KC8: Backup Kernel

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KC8: How do I install a new kernel while still keeping my current one around so that I can use it if necessary?

These scripts automate updating and archiving kernels.
Do the following as root:

First check where your boot partition is mounted

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bash# grep boot /etc/fstab

take note of the /dev/hd?? where /boot is mounted for the following scripts

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bash# nano /usr/sbin/kernel-save

and paste in the following:

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#!/bin/sh

# Substitute the ?? here with what came up in the grep /etc/fstab above
BOOT='/dev/hd??'
WHEN=`date +%y%m%d`
WHAT="$1"

mount $BOOT /boot

cp -v /boot/System.map "/boot/System.map-$WHEN-$WHAT"
cp -v /boot/bzImage "/boot/bzImage-$WHEN-$WHAT"
cp -v /boot/config "/boot/config-$WHEN-$WHAT"

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bash# nano /usr/sbin/kernel-install

and paste in the following:

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#!/bin/sh

# Substitute the ?? here with what came up in the grep /etc/fstab above
BOOT='/dev/hd??'

mount $BOOT /boot

cp -v /usr/src/linux/System.map /boot
cp -v /usr/src/linux/arch/i386/boot/bzImage /boot
cp -v /usr/src/linux/.config /boot/config

Finally, change the privs so those can be executed as root:

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bash# chmod 700 /usr/sbin/kernel-save
bash# chmod 700 /usr/sbin/kernel-install

After kernel compile, to save a copy of your old kernel and install the new one do

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bash# kernel-save information-about-old-kernel
bash# kernel-install

If you get a message about boot already being mounted, it doesn't affect anything.

Substitute the 'information-about-old-kernel' with a real bit of infomation...
kernel-save pre-alsa-09
kernel-save vanilla-2.4.19
kernel-save original-stable

The part about System.map may not be neccessary for everyone,
if you know you don't need it, then just comment it out.

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Feedback to [FAQF] KC: Kernel Compilation.