Comment 58 for bug 241368

Sound very technical but how do you do any of these things. What does sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bugs-launchpad-net-falkensweb/remove-old-kernels mean?
Its all meaningless to new users. I now have 4 pages of old kernels on my laptop with windows at the bottom of course.
What is a grub list and ho do I edit it?
How do I remove the old kernels?

These are the sort of questions that need simple answers for people like me.

Good job that I only use my laptop for playing games on.

Best wishes
Howard Walker
Email: <email address hidden>
or h@635csi.co.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: <email address hidden> [mailto:<email address hidden>] On Behalf Of Kangarooo
Sent: 12 May 2012 09:45
To: h@635csi.co.uk
Subject: [Bug 241368] Re: remove old kernels from grub list

i did sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bugs-launchpad-net-falkensweb/remove-old-kernels
how to execute it now?

--
You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug report.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/241368

Title:
  remove old kernels from grub list

Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Binary package hint: linux-image

  This is a bug for new user confidence. So far Hardy has updated the
  kernel 3 times, which means 7 Ubuntu options on the grub list (3
  kernels, 3 recoveries, 1 memtest).

  A beginner will definitely be intimidated by this huge list of grub
  options. When I made the jump from Windows, after the first kernel
  update, I was really worried that I would make the wrong choice. No
  explanation is given in the grub menu, and the only difference between
  the options is one number. I thought this new option was a completely
  different version of Linux (not just the kernel), and all of my data
  might be on the other option. An unexplained option on the grub boot
  menu list adds anxiety, which doesn't help Bug #1.

  There are two general ways to fix this:

  1) Commenting out the options in the grub list. This is a simple fix,
  but it doesn't clear up the space taken by the old kernels. There is
  also the possibility that grub updates will reload the list, bringing
  back all of the options. You would have to make sure any reloading of
  the grub list also makes sure the old kernels stay commented out,
  which makes this a trans-package fix.

  2) Actually removing the old kernels. This clears up space, but runs
  the risk of removing a stable kernel when the new one causes problems.
  I agree that at least one old kernel should be kept just in case the
  new one doesn't work. However, that would still mean 2 kernels showing
  up on the grub list, which will still intimidate casual users.

  ---------------------------

  If there is worry about adding an prompt for the user to choose, there
  is already one that appears when the kernel is updated: the restart
  notification. The update manager lets users know they need to restart
  their computer, and there is plenty of room for a short notification
  that the new kernel is at the top of the grub menu list.

  So, my proposed solution:

  1) When installing a new kernel, mark for removal all but the current
  kernel (plus the one that's going to be installed). That way, if the
  new kernel doesn't work, the user can just use the previous one. Also,
  if more advanced users want to keep older kernels, they can simply
  uncheck the mark for removal of those older kernels.

  2) Include a sentence in the restart notification that says something
  like, "Your updated Linux kernel (x.xx.xx-xx) will be added to the top
  of the Grub list. (What's a Linux kernel?)" This is so casual users
  won't get confused when they restart and now see two versions of
  Ubuntu. The What's a Linux kernel part should have a link to a small
  help that explains what it means. The help file shouldn't have a in
  depth explanation about kernels, just info saying that this isn't a
  new version of Ubuntu, just a new version of the underlying hardware
  interface, so no data will be lost.

  3) After a successful restart (or several successful restarts),
  include a notification that says something like, "Your current Linux
  kernel (x.xx.xx-xx) appears to be working well. You can remove old
  Linux kernel versions to clear up space (XXX MB). This will also
  remove those old versions from your Grub boot menu list. You can do
  this anytime by removing the following packages via Synaptic: A, B, C
  [Remove old versions now]" Similar to the update notification, it
  would be confined to the Notification Area, and would pop up only when
  the user clicked on it. The "Remove old versions now" is a button that
  the user can click. This is so the user can simply dismiss the
  notification if they want, but still be informed if they want to
  remove the packages later.

  See also:
  Bug #79332
  Bug #199086
  http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=554849
  http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/2236/

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/241368/+subscriptions

-----
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.1913 / Virus Database: 2425/4993 - Release Date: 05/12/12