How to mainline kernel on daniel thompson's debian installer?

[hellojack]

Hi, i installed debian with daniel thompson's debian installer.

I noticed that the kernel is from a repository, and it's 5.8. 
I want to install the lastest(5.10 in bullseye), mainline kernel.

Installing `linux-image-5.10-x-arm64` or something like that, and rebooting my system showed black screen.

How can i properly switch kernel on it?

[TRS-80]

I would bet there is a (good) reason he is using that particular kernel.

I personally don't like to keep up with LKML, so I use Armbian instead and let them worry about all the low level details. There are a lot of differences between ARM and x86 that you might not be aware of, even if you are an experienced GNU/Linux user.

[vajak]

The bottom line is to find the proper initramfs configuration matching the actual hardware.
Try configuring the initramfs to be build with "most" modules.
While this creates a huge initramfs file, chances are it contains all needed to boot normally.

Once booted, create a listing of all loaded modules with the lsmod command and use that to tune the actual initramfs build.

That's the way i managed to create a suitable initram configuration.
See https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=15031 for the result.

[KiteX3]

I've tried this repeatedly on and off for most of eight months now, and I've had no luck so far.

I'd just be happy to get the repeated graphics crashes that plague my Debian install fixed.

I would bet there is a (good) reason he is using that particular kernel.

I personally don't like to keep up with LKML, so I use Armbian instead and let them worry about all the low level details.  There are a lot of differences between ARM and x86 that you might not be aware of, even if you are an experienced GNU/Linux user.

I was under the impression that Armbian didn't even officially support their Pinebook Pro Ubuntu images; they don't even seem to build Debian images any more for the Pinebook Pro. I can't speak of the current stability of Armbian but I'm skeptical that they're pouring much attention on ensuring their distribution works well with the PBP.

[TRS-80]

I was under the impression that Armbian didn't even officially support their Pinebook Pro Ubuntu images; they don't even seem to build Debian images any more for the Pinebook Pro. I can't speak of the current stability of Armbian but I'm skeptical that they're pouring much attention on ensuring their distribution works well with the PBP.

The main reason I started looking at PINE64 products in the first place was because one of the main Armbian devs was raving about how well his PBP was working on the (at that time new) desktop images. And that was probably a year or more ago by now.

Armbian are very conservative with what they declare as "Supported" and that term also has some particular meaning (as well as requirements) within the Armbian project. But as I said, I have heard from very reliable sources that it works well. And I have read a number of similar comments on these very forums in addition. To the point that I am getting ready to purchase one myself.

If you have a spare sd card laying around, how about just give it a try? What have you got to lose other than a few minutes of your time?

[KiteX3]

I really should give Armbian a proper try on an SD card some time. It just hasn't appealed too much to me since it currently only offers Ubuntu, not Debian, images, and those are only offered with desktops I don't much care for; since I started using my Debian PBP as a side-daily-driver to complement my desktop, I've slowed down on experimenting with other operating systems for the most part.

[TRS-80]

FWIW, I am a Debian (not Ubuntu) user as well.  Even though Debian desktop images may not be published, I am pretty sure it should still be possible to build them.  In fact that is what Armbian project actually is, a build tool.  But since they publish images, they are often mistaken as "a distribution."  In fairness, even I was operating under this misunderstanding for years.

Choice of DE is more related to how much development resources the Armbian project have (only few volunteers in reality) as well as limitations of the hardware.  Personally I am OK with XFCE but of course DE choice is highly subjective and personal.

At any rate, if end up buying a PBP (probably will), I suppose I will need to learn more about that.  And if I do, maybe I become maintainer, and if so maybe I can get it to Supported status and start publishing images again.  No promises though.