What is the best way to upgrade the Linux Kernel?

Question

I was wondering what the most efficient way to upgrade the Linux kernel would be. I am currently using Linux Mint 9 which is a derivative of Ubuntu 10.04. Ubuntu 10.04 is using Kernel 2.32-xx and only seems to patch that Kernel when it comes down to upgrades. I have currently installed Kernel 2.34 via http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/ , and installed in the order:

linux-headers-2.6.34-020634_2.6.34-020634_all.deb
linux-headers-2.6.34-020634-generic_2.6.34-020634_XXX.deb [i386/amd64]
linux-image-2.6.34-020634-generic_2.6.34-020634_XXX.deb [i386/amd64]

It seems to have worked, though Ksplice uptrack doesn't like it, which is a total bummer. The New Kernel has some awesome upgrades to it (http://www.h-online.com/open/features/What-s-new-in-Linux-2-6-34-1000122.html ), in fact with every new patched kernel that I upgraded to I had to modprobe and echo my Linksys WUSB600N to get it to work again with the Linux Drivers, or if that didn't work I had to reinstall the driver so that it was installed under the new header.

This time when upgrading to the new kernel, I didn't even need to configure or install the driver again.

At any rate I was wondering what are the advantages to installing the Kernel form source as to the way that I went?

Thanks to any and all who answer.

Answer 1

A straightforward way to have Linux Mint 9 running off kernel 2.6.35 is by using the following method (based on my own configuration)



Open a Terminal and replace the Lucid repositories with Maverick repositories (Ubuntu 10.10 which is currently in development)



sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list



The default repositories list should look something like this



deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ isadora main upstream import

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ lucid partner

deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ lucid free non-free



Edit the list to look like this



deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ isadora main upstream import

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ maverick main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ maverick-updates main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ maverick-security main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ maverick partner

deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ lucid free non-free



Save and Close



sudo apt-get update



Close the Terminal



Open up the Package Manager (Synaptic) and install/upgrade to the following packages



linux-firmware

linux-generic

linux-headers-2.6.35-6

linux-headers-2.6.35-6-generic

linux-headers-generic

linux-image-2.6.35-6-generic

linux-image-generic

linux-libc-dev



Once installed/upgraded close the Package Manager and Reboot



After you have Rebooted you need to edit the sources list again to bring them back to Lucid



sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list



deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ isadora main upstream import

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ lucid partner

deb http://packages.medibuntu.org/ lucid free non-free



Save and Close



sudo apt-get update



Close the Terminal



Thats it kernel 2.6.35 is now successfully installed



Another worthwhile tweak if you have an Nvidia GeForce graphics card is to upgrade the driver to 256.35 (GeForce 6 and above)



HowTo install Nvidia 256.35 Drivers on Ubuntu 10.04/Linux Mint 9

http://www.webupd8.org/2010/06/how-to-install-nvidia-25635-display.html



also upgrade to Compiz 0.8.6



HowTo upgrade to Compiz 0.8.6 on Ubuntu 10.04/Linux Mint 9

http://www.webupd8.org/2010/06/upgrade-to-compiz-086-in-ubuntu-1004.html





LUg.

Answer 2

Hello,



Using a vanilla kernel is easy enough, but I do not suggest it at this time since your distro might suffer some "breakage" get "borked".

I suggest reading more about the *buntu kernel via the Ubuntu Forums on this topic there, than here.

Because you will receive better support and better coverage there.

Answer 3

make menuconfig

make

make modules

sudo make modules_install

sudo make install

and whatever the initrd program maker is (I'm on slackware which has mkinitrd. I'm also on gentoo which allows genkernel all to handle all of the above. I believe yours has mkinitramfs or some such) allow you to compile and run only modules for hardware on your system. This can speed it up dramatically. If you have an ati card you don't need the geoforce driver for example. In addition, you get the absolute latest drivers for most hardware.