Removing old kernels from your system
After a while you’re starting to collect kernel versions on your system.
Since Hardy came out, with kernel 2.6.24-16, we had two kernel updates, so, in grub we have now entries to kernels 2.6.24-16, 2.6.24-17 and 2.6.24-18.
We just need one to boot in, and we and the most recent one of course. Still, when deciding to remove an old kernel be aware of possible problems.
Virtualbox for instance, needs a module to the specific kernel you’re running. Every time a new kernel is released your Virtualbox setup will not work until your upgrade the said module. So, if you need to use Virtualbox and you don’t yet have the new module, you could just restart into the old kernel.
So, think before you remove old kernels.
Removing old kernels
- Check what versions you have installed
1sudo dpkg --list | grep linux-image
- Output example
1ii linux-image-2.6.24-16-generic 2.6.24-16.30 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.24 on x86
2ii linux-image-2.6.24-17-generic 2.6.24-17.31 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.24 on x86
3ii linux-image-2.6.24-18-generic 2.6.24-18.32 Linux kernel image for version 2.6.24 on x86
4ii linux-image-generic 2.6.24.18.20 Generic Linux kernel image
5ii virtualbox-ose-guest-modules-2.6.24-18-generic 24.0.3 virtualbox-ose-guest module for linux-image-
6ii virtualbox-ose-modules-2.6.24-18-generic 24.0.3 virtualbox-ose module for linux-image-2.6.24
- In this example, only the first 3 rows are candidates to go. Make sure you don’t remove the kernel you’re using.
1uname -r
- To remove, for instance 2.6.24-16
1sudo apt-get remove linux-image-2.6.24-16-generic
- Update your grub list
1sudo update-grub
And that is that.