Linux Mint & Ubuntu: Install Correct Kernel & Firmware
Hey guys! Since getting the right Kernel and Firmware is crucial for ROCm to play nice, I wanted to share how to install them on your Linux Mint or Ubuntu setup, especially if you're rocking those awesome toolboxes. This is the exact setup I'm running, and it's been rock solid thanks to kyuz0 and all the other awesome folks who dug into this issue. Huge shoutout to them!
Important note: This guide is specifically for Ubuntu-based distros. Debian handles the linux-firmware package differently, so keep that in mind!
Disclaimer: We're venturing outside officially supported Linux Mint territory here, so we're on our own to keep things running smoothly. The good news is, the Linux Kernel lets you keep the old, official ones installed, so you can always boot back into a supported kernel if needed. Plus, we'll archive the officially supported linux-firmware package, so you can revert if any devices act up.
For Linux Mint 22.x (and Similar Ubuntu-Based Systems)
Step 1: Grab the Right Kernel
Head over to https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/ and scroll down to the bottom. Look for the latest kernel version.
As of right now, v6.18.6 (https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.18.6/) is the newest. Download these four packages under the Test amd64/build succeeded section:
linux-headers-6.18.6-061806-generic_6.18.6-061806.202601171700_amd64.deb
linux-headers-6.18.6-061806_6.18.6-061806.202601171700_all.deb
linux-image-unsigned-6.18.6-061806-generic_6.18.6-061806.202601171700_amd64.deb
linux-modules-6.18.6-061806-generic_6.18.6-061806.202601171700_amd64.deb
Important: Sometimes you might see a Test amd64/build failed message with no packages listed (like with v6.18.5). If that happens, skip it and go for the latest available kernel unless you've been told to avoid a newer kernel due to a regression.
Step 2: Download the Correct Firmware
Go to https://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/l/linux-firmware/ and snag linux-firmware_20260108.gitd86b47f7-0ubuntu1_all.deb. At the time I am writing, this is the most current and functional firmware package available.
Before proceeding, it's a good practice to archive the currently installed, officially supported package. If you're not interested in doing this, skip to Step 3. This archived package can be a lifesaver if you encounter problems down the road, allowing you to revert to a known working state.
To find out which Ubuntu version your Linux Mint is based on, open the "Package Sources" application. For version 22.x, it will typically display "Main (zara)" and "Base (noble)," with "noble" indicating the Ubuntu version. Alternatively, you can use the command cat /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list to retrieve the same information.
deb https://mirror.alwyzon.net/linuxmint zara main upstream import backport
deb https://mirror.alwyzon.net/ubuntu noble main restricted universe multiverse
...etc
Once you've determined your Ubuntu version, navigate to https://packages.ubuntu.com/en/linux-firmware and select your corresponding version. In our example, it's noble (24.04LTS) (misc): Firmware for Linux kernel drivers. Click on amd64, then on security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu, which will direct you to http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/l/linux-firmware/linux-firmware_20240318.git3b128b60-0ubuntu2.21_amd64.deb. Download this file to have a backup of your current firmware, just in case.
Step 3: Install the Packages
Now, install all five packages. The easiest way to do this is to put them all in one folder and run sudo dpkg -i *. Make sure you install the correct linux-firmware package if you archived your current one!
Step 4: Update Kernel Parameters
It's super important to keep your kernel parameters up-to-date. Check out https://github.com/kyuz0/amd-strix-halo-comfyui-toolboxes?tab=readme-ov-file#62-kernel-parameters-tested-on-fedora-42 for the latest recommended settings.
Currently, these are the parameters we're aiming for: amd_iommu=off amdgpu.gttsize=126976 ttm.pages_limit=32505856.
In Linux Mint, you can tweak these settings in /etc/default/grub. Fire up your default text editor with sudo xed /etc/default/grub (where xed is the default editor).
Find the line that looks like this: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash".
I highly recommend backing up this line by commenting it out, just in case you need to revert later. This also helps if you want to play around with different configurations in the future.
Here's what the result should look like:
#GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash amd_iommu=off amdgpu.gttsize=126976 ttm.pages_limit=32505856"
Finally, run sudo update-grub to apply the changes. And that's it!
Reboot your system, and you should be good to go with the toolbox.
Troubleshooting:
If you run into any snags, I'll be hanging around in this ticket to help you out. Just let me know what's going on, and I'll do my best to get you sorted! Good luck and have fun!