kernel updates using apt-get

[petersk]

I'm happily using the ati proprietary video driver, which, apparently, modifies the installed kernel.

Whenever apt-get installs a new kernel, my installation boots to a blank screen causing much pain and anguish. It's recoverable though by reinstalling the ati driver using dpkg -i.
Regardless, is there a way to either have apt-get warn me I'm about to get nuked, fix the problem automatically (run a script when it sees a kernel update), or something like that?
Regards,
Kurt

[Snowhog]

Re: kernel updates using apt-get

When ever you see the package update notification show up on the panel, you can always open a terminal (console) and type:

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

This will list for you all the packages that are upgradable. You are prompted to continue (Y/n). This permits you to see what packages are going to be upgraded. If you see a new kernel, you know what you are in for.

As to what the installation of a new kernel does to your video drivers, that's a known issue, and no, you have to redo the driver installation with each new kernel you install.

[Teunis]

Re: kernel updates using apt-get

Not that it makes any difference but I think the driver is installed as a module against a specific kernel, when one of the two is changed there is a miss match.

I (still) use envyng to manage the video drivers, the advantage is that it has a very simple command prompt to fix these problems.

sudo envyng -t