How to update linux kernel

[arunmib]

Hi all,
I have OpenSuSe10.2 and it's a 64bit version. It's installed on a laptop which is dual boot other one is WinXP (home 32-bit edition). I recently downloaded the FUSE and NTFS-3g packages and installed them. After installation I got a warning message saying that for safer operation I need to update my kernel. I haven't in my life done a kernel update. Can somebody help me as how to do it ?

Although I have worked in Linux and have done some programming, I am relatively a newbie when it comes to system administration...

Thanks for the information and help in advance..

[devils casper]

which kernel version do you have right now?
execute this

uname -a

post output here.

[Dooghy]

If you're wondering why devils_casper asked you to post the Kernel version you're using: when it comes to upgrading the Kernel, it's very important to know the current version and the version you're trying to upgrade to. That is because it is ok to upgrade from a minor build version to another minor build version (e.g. from 2.6.18.2 to 2.6.18.8), but it's not recommended to upgrade from a major version to another major version (e.g. 2.6.18.8 to 2.6.20.4).

[arunmib]

Following is the output that I got :

Linux arunmib 2.6.18.2-34-default #1 SMP Mon Nov 27 11:46:27 UTC 2006 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

As a knowledge update, why shouldn't I upgrade to a major version...Most importantly what should I do if some software requires me to do so (that is update to next major version)

[Juan Pablo]

You will need to reinstall (or maybe recompile) the device drivers you were using, the package manager usually takes care of doing this, the problem is with the kernel not with other software.

You have a recent kernel, I don't see why you can't install FUSE. Have you tried looking for a package for your kerne in YaST? Or installing the kernel sources and compiling the modules yourself ? it will avoid all the hassles of looking for a compatible binary all over the internet but may create other ones as well

[arunmib]

I never mentioned installing FUSE is a problem. I have installed it, but after installation I got a warning message. That only made me start this thread...

[devils casper]

are you mounting partitions manually or added mount instructions in /etc/fstab file.
post the contents of /etc/fstab file.

[Juan Pablo]

If you have FUSE already installed, you don't need to mess with the kernel anymore. NTFS-3g works in userspace, follow Casper advice

[arunmib]

Hi all, before proceeding any further I would like reiterate one thing, I have installed the FUSE and NTFS-3g packages and I am working with it without any problems...
Following are the contents of the fstab,

/dev/hda7            /                    ext3       acl,user_xattr        1 1
/dev/hda8            swap                 swap       defaults              0 0
/dev/hda1	     /windows/C		  ntfs	     defaults,ro,user,users,gid=users,umask=0002	   0 0
/dev/hda2            /windows/D           ntfs	     defaults,ro,user,users,gid=users,umask=0002    0 0
/dev/hda5            /windows/E           ntfs-3g    user,users,gid=users,umask=0002    0 0
/dev/hda6            /windows/F           vfat       defaults,rw,uid=1000,gid=1000	   0 0
proc                 /proc                proc       defaults              0 0
sysfs                /sys                 sysfs      noauto                0 0
debugfs              /sys/kernel/debug    debugfs    noauto                0 0
usbfs                /proc/bus/usb        usbfs      noauto                0 0
devpts               /dev/pts             devpts     mode=0620,gid=5       0 0

One more thing, I will not mess with the kernel, but I would LIKE to know how to update it...

By the way thanks for the reply and informations till now people...

[devils casper]

edit /dev/hda5 line in /etc/fstab file.

/dev/hda5            /windows/E           ntfs-3g    defaults,umask=0 0 0

you can ignore warnings safely.