Should I remove old kernels

wcobb · #1 11th January 2005, 05:33 PM

I'm running fc3 and have updates the kernel 3 times since initial inastallation GLUB still shows all the kernels at start and it appears i can boot up with any of them. If I have an updated kernel and am able to run the system with no problems is it ok (or not reccomded) to remove the old kernels from the system?

ilja · #2 11th January 2005, 05:35 PM

If you need the space on your harddisk, why not. But I would let one or two in the case, that something happens. But if they only disturb you in GRUB, then there is no need to delete them.

crossfire · #3 11th January 2005, 07:17 PM

You can edit grub lines(similar these bellow) to doens't show old kernels at start and you can
keep them:

gedit /edit/grub.conf

Code:

title Fedora Core (2.6.9-1.681_FC3)
root (hd0,2)
kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.9-1.681_FC3 ro root=LABEL=/1 rhgb quiet
initrd /initrd-2.6.9-1.681_FC3.img
#title Fedora Core (2.6.9-1.667)
# root (hd0,2)
# kernel /vmlinuz-2.6.9-1.667 ro root=LABEL=/1 rhgb quiet
# initrd /initrd-2.6.9-1.667.img
title Windows
rootnoverify (hd0,0)
chainloader +1

Just uncomment if you wish to use an old kernel again.

If u need to save space like Ilja said do:

Code:

#rpm -qa kernel | grep kernel

Copy name of old kernel and do:

Code:

#rpm -e old_kernel_name

And will remove old kernel (dir/files) and these grub lines.

mike · #4 11th January 2005, 08:10 PM

Old version of RedHat (7.x) would have problem installing and removing kernel rpms if you had to many kernel install on your computer. That problem is probably gone, but I have not check since I never keep more that 3 kernel version now

.

owakroeger · #5 12th January 2005, 12:29 AM

I like to keep at least one older kernel, one that still works, just in case. If you tinker a lot with kernels, especially if you compile them yourself, you can get quite a lot of clutter in your /boot directory, and in your /lib/modules directory.
Occasional housekeeping is in order if you have a shortage of disk space. Just be careful you don't sweep the good out with the bad..... and a good, well maintained backup system is a good idea.
In my experience, the old kernels don't cause any problem.... just take up space.

PeTzZz · #6 12th January 2005, 12:59 AM

Should I only delete these files to get rid of some old kernels:

Code:

/vmlinuz-xxxxxx
/initrd-xxxxxx.img

xxxx means the kernel version I have to remove. Of course I have to edit the grub.conf, but I just want to know if only those files.

Thanks!

vincentgan · #7 5th March 2005, 04:38 AM

If you are using rpm -e to remove, it should remove the vmlinuz-xxxxx and relavant files.