Follow instructions below on how to upgrade kernel. For PuppyLinux,

go here.

Step 1:  Extract downloaded file


Step 2:  Copy or move files vmlinuz..., initrd-img..., System.map..., config... and folder 6.xx.xx [kernel ver] as follows: (Applies to all)

File/Folder	Type	Move or Copy To
vmlinuz...	File	/boot
initrd-img...	File	/boot
System.map...	File	/boot
config...	File	/boot
6.xx.xx [Kernel Ver]	Folder	/usr/lib/modules

Open terminal, navigate to the folder where files are extracted and run the following commands below. If GUI mode is the preferred method, open two instances of your favorite file manager, then simply copy and paste the files and/or folders. Remember to start the file manager as root. (eg: run "sudo thunar" on terminal for Thunar file manager)

• # sudo cp vmlinuz... /boot
• # sudo cp initrd-img... /boot
• # sudo cp System.map... /boot
• # sudo cp config... /boot

The next step is to copy the modules and linux headers directories. Prior to this, the appropriate destination directories must be created to accommodate the copied contents. For the purposes of this example, kernel version 6.15.1 will be used

• # sudo mkdir /usr/lib/modules/6.15.1

Now we can copy all the files and folders that are inside the 6.15.1 modules folder.

• # sudo cp -R 6.15.1/* /usr/lib/modules/6.15.1

Linux Headers: Copy or move BunsenLabs headers folder to /usr/include. For all other Linux OS, copy or move to /usr/src

Distro	File/Folder	Type	Move or Copy To
BunsenLabs	linux	Folder	***   /usr/include
All other Linux OS	linux-header-[Kernel Ver]	Folder	/usr/src

*** = Highly Recommended backing up BunsenLabs' linux folder under /usr/include.

[BunsenLabs]:  To safeguard existing Linux headers, it is advisable to back up the linux directory located at /usr/include. Creating a new directory, preferably named to reflect the current kernel version, such as linux-old-kernel-version is recommended for this purpose. You can determine your current kernel version by opening a terminal and executing the command uname -a.

Once the backup is complete, copy all contents from the downloaded linux folder into the /usr/include/linux directory, ensuring the new headers are properly placed for subsequent operations.

• # sudo cp -R linux/* /usr/include/linux

[For all other distros]:   repeat previous step creating new directory before copying files

• # sudo mkdir /usr/src/linux-headers-6.15.1
• # sudo cp -R linux-headers-6.15.1/* /usr/src/linux-headers-6.15.1

Step 3:  Update initramfs and grub

The next step involves updating both the initramfs and GRUB configurations. However, prior to proceeding with the update, it is important to consider the following: if an NVIDIA driver was previously installed, there exists a potential risk of encountering a black screen during boot with the new kernel, as the driver may have been compiled specifically for the older kernel version. Should you choose not to uninstall the driver at this stage, you retain the option to revert to the previous kernel during boot and remove the NVIDIA driver afterward.


To remove the driver, run the command below on terminal.

• sudo apt-get remove --purge '^nvidia-*'

And to clean up unneeded files:

• sudo apt-get autoremove

Now, initramfs and grub can be updated. ONLY do update-initramfs on the new kernel you are installing. DO NOT update all with "-k all".

• # sudo update-initramfs -u -k 6.15.1
• # sudo update-grub

NOTE: If you have an AMD GPU, you might see warnings about missing firmware(s) during grub update. These warnings often indicate that the kernel module amdgpu is looking for firmware files that aren't present in the current linux-firmware package. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that your system is malfunctioning or that you are missing critical firmware for your GPU. But you can check here to download the latest copies of firmware.

Step 4:  Reboot



Step 5 (bonus):  Reinstall NVidia driver

[BunsenLabs]:    Adding ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa is not supported. So, in this process, we used the driver installer downloaded from NVidia's website. Below is the step by step guide on how we successfully installed the driver:

First, we need to make sure nouveau driver will not load and X window will not start.

• Reboot the computer and select "BunsenLabs TTY Login" on grub boot menu and press "e"
• Scroll down to the bottom and find the linux line "linux /boot/vmlinuz..." and add "nomodeset" at the end and hit F10

Make the script, downloaded from NVidia, executable.

• chmod +x NVidia-driver-installer-name

And finally, install the driver.

• sudo ./NVidia-driver-installer-name

[For all other distros]:    Proceed to update and install the driver as outlined below. The provided command example pertains specifically to the installation of the NVIDIA driver version 570. Please ensure that any previously installed NVIDIA driver has been removed, if this was not addressed in earlier steps

Add the graphics repository, update and install driver.

• # sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa
• # sudo apt update && sudo apt install nvidia-driver-570 nvidia-dkms-570

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PuppyLinux

Step 1:  Backup PuppyLinux boot files

In your puppylinux folder, move files vmlinuz, fdrv and zdrv to a different folder and save as backup copies. These will be replaced by the files included in the .tar.xz you downloaded.

Step 2:  Extract downloaded file and move files to your puppylinux folder


Step 3:  Rename extracted files exactly as the original files you backed up on Step 2

(eg:) The kernel 6.6.2 tar.xz file for bionicpup64 will consist of three files.

• vmlinuz-6.6.2-bionicpup64
• fdrv-6.6.2-bionicpup64.sfs
• kernel-6.6.2-bionicpup64.sfs

We need to rename these files as follows:

From	To
vmlinuz-6.6.2-bionicpup64	vmlinuz
fdrv-6.6.2-bionicpup64.sfs	fdrv_bionicpup64_8.0.sfs
kernel-6.6.2-bionicpup64.sfs	zdrv_bionicpup64_8.0.sfs

Step 4:  Reboot