Install and Upgrade to a New Kernel on Linux Mint

This article serves the purpose of helping the user to install and to upgrade the kernel in the Linux Mint operating system. The kernel is the core of the Linux operating system and contains new device drivers, fixes and other critical updates. For example, if you have a new device and it's not recognized by your default kernel. There is a chance a new kernel may have support for your new device. This is why it's critical and important to update your Linux Mint kernel from time to time.

Steps

  1. Check which kernel you have by running the following command
    • Type/Copy/Paste: uname -a
      • This should print the version of the kernel that you are using make a note of it.
  2. 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.
  3. 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/init
      • this will inform you about the bit version of the operating system, whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit
  4. 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.
  5. Understand that nevertheless Linux Mint is based upon Ubuntu Linux so point your browser towards http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/
    • 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.
  6. 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-bit
      • 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-bit
      • 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
  7. Create folder by running the following commands
    • Type/Copy/Paste: mkdir Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
    • Type/Copy/Paste: cd /home/"your_user_name"/Downloads
  8. 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-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
  9. Follow the 64-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_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
  10. Type/Copy/Paste: cd /home/"your_user_name"/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4
    • this will change you into your Linux-Kernel-3.10.4 upgrade folder
  11. Type/Copy/Paste: sudo -s dpkg -i *.deb
    • this command will install all the kernel deb packages
  12. 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
  13. Reboot your Linux Mint operating system with your newly installed kernel and log back in and run the following command below.
  14. Check to see if the installation was successful by typing the following command.
    • Type/Copy/Paste: uname -a
      • This command should display your new kernel

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