upgrade solves other issues?

[John R. Sowden]

I am having a problem whereby gcc and other low level programs cannot be 
upgraded (even by root).  I have written about this before with varying 
responses.  I do not want to (unless I _have_ to) remove Ubuntu from my 
computer and "reinstall the operating system", as Microsoft says.  I 
will not know what programs I have added, written, etc. over the years 
that will be lost.  Will upgrading to 14.04 solve this issue?

Also what directories will be left alone?

John