caldera products. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS is security maintained until May 2029.

Before you begin

• Make sure you have access to another computer, a USB drive to create Ubuntu installation media, and an external drive or secure network location for your backups.
• Document the Caldera products installed on the computer, their versions, license information, and any printer or network settings that you will need after the reinstallation.

Back up Caldera products before reinstalling Ubuntu

Before reinstalling Ubuntu, back up your Caldera product data and configuration. The recommended backup method depends on the product installed on the computer.

Backups help protect production-critical data if something goes wrong during an operating system downgrade, update, or system recovery.

CalderaRIP

1. First, create a Caldera Snapshot in CalderaDock.

     Important

   For complex CalderaRIP production setups, do not rely solely on Caldera Snapshots. Also use Save/Restore Config and manually back up any production-specific files you need.

2. In CalderaDock, use Save/Restore Config to back up your user-specific CalderaRIP configuration. Select the options required for your environment, including driver configuration files.
3. Manually back up your spot-color files by following How to manually back up each element of CalderaRIP?. Use this article to identify any cutter-specific files required by your setup. If you use Nexio, back up the relevant bridge folders as well.
4. Store the Save/Restore Config backup and production-specific files on an external drive or secure network location.
5. Verify that all backup files are complete and accessible before continuing.

For an overview of CalderaRIP backup options, see CalderaRIP backup overview.

Other products

For Caldera products other than CalderaRIP, such as PrimeCenter and CalderaSubmit:

1. Create a Caldera Snapshot in CalderaDock. By default, snapshots are stored locally in /opt/caldera_snapshots
2. Copy the snapshot to an external drive or secure network location.
3. Verify that the copied snapshot is complete and accessible.

After reinstalling Ubuntu, use CalderaDock to install the required Caldera products, then restore the snapshot.

Back up Ubuntu

For general Ubuntu backup guidance, see How to back up and What to back up.

Download Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

1. Go to the official Ubuntu 24.04 LTS download page.
2. Download the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installation image that matches your hardware.
3. Create bootable USB installation media using the downloaded image.

Reinstall Ubuntu 24.04 LTS

1. Connect the bootable USB drive to the computer running the unsupported Ubuntu version.
2. Restart the computer and boot from the USB drive. Refer to your computer manufacturer's documentation if you need help opening the boot menu.
3. Start the Ubuntu installer and follow the on-screen instructions to select your language, keyboard layout, network connection, and time zone.
4. Choose the installation type:
   • If the computer is dedicated to Caldera production, select the option to erase the disk and install Ubuntu.
   • If the disk contains another operating system, data partition, or configuration that you need to preserve, do not select the erase-disk option.
5. Create your user account and complete the installation.
6. When prompted, restart the computer and remove the USB drive.

For additional guidance, see the official Ubuntu installation tutorial: Install Ubuntu Desktop.

Restore your Caldera environment

1. Sign in to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
2. Confirm that the installed operating system is Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
3. Download CalderaDock from the WorkSpace dashboard and install it.
4. Open CalderaDock and install the Caldera products you need for your production environment. Make sure to install the right versions based on your license.
5. Restore your Caldera Snapshot by following the Caldera Snapshots documentation.
6. Verify that your Caldera products, licenses, printers, network locations, and production workflows are working as expected before resuming production.

Additional steps for CalderaRIP

If you use CalderaRIP, complete the following steps in addition to restoring the Caldera Snapshot:

1. Reinstall the required printer drivers.
2. Use Save/Restore Config in CalderaDock to restore your backed-up CalderaRIP configuration.
3. Restore the manually backed-up spot-color files.
4. Verify your licenses, printer connections, profiles, workflows, and production settings before resuming production.