Select Distro by Kernel Version?

jaqian

Is it possible to search for distros by kernel version instead of by distro name?

My laptop uses a weird Via C3 Nehemiah chip, which seems to have a problem with current kernels but worked fine with 2.6.12 in Ubuntu Breezy Badger and 2.6.20-16-lowlatency in Freespire 2.0.8 but will not install on recent K/X/Ubuntu, Mint, Arch, Debian etc.

It seems that recent kernel versions have a problem with C3 and it seems to be a kernel bug. I hoping that I can find a modern distro using a not so modern kernel

Any suggestions (other than sell laptop)?
Rob

flamegrill

Have you tried Fedora Core 9 or CentOS 5? I know CentOS 5 isn't exactly desktop material, but it should work on any hardware.

Khannie

Compile your own kernel? It's a lot easier than you'd think.

jaqian

Khannie wrote: »

Compile your own kernel? It's a lot easier than you'd think.

Well I've never had any luck compiling programs, kernels sound even more complicated.

I've found that its the 2.6.24 kernel and later that don't support my processor but the only problem now is locating distros the use other kernels.

niallb

A kernel can be a lot easier to build than some other programs.
Gentoo might be a good bet for this particular machine, though
I don't use it myself.

2.6.20-16-lowlatency in Freespire 2.0.8 sounds like the most recent one there.
To get you going again, make a copy of that kernel from a running freespire install.
tar cvf /root/C3-kernel-from-freespire.tar /boot/*2.6.20-16-lowlatency* /lib/modules/2.6.20-16-lowlatency

That will give you a file with a kernel on it that will work with your laptop,
no matter what distro (with some limits!) you choose.
You can install it on the laptop using a livecd such as Trinity Rescue.
If you want to give it a go, post back and I or someone else will give you a hand
getting it into your boot menu.

Once you're happy about installing a kernel manually,
you can try building one specifically for your laptop from the latest source.

Khannie

Compiling kernels is decidedly easier than compiling programs in my experience. I'd go along with gentoo as a recommendation if you need to stick to older kernels, though there's a learning curve associated with it. If you're relying on other distros to keep a low kernel number, you're gonna run out of options eventually.

I'm running gentoo on this machine and I've a 2.6.23 kernel because I'm too lazy to upgrade it.

jaqian

niallb wrote: »

tar cvf /root/C3-kernel-from-freespire.tar /boot/*2.6.20-16-lowlatency* /lib/modules/2.6.20-16-lowlatency

Ok I did this but I can't find where the tar file is well tarred to

Khannie

jaqian wrote: »

Ok I did this but I can't find where the tar file is well tarred to

it's the 2nd argument there....

/root/C3-kernel-from-freespire.tar

usually tar works like this:

tar <switches> <file to create / extract> [files to add....if any]

jaqian

Reviving old thread here.

I got a new desktop and the laptop fell by the wayside but I'd like to try this if Niall, Khannie or anyone else can help.

I have the kernel backup as described above. I was wondering if I can swap out my existing kernel on desktop (Mint 7) and put in this old one. If it doesn't bork my system would it be possible to make an *.iso image and create a bootable disc to re-install on laptop?