Cheking how to update the kernel

Sabinou · 07-26-2006, 04:48 AM

Hello hello !

I'd like to update my kernel version, and since it's no casual operation, i'd just like to ask you guys if I'm right with the way that must be done...

Don't worry about the length of the post, it's because of four [ code ] parts.

My system is Mandriva 2006, on a Pentium IV, using its default kernel, 2.6.12-12mdk, and the kernel-source is currently the same. (In the course of failed attempts at installing nvidia acceleration drivers, I uninstalled all nvidia AND kernel-source packages, ended up running mesa, and installed the original 2.6.12-12mdk using Mandriva's installation DVD)

I read the explanations here :
http://www.mandriva.com/en/security/kernelupdate

So, if I'm still right, the latest kernel package for mandriva being kernel-2.6.12.24mdk, what I need to do is first

Code:

urpmi kernel-2.6.12.24mdk

However, I really didn't understand the explanations about editing lilo.conf (I'm using Lilo). The original is :

Code:

# File generated by DrakX/drakboot
# WARNING: do not forget to run lilo after modifying this file

default="linux"
boot=/dev/hde
map=/boot/map
keytable=/boot/fr-latin1.klt
menu-scheme=wb:bw:wb:bw
prompt
nowarn
timeout=100
message=/boot/message
disk=/dev/hde bios=0x80
image=/boot/vmlinuz
	label="linux_mandriva_2006"
	root=/dev/hdc1
	initrd=/boot/initrd.img
	append="resume=/dev/hdc5 splash=silent"
	vga=788
image=/boot/vmlinuz
	label="Linux_unknown_option"
	root=/dev/hdc1
	initrd=/boot/initrd.img
	append="resume=/dev/hdc5"
image=/boot/vmlinuz
	label="Linux_failsafe"
	root=/dev/hdc1
	initrd=/boot/initrd.img
	append="failsafe resume=/dev/hdc5"
other=/dev/hde1
	label="Windows_XP"

Does that mean there would be two versions of the part

Code:

image=/boot/vmlinuz
	label="linux_mandriva_2006"
	root=/dev/hdc1
	initrd=/boot/initrd.img
	append="resume=/dev/hdc5 splash=silent"
	vga=788

One version pointing to initrd.img (initrd.img being symlinked to the new kernel), while I should create a copy of that part, but pointing to the previous link of initrd.img ?

Just in case that has importance, here's the list of the files present in /boot :

Code:

boot.0800            initrd-2.6.12-12mdk.img  message-graphic
boot.2100            initrd.img@              message-text
config@              kernel.h@                System.map@
config-2.6.12-12mdk  kernel.h-2.6.12-12mdk    System.map-2.6.12-12mdk
fr-latin1.klt        map                      vmlinuz@
grub/                message@                 vmlinuz-2.6.12-12mdk

Does a kernel change imply other possible complications, like stuff to reinstall or reconfigure ?
Thanks if you can confirm if I'll be doing things the right way

Matir · 07-26-2006, 10:34 PM

If you install the new kernel version, it will create the symlinks and stanzas for you. You can then edit lilo.conf if you want to retain access to the old kernel.

Sabinou · 07-29-2006, 02:31 PM

OK then, thank you