Install Kernel 3.16 (Latest Released) in Ubuntu and Derivatives

The Linux kernel is the core component of the operating system that manages system resources and provides essential functionality. Ubuntu typically ships with a specific kernel version, but you may need to install a different version to access new features or resolve compatibility issues. This article guides you through installing Kernel 3.16 in Ubuntu and its derivatives.

Prerequisites and Important Notes

Warning: Installing a custom kernel can potentially make your system unstable or unbootable. Always create a full system backup before proceeding.

• Ensure you have administrator privileges (sudo access)

• Verify your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit)

• Have a stable internet connection for downloading packages

• Note that Kernel 3.16 is quite old and may not support modern hardware

Step 1: Check Current Kernel Version

Before installing a new kernel, verify the current version running on your system:

uname -r

2.8.0-87-generic

Record this information for reference. You can also check additional system details:

uname -a
lscpu | grep Architecture

Step 2: Download Kernel 3.16 Packages

Create a dedicated directory and download the required kernel packages:

mkdir kernel-3.16
cd kernel-3.16
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb
wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb

$ mkdir kernel-3.16
$ cd kernel-3.16
$ wget https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb
--2023-06-29 12:00:00--  https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.16.82-ckt112/linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb
Resolving kernel.ubuntu.com... 91.189.88.152
Connecting to kernel.ubuntu.com|91.189.88.152|:443... connected.
HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
Length: 741076 (724K) [application/x-debian-package]
Saving to: 'linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb'

linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb 100%[========>] 723.71K 4.69MB/s in 0.1s

2023-06-29 12:00:01 (4.69 MB/s) - saved [741076/741076]

Note: For 32-bit systems, replace amd64 with i386 in the package URLs.

Step 3: Install Kernel 3.16

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

$ sudo dpkg -i *.deb
Selecting previously unselected package linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112.
(Reading database ... 200340 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_all.deb ...
Unpacking linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112 (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic.
Preparing to unpack linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic_3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Selecting previously unselected package linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic.
Setting up linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112 (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Setting up linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic (3.16.82-ckt112-1~14.04.1) ...
Running depmod.
update-initramfs: Generating /boot/initrd.img-3.16.82-ckt112-generic

If dependency issues occur, fix them with:

sudo apt-get install -f

Step 4: Update GRUB and Reboot

Update the GRUB bootloader configuration to include the new kernel:

sudo update-grub

Reboot your system to boot into the new kernel:

sudo reboot

During boot, you can access the GRUB menu (hold Shift) to select which kernel to boot if needed.

Step 5: Verify Installation

After reboot, confirm the new kernel is running:

uname -r

3.16.82-ckt112-generic

You can also view all installed kernels:

dpkg --list | grep linux-image

Troubleshooting

Removing the Kernel

If you need to remove Kernel 3.16:

sudo apt-get remove linux-image-3.16.82-ckt112-generic linux-headers-3.16.82-ckt112-generic
sudo update-grub

Conclusion

Installing Kernel 3.16 in Ubuntu involves downloading the appropriate packages, installing them with dpkg, and updating GRUB. While this process provides access to specific kernel features, remember that older kernels like 3.16 may lack modern hardware support and security patches. Always maintain system backups and consider the trade-offs before proceeding with custom kernel installations.