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** Changed in: linux (Ubuntu)
Status: Triaged => Won't Fix
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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/241368
Title:
remove old kernels from grub list
Status in linux package in Ubuntu:
Won't Fix
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/
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