7

I'm running the current stable Ubuntu version (Oneiric) but have issues with the shipped kernel. Newer kernel versions seem to have fixed it, but the kernel-ppa/ppa does not contain the most recent kernel which is why I want to install the kernel from the next stable version (Precise). Since I want to be able to unload out of tree kernel modules, the mainline kernel from http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline cannot be used.

I also have have Virtual Box installed which also need to work in the new kernel so the "kernel headers" have to be upgraded as well.

How am I supposed to install the kernel packages from the next stable version (Precise) without upgrading all other packages?

BuZZ-dEE
  • 14,223
Lekensteyn
  • 174,277

2 Answers2

2

You can install the mainline kernel from the ppa

http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/

Or you can compile it yourself

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile

The problem you are going to have with those options is twofold

  1. Neither the mainline kernel or compiling a newer kernel are going to have the standard set of patches Ubuntu applies, most notable is Apparmor.

  2. Any packages that depend on the kernel, Virtualbox, nvidia, wireless, etc, might not work.

You would need to debug those things yourself or wait for the Kernel team to release an updated kernel. Support for the mainline kernel or custom kernel is limited, more so for third party packages such as virtualbox , nvidia drivers, etc.

I am not trying to either encourage or discourage you, just pointing you in the right direction. I have been using a custom kernel on gentoo for almost 2 years now, but doing so requires a moderate amount of effort on my part.

From the kernel team FAQ

The mainline kernels builds are produced for debugging purposes and therefore come with no support. Use them at your own risk.

Your other option is to build a custom kernel. This is also poorly supported and requires some advanced knowledge

See https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Kernel/Compile

Building and using a custom kernel will make it very difficult to get support for your system. While it is a learning experience to compile your own kernel, you will not be allowed to file bugs on the custom-built kernel (if you do, they will be Rejected without further explanation).

Your best option may be to install 12.04. Be warned it is in beta at the moment, you might want to wait for the release.

  • You may be better off filing a bug report

How do I report a bug?

Community
  • 1
Panther
  • 102,067
  • The mainline kernel is not an option as I need to be able to unload modules. I heard something about pinning? Is that easy? Can't I just download the packages somewhere and install it? – Lekensteyn Jan 31 '12 at 18:34
  • You can load and unload modules with the mainline kernel. What are you trying to do exactly ? – Panther Jan 31 '12 at 18:36
  • Too late to edit ... You have to build the driver as a module to be able to load and unload it (rather then built into the kernel). This is something you set when you configure the kernel. – Panther Jan 31 '12 at 18:42
  • Due to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/MainlineBuilds#Mainline_Build_Tool_chain, Ubuntu's mainline kernel cannot be used. I'm just looking for an easy way to install a newer kernel as it is supposed to fix brightness issues. (fyi, I know how to compile a kernel, but the answer on this question is to be used as generic answer for other questions) – Lekensteyn Jan 31 '12 at 18:52
  • If there is not a .deb available you will need to build it from source. – Panther Jan 31 '12 at 18:54
  • I suppose the question is more like if there is a ppa that has a kernel to update the one shipped with Ubuntu. So it will have all patches and so on. Not the mainline kernel where the graphics drivers, etc won't compile for. – gontadu May 21 '12 at 15:35
0

You can see the auto kernel script to see how to compile the Linux kernel and add it to GRUB from this post.

Eliah Kagan
  • 117,780
sdk
  • 1
  • That link may answer the question, but it is better to include the important things of the answer here and provide the link for reference. Remember, linked answers can be invalid if the page link changes. – lambda23 Oct 23 '12 at 11:36