HOWTO: Upgrade Kernel

[uelsk8s]

1)download the kernel packages and then install them.
kernel packages are stored in the repo, but NOT accessible from slapt-get or gslapt
you can manually download the 6.0 kernel packages from here: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/kernels/

You will need the kernel and kernel-module packages, the kernel-src package is optional and only needed to build kernel and drivers

NOTE: All the following commands need to be ran as root

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installpkg kernel-2.6.27.29-i686-1vl60.tlz
installpkg kernel-modules-2.6.27.29-i686-1vl60.tlz
installpkg kernel-src-2.6.27.29-i686-1vl60.tlz
2)update your bootloader to add the new kernel, this can be done easily with vliloconf

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vliloconf
3)install any extra driver packages needed by your system, these can be found by searching for the old kernel version in /var/log/packages

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ls /var/log/packages/*$(uname -r)*all kernel driver packages should be stored in the repo
you can download the 6.0 kernel driver packages from here: http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/kernels/drivers/
make sure to get the package that matches the kernel version you are installing
broadcom-wl-5.10.27.6_2.6.27.29-i586-1vl60.tlz
install any extra needed driver packages

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installpkg broadcom-wl-5.10.27.6_2.6.27.29-i586-1vl60.tlz
4)run depmod to update the kernel module dependancies

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root:$ depmod -aq 2.6.27.29depmod needs to be ran with the new kernels version as an argument or ran under the kernel you want the modules updated for.

5)reboot into the new kernel and verify that it is working correctly
run "depmod -aq" and reboot if not ran in lest step
This would include making sure your video driver was working and that you compiled a driver for the running kernel if needed.
running the command "vxconf" as root will update the nvidia driver module

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vxconf
6)*OPTIONAL remove old kernel and driver packages with removepkg
be careful not to remove the kernel-headers package even if it looks like an old version

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removepkg kernel-2.6.27.12
7)If you removed the old kernel you should upload your symlinks in /boot
first remove the old ones

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rm /boot/vmlinuz /boot/System.map /boot/configthen simply reinstall the NEW kernel package and let it update the symlinks

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installpkg kernel-2.6.27.29-i686-1vl60.tlz

[stretchedthin]

Hi. Uelsk8s

Great tutorial.
Only thing I can not find a 2.6.27.29 version of the alsa-driver where indicated in the tutorial...
http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/kernels/drivers/

I'm not sure if I should even attempt to complete the kernel upgrade without it.  Ah, what the hell, I'll give it a try in a virtual machine, let you know what happens.

[uelsk8s]

Hi. Uelsk8s

Great tutorial.
Only thing I can not find a 2.6.27.29 version of the alsa-driver where indicated in the tutorial...
http://vectorlinux.osuosl.org/veclinux-6.0/kernels/drivers/

I'm not sure if I should even attempt to complete the kernel upgrade without it.  Ah, what the hell, I'll give it a try in a virtual machine, let you know what happens.

The alsa drivers are built into the kernel-modules package for the 2.6.27.29 kernel

[stretchedthin]

The alsa drivers are built into the kernel-modules package for the 2.6.27.29 kernel

Thanks.  I completed the kernel upgrade, and your right everything went fine.
I also noticed a version 2.6.28.4.  this seems a little further along, but I avoided it because I could find no drivers for it.  I imagine the alsa driver is built into it as well.  Was I right to avoid this one or are the other drivers built in as well?

[uelsk8s]

you were right to avoid it.
it has the vulnerability that our 2.6.27.29 was patched against, and it is not as new as 2.6.27.29 even though it is obviously a later kernel version release.

[stretchedthin]

Uelsk8s,  I'm making a screencast of my experience with your tutorial.  I'll be the first to admit that your tutorial is straightforward, basic and easy.  But some newer users might be nervous to try and a screencast may just show how easy it really is.  OK, if I post a link to it here?

[uelsk8s]

Uelsk8s,  I'm making a screencast of my experience with your tutorial.  I'll be the first to admit that your tutorial is straightforward, basic and easy.  But some newer users might be nervous to try and a screencast may just show how easy it really is.  OK, if I post a link to it here?

Please DO.
I appreciate all the work you put into the screencast's and think that they are great.

Uel

[stretchedthin]

Right back at you, as far as work and appreciation goes. 
Here is is...uelsk8's Upgrade Linux Kernel tutorial as a screencast.

[danthemannewtolinux]

Thanks for this, it was really easy to do as long as you follow the instructions step by step, i'm now updated to the latest kernel 3.2.9!!

[dynosis]

hi very good tut. but i am stuck on grub 2. vectorlinux uses grub2 but after updating kernel to 3.3.1 all is well, it won't "update grub" command.
please help. thanks

[stretchedthin]

I've upgraded the video I had made for upgrading  the kernel in vectorlinux.
You can see the new one here.
Upgrading the Kernel in Vectorlinux

It will also be posted to opensourcebistro.com/blog1. Which is accessable by the video tutorial link on the desktop.

[swear000]

The kernel, kernel-modules, kernel-ide, kernel-source, and kernel-headers are excluded in Gslapt.  The exclusions can be removed but the upgrade alone causes the system to hang.  This is more than likely a video card problem.  However, many kernel modules are also blacklisted causing audio problems as well.  I noticed a plethora of slackware repositories listed and have contemplated enabling them for more access to files.  There are many default configuration options that seem excessive.  Is there a more bare bones version of vector that allows for the end user to custom select the packages to be installed?     

[nightflier]

With VL 7.2, the use of Slackware repositories is a thing of the past.

A very bare bones installation is possible with VL 7.2 Light. Select custom install and UN-check the box for "IceWM with VL additions and modifications". It will give you a minimal system with X-windows that you can build upon.

ISOs are found here: http://vlcore.vectorlinux.com/pkg/untested/veclinux-7.2/iso/

[swear000]

Thanks.  I saw the listing in the news section.  I upgraded my VLocoity to the latest kernel with the help of the forums and the su root -c 'mkinitrd -F' command.  Most everything works fine except avahidnsconfd.  I also used lilo because of some errors grub was generating.  I want to thank all the dedicated Vectorians for their commitment to the project.  There are growing numbers of distributions and the choices were confusing so I reverted back to Vector.  I am just wondering if I still will need the Slackware repositories for legacy hardware support.  I have to "distro hop" and try different configurations because of changing hardware frequently.