so I’m confused, can I update to Bookworm normally, that is by using apt or do I need to build a new image?
It is possible to upgrade the official distro to bookworm. That method will leave you on a older kernel (5.10) There are a few community distros available here in the forum that are more updated.
Here is my Bookworm image for the uConsole
You can also build your own image using the kernel source in my GitHub and chrooting into a image and replacing the kernel. You can also use Pi-Gen to build a image from scratch, there is also a repo for it in my GitHub you can use as a starting point.
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So do I care if the kernel is older? Your saying (and I’m just trying to understand) that your bookworm has a kernel that is newer then what apt will get me? The “mesa driver problem” is this only fixed by building a new image?
Yes, the kernel is custom for the device and a stock Raspberry Pi kernel wont work. The stock clockwork image comes with kernel 5.10 that’s 4 years old now. It will work but you wont have all the improvements made in that time. My Bookworm image receives kernel from my APT repo, I compile updated one every few weeks. I just released a kernel update today. There is currently no problems with the GPU with a fully updated Bookworm image.
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Hi @Rex! I’m a newbie in Linux system and could you give me some advice?
My kernel is 6.6.63 and I’d like to upgrade the version.
Is there any way to upgrade it to 6.12.y or should I remake a new kernal version image that you uploaded?
Thanks!
6.6 is quite okay, not so old
if you are using image made by rex himself, from this threads:
if you are using his image he already configured it in the way that bookworm won’t use default kernel, but special one for uconsole instead
so just do in terminal:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
first line will download list on packages, second update them.
or you can use internal update icon in tray when it appears, it does the same thing
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Thanks for your comment.
I used the rex image and I already entered the codes you mentioned in the terminal.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
It said there’s no upgradeable content, then is it okay to use it as it is?
Also, I’m going to upgrade my CM4 to CM5 and should I change the image for CM5 or is it okay to use the same image and kernel?
Thank you very much!
yep, that’s all. you can run uname -a to confirm kernel version afterwards (probably after reboot though)
you can use the same image and the same sd-card without flashing new image (if sdcard will work with CM5)
as I understand it should work out of the box, but may be you will need to manually modify /boot/firmware/config.txt to make it work with CM5
@Rex ?
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Thanks, I’ll give it a go!
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To upgrade to the newer kernel from a older image you can try and do sudo install clockworkpi-cm-firmware clockworkpi-kernel to get updated to kernel 6.12.21. Depending on changes it might now work though, be sure to have a backup.
If you are updating the image to use the CM5 you’ll need to replace your current config.txt with the one stored in the mega link.
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so I need to create a new SD card and boot off that, I can’t do any of this in place, but once I’m on the new 6.x kernel I can do : sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y then run sudo apt install clockworkpi-cm-firmware clockworkpi-kernel ? (I’m not to happy that I’ll have to move all my data over, but maybe next time I’ll create a mount point on a new disk.
No, if you are on one of my previous Bookworm images that came out before the CM5 you can update. Just make a backup then run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y then run sudo apt install clockworkpi-cm-firmware clockworkpi-kernel and you’ll be on the newest kernel. Then get the newest config.txt from the mega link in the Bookworm thread.
You need a backup because some circumstances will cause the new kernel install to fail.
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No, I’m not so lucky. I’m still on the original OS that came with the device. Bullseye, kernel 5.10.17-v8+. So unless there is another solution I should really then install a fresh copy I guess and move my data over. I’m very glad to hear that there is an upgrade path going forward once I do move over.
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That is pretty out of date it would be best to do a fresh install.
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If I use the code you wrote, does uConsole automatically get the latest firmware and kernal files from internet respository or should I have them to install in the terminal?
I just type the code and the terminal said
Should I type the exact version or package name of firmware and kernal?
I apologize for my lack of knowledge. 
If you are on one of my current images you’ll get updates normally. If you are on one of my images from before December 2024 then you can try and update to my new 6.12 kernel by doing sudo install clockworkpi-cm-firmware clockworkpi-kernel not uconsole-kernel-current uconsole-service but depending on your situation it may or may not work. Make sure to have backups!
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I typed the code you mentioned, but the terminal just said
install: cannot stat ‘clockworkpi-cm-firmware’: No such file or directory
Should I make a folder and place the kernal file in it? I’m sorry but I don’t understand what exactly happens.
no worries.
when you got uconsole did you:
- install any OS image to sd card or did you use default one from original package send by clockworksPi?
- if you manually flashed some image to sd card – can you please give url to image you flashed?
and please run in terminal uname -a and post the ouptut
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Did you run sudo apt update first? If you did and still get that message. You aren’t running on of my images, and are probably on the stock clockwork os.
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Follow up. I’m on your version now. Install was simple and easy. I love the swapped out boot screen, nice touch. Also things work now like the CPU monitor in the “menu bar” which I never got working on the shipped os. If it is in your power, might I suggest that your version drops a readme document somewhere on the filesystem with tips and instructions on how to keep the OS updated. Maybe even the desktop of the created user account. Just an idea which might reduce traffic to the forum.