How to Install Kernel 5.11 From Source on Xubuntu

GNU/Linux Xubuntu Building Kernel 5.11 from Source Code Guide

Hi! This tutorial will guide you step-by-step on How to Build and Install a New Custom Kernel 5.11 from Source Code in Xubuntu GNU/Linux.

Especially relevant: this Xubuntu Kernel 5.11 Setup make use of the latest Source Code.

Again this tutorial make it the Easy Way and so is intended especially for Beginners.

Possibly, a very good Alternative for Desktops is represented by the ready-made XanMod and Liquorix Kernel Setup.

Important to know how this Setup does Not change your existing System and so in any case you will be able to startup with the current Kernel from the GRUB Splash Screen.

For further advanced Kernel Configuration instructions you may see the Linux Kernel Documentation.

Finally, for a Non Bootable System before see: How to chroot on Xubuntu GNU/Linux Tutorial.

1. 1. Installing Dependencies

   Open a Shell Terminal emulator window
   Ctrl+Alt+t on desktop
   (Press “Enter” to Execute Commands)

   
   First, Upgrade Xubuntu System with:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

   Authenticate with the User Admin Pass.
   If Got “User is Not in Sudoers file” then see: How to Enable sudo.

   How to QuickStart with Command Line on Xubuntu GNU/Linux

   Bash Shell Xubuntu QuickStart Guide

   Getting-Started with Command Line on Xubuntu Linux
   Reboot:

   sudo reboot

   And then play:

   sudo apt install build-essential libncurses5-dev fakeroot xz-utils libelf-dev bison flex dwarves

2. 2. Making Target Directory

   Now make the Target Folder
   With:

   mkdir ~/kernel

[nextpage title=”Downloading”]

3. 3. Downloading Linux Kernel

   Download Linux Kernel 5.11 Source Code for Xubuntu GNU/Linux

   Linux Kernel 5.11 tar.xz Archive

   Downloading Linux Kernel for Xubuntu GNU/Linux
   Grab the tar.xz or tar.gz Archive from the List.

4. 4. Extracting Linux Kernel Archive

   Then Extract Linux Kernel into /tmp Directory
   First, access the Target:

   cd ~/kernel

   Then to untar the downloaded Kernel Source into the current Folder run:

   tar -xafv ~/Downloads/linux-source*.tar.xz

[nextpage title=”Configuring”]

5. 5. Configuring Kernel

   So now to Configure Xubuntu Linux Custom Kernel
   First, access the Kernel Source with::

   cd linux*

   Then copy the current Configuration File into the New Kernel Source:

   sudo find /boot/ \( -iname "*config*" -a -iname "*`uname -r`*" \) -exec cp -i -t ./ {} \;

   mv *`uname -r`* .config

   This mystics because the default Configuration File may have a variable composition including “config” and the Kernel Version. In case of a Chrooted System instead you may look up the available Kernels with:

   ls /boot | grep config

   The grep Command refine the output List showing only the entries Matching the Keyword.
   Again fix the Configuration File editing it with nano and commenting out like:

   sudo nano .config

   Use Ctrl+w to search for “CONFIG_SYSTEM_TRUSTED_KEYS” on nano.
   And comment out the Line like:

   #CONFIG_SYSTEM_TRUSTED_KEYS

   Or else try to Set it like:

   CONFIG_SYSTEM_TRUSTED_KEYS=""

   Ctrl+x to Save & Exit.
   Else to reconfigure the Kernel use:

   sudo make menuconfig

   For instructions see: How to Configure a Build Kernel.

[nextpage title=”Building”]

6. 6. Building Kernel

   Next to Build Xubuntu Linux Custom Kernel
   Make it with:

   sudo make clean

   And then:

   sudo make deb-pkg LOCALVERSION=-custom KDEB_PKGVERSION=$(make kernelversion)-1
   

   When prompted if uncertain then simply follow to hit Enter until the end.
   
   Then think to other task to follow because the process will take about a couple of Hours…
   Last, to check the builded Images play:

   ls ../*.deb | grep image

   

[nextpage title=”Installing”]

7. 7. Installing Kernel

   Finally, to Install Xubuntu Linux Custom Kernel
   Simply play:

   sudo dpkg -i ../linux-image*custom_*.deb ../linux-headers*.deb

   And this setup includes also the Custom Kernel Headers that you don’t will find online…
   And finally reboot with:

   sudo reboot

   Finally, you should boot into your barely new Xubuntu Linux Kernel :) To check it run:

   uname -r

   In case of Issues you still can choose the previous one on the GRUB Splash Screen.
   

8. 8. Updating Firmware

   How to Update Linux Devices Firmware on GNU/Linux

   Updating Firmware Guide

   How to Install Linux Git Firmware on GNU/Linux
   Especially relevant: this setup is optional and may be required only to make use of some New Device Drivers not available in your current Firmware.