How to Install and Upgrade to a New Kernel on Linux Mint

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Updating the kernel in Linux can give you the latest drivers, features, fixes, and other critical updates. If it's your first time updating the kernel in Linux Mint, don't worry—we'll walk you through the process step-by-step.

Steps

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  • Type/Copy/Paste: uname -aThis should print the version of the kernel that you are using make a note of it.
  • This should print the version of the kernel that you are using make a note of it.

Then you will want to check which kernel is newly available at http://www.kernel.org.

  • Make a note of the latest stable kernel. For example, the website will tell you which is a stable kernel. You should always select the stablest kernel in order to make sure your system doesn’t crash and burn with a research or development kernel.

Make sure you know whether your Linux operating system is a 32-bit or 64-bit.

You can find this information out by opening up a terminal and typing the following.

  • Type/Copy/Paste: file /sbin/initthis will inform you about the bit version of the operating system, whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit
  • this will inform you about the bit version of the operating system, whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit

Download the following files which correspond to your system.

In this example we will simulate installing/upgrading stable Linux kernel 3.10.4 for a 32-bit and 64-bit system.

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  • Select the folder that contains the latest stable kernel and download the following files. You may have to scroll down a long list of folders until you find the correct folder. In this case we will select the /v3.10.4-saucy/ folder.

Try using Linux-Kernel-3.10.4 stable.

In order to perform the installation and upgrade, you will need to download three important files.

  • 32-bitDownload these three files if you are on a 32-bit Linux Mint operating system.
  • Download these three files if you are on a 32-bit Linux Mint operating system.
  • linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb
  • linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb
  • linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb
  • 64-bitDownload these three files if you are on a 64-bit Linux Mint operating system.
  • Download these three files if you are on a 64-bit Linux Mint operating system.
  • linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb
  • linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb
  • linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb

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  • Type/Copy/Paste: mkdir Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  • Type/Copy/Paste: cd /home/”your_user_name”/Downloads

Follow the 32-bit Instructions:

  • Copy the following files to your Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade folder, using the following command below.Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-UpgradeType/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-UpgradeType/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  • Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  • Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  • Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade

Follow the 64-bit Instructions:

  • Copy the following files to your Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade folder, using the following command belowType/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-UpgradeType/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-UpgradeType/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  • Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  • Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  • Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb /home/”your_user_name”/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade

Type/Copy/Paste:

cd /home//Linux-Kernel-3.10.4

  • this will change you into your Linux-Kernel-3.10.4 upgrade folder

Type/Copy/Paste:

sudo -s dpkg -i *.deb

  • this command will install all the kernel deb packages

Type/Copy/Paste:

sudo -s update-grub

  • This command will update your GNU GRUB bootloader letting your system know you have installed a new kernel and to boot this newly installed kernel

Reboot your Linux Mint operating system with your newly installed kernel and log back in and run the following command below.

Check to see if the installation was successful by typing the following command.

  • Type/Copy/Paste: uname -aThis command should display your new kernel
  • This command should display your new kernel

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