Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:43:53 +1100 The Wassermans wrote: > On Wed, 2009-01-07 at 11:19 +1030, Karl Goetz wrote: > > > > What does it mean? > > > > Isn't that fairly obvious? :) Your copy of grubs menu.lst has been > > changed, and its been changed by something other then the packaging > > system. > > I guess so, but I still struggle a bit with some of the jargon. I'm > still very nervous about trashing the system by being too hasty. Thats understandable. I have a SPARC system running on my network, which uses Silo (based on Lilo). I think I've forgotten to run the silo update after changing its kernel twice now, with the result of not booting. > > Anyway, what with your gentle push in my back, I accepted the "install > the package maintainer's version". And Bingo! It fixed the problem. Great to hear! Its odd that you wound up with this problem, as grub handles updates to the file (I've never had to manually run grub-update unless recovering a broken system). > > Thank you Karl and Karl. Thank you Paul and Dave. Thank you Andre > too. > > So completes yet another 2 minute tweak that took me several hours > accomplish. aye, but next time you'll know what to do (and you'll probably be braver about exploring the options). kk > > Dave W > -- Karl Goetz, (Kamping_Kaiser / VK5FOSS) Debian user / gNewSense contributor http://www.kgoetz.id.au No, I won't join your social networking group -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Wed, 2009-01-07 at 11:19 +1030, Karl Goetz wrote: > > What does it mean? > > Isn't that fairly obvious? :) Your copy of grubs menu.lst has been > changed, and its been changed by something other then the packaging > system. I guess so, but I still struggle a bit with some of the jargon. I'm still very nervous about trashing the system by being too hasty. Anyway, what with your gentle push in my back, I accepted the "install the package maintainer's version". And Bingo! It fixed the problem. Thank you Karl and Karl. Thank you Paul and Dave. Thank you Andre too. So completes yet another 2 minute tweak that took me several hours accomplish. Dave W -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
2009/1/7 Paul Gear : > Karl Bowden wrote: >> ... >>> Not that it's all that important really. It's just a matter of >>> aesthetics. And the frustration at trying to fix something that should >>> be quite easy >> >> Just as a matter of - hey this is how I manager my old kernels. > > Just to chime in with a "me too", my method is this: DON'T DO ANYTHING. > A kernel package is never likely to fill your disk, and leaving it > there costs absolutely nothing. > > More importantly, you have a fallback if you need to do something like > move your hard disk into another system which for some reason doesn't > work on newer kernels. > > I've been burned by other distros which overwrite the currently running > kernel, and i'm glad Ubuntu lets those old ones build up. They come in > handy from time to time! > > Paul I would also second this point! I normally only keep the latest two or three kernels around and have - even in ubuntu - had a minor kernel update kill wireless functionality and had to revert to the previous kernel again. Another point of interest in this case is that if if just the grub boot menu that you want to keep clean, maybe the best way would be to change the 'howmany' option in menu.lst to 2. This will not remove old kernels from the system, but will only display the 2 latest kernels in grub. (After you have installed the package maintainers version of menu.lst again) - Karl -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:30:05 +1100 The Wassermans wrote: > Thank you Karl and Dave, > > I ran sudo update-grub and this is what I got:- > > " > A new version of /boot/grub/menu.lst is available, but the version > │ │ installed currently has been locally modified. > │ > │ What would you like to do about menu.lst? > │ > │ install the package maintainer's version > │ keep the local version currently installed > │ show the differences between the versions > │ show a side-by-side difference between the versions > │ show a 3-way difference between available versions > │ do a 3-way merge between available versions (experimental) > │ start a new shell to examine the situation > │ > │ > " > > What does it mean? Isn't that fairly obvious? :) Your copy of grubs menu.lst has been changed, and its been changed by something other then the packaging system. > > What should I do now, please? You should decide which course of action to take. A safe one is probably to backup your existing menu.lst, then use "install the package maintainer's version" to fix your file. If you want to see how they differ, use "show a side-by-side difference between the versions" kk > > Dave W > > -- Karl Goetz, (Kamping_Kaiser / VK5FOSS) Debian user / gNewSense contributor http://www.kgoetz.id.au No, I won't join your social networking group -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:28:03 +1000 Paul Gear wrote: > Karl Bowden wrote: > > ... > >> Not that it's all that important really. It's just a matter of > >> aesthetics. And the frustration at trying to fix something that > >> should be quite easy > > > > Just as a matter of - hey this is how I manager my old kernels. > > Just to chime in with a "me too", my method is this: DON'T DO > ANYTHING. A kernel package is never likely to fill your disk, and > leaving it there costs absolutely nothing. > Unless /boot/ is a separate partition (not common in Ubuntuland, but worth bearing in mind). kk > > Paul -- Karl Goetz, (Kamping_Kaiser / VK5FOSS) Debian user / gNewSense contributor http://www.kgoetz.id.au No, I won't join your social networking group -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
Karl Bowden wrote: > ... >> Not that it's all that important really. It's just a matter of >> aesthetics. And the frustration at trying to fix something that should >> be quite easy > > Just as a matter of - hey this is how I manager my old kernels. Just to chime in with a "me too", my method is this: DON'T DO ANYTHING. A kernel package is never likely to fill your disk, and leaving it there costs absolutely nothing. More importantly, you have a fallback if you need to do something like move your hard disk into another system which for some reason doesn't work on newer kernels. I've been burned by other distros which overwrite the currently running kernel, and i'm glad Ubuntu lets those old ones build up. They come in handy from time to time! Paul begin:vcard fn:Paul Gear n:Gear;Paul org:Liberty Systems & Software email;internet:p...@libertysys.com.au tel;work:07 3122 2198 tel;cell:04 3183 7656 url:http://libertysys.com.au/ version:2.1 end:vcard smime.p7s Description: S/MIME Cryptographic Signature -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Wed, 2009-01-07 at 08:46 +1100, Dave Hall wrote: > try running > > sudo update-grub > > from a terminal/the console. > > Sorry for not replying to your previous post, been distracted by work > and the heat :( No worries Dave. Somebody has to do it! On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 09:21 +1100, Dave Hall wrote: > I know it's a bit light on details, but just ask if there is anything > you want clarified above. (I'm used to working in a quiet office > without human contact). Plenty of detail thank you Karl. (Watch out for dem humans!) === Thank you Karl and Dave, I ran sudo update-grub and this is what I got:- " A new version of /boot/grub/menu.lst is available, but the version │ │ installed currently has been locally modified. │ │ │ │ What would you like to do about menu.lst? │ │ │ │ install the package maintainer's version │ │ keep the local version currently installed │ │ show the differences between the versions │ │ show a side-by-side difference between the versions │ │ show a 3-way difference between available versions │ │ do a 3-way merge between available versions (experimental) │ │ start a new shell to examine the situation │ │ │ │ │ │ " What does it mean? What should I do now, please? Dave W -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Wed, 2009-01-07 at 08:03 +1100, The Wassermans wrote: > On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 09:21 +1100, Dave Hall wrote: > > > I personally keep the previous kernel for a few days to make sure that > > everything works properly. > > > > > 3. How would I go about deleting them? > > > > Using GNOME go system > admin > synaptic package manager > > > > Search for "linux-image" > > > > Don't try to remove the highest numbered entry (that will be the kernel > > you are running) > > > > For the remaining "linux-image-2.6.xx-y*" entries, just right click on > > them and select "Mark for complete removal". It will ask you to confirm > > that you also want to remove the related restricted modules package as > > well. > > > > When done click Apply. Confirm that you are happy with the changes by > > clicking apply. Wait for synaptic to work its magic. > > I did all of that Dave. Actually, I did the above for Kernel #16, as a > test. Upon re-booting the pesky #16 was still there. So I re-booted and > selected #16 and got the error message: "file not found". I have tried > all the remedies suggested by the other members but nothing seems to get > rid of the long list of Kernels at start-up. > > Not that it's all that important really. It's just a matter of > aesthetics. And the frustration at trying to fix something that should > be quite easy I know in earlier versions of ubuntu that the menu.lst wasn't always properly updated. try running sudo update-grub from a terminal/the console. Sorry for not replying to your previous post, been distracted by work and the heat :( Cheers Dave -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Wed, Jan 7, 2009 at 8:03 AM, The Wassermans wrote: > On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 09:21 +1100, Dave Hall wrote: > >> I personally keep the previous kernel for a few days to make sure that >> everything works properly. >> >> > 3. How would I go about deleting them? >> >> Using GNOME go system > admin > synaptic package manager >> >> Search for "linux-image" >> >> Don't try to remove the highest numbered entry (that will be the kernel >> you are running) >> >> For the remaining "linux-image-2.6.xx-y*" entries, just right click on >> them and select "Mark for complete removal". It will ask you to confirm >> that you also want to remove the related restricted modules package as >> well. >> >> When done click Apply. Confirm that you are happy with the changes by >> clicking apply. Wait for synaptic to work its magic. > > I did all of that Dave. Actually, I did the above for Kernel #16, as a > test. Upon re-booting the pesky #16 was still there. So I re-booted and > selected #16 and got the error message: "file not found". I have tried > all the remedies suggested by the other members but nothing seems to get > rid of the long list of Kernels at start-up. > > Not that it's all that important really. It's just a matter of > aesthetics. And the frustration at trying to fix something that should > be quite easy Just as a matter of - hey this is how I manager my old kernels. I'm not sure sure about the gui way of doing it, but to see a list of kernels and kernel related packages I have installed, from the command line I use: dpkg -l | grep linux If I then want to filter it to a specific kernel I would copy the kernel version and paste it at the end of the line instead of linux: dpkg -l | grep 2.6.27-7 I can then remove an old kernel using the names of the packages listed, eg: sudo apt-get remove linux-headers-2.6.27-7 linux-headers-2.6.27-7-generic linux-image-2.6.27-7-generic linux-restricted-modules-2.6.27-7-generic It is safe to just remove only the image package too and leave the rest. They will not be used by most systems after the image is gone anyway. And by the sounds of the symptoms of your grub file, it is not being updated automatically anymore by update-grub. If you run: sudo update-grub It should list the kernels as Found kernel and update /boot/grub/menu.lst at the end. It is probably not completing it's task anymore because of the manual changes to /boot/grub/menu.lst. I would not go replacing my menu.lst file with someone else's without a bit of experience, but if I did, I would need to update the kopt and groot lines to reflect my ubuntu partitions UUID (as found in your current menu.lst. Then on running sudo update-grub the kernel lines would be generated again and invalid entries removed. I know it's a bit light on details, but just ask if there is anything you want clarified above. (I'm used to working in a quiet office without human contact). - Karl -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 09:21 +1100, Dave Hall wrote: > I personally keep the previous kernel for a few days to make sure that > everything works properly. > > > 3. How would I go about deleting them? > > Using GNOME go system > admin > synaptic package manager > > Search for "linux-image" > > Don't try to remove the highest numbered entry (that will be the kernel > you are running) > > For the remaining "linux-image-2.6.xx-y*" entries, just right click on > them and select "Mark for complete removal". It will ask you to confirm > that you also want to remove the related restricted modules package as > well. > > When done click Apply. Confirm that you are happy with the changes by > clicking apply. Wait for synaptic to work its magic. I did all of that Dave. Actually, I did the above for Kernel #16, as a test. Upon re-booting the pesky #16 was still there. So I re-booted and selected #16 and got the error message: "file not found". I have tried all the remedies suggested by the other members but nothing seems to get rid of the long list of Kernels at start-up. Not that it's all that important really. It's just a matter of aesthetics. And the frustration at trying to fix something that should be quite easy -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
2009/1/3 The Wassermans > On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 08:57 +1100, Andre Mangan wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > 3. How would I go about deleting them? > > > > > > You can either open the boot menu (sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst) and > > alter the number of displayed kernels to "2" rather than the default > > of "All" (this will not remove anything but merely remove them from > > display) or you can install-StartUp Manager (sudo apt-get install > > startupmanager) which will give you a GUI. > > Thanks Andre. I did this, both ways (to be sure! to be sure!). > However, upon re-boot the old Kernels, all the way back to ver #16 still > displays. Do I presume, therefore that this will only take effect in > future? > > So I'm left with the original problem. How to get rid of the listing > upon boot up? Sorry, I forgot to mention that altering the /boot/grub/menu.lst to display less kernels than the default "All" only takes effect after the next kernel update. Making any changes in the StartUp-Manager I thought to become effective immediately. Andre > While you are there, in either method, you can also shorten the boot > delay time from the default 10 seconds to (say) 3 seconds. > > Noted. > > > > > Andre > > > > > > > > ubuntu-au mailing list > > ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com > > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au > > > > -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 09:21 +1100, Dave Hall wrote: > > 3. How would I go about deleting them? > > Using GNOME go system > admin > synaptic package manager > > Search for "linux-image" > > Don't try to remove the highest numbered entry (that will be the kernel > you are running) > > For the remaining "linux-image-2.6.xx-y*" entries, just right click on > them and select "Mark for complete removal". It will ask you to confirm > that you also want to remove the related restricted modules package as > well. > > When done click Apply. Confirm that you are happy with the changes by > clicking apply. Wait for synaptic to work its magic. > Thank you Dave, I tried this on just image #16. It behaved much as you said. However, upon re-boot, #16 is still displayed - even though it has been deleted! Strange?? -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 08:57 +1100, Andre Mangan wrote: > > > > > 3. How would I go about deleting them? > > > You can either open the boot menu (sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst) and > alter the number of displayed kernels to "2" rather than the default > of "All" (this will not remove anything but merely remove them from > display) or you can install-StartUp Manager (sudo apt-get install > startupmanager) which will give you a GUI. Thanks Andre. I did this, both ways (to be sure! to be sure!). However, upon re-boot the old Kernels, all the way back to ver #16 still displays. Do I presume, therefore that this will only take effect in future? So I'm left with the original problem. How to get rid of the listing upon boot up? > While you are there, in either method, you can also shorten the boot > delay time from the default 10 seconds to (say) 3 seconds. > Noted. > Andre > > > > ubuntu-au mailing list > ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au > -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:11:56 +1100 The Wassermans wrote: > I am running Ubuntu 8.04. It boots up on Kernel version 22. > > > I read somewhere that old versions should be removed as they slow down > the booting process. Unless the GRUB shipped with Ubuntu works differently to the one I have installed, this is nonsense. Display time for grub on my system is 5 seconds - whether I have 1 kernel or 10. kk > > > Happy New Year . . . . > > Dave W > > -- Karl Goetz, (Kamping_Kaiser / VK5FOSS) Debian user / gNewSense contributor http://www.kgoetz.id.au No, I won't join your social networking group -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 10:17 +1100, Andre Mangan wrote: > Addendum > > If you want to list your installed kernels, type ls /boot into a > terminal window. That shows you the contents of /boot which contains kernel related files. On older boxes the contents can be misleading as there can be remnants left behind from older kernels. If you want to see a list of kernels installed from debs in a terminal use dpkg -l linux-image-\* Cheers Dave -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
Addendum If you want to list your installed kernels, type ls /boot into a terminal window. -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
On Fri, 2009-01-02 at 08:11 +1100, The Wassermans wrote: > I am running Ubuntu 8.04. It boots up on Kernel version 22. > > However, when booting up I am presented with several lines relating to > older Kernel versions and their respective "recovery mode". Obviously > automatically saved as updates are installed. > > I read somewhere that old versions should be removed as they slow down > the booting process. Though I don't really have any complaint about > what seems to me to be a quick bootup anyway. It's just that I don't > like all those lines of information in my face. > > So I have some questions please: > > 1. What is the purpose of storing the old kernel versions? To allow you to roll back if there is a regression. > 2. Any reason why I should not delete the oldies? (And/or maybe just > save the last superseded one?) I personally keep the previous kernel for a few days to make sure that everything works properly. > 3. How would I go about deleting them? Using GNOME go system > admin > synaptic package manager Search for "linux-image" Don't try to remove the highest numbered entry (that will be the kernel you are running) For the remaining "linux-image-2.6.xx-y*" entries, just right click on them and select "Mark for complete removal". It will ask you to confirm that you also want to remove the related restricted modules package as well. When done click Apply. Confirm that you are happy with the changes by clicking apply. Wait for synaptic to work its magic. > > Happy New Year . . . . To you (and others on the list) too! Cheers Dave -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au
Re: Old Kernels . . .(never die!)
2009/1/2 The Wassermans > I am running Ubuntu 8.04. It boots up on Kernel version 22. > Hello Dave and a Happy New Year to you too, However, when booting up I am presented with several lines relating to > older Kernel versions and their respective "recovery mode". Obviously > automatically saved as updates are installed. > > I read somewhere that old versions should be removed as they slow down > the booting process. Though I don't really have any complaint about > what seems to me to be a quick bootup anyway. It's just that I don't > like all those lines of information in my face. > > So I have some questions please: > > 1. What is the purpose of storing the old kernel versions? In case a new kernel deactivates one of your hardware devices, you can boot with a previous working kernel. 2. Any reason why I should not delete the oldies? (And/or maybe justsave the last superseded one?) You can delete if you know which one you want to delete. I always keep two. 3. How would I go about deleting them? You can either open the boot menu (sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst) and alter the number of displayed kernels to "2" rather than the default of "All" (this will not remove anything but merely remove them from display) or you can install-StartUp Manager (sudo apt-get install startupmanager) which will give you a GUI. While you are there, in either method, you can also shorten the boot delay time from the default 10 seconds to (say) 3 seconds. Andre ubuntu-au mailing list > ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au > -- ubuntu-au mailing list ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au