Installing a different kernel

jfb3 · 2014-10-08 19:41:36

With the new kernel 3.16.4-1 my computer won't boot without maxcpus=1 as a kernel option (and not always then).

I'd like to try the linux-lts kernel.

I tried searching for the answers to my question to no avail...

Do I need to uninstall linux and linux-headers before/after installing linux-lts and linux-lts-headers?

Is installing linux-lts and linux-lts-headers all I need to do?

What is the way to backup a kernel and any associated stuff to use after an update screws up and won't work?

Trilby · 2014-10-08 19:46:42

I'm not sure why you asked the first part of this here. Surely it'd be faster to open a terminal and type "pacman -S linux-lts" which would allow you to immediately find out whether the lts kernel package conflicted with the regular kernel. But if you're patient enough to type up a post here, and wait for someone to reply, I'm in a good mood, so I'll type that command for you: linux-lts doesn't conflict with linux.

When you install linux-lts, you'll just need to point your bootloader at it.

jfb3 · 2014-10-08 20:57:32

Trillby,

Actually typing 'pacman -S linux-lts' in terminal doesn't actually answer in of my questions. By doing so I would assume that the lts kernel would become the current bootable image. Yet, you say I have to point my bootloader at it.

I typed the first question because using linux over the past 20 years has shown me that not asking a question and assuming the answer is always worse that asking and getting an answer.

So, I'll just give it a shot. What the hell, huh?

bstaletic · 2014-10-08 21:24:56

In short, just install the lts version and update your bootloader (grub-mkconfig for grub). You can later uninstall your previous kernel and it's headers to save space.

Always have a working kernel as a fallback solution, and pacman also has a downgrade option (look it up).

Trilby · 2014-10-08 21:34:11

jfb3 wrote:

Actually typing 'pacman -S linux-lts' in terminal doesn't actually answer in of my questions.

It does answer the first question: can you install linux-lts along side the regular linux package: yes.

ewaller · 2014-10-08 21:40:54

What may not be clear is that you can have multiple kernels installed at the same time. They each have their own modules and headers stored in directories. For example, my system has the stock kernel and a custom kernel that I built and installed by hand. My boot loader has entries for both of them. At boot time, I select which kernel I want to use and the system then finds the correct modules (if needed) to go with that kernel.

If you install the linux-lts kernel without pointing a boot loader option at it, it will just sit there taking up disk space on the boot volume along side the stock kernel -- meanwhile the system will continue to use the stock kernel since that is how you configured the boot loader in the first place.

Arch Linux

#1 2014-10-08 19:41:36

Installing a different kernel

#2 2014-10-08 19:46:42

Re: Installing a different kernel

#3 2014-10-08 20:57:32

Re: Installing a different kernel

#4 2014-10-08 21:24:56

Re: Installing a different kernel

#5 2014-10-08 21:34:11

Re: Installing a different kernel

#6 2014-10-08 21:40:54

Re: Installing a different kernel

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