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The PCIE card is not detected by the OS

· 2 min read

This guide explains how to safely roll back to a previous kernel version and ensure it is fully functional (drivers, modules, and networking) from your currently working Linux setup to be compatible with the PCIE card.

1. Check Existing Kernels​

To first list all the available images, open the terminal and run:

dpkg --list | grep linux-image

Then be sure to check your current kernel version by running the following command:

uname -r

If your version does not align with the requirements specified, then please proceed with the next steps to install a functioning kernel.

2. Install a Specific Kernel Version​

From your current working kernel, install an older one (with headers and modules):

sudo apt install linux-image-<version> linux-headers-<version> linux-modules-extra-<version>

Here is an example command:

sudo apt install linux-image-6.8.0-52-generic linux-headers-6.8.0-52-generic linux-modules-extra-6.8.0-52-generic

3. Create initramfs for the Installed Kernel​

initramfs is a small temporary root filesystem loaded into memory at boot time to help the system mount the actual root filesystem and load necessary drivers.

sudo update-initramfs -c -k 6.8.0-52-generic

4. Update GRUB​

sudo update-grub

5. Set Rolled-Back Kernel as Default​

You can edit the GRUB config by running the following:

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

Then change the value GRUB_DEFAULT=0 to the following:

GRUB_DEFAULT="Advanced options for Ubuntu>Ubuntu, with Linux 6.8.0-52-generic"
note

This is just an example. Change it to whatever kernel version you installed earlier.

Then update GRUB again:

sudo update-grub

6. Reboot and Test Kernel​

Reboot and select your rolled-back kernel. You should now have:

  • Networking;
  • Drivers (e.g., GPU, WiFi); and
  • Kernel modules.

Please make sure to run this after the system reboots into your desired kernel:

sudo apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r)

This will ensure all the headers required for drivers to operate are present.

7. Remove Broken/Newer Kernels (Optional)​

If you want to remove the non-working newer kernel, run the following commands:

sudo apt remove linux-image-<broken-version>
sudo update-grub

8. Prevent Future Kernel Upgrades (Optional)​

This command will prevent further kernel upgrades from taking place, and lock your working kernel version.

sudo apt-mark hold linux-image-<version> linux-headers-<version> linux-modules-extra-<version>

10. Clean Up Old Kernels (Optional)​

This will clean up older kernel versions.

sudo apt autoremove --purge