You can look at this link, it gives you two ways to update your system to newer kernels.

https://itsfoss.com/upgrade-linux-kernel-ubuntu/

So i went ahead and did apt-get update then apt-get upgrade under the old kernel and all it did was upgrade programs. Still no internet

I can boot into either kernel, but no internet and nice (nvidia) graphics on the newer one, internet but nvidia driver and crappy graphics on the old kernel.

I know its a longshot but i feel that somehow installing the Nvidia drivers screwed up the kernel. Thats the only thing I did that changed when this started.


I think I am going to have to try installing the newest kernel (but its the same version I am having the ethernet/module problem with), or leave it as it is and use the older

one for now. Thanks for the link and help everyone.

How did you install the Nvidia driver? Which kernel was active when it was installed?

I have been useing Nvidia drivers for years, you have to install it to the kernel you wish to use. So, If you have 2 different kernels, you install twice. The driver builds the loadedable module for what ever kernel was active at install time.

Did you use a driver directly from Nvidia, or did it come from your distro?

I installed it using the ubuntu software update system, Im guessing the newer kernel (5.15.0-56-generic) was active because I did not install any other kernel and its the newer

one that must have been there when I installed Xubuntu.

The ubuntu software system has a tab that says additional drivers, I clicked on it and and it had the exact name and model of my graphics card, then I chose apply changes. Maybe

also, the sofware center says using nvidida driver metapackage from nvidia-driver-470 (proprietary-tested)

something went haywire during the driver install?

The kernel that it is installed to newest version (5.15.0-56-generic), is the one that is missing the realtek/ethernet modules with no internet.
When I log in under the older kernel internet works, but no nvidia driver.

If you were running the new kernel, and installed the Nvidia driver, the module built at install time is for the new kernel.

You can either stick to the new kernel, and fix the module problem, OR switch to your old kernel, and install the Nvidia driver again. Pick one.

I am afaid that if I install the nvidia driver on the ond kernel i will lose internet and have module problems on that one also.

I might try to install another newer kernel, install the Nvidia driver on that, then have the oldest one as a fallback incase something happens again.

Fear will not get you anywhere. Nvidia drivers have no effect on kernels. The install process simply builds the necessary code to work with a kernel; the active one when you do the install.

If there was a problem with their driver like that, there would be thousands of user screaming at the top of their lungs. Look at the forum, see if you can find anyone where the Nvidia driver destroys a kernel.

Of course, you could take the Windoze way to fix things, learn nothing, and re-install.

Ok, Thanks for the help camorri.

I was able to install the most recent kernel (6.0.9-06), then install the nvidia driver (after several failed attempts) and everything is working as it should, even better than before.

Not sure how or why the 15.5 kernel went haywire.

Thanks to everyone that helped.