Kernel Upgrade

This tutorial will show you how you can upgrade your kernel from a previous version to a new one and keep the previous settings.

If you are running the current version and you want to upgrade:

#cd /usr/src/linux-new

#make mrproper

#zcat /proc/config.gz > .config

or you can copy .config file from old kernel into the new one directory:

#cp /usr/src/linux/.config /usr/src/linux-new

#make oldconfig

The "make oldconfig" part will create a .config file based on how your running kernel is configured. You will be prompted for any new items when you are compiling newer kernel source. This allows you only change items you are interested in. In other words `make oldconfig` reads the .config file in the current directory and prompts you about any new changes to the kernel (ie if you want to add some of the new features).

If you want to run some fine tunnig settings run make menuconfig, and then you can go ahead with the normal kernel compilation:

# make

Install it:

#make modules_install

#cp arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot/vmlinuz

Remove old kernel:

#rm -rf /usr/src/linux

#ln -sf /usr/src/linux-new /usr/src/linux

Cleaning:

# rm -rf /lib/modules/2.6.x-old

Don't forget to run lilo.