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Downgrade header in Debian Buster

Linux Kernel, Network, and Services configuration.
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brolly
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Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#1 Post by brolly »

Hi Guys

I'm running Debian Buster with Kernel 4.19. I am wondering whether it is possible to downgrade to a lower kernel such as 4.9? The reason i am asking is due to compatibility issues with my HP computer. If it's not possible to downgrade, how can i upgrade to a less problematic higher kernel. I've searched google and your forum and i cant find a suitable answer. Thanks in advance

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#2 Post by L_V »

Your title: Downgrade header Debian Buster.
"....but wondering whether it is possible to downgrade to a lower kernel such as 4.9 ? , compatibility issues with my HP computer"

The answer could be Yes , No , May be, Not a good idea, if you don't tell more about which problem, which PC, or show where you explained your problem.

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brolly
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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#3 Post by brolly »

L_V wrote:Your title: Downgrade header Debian Buster.
"....but wondering whether it is possible to downgrade to a lower kernel such as 4.9 ? , compatibility issues with my HP computer"

The answer could be Yes , No , May be, Not a good idea, if you don't tell more about which problem, which PC, or show where you explained your problem.
I'm seeking to downgrade the kernel to 4.9 if possible. any distro with kernel 4.19 loads a frozen desktop or a blank screen on this specific laptop. I once experimented with an mx linux spin i created in a virtual machine. I downgraded the kernel to 4.14..(i think) installed AMD drivers, did another custom spin and it ran fine on the computer in question. I posted a thread about the issue about the computer in question here: http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=142680 non of the solutions helped

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#4 Post by L_V »

Just to check something, what report this:

Code: Select all

lspci -k | grep -A3 VGA

dpkg -l firmware* | grep amd

grep ^d /etc/apt/sources.list

uname -a

lscpu | grep name

grep -r vmlinuz /boot/

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stevepusser
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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#5 Post by stevepusser »

Maybe a 5.1 Liquorix kernel for Buster would bypass those regressions in 4.19.

You could also backup your system and try installing the Stretch 4.9 kernel to see how much fire that makes come out of your laptop.
MX Linux packager and developer

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#6 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

Using outdated kernels is unwise because they contain known (and published) security vulnerabilities. I suppose you could try the stretch kernel (if it supports your hardware) but tracking down the regression and reporting it to the kernel developers would be the best solution. The only problem then is that you would have to wait for Debian to include the fix.

https://wiki.debian.org/DebianKernel/GitBisect
deadbang

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brolly
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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#7 Post by brolly »

L_V wrote:Just to check something, what report this:

Code: Select all

lspci -k | grep -A3 VGA

dpkg -l firmware* | grep amd

grep ^d /etc/apt/sources.list

uname -a

lscpu | grep name

grep -r vmlinuz /boot/
brolly@brolly:~# lspci -k | grep -A3 VGA
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: InnoTek Systemberatung GmbH VirtualBox Graphics Adapter
Kernel driver in use: vboxvideo
Kernel modules: vboxvideo
00:03.0 Ethernet controller: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD] 79c970 [PCnet32 LANCE] (rev 40)
brolly@brolly~# dpkg -l firmware* | grep amd
ii firmware-amd-graphics 20190114-1 all Binary firmware for AMD/ATI graphics chips
brolly@brolly:~# grep ^d /etc/apt/sources.list
deb http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ buster main contrib non-free
deb-src http://ftp.uk.debian.org/debian/ buster main contrib non-free
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian buster main
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster-updates main
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian buster-updates main
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian buster-backports main contrib non-free
deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security/ buster/updates main
deb-src http://security.debian.org/debian-security/ buster/updates main
brolly@brolly:~# uname -a
Linux brolly 4.19.0-5-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.19.37-5+deb10u1 (2019-07-19) x86_64 GNU/Linux
brolly@brolly:~# lscpu | grep name
Model name: AMD A12-9720P RADEON R7, 12 COMPUTE CORES 4C+8G
brolly@brolly:~# grep -r vmlinuz /boot/
/boot/grub/grub.cfg: linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-5-amd64 root=UUID=9b87060e-ad92-431e-9569-bc7422c5feac ro quiet splash resume=UUID=f92e6072-56d6-4764-8aee-09dc7594bdae
/boot/grub/grub.cfg: linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-5-amd64 root=UUID=9b87060e-ad92-431e-9569-bc7422c5feac ro quiet splash resume=UUID=f92e6072-56d6-4764-8aee-09dc7594bdae
/boot/grub/grub.cfg: linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.19.0-5-amd64 root=UUID=9b87060e-ad92-431e-9569-bc7422c5feac ro single
brolly@brolly:~#

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brolly
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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#8 Post by brolly »

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:Using outdated kernels is unwise because they contain known (and published) security vulnerabilities. I suppose you could try the stretch kernel (if it supports your hardware) but tracking down the regression and reporting it to the kernel developers would be the best solution. The only problem then is that you would have to wait for Debian to include the fix.

https://wiki.debian.org/DebianKernel/GitBisect
Thanks for the info. I am testing in a VM so not much risk there. I have a clone of the VM in another folder if anything goes wrong

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brolly
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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#9 Post by brolly »

stevepusser wrote:Maybe a 5.1 Liquorix kernel for Buster would bypass those regressions in 4.19.

You could also backup your system and try installing the Stretch 4.9 kernel to see how much fire that makes come out of your laptop.
I've successfully installed Liquorix 4.20, 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2. How do i switch to a different header after installing? I will try the installed headers one at a time and see which one works best

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#10 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

brolly wrote:How do i switch to a different header after installing?
You don't need to "switch", the different headers can be co-installed without conflict.
deadbang

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brolly
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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#11 Post by brolly »

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:
brolly wrote:How do i switch to a different header after installing?
You don't need to "switch", the different headers can be co-installed without conflict.
What i meant was there is no option to choose which kernel i want to boot into in the advanced options of the boot screen all i see is kernel 14.9

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#12 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

brolly wrote:in the advanced options of the boot screen all i see is kernel 14.9
Try

Code: Select all

# update-grub
The Debian kernels supply a script that updates the bootloader configuration after upgrades, not sure about the Liquorix versions.
deadbang

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#13 Post by L_V »

Still confused by the terminology used in this thread between header and kernel, including the title of the thread.

* linux-image = package of the Kernel (mandatory)
* linux-headers = package of Header files of Kernel (optional)

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brolly
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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#14 Post by brolly »

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:
brolly wrote:in the advanced options of the boot screen all i see is kernel 14.9
Try

Code: Select all

# update-grub
The Debian kernels supply a script that updates the bootloader configuration after upgrades, not sure about the Liquorix versions.
No joy with that. I tried it prior to you posted the above

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#15 Post by L_V »

I don't use grub2 for years because much too complex for my use, and really boring to configure, but there is everything available to create your custom configuration files

For orientation / Adding custom entry to grub-pc's grub2
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=36716
http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?p=132969#p132969

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#16 Post by sunrat »

If the kernel doesn't show in boot menu after update-grub, maybe it is not correctly installed. As mentioned by L_V above, terminology is confusing headers and kernels.
Please run this command and post the output:

Code: Select all

dpkg -l|grep linux-image
“ computer users can be divided into 2 categories:
Those who have lost data
...and those who have not lost data YET ”
Remember to BACKUP!

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Re: Downgrade header in Debian Buster

#17 Post by L_V »

@brolly
You have this CPU: AMD A12-9720P RADEON R7, 12 COMPUTE CORES 4C+8G

Did you try to install this package to see what happen with 4.19.0-5 kernel (and not header)
amd64-microcode Processor microcode firmware for AMD CPUs

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