Consequences of using an older kernel
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There are no such things as "stupid" questions. However if you think your question is a bit stupid, then this is the right place for you to post it. Stick to easy to-the-point questions that you feel people can answer fast. For long and complicated questions use the other forums in the support section.
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
Consequences of using an older kernel
Hello all,
If I use any kernel version beyond 4.15.0-29-generic my internet doesn't work on my netbook. I was just wondering what repercussions this will have (currently using Mint 19 w/MATE desktop environment).
If I should install something like Lubuntu instead, is there any way I can put all the available Linux drivers for wireless hardware on a flash drive? This netbook does not have an Ethernet port, so if Lubuntu comes without drivers (as it did on my 32 bit machine) I'm screwed.
Thanks in advance.
If I use any kernel version beyond 4.15.0-29-generic my internet doesn't work on my netbook. I was just wondering what repercussions this will have (currently using Mint 19 w/MATE desktop environment).
If I should install something like Lubuntu instead, is there any way I can put all the available Linux drivers for wireless hardware on a flash drive? This netbook does not have an Ethernet port, so if Lubuntu comes without drivers (as it did on my 32 bit machine) I'm screwed.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
- AZgl1800
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Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
The purist amongst us, will proclaim that Death and Destruction will Raineth upon us by doing so.
Me?
the 1 in a 10 million percent chance that someone stumbles on my lowly laptop while I am cruising the internet is so remote, as to be a joke.
I set up a laptop for my sister to use, she is 1300 miles away, so hands on maintenance is impossible.
so, I setup a crontab job to install all of the Security Related updates, and ignored the kernel.
I don't trust kernel updates, because I have seen first hand how they can literally break your daily driver...
and sis and hubby have gone about their surfing business, happy as a duck in the water, and the Mint 18.3 Cinnamon is up todate mostly....
Me?
the 1 in a 10 million percent chance that someone stumbles on my lowly laptop while I am cruising the internet is so remote, as to be a joke.
I set up a laptop for my sister to use, she is 1300 miles away, so hands on maintenance is impossible.
so, I setup a crontab job to install all of the Security Related updates, and ignored the kernel.
I don't trust kernel updates, because I have seen first hand how they can literally break your daily driver...
and sis and hubby have gone about their surfing business, happy as a duck in the water, and the Mint 18.3 Cinnamon is up todate mostly....
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
I'm not a purist so I'll proclaim that there is no substitute for something that works.AZgl1500 wrote:The purist amongst us, will proclaim that Death and Destruction will Raineth upon us by doing so.
The only consequence is you will not have the latest hardware support and security updates.
Not that the latest wifi driver updates helped you in any way
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
Oh okay, that's awesome. Yeah, I'm not super concerned about security...worst case they'll find out about my guilty pleasure Zydeco music...
Can someone link me to a guide to set ...29 as my default?
Can someone link me to a guide to set ...29 as my default?
- AZgl1800
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Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
In my particular case, none of the kernels support my WiFi adapter,WharfRat wrote: ⤴Sun Oct 07, 2018 10:01 pmI'm not a purist so I'll proclaim that there is no substitute for something that works.AZgl1500 wrote:The purist amongst us, will proclaim that Death and Destruction will Raineth upon us by doing so.
The only consequence is you will not have the latest hardware support and security updates.
Not that the latest wifi driver updates helped you in any way
so I am very touchy about kernel updates.....
a lot of Kudos go to @JeremyB for creating a special script for my WiFi problem....
since then I have installed 1 new kernel and the WiFi is still working.
for my sister? 1300 miles away?
uh, no, I am not risking a bad kernel to cripple her laptop.
when I next see her next year, I will update the kernel, so,
an annual kernel update is the best that one pc is going to see.
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
sudo apt-mark hold linux-headers-4.15.0-29 linux-headers-4.15.0-29-generic linux-image-4.15.0-29-generic linux-modules-4.15.0-29-generic linux-modules-extra-4.15.0-29-generic
will place the updates for the kernel image, modules and headers on hold which will prevent the packages from being automatically installed, upgraded or removed.
If worse comes to worse you can always reinstall 4.15.0-29-generic.
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
I also have that kernel update-phobia lol, & erm..dont wanna hijack the topic .. so
viewtopic.php?f=90&t=279183
viewtopic.php?f=90&t=279183
- AZgl1800
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Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
if you remove all kernels above ....29, it will automatically become the default.Doctor Funkenstein wrote: ⤴Sun Oct 07, 2018 10:27 pm
Can someone link me to a guide to set ...29 as my default?
use Update Manager to do that for you,
- View Kernels
Select the proper group,
then start at the top of the list, and remove them one, by one, until -29 is the topmost kernel listed, and it should also be shown as "Active"
Make sure, that in Update Manager Preferences that Kernel Updates are not automatically selected : installed.
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
Reading this thread and wondering.
Handling the kernel configuration and enabling drivers for hardware used to be a basic skill of any *nix admin and user.
Nowadays it seems to become separated - users and admins. Mint developers do the admin work and users rely on it. And there is no direct feedback. In past, when admin changed something and the change broke a functionality for users they picked up the phone or emailed the admin and let him know.
FYI, anyone can still use a custom kernel with Mint. It is not rocket science.
I recall when I made my first contact with Linux I was completely in dark, like most new Mint users today. I had a Gravis Ultrasound sound card and to make it work I had to patch the kernel. It was all complete terra incongnita for me. In addition, the documentation available to me was in English and I knew maybe 10 words in English. So I had to learn a new language, *nix basics and the whole new concept of building and compiling all the same time. I made it and I do not consider myself some sort of geeky genius.
You can do it, too. Instead of workarounds suggested in this thread you can take control.
Handling the kernel configuration and enabling drivers for hardware used to be a basic skill of any *nix admin and user.
Nowadays it seems to become separated - users and admins. Mint developers do the admin work and users rely on it. And there is no direct feedback. In past, when admin changed something and the change broke a functionality for users they picked up the phone or emailed the admin and let him know.
FYI, anyone can still use a custom kernel with Mint. It is not rocket science.
I recall when I made my first contact with Linux I was completely in dark, like most new Mint users today. I had a Gravis Ultrasound sound card and to make it work I had to patch the kernel. It was all complete terra incongnita for me. In addition, the documentation available to me was in English and I knew maybe 10 words in English. So I had to learn a new language, *nix basics and the whole new concept of building and compiling all the same time. I made it and I do not consider myself some sort of geeky genius.
You can do it, too. Instead of workarounds suggested in this thread you can take control.
Master Foo Discourses on GUI.
First Linux 1997. Last Windows 2004.
First Linux 1997. Last Windows 2004.
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
A better fix for you wifi is
I was hoping the issue would be fixed quickly in the kernel
The dkms will build a good wifi module while a new kernel is installed
Code: Select all
sudo apt-get install git build-essential dkms
git clone https://github.com/lwfinger/rtlwifi_new.git
sudo dkms add ./rtlwifi_new
sudo dkms install rtlwifi-new/0.6
The dkms will build a good wifi module while a new kernel is installed
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
Jeremy, is there any way to undo this? I tried it first while still running .29, which broke it, and then again on .36, which did not work either. Maybe mine has a different problem.JeremyB wrote: ⤴Mon Oct 08, 2018 10:26 am A better fix for you wifi isI was hoping the issue would be fixed quickly in the kernelCode: Select all
sudo apt-get install git build-essential dkms git clone https://github.com/lwfinger/rtlwifi_new.git sudo dkms add ./rtlwifi_new sudo dkms install rtlwifi-new/0.6
The dkms will build a good wifi module while a new kernel is installed
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
If .36 was already installed while you were on 29, you might have to do
See what happens
Code: Select all
sudo dkms install rtlwifi-new/0.6 -k 4.15.0-36-generic
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
It returnedJeremyB wrote: ⤴Tue Oct 09, 2018 5:27 pm If .36 was already installed while you were on 29, you might have to doSee what happensCode: Select all
sudo dkms install rtlwifi-new/0.6 -k 4.15.0-36-generic
Code: Select all
Module rtlwifi-new/0.6 already installed on kernel 4.15.0-36-generic/x86_64
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
While in -29 do
Boot in to -36 and do
Then with internet connection
Code: Select all
cd ~
wget -N -t 5 -T 10 https://github.com/UbuntuForums/wireless-info/raw/master/wireless-info && chmod +x wireless-info
Code: Select all
./wireless-info
Code: Select all
cat wireless-info.txt | nc termbin.com 9999
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
It returned this link: http://termbin.com/8v8x
I did step 1 with kernel version ...24 since ...29 doesn't have a connection now
I did step 1 with kernel version ...24 since ...29 doesn't have a connection now
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
What result for
Code: Select all
modinfo /lib/modules/4.15.0-36-generic/updates/rtl8723_common.ko
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
LOL, though I may have used 'paranoid' instead of 'purist'. I think some of these newer scares are vastly overblown, and that using a new kernel that breaks your system to the point it's unusable will make it perhaps too safe.
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong - H. L. Mencken
- AZgl1800
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Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
yeah, 'purist' was what rolled off the Fingertips, before the brain got in gear and started thinking
IMO, this is all blown way out of proportion to the actual security that 'might be' involved.
even after exploits have been broadcast to the winds, I have never, ever, seen one that infiltrated my PC, and up until a year ago, that was a Windows PC...... I just ran the usual Avast or other free AV program and let it proclaim how many 1000 hits it had saved me from.
this laptop I am using for my Daily Driver is running a crontab job to install any and all updates that are available as of 12 noon each day. it is never turned off, just close the Lid and let it keep running. all updates except the Kernel. I avoid those until I review what it might do....
as for reviewing what the other updates accomplish for me, that got to be an extremely inglorious task, and I finally just "to hell with it" and wrote the crontab job
Re: Consequences of using an older kernel
JeremyB wrote: ⤴Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:26 am What result forCode: Select all
modinfo /lib/modules/4.15.0-36-generic/updates/rtl8723_common.ko
Code: Select all
modinfo: ERROR: Module /lib/modules/4.15.0-36-generic/updates/rtl8723_common.komodinfo not found.
modinfo: ERROR: Module /l not found.