General procedures for upgrading Debian

1. System backup.

2. Check package status: show any packages which have a status of Half-Installed or Failed-Config, and those with any error status.

   $ dpkg --audit

3. Inspect the status of all the packages on your system using aptitude GUI or dpkg on the command line.

   $ dpkg -l | pager
   $ dpkg --get-selections "*" > curr-pkgs.txt

4. Check packages that are held by aptitude.

   $ aptitude search "~ahold"

5. Set those packages held by aptitude to unhold state.

   $ aptitude unhold package_name

6. Check packages that are held by apt-get.

   $ dpkg --get-selections | grep 'hold$'

7. Set those packages held by apt-get to install state.

   $ echo package_name install | dpkg --set-selections

8. Remove or comment "proposed-updates" section in /etc/apt/sources.list.

9. Change the version name in sources.list, then update the package index.

   $ apt-get update

10. Perform minimal system upgrade.

    $ apt-get upgrade

11. Perform full system upgrade.

    $ apt-get dist-upgrade