New kernel not showing in grub after upgrade from 12.3 to 13.1

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

I used the system upgrade ( https://en.opensuse.org/SDB:System_upgrade ) to go from version 12.3 to version 13.1. Everything looked OK and the upgrade finished successfully. A new kernel ( 3.11.6-4.1 ) was installed. But when I start OS 13.1 the grub screen still shows the lines for the old kernel ( 3.7.10-1.24 ) and the version 12.3 for that old kernel. There are no lines in grub for the new kernel and version 13.1.

What is the easiest way to upgrade grub to use the new kernel ? Do I use the Yast’s Boot Loader or is there an easier/better option ?

#2

It most probably uses the new kernel, but the text it shows is wrong.

You can change the text using YaST > System > Bootloader (where you can also see which kernel is loaded).

#3

Which grub do you use?
grub (legacy) or grub2?

For grub2 you should find the new kernel in “Advanced Options” (although it should be used by default because it is a higher version).
If that one boots successfully, you can just uninstall the 3.7.10 kernel and grub2 should use the new one.
Enter YaST->Software Management, search for kernel, mark the kernel package and click on “Versions” below the package list. You can uninstall specific versions there.
Or just run “sudo zypper rm kernel-desktop-3.7.10” or similar, depending on which kernel flavor you have installed.

That the menu still says 12.3 is “normal” in that case. This is a user-editable setting and won’t be changed on upgrade.
Enter YaST->System->Boot Loader->Boot Loader Options and change it to your likings. (“Distributor”)

#4

Some people have had that problem. It happens when you have a separate “/boot” partition, and there isn’t enough space on “/boot” to build the “initrd” file for the new kernel. You might check whether that is your problem.

#5

I have a separate /boot partition but it is 1 GB and has approximately 900 MB of free space.

#6

I believe I am using grub (legacy). How do I tell ? It is installed in a separate /boot partition.

I will look at Boot Loader. Thanks !

#7

I will look at Bootloader. Thanks !

#8

YaST->System->Boot Loader should tell you whether you are using “Grub” or “Grub2”.

Or have a look at the boot menu. If there’s an entry “Advanced Options” it should be grub2, if there’s a text line where you can enter boot options and a F-Keys menu at the bottom it should be grub legacy.
In the latter case (grub legacy) you can edit the entries directly in YaST->System->Boot Loader.
There’s also an option to propose a new configuration (click on “Other”). I would advise this if the installation wasn’t able to add the new kernel to the boot menu.

#9

eldiener wrote:

>
> I used the system upgrade ( https://en.opensuse.org/SDB:System_upgrade )
> to go from version 12.3 to version 13.1. Everything looked OK and the
> upgrade finished successfully. A new kernel ( 3.11.6-4.1 ) was
> installed. But when I start OS 13.1 the grub screen still shows the
> lines for the old kernel ( 3.7.10-1.24 ) and the version 12.3 for that
> old kernel. There are no lines in grub for the new kernel and version
> 13.1.
>
> What is the easiest way to upgrade grub to use the new kernel ? Do I use
> the Yast’s Boot Loader or is there an easier/better option ?
>
>

I’ve had that happen a couple of times. The easiest way (for me) was to use
YaST to re-install the same kernel. It seems to function OK the second
time.

#10

That worked nicely. Once I forced an update of the same kernel that was already installed, it was reinstalled and added to the grub menu. Thanks for the suggestion !

#11

Yes, that is a very good solution. Fits in with how we undestand the problem is created and solves it without fumbliing “manualy” with things. I like it.