http://wiki.gridcoin.us/Linux_guide this is the best guide I could find:( As for transfer, no you can not until you are synced and on the right chain.
I feel for you, your problems are magnified by a harder interface. You could try to just rebuild block chain and download blocks and try to sync without installing the new version, see if it will get you on the right chain, Then transfer to some exchange or another wallet, like Bitshares or BISQUE. But the last update was mandatory and I am not convinced that you can join the network without it. If nothing works, ask on reddit, there are people who know more than me, especially when it comes to LINUX.
RE: Results of the contest "Tell me what to buy right now! [23] GRIDCOIN (GRC) , BITSHARES (BTS) and EOS (EOS)" by toofasteddie