How do I install an old kernel?

Solution 1:

In Ubuntu, use browser to navigate to > http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/ Scroll to the bottom of the list; choose your kernel. Download the following files (xxxxxx will be replaced with numbers indicating the kernel version. Assuming you have a 64bit OS):

linux-headers-xxxxxx-generic-xxxxxx_amd64.deb

linux-headers-xxxxxx_all.deb

linux-image-xxxxxx-generic-xxxxxx_amd64.deb

Move all these files to a folder. cd into it. Install all these packages by running

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

Choose new kernel from grub menu.

Update: Since its an ubuntu instance you can manually get the links and and use wget to download the packages

Solution 2:

If you want the official Ubuntu stock kernel (not a mainline kernel) from an unsupported version, see below.

For differences between Mainline and Stock kernels see https://askubuntu.com/a/91374/555474

I had to install an even older kernel (2.6.32.21-generic) for stock modules to work with a custom kernel. No hardware was working, so I had to download manually.

Here is how to obtain the discontinued kernels manually from http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/

Essentially you will need the kernel's headers for your processor, common (all) headers, and the kernel image for your processor.

1. In the steps below, replace x.x.xx-xx with your kernel version and amd64 with your processor type. Note this is for the generic kernel and not using extra features such as PAE.

2. Go to http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/l/linux/ (I believe this lists most if not all the old kernel packages)

3. In the page CTRL+F find headers-x.x.xx-xx-generic and download the
   1. linux-headers-x.x.xx-xx-generic_x.x.xx-xx.yy_amd64.deb
   2. linux-headers-x.x.xx-xx-generic_x.x.xx-xx.yy_all.deb

4. In the page CTRL+F find image-x.x.xx-xx-generic and download the

   1. linux-image-2.6.32-21-generic_2.6.32-21.32_amd64.deb

5. Put all of these packages in a folder alone, and from that folder (cd into it) run

   1. sudo dpkg -i *.deb