I just did an 'aptitude dist-upgrade' command and everytime a new kernel is released, it keeps wanting to install the 486 version(linux-image-2.6.22-1-486). I don't want that version I want the k7 version, I have been manually installing the k7.

I tried the 'aptitude hold linux-image-2.6.22-1-486' command but everytime I do dist-upgrade, it keeps saying the 486 image will be installed.

What am I doing wrong and what is the correct way to hold or stop Sid from installing the 486 kernel image?

Thnx.

You may have the wrong virtual package installed. linux-image-2.6-486 always depends on the latest 486 kernel image, and when the virtual package is upgraded, it automatically pulls in the next 486 image.

So, remove linux-image-2.6-486 and install linux-image-2.6-k7 and future dist-upgrades should pull in the latest k7 image instead.

You can quickly check what kernels are installed, then remove the ones you do not need. Such as the 486 kernel image.


aptitude search linux-image | grep -F 'i '

I would be concerned about the order of this process. Granted, I've not done this, as I use custom compiled kernels, but wouldn't it be best to install the k7 image and boot to it before removing the 486 image?

You definitely should not remove the kernel you are currently using. On the plus side, I think that apt-get or aptitude might not actually let you do that. Still, don't try. It's also not a terrible idea to leave an extra kernel installed until you are very sure that you're happy with the new one. I often have four or five installed and in my GRUB menu list. It shouldn't hurt you, but you may have to be careful when you boot to make sure to boot the one you mean to rather than just the first one in the list.

The packages I mentioned are virtual packages and are the cause of the original problem, removing them should do no harm. But I was talking about apt-get, aptitude may very well try to remove the actual image (automatically installed by the virtual package) too. Better safe than sorry, do not attempt it in that order.

PS: You can remove the running kernel via apt, but not without a (humourous?) warning.

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You are running a kernel (version version) and attempting to remove the same version. This is a potentially disastrous action. Not only will /boot/vmlinuz-version be removed, making it impossible to boot it, (you will have to take action to change your boot loader to boot a new kernel), it will also remove all modules under the directory /lib/modules/version. Just having a copy of the kernel image is not enough, you will have to replace the modules too.

I repeat, this is very dangerous. If at all in doubt, answer Yes. If you know exactly what you are doing, and are prepared to hose your system, then answer No.

Do you want to abort removal now?
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Well I decided to 'aptitude remove' all the 486 kernels and other kernels except for the latest k7 one.

I won't be able to know the full effects until a new kernel comes out.

Thnx for the replies.