Ubuntu Linux: Upgrade Linux Kernel

Posted on in Categories , , , last updated October 18, 2007

Q. How do I upgrade my Linux kernel version under Ubuntu Linux 7.04 / 7.10?

A. You can use any one of the following method:
(a) Command Line Tools – apt-get

(b) GUI tool

apt-get command – Upgrade Linux Kernel

Open terminal and type the following commands:
$ sudo apt-get update
Now search kernel version:
$ apt-cache search kernel-image
Now install kernel by explicitly specifying version number:
$ sudo apt-get install linux-image-2.6.xx-yy-generic
Replace xx.yy with kernel version number. Reboot the system.

GUI tools

This is recommended method for most user. Click on System > Administration > Update Manager > Click on Check button > Apply all updates including kernel.

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin, DevOps engineer, and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. Get the latest tutorials on SysAdmin, Linux/Unix and open source topics via RSS/XML feed or weekly email newsletter.

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6 comment

  1. i have ubuntu 8.10 linux but when i want to install redhat linux 5 than an error occur
    “timer not connected ‘nopic error’ ” so whan search on net than i get soluation is update my karnal now i have new karnal but i dont’ know how can i install my new karnal with ubauntu linux

  2. when i try to upgrade my kernel i get the following errors:T5254:~$ apt-cache search kernel-image
    comedi-source – Comedi kernel module source
    T5254:~$ sudo apt-get install linux-image-2.6.37.6-generic
    Reading package lists… Done
    Building dependency tree
    Reading state information… Done
    E: Unable to locate package linux-image-2.6.37.6-generic
    E: Couldn’t find any package by regex ‘linux-image-2.6.37.6-generic’

  4. I would like to upgrade my 2.6.10 kernel to something newer mainly because there was no driver support for my Claro modem until kernel 2.6.20, as i understand. My problem with apt-get is that it assumes you have an internet connection. I have tried to manually download the package using my Windows connection, and then pointing to that package on my local hard disk through /etc/apt/search.list. But when apt-get reads the package, the package apparently points back to more on-line files to use for information or something.

    Am i completely clueless as to how this is supposed to work? This seems almost as senseless as the Claro people telling me to download drivers from the web for my non-functioning modem.

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