Few days ago we had covered the release story of the latest Linux kernel in town that is version 3.3, which comes with lots of goody goody features like merging of Android code etc.

So if you are a developer and want to test whats new in the latest offering or a brave and adventures enthusiast who always prefer to walk over the bleeding edge, here is a short guide to upgrading your kernel to version 3.3 without complex compiling procedures.

This guide will help you install Linux 3.3 Kernel under Ubuntu 12.04/11.10 or older.

For Ubuntu (i386 / 32-bit):


Open the terminal and run the following command
  • $ cd /tmp && wget -O linux-headers-3.3.0-030300_3.3.0_all.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3-precise/linux-headers-3.3.0-030300_3.3.0-030300.201203182135_all.deb
  • $ sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.3.0-030300_3.3.0_all.deb
  • $ cd /tmp && wget -O  linux-headers-3.3.0-generic_i386.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3-precise/linux-headers-3.3.0-030300-generic_3.3.0-030300.201203182135_i386.deb
  • $ sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.3.0-generic_i386.deb
  • $ cd /tmp && wget -O linux-image-3.3.0-generic_i386.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3-precise/linux-image-3.3.0-030300-generic_3.3.0-030300.201203182135_i386.deb
  •  $ sudo dpkg -i linux-image-3.3.0-generic_i386.deb

For Ubuntu (amd64 / 64-bit)

  • $ cd /tmp && wget -O linux-headers-3.3.0-030300_3.3.0_all.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3-precise/linux-headers-3.3.0-030300_3.3.0-030300.201203182135_all.deb
  • $ sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.3.0-030300_3.3.0_all.deb
  • $ cd /tmp && wget -O linux-headers-3.3.0-generic_amd64.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3-precise/linux-headers-3.3.0-030300-generic_3.3.0-030300.201203182135_amd64.deb
  • $ sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-3.3.0-generic_amd64.deb
  • $ cd /tmp && wget -O linux-image-3.3.0-generic_amd64.deb http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.3-precise/linux-image-3.3.0-030300-generic_3.3.0-030300.201203182135_amd64.deb
  • $ sudo dpkg -i linux-image-3.3.0-generic_amd64.deb
After you finish, reboot your system
  • $ sudo reboot
To check updated Linux kernel
  • $ uname -r
Output will show the upgraded version of the Linux Kernel.

Warning:  Please upgrade the kernel at your own risk because it may render your system unstable. Additionally, upgrading kernel may cause problems with some installed proprietary drivers of NVIDIA / ATI (AMD) graphics cards, broadcom wireless etc., so be cautious!