11. VectorLinux Kernel Upgrade Guide

Vector Linux offers several kernels. Here i will explain two methods of how to add a kernel to your system. I say ADD because you should NOT get rid of your working kernel. If for some reason something goes wrong you will have the original kernel to fall back on.

11.1. Method 1

For this guide, 7.1 is used as an example. the kernel names for 7.2 have changed to kernel4.x, `` kernel4.x-modules``, etc.

First of all you need to download a kernel package: - 32 bit kernels:

Then follow these instructions:

  • Download the kernel package and the matching kernel-modules package
  • cd to the directory you saved the kernel to
  • installpkg both the kernel and kernel-modules packages

11.2. Method 2

  • Add the apropriate repo to your /etc/slapt-get/slapt-getrc
  • slapt-get -u
  • slapt-get -search kernel

decide which kernel and its matching modules you want to install

  • slapt-get -i --no-upgrade kernel-version
  • slapt-get -i --no-upgrade kernel-version-modules

11.3. Update your bootloader Menu

Again, kernel 4.0.7 is only used as an example. this will work with any kernel version

11.3.1. If you are using LiLO:

  • If you use lilo open /etc/lilo.conf with your editor of choice

  • Simply copy the first kernel entry section which looks like this:

    # -- Vector on /dev/sdX --
    image = /boot/vmlinuz
    label = Vector
    initrd = /boot/initrd.gz
    root = "UUID=3b3ed16e-8db3-44be-b4b8-9b81df7692b2"
    append = "quiet splash"
    read-only
    
    # --
    
  • Paste it at the bottom of lilo.conf and edit as appropriate

  • For example if you installed kernel 4.0.7:

    # -- Vector on /dev/sdX --
    image = /boot/vmlinuz-4.0.7
    label = Vector-4.0.7
    initrd = /boot/initrd.gz
    root = "UUID=3b3ed16e-8db3-44be-b4b8-9b81df7692b2"
    append = "quiet splash"
    read-only
    # --
    

Now run lilo

  • lilo -v

or if you use grub

  • grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

That’s it. Reboot and you should now have an option to boot the new kernel as well as the original kernel

11.3.2. If you are using GRUB2

Update the Grub2 menu by running grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg as root in a terminal.

That’s it. Reboot and you should now have an option to boot 4.0.7 as well as the original kernel