Ok, so i should do a

#apt-get install kernel-image-2.4.27-1-686

and then modify /boot/lilo/lilo.conf to boot the new kernel right?

erm what do i actually modify in there?


Regards,

Edwin

Debian will modify the lilo.conf for you If it gives you any directions on adding a line to it, make sure you write it down. If you dont have an initrd line it will ask you to then add one. If it does, it is importatnt you do or you won't be able to bring the box back up.

Yup, not able to bring the box back up, that's what i'm most wary of...

Anyways, could anyone kindly explain what initrd is? what am i actually doing when i add the line?

Thanks!


Regards,

Edwin

initrd is the kernel which is loaded into a ramdisk (ie memory) and then the system boots from this ramdisk. I think I gave the line above. Check your /boot and check the initrd.img it is likely to be initrd.img-2.4.27-1-686 so the line to add to lilo would be;
initrd=/boot/initrd.img-2.4.27-1-686
then from the command line do lilo to write it ro the mbr
The install will configure the old kernel as well to Linux.old so you will still be able to boot the old kernel

have managed to successfully upgraded the kernel and rebooted... phew... thanks!

But now, my PCMCIA Ethernet card no longer initializes (doesn't even have LED on).

What can i do about it? I think the PCMCIA modules weren't loaded?


Regards,

Edwin

do modconf from a consol and go down the list for the relevant driver something like /kernel/drivers/net/pcmcia and then select the one you need

hmm... this is a bit disturbing, but i ran modconf and there isn't any PCMCIA package... looked under /kernel/drivers/net, but i think that isn't the place to look, 'cos the drivers there don't seem to be for PCMCIA Ethernet cards...


Regards,

Edwin

I just checked a 2.4.25 kernel on my system (I use 2.6.3) and the pcmcia modules are separate in /lib/modules/kernel_version_#. If you know which module you need then check this directory as you can use insmod to install the module. Also check your /var/log/syslog or messages and see what the kernel has done with the ethernet.

There isn't any PCMCIA under /lib/modules/2.4.27-1-686 either.

There are 2 directories (under them, are similar to what i see in modconf):
kernel
init

And there are 8 files:
modules.dep
modules.generic_string
modules.ieee1394map
modules.isapnpmap
modules.parportmap
modules.pcimap
modules.pnpbiosmap
modules.usbmap

There is a pcmcia sub-directory under /lib/modules/2.2.20-idepci (previous kernel), and there is a xirc2ps_cs.o which i think is the driver for my card (i use a Xircom card), but i can't insmod that one (different compiler ver).


Regards,

Edwin

You have a couple of options now. You can up and download a 2.6.x kernel-image and install that through dpkg-install or go backward. I have a 2.4.24 kernel with the pcmcia modules.

well i guess before i go to 2.4.24 or 2.6.x, i first have to go all the way back to 2.2.20? 'cos without the PCMCIA support and hence the Ethernet connection, i can't do anything right?

now how do I go back to my previous kernel?

btw, 2.6.x is an unstable release right? is it really *unstable*?


Thanks and Regards,

Edwin

If the second number is odd then it is considered unstable
2.3, 2.5, 2.7

2.6 is the stable branch.

icic... how do i "roll-back" to the previous 2.2.20 kernel?


Regards,

Edwin

Post you /etc/lilo.conf If can be set with no timeout and you can choose which kernel to boot.

Problem solved. I had a look at the package details for the kernel-image-2.4.27 here and you need to install the pcmcia modules as a package and this should rectify the situation.