How To Update / Upgrade Kernel

[Adler]

Hi All,

I have a fresh install of Linux Mint 14 on my H-P Pavilion DV7 Notebook, and it seems that I am running Kernel 3.5.0-17-generic. I have just read an article http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=amd_drm38_radeon&num=1 about great performance improvements on AMD Radeon Graphics Cards using the Linux 3.8 Kernel.

The card that I have is the Radeon HD 3200 series so I should see better everything. How can I (should I) install this Kernel?

As I mentioned I have a fresh install of Mint 14, and am not afraid of crashing my system. I have everything backed up, and usually try a few tweeks on every new install. I have tried another approach to improving my Radeon Driver, but that did not work well.

Any responses would be appreciated.

[d00med]

I don't know if 3.8 is released yet, but you can easily upgrade to 3.7.1 with the script UpUbuntu provides. Most likely no consolation for the graphics card improvements you're looking for.

If you have problems after installing a new kernel, hold down shift while booting to get to the grub menu and select your previous kernel.

[Adler]

d00med,

Thank you for the brilliant reply. I'll see what happens when I do the update per your suggestion. Then keep looking for the release of the 3.8 Kernal.

According to what I keep reading about 3.8 it is simply amazing.

Thanks again.

[Adler]

Hi All,

I did find when the Linux Kernel 3.8 will be released:

Apparently, the final version of Linux kernel 3.8 will be released in mid-March 2013, and the first RC (Release Candidate) version will be made available for testing in January 2013, right after the winter holidays.

[d00med]

d00med,
According to what I keep reading about 3.8 it is simply amazing.

Thanks again.

Welcome. I keep hearing the same thing. Looking forward to it.

[Adler]

d00med,

I followed your recommendation, and did the Kernel update to 3.7.1. Painless.

I am going to move a friend of mine from Mint 12 to 14 this weekend, and do the same to his fresh install. He gave up on M$7, and had me set him up with Mint.

Thanks again for jumping in here.

[d00med]

Awesome, Adler, glad my post was useful. There's some good stuff upcoming for Mint as well.

You can get rid of your old kernels with this script.

[zerozero]

according to Linus 3.8-rc1 is out
https://plus.google.com/109995262342451 ... M7dPqjt53C
and for mint14/quantal this http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/ma ... c1-raring/ should work
install the 3 debs (headers, image and image-extra) for your architecture and dpkg -i *deb them
as always the usual warnings: this is the first rc, this is a kernel, if you don't know what you are doing, don't do it (just to be clear this warning is not intended to d00med and Adler but as a general disclaimer)

[Adler]

zerozero,

I am willing to take that wild ride, but am involved with an Android device right now. Which I may or may not put Linux on. The plan is to make it my XBMC Media Center by porting it to my HDTV. Then there is that Google Samsung Chromebook that I want to put Linux on.

So many oppotunities to put Linux everywhere. So little time... LOL.

I am in a bit of a rush, but thanks for that post.

[michaeljwjr]

ok i've tried to do this. ran the script. even tried manually installing the 3.8 .deb files. Every time I check system information I'm still seeing 3.5 generic in there. Help?

[zerozero]

hi
assuming that the kernels are properly installed try

Code: Select all

sudo update-grub

[michaeljwjr]

hi
assuming that the kernels are properly installed try

Code: Select all

sudo update-grub

Thank you! I ran your commands and got:

Code: Select all

sudo update-grub
Generating grub.cfg ...
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.8.0-030800rc1-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.8.0-030800rc1-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.7.1-030701-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.7.1-030701-generic
Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-17-generic
Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-3.5.0-17-generic
Found Ubuntu 12.10 (12.10) on /dev/sda4
Adding boot menu entry for EFI firmware configuration
done


However when I reboot, nothing has changed, advanced options still only show 3.5. I did sudo update-grub, and sudo update-grub2 both had same output, no change.

[zerozero]

i see that both kernels are installed and are recognized updating grub (so ther shouldn't be any problem upon reboot)

but i see also that you have an EFI kind of install and my best guess is that is the bit that is messing all.
as i have no experience with EFI (never saw such a thing and honestly don't want to ) i would recommend you to open a new topic stating clearly that this issue is EFI related
and probably here viewforum.php?f=46 would be the best place for it

[michaeljwjr]

i see that both kernels are installed and are recognized updating grub (so ther shouldn't be any problem upon reboot)

but i see also that you have an EFI kind of install and my best guess is that is the bit that is messing all.
as i have no experience with EFI (never saw such a thing and honestly don't want to ) i would recommend you to open a new topic stating clearly that this issue is EFI related
and probably here viewforum.php?f=46 would be the best place for it

Done and thank you for your help thus far.

[zerozero]

you're welcome and good luck with the new topic.

[anandrkris]

Hi...Am curious to know if Nviida Optimus indeed works in new kernel...Could you update if the new kernel works fine...
My card is Nvidia geforce 540M...

[zerozero]

if you are talking about native optimus technology support within this 3.8 kernel i'm afraid not
latest news i saw about (already from sept) http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=n ... px=MTE5MDY

[anandrkris]

Okies. Thanks for the link. I did go through the presentation and is apparently a primitive workaround.

I misconstrued this news that new kernel would support Optimus when i saw my driver series listed in the article whilst skimming through the article.

So I infer that i would still need bumblebee to switch between Intel and Nvidia chip but might experience better 3D performance?

[zerozero]

ahh i see
that is an interesting link
it refers to nouveau (the open source driver) and how the new commits will make it work as good as the proprietary nvidia driver
(funny tho when i'm getting rid of nvidia cards in my system, nouveau finally catches up)

[Adler]

Hi All,

After 7 Release Candidates Linus Torvalds has released the 3.8 (Stable) Kernel. You can get the install instructions here - http://www.upubuntu.com/2013/02/installupgrade-to-linux-kernel-38.html.

To check to see that you are running the latest (3.8) Kernel run "uname -r" (without the quotes) in Terminal.