I have an embedded linux device with ARM chipset. Chipset manufacturer has provided source of the kernel with version 2.6.12-5.

Because of many missing points in 2.6.12, I want to upgrade to 2.6.30 or over.

However, chipset manufacturer has included many extra source and header files for video, audio, usb, network...etc to my copy of 2.6.12 source. Unfortunately, chipset manufacturer does not want to update to a new kernel.

Is there a way to update my kernel to 2.6.30 or newer, while protecting chipset manufacturer's changes ?

Any ideas?

It is certainly possible, but without the patches they made against 2.6.12, it is a lot harder. You would need to compare an untouched version of 2.6.12 to find which files where modified and how. You would then need to apply those changes to the 2.6.30+ source.

But depending on what was changed and how, it might not be as easy as just replacing some files. The files that the manufacturer changed in 2.6.12 could be completely different or might no longer even exist in the newer kernel.

Thank you very much for your answer.

As I understand from your reply, I have to do as follows:

1) Download fresh copy of 2.6.12

2) Use ARAXIS or MELD, and compare all files that manufacturer has changed with the original kernel.

3) Find the difference in the files, and take copy of those files.

4) If those files are missing in 2.6.30, copy them to 2.6.30 source.

At this stage, I think I will need to modify Makefiles and Kconfig files in 2.6.30 source too..

Is there a standard or sequence of doing such operation?