diffrent versions of linux kernel

[Brudus]

When I start up my computer I get a list of diffrent versions on the linux kernel. It's "Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-6-686" when I select this I don't get video. I keep getting errors from xorg. The second option is "Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-5-686" if I select this one everything works fine. Whats going on here?

[oz]

Welcome to the forums, Brudus!

It looks like you upgraded your kernel along the way, so now you have two kernel entries. You might need to reinstall your video drivers after upgrading the kernel, so that may be why you have no video in the later kernel version.

[Brudus]

How would I go about doing that. I can't get to a GUI or anything. I just got a command line.

[daark.child]

What graphics card do you have? You can just keep using the kernel that works correctly if you wish. You can even configure grub to to boot that by default. If you need help with this, post the contents of your /boot/grub/menu.lst.

[Brudus]

# menu.lst - See: grub(, info grub, update-grub(
# grub-install(, grub-floppy(,
# grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
# and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.

## default num
# Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
# the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
#
# You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
# is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.
# WARNING: If you are using dmraid do not change this entry to 'saved' or your
# array will desync and will not let you boot your system.
default 0

## timeout sec
# Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
# (normally the first entry defined).
timeout 5

# Pretty colours
color cyan/blue white/blue

## password ['--md5'] passwd
# If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
# control (menu entry editor and command-line) and entries protected by the
# command 'lock'
# e.g. password topsecret
# password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
# password topsecret

#
# examples
#
# title Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader +1
#
# title Linux
# root (hd0,1)
# kernel /vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
#

#
# Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST

### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
## by the debian update-grub script except for the default options below

## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs

## ## Start Default Options ##
## default kernel options
## default kernel options for automagic boot options
## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z
## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8=root=/dev/hdc1 ro
## kopt_2_6_8_2_686=root=/dev/hdc2 ro
# kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro

## default grub root device
## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
# groot=(hd0,0)

## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. alternative=true
## alternative=false
# alternative=true

## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
## e.g. lockalternative=true
## lockalternative=false
# lockalternative=false

## additional options to use with the default boot option, but not with the
## alternatives
## e.g. defoptions=vga=791 resume=/dev/hda5
# defoptions=

## should update-grub lock old automagic boot options
## e.g. lockold=false
## lockold=true
# lockold=false

## Xen hypervisor options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenhopt=

## Xen Linux kernel options to use with the default Xen boot option
# xenkopt=console=tty0

## altoption boot targets option
## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
## altoptions=(single-user) single
# altoptions=(single-user mode) single

## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
## alternative kernel options
## e.g. howmany=all
## howmany=7
# howmany=all

## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
## e.g. memtest86=true
## memtest86=false
# memtest86=true

## should update-grub adjust the value of the default booted system
## can be true or false
# updatedefaultentry=false

## ## End Default Options ##

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-6-686
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-6-686
savedefault

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-6-686 (single-user mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-6-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-6-686
savedefault

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-5-686
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-5-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-5-686
savedefault

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-5-686 (single-user mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-5-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-5-686
savedefault

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-4-686
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-4-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-4-686
savedefault

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.6.18-4-686 (single-user mode)
root (hd0,0)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.18-4-686 root=/dev/hda1 ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.18-4-686
savedefault

### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST

There it is daark.child I have an nividia graphics card. I would like to use the most up to date kernel if I could. I don't see why it would not work. As you can see i've updated kernels in the past. My step dad was on the computer and I think it was his doing. He might have not known what he was doing and just canceled out of everything.

[devils casper]

You have to re-install Nvidia driver for new kernel.
Boot up from new kernel and execute this

su -
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Select "vesa" driver in Drivers list.
Or
Edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf file and set Driver "vesa" instead of "nvidia". Restart X Server or reboot machine.
GUI will work fine (without 3D stuff). Re-install Nvidia driver now.