How to update kernel to the latest mainline version without any Distro-upgrade?

Question

Currently I'm running Linux-3.0 and I want to update it to Linux-3.3.1 the latest stable kernel release as mentioned at http://www.kernel.org. Can I update to 3.3.1 in Ubuntu without any risk of crashes? I'm updating my kernel regularly as provided by the Update Manager..Currently I have Linux-3.0.0.17..Can I update?

NOTE:

The latest kernel version any user is supposed to use in Ubuntu is updated automatically via the Update Manager, so no action is normally required by user regarding kernel upgrades. What the question author is referring to is mainline kernel, see: Should I upgrade to the "mainline" kernels?

Answer 1

Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPZxCI-uP3Y Spatry's Cup Of Linux's tutorial on Upgrading the Kernel on Ubuntu.

Answer 2

Run the following Terminal commands to install a new 32-bit Ubuntu mainline kernel .

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install python-bs4
cd /tmp
rm -rf medigeek-kmp*
wget --no-check-certificate https://github.com/medigeek/kmp-downloader/tarball/master -O kmpd.tar.gz
tar xzf kmpd.tar.gz
cd medigeek-*
python kmpd.py -d

The script at Github does not seem to allow choosing amd64 (64-bit) architecture. It only allows installing i386 (32-bit) architecture. This seems like a bug to me. Just press Enter instead of a number if you get stuck on a certain question in the Python script.

Answer 3

My answer is, YES you can. The stable release was 3.4, but in this tutorial i use 3.3.1.

Ubuntu (32-bit) Generic PAE:

Run the following commands:

mkdir kernel v3.3.1-precise && cd kernel v3.3.1-precise
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3.1-precise/linux-headers-3.3.1-030301-generic-pae_3.3.1-030301.201204021435_i386.deb
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3.1-precise/linux-headers-3.3.1-030301_3.3.1-030301.201204021435_all.deb
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3.1-precise/linux-image-3.3.1-030301-generic-pae_3.3.1-030301.201204021435_i386.deb
sudo dpkg -i linux-*.deb 
sudo update-grub 

Ubuntu (64-bit):

Run the following commands:

mkdir kernel v3.3.1-precise && cd kernel v3.3.1-precise
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3.1-precise/linux-headers-3.3.1-030301-generic_3.3.1-030301.201204021435_amd64.deb
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3.1-precise/linux-headers-3.3.1-030301_3.3.1-030301.201204021435_all.deb
wget http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3.1-precise/linux-image-3.3.1-030301-generic_3.3.1-030301.201204021435_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i linux-*.deb 
sudo update-grub 

Reboot your machine.

Enjoy!

Answer 4

You could always do the following:

apt-cache search linux-image

Pick the one you want and then do:

sudo apt-get install linux-image-your_version_choice

Answer 5

The simplest set of instructions I always used for kernel upgrade / downgrade are by ubuntuforums.org user by the name of lykwydchykyn (url modified by me for this post):

1. Go here: http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/

2. Download 3 (maybe 4) debs to a folder somewhere:

   linux-headers-VERSION-NUMBER_all.deb
   linux-headers-VERSION-NUMBER_amd64.deb
   linux-image-VERSION-NUMBER_amd64.deb
   linux-image-extra-VERSION-NUMBER_amd64.deb   # if available
   

3. Install the debs with whatever package manager front-end you use (is gdebi still around?), or use these commands:

   cd /path/to/folder/where/you/put/the/debs
   sudo dpkg -i *.deb
   

Source: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=11391743#post11391743

Answer 6

Another option is to try customized and optimized builds, such as this i3/i5/i7 optimized 3.2.1 kernel for Ubuntu:

DuoPetalFlower, My Experiments with Linux - 3.2.1 kernel

He also has Intel atom optimized builds which can work quite well if you're trying to squeeze every last ounce of performance out of a netbook.

There are other kernels like Liquorix that claim to be better optimized for desktop performance.

Though not recommended by some, you can often run official kernels from later versions of Ubuntu without issues. I'm currently running the 3.3.3 precise kernel on oneiric and my machine works better than ever. Performance & battery life increased, while temperatures dropped a few degrees. My issue of a black screen when resuming from standby has also disappeared. Though I personally haven't had issues from using newer kernels, you will find some people who are strongly opposed to doing this.

Answer 7

As you've seen, Ubuntu does provide versions of the Linux kernel, but not always as fast as they are released upstream, you can always compile the 3.3.1 kernel yourself, but that may be more effort than you were looking for. If not, search around and I'm sure you'll find a tutorial you can follow such as this one. (note that I haven't checked that one thoroughly so be wary as kernels are dangerous beasts)