Problems with Sandy Bridge architecture and Kernel 3.0.0

[RobertLM78]

I'm running Mint 12 64-bit, with the following:

OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI Intel(R) Sandybridge Desktop
Linux **Me***-DX4860 3.0.0-17-generic #30-Ubuntu SMP Thu Mar 8 20:45:39 UTC 2012 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
----------------
*-display
description: VGA compatible controller
product: 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 2
bus info: pci@0000:00:02.0
version: 09
width: 64 bits
clock: 33MHz
capabilities: msi pm vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom
configuration: driver=i915 latency=0
resources: irq:45 memory:fe000000-fe3fffff memory:c0000000-cfffffff ioport:f000(size=64
-----------------
filename: /lib/modules/3.0.0-17-generic/kernel/drivers/gpu/drm/i915/i915.ko
license: GPL and additional rights
description: Intel Graphics
author: Tungsten Graphics, Inc.
license: GPL and additional rights
srcversion: 7AD59A0E5D35C2953A5BC3A
alias: pci:v00008086d0000015Asv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000162sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000152sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000166sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000156sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000010Asv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000126sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000116sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000106sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000122sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000112sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000102sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000046sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00000042sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000A011sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000A001sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002E92sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002E42sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002E32sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002E22sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002E12sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002E02sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002A42sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002A12sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002A02sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d000029D2sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d000029C2sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d000029B2sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d000029A2sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002992sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002982sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002972sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d000027AEsv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d000027A2sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002772sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002592sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000258Asv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002582sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002572sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d0000358Esv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00003582sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00002562sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
alias: pci:v00008086d00003577sv*sd*bc03sc*i*
depends: drm,drm_kms_helper,video,i2c-algo-bit
vermagic: 3.0.0-17-generic SMP mod_unload modversions
parm: modeset:int
parm: fbpercrtc:int
parm: panel_ignore_lid:int
parm: powersave:int
parm: semaphores:int
parm: i915_enable_rc6:int
parm: i915_enable_fbc:int
parm: lvds_downclock:int
parm: lvds_use_ssc:Use Spread Spectrum Clock with panels [LVDS/eDP] (default: auto from VBT) (int)
parm: vbt_sdvo_panel_type:int
parm: reset:bool
---------------------
I understand that there have been problems with kernel earlier than 3.1.6 with Sandy Bridge, so I have two questions:

1) To begin with - is it safe to update the kernel to 3.1.6 in Mint 12?
and
2) How do I update it? I've checked it Synaptic, and the newest version is 3.0.0.17.20.

Anyone that can help with this I would be very grateful, I've made the switch from Ubuntu to Mint just the other day and I am overwhelmingly pleased, but the Sandy Bridge problems with the kernel are a real detriment and may force me to have to hunt for yet another distro.

[DrHu]

1) To begin with - is it safe to update the kernel to 3.1.6 in Mint 12?

That's a loaded question, obviously it isn't safe (at least not ready: in repository) according to the developers of your particular distribution
--they do have to do some checks before including it; mainly that it won't break their system

Update a kernel via repository..
http://www.unixmen.com/upgrade-your-ker ... linuxmint/

Compile a new kernel..
http://www.howopensource.com/2011/08/ho ... and-10-04/

[RobertLM78]

Perhaps a bit of a loaded question =D. I'm going to give it a shot, but of course backup before trying. Thanks for the post!