Best way to stop the kernel from updating [Solved]

[dancytron]

I believe the OP's headers metapackage was already removed after 6.1.0-13, which is why the OP is getting the new kernel linux-image updates, but no headers, leading to all the dkms build failures.

Nothing was failing, I just want to be able to manage the kernel updates and only update when there is a good reason to do so because that's what I am used to doing.

[dolphin_oracle]

@dolphin_oracle would you consider such an option in MX Tweak (maybe "Other" tab) ? "Disable auto-updating of the default kernel" (or so) ... Cause it's simple in the background: remove/install when checked/unchecked ...

I have added an option to disable/enable kernel auto-updating when the metapackages are installed. It uses apt-mark hold/unhold rather than removing the metpackages.

The options will show up on the Other tab, and there is one for the debian kernels (linux-image-amd64) and the liquorix kernels (linux-image-liquorix-amd64). the options are only present if the metapackages are installed, as there is nothing to toggle otherwise.

[Charlie Brown]

... added an option ...

Thank you. Especially for all MX/Linux newbies it'll make it easy imho :)

[oops]

... THK for the option ... Into "MX-Tweak/Other/* (in French: MX-Ajustements/Autre/*)

[charliemb]

failed 6.1.0-18 kernel update.txt

I have added an option to disable/enable kernel auto-updating when the metapackages are installed. It uses apt-mark hold/unhold rather than removing the metpackages.

I do see this option on a first system where updates succeeded, including the update to kernel 6.1.0-18-amd64. Yay! Thank you.

Sadly, where I really need it badly, I don't see this option on a second system in which MX Tweak identifies itself as 24.02.01mx23 after updating but where the kernel update to 6.1.0-18-amd64 failed. The update to 6.1.0-18-amd64 had failed prior to this and I wasn't able to boot this system until I changed Boot Options to boot from the prior kernel 6.1.0-17-amd64. I meant to install only 24.02.01mx23 after seeing this post specifically because I didn't want to upgrade the kernel.

As background, I was blissfully unaware that installing the non-free NVidia drivers, which I did only on this system, often creates temporary problems with kernel updates. I also learned about `apt-mark hold` but am reluctant to use it because I may forget my state in this system and how to get back. Searching for a solution I found this post. A checkbox is perfect because it holds state. This is what I need.

Is there anything I can do to have this option show up in Tweak whilst still in kernel 6.1.0-17-amd64?

Thanks.

[dolphin_oracle]

it should show up as long as linux-image-amd64 is installed. it may not be considered installed at the moment because of the failure of linux-image-6.1.0-18 to finish installing may leave linux-image-amd64 in a not installed state.

FWIW, usually debian doesn't have this kind of issue, and I'm shocked that they haven't fixed the nvidia-drivers yet. the kernel team as made some real boners this year.

so for now

Code: Select all

sudo apt purge linux-image-6.1.0-18-amd64 linux-headers-6.1.0-18-amd64 linux-image-amd64 linux-headers-amd64

should get rid of the troublesome kernel and disable updates. I'll post an announcement when the nvidia drivers are updated. then you can reinstall linux-image-amd64 and linux-headers-amd64 and updates will resume. best I can do at the moment.

[Charlie Brown]

... or after (re)installing the two (and the option reappears) check the box again before doing any updates, then it'll be held at kernel -17 (... till you decide to update it anytime you like later and uncheck ...)

[dolphin_oracle]

... or after (re)installing the two (and the option reappears) check the box again before doing any updates, then it'll be held at kernel -17 (... till you decide to update it anytime you like later and uncheck ...)

No because as soon as you reinstall the two metapackages the kernel will also update. In this users case the update has already started and failed to complete.

[charliemb]

Thank you. I ran that and indeed I see as unchecked the entry for the Debian 64 bit default kernel auto updates meta package in the MX Package Installer.

I'll be looking for your announcement.

[charliemb]

To disambiguate the English language a little bit I'd like to ask the following. I see that there has been an announcement for the non-free NVidia drivers. They are now compatible with the '18 kernel. I thought the announcement I was waiting for was one for a new kernel which was to be compatible with the NVidia driver (the other way around). Please disambiguate.

Was the recent NVidia announcement the one I needed to undo this...

Code: Select all

sudo apt purge linux-image-6.1.0-18-amd64 linux-headers-6.1.0-18-amd64 linux-image-amd64 linux-headers-amd64

...or should I still wait for another announcement?

Thanks