How To Install XanMod Kernel on Linux Mint 22

XanMod Kernel offers Linux enthusiasts a powerful alternative to the default kernel, promising enhanced performance and system responsiveness. For Linux Mint 22 users seeking to optimize their systems, XanMod presents an attractive option with its custom settings and advanced features. This guide walks you through the complete process of installing XanMod Kernel on your Linux Mint 22 system, ensuring you benefit from improved performance without compromising stability.

Understanding XanMod Kernel

XanMod is a general-purpose Linux kernel distribution equipped with custom settings and new features designed specifically to enhance your computing experience. Originally developed to provide a stable, responsive, and smooth desktop environment, XanMod has gained popularity among users who demand more from their Linux systems.

Core Features of XanMod Kernel:

• Preemptive Full Tickless Kernel at 500Hz with Tuned CPU Core Scheduler
• Optimized process scheduling and load balancing for heavy workloads
• High I/O throughput utilizing full multi-core block layer runqueue requests
• Enhanced system responsiveness and reduced latency
• Improved caching and Virtual Memory Manager
• Custom CPUFreq Governor improvements for better performance

XanMod comes in several variants to accommodate different needs and hardware configurations. The main versions include:

• XanMod Stable: The standard version balancing performance and reliability
• XanMod Edge: Features the latest kernel updates for cutting-edge hardware
• XanMod LTS: Long-term support version for stability-focused users
• XanMod RT: Real-time version optimized for low-latency applications

Each variant is further divided into different CPU compatibility levels (x64v1, x64v2, x64v3, x64v4) to ensure optimal performance based on your processor’s capabilities.

Why Install XanMod on Linux Mint 22?

Linux Mint 22 “Wilma” (or “Xia” for the EDGE edition) provides an excellent foundation for your computing needs. However, installing XanMod Kernel can significantly enhance your system’s capabilities in several key areas:

Performance Improvements:

• Faster application loading times and system responsiveness
• Better utilization of multi-core processors
• Enhanced I/O throughput for quicker data processing
• Improved handling of memory-intensive tasks

Gaming Enhancements:

• Lower latency for competitive gaming
• Better frame rates in CPU-bound games
• Improved Wine/Proton compatibility through Fsync support
• Support for futex waitv implementation

Specialized Workloads:

• Superior performance for content creation and media production
• Enhanced virtualization capabilities
• Better handling of streaming applications
• Optimized database operations and server workloads

For those running resource-intensive applications or seeking to extract maximum performance from their hardware, XanMod provides tangible benefits over the standard Linux Mint kernel.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

Hardware Compatibility:

• x86-64 architecture processor (AMD64/Intel 64)
• Sufficient disk space (at least 500MB free space)
• Minimum 4GB RAM recommended for optimal performance

Important Compatibility Notes:

• XanMod does not support secure boot – you must disable this feature in your UEFI/BIOS settings
• Some systems may experience compatibility issues with certain hardware drivers
• Verify your CPU supports the appropriate x86-64 capability level

Required Technical Knowledge:

• Basic familiarity with terminal commands
• Understanding of package management in Debian-based systems
• Knowledge of how to revert changes if necessary

Backup Recommendation:

• Create a system backup before proceeding
• Alternatively, ensure your important files are backed up
• Note your current kernel version in case you need to revert

Preparing Your System

The first step toward successfully installing XanMod Kernel is properly preparing your Linux Mint 22 system. Follow these steps carefully:

Update Your System

Begin by ensuring your system is fully updated. Open a terminal window and execute:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

This ensures all existing packages are current, reducing the risk of conflicts during installation.

Install Required Dependencies

Next, install the necessary packages for adding repositories and handling the XanMod installation:

sudo apt install dirmngr lsb-release ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https dkms curl -y

These packages are essential for importing GPG keys, managing repositories, and handling kernel modules.

Check Current Kernel Version

It’s good practice to know your current kernel version before making changes. Run:

uname -r

Note this information in case you need to revert to your original kernel later.

Determining the Right XanMod Version for Your CPU

XanMod offers different variants optimized for specific CPU capabilities. Choosing the right version ensures you get the best performance from your hardware.

Download and Run the XanMod CPU Compatibility Script

Run the following commands to download and execute the compatibility check script:

wget https://dl.xanmod.org/check_x86-64_psabi.sh
chmod +x check_x86-64_psabi.sh
./check_x86-64_psabi.sh

This script will analyze your CPU and indicate which XanMod version is appropriate for your system.

Understanding CPU Capability Levels

The script output will indicate one of the following capability levels:

• x86-64-v1: Compatible with older CPUs, including AMD K8-family and Intel Pentium 4/Xeon
• x86-64-v2: Suitable for CPUs like AMD Family 10h and Intel Core 2
• x86-64-v3: Optimized for modern CPUs including AMD Zen and Intel 6th Gen Core
• x86-64-v4: Designed for the latest CPU generations like AMD Zen4 and newer Intel processors

Choose the XanMod version that matches your CPU’s capability level for optimal performance. Using a version beyond your CPU’s capabilities will result in incompatibility issues.

Adding the XanMod Repository

With your system prepared and CPU capability determined, you can now add the XanMod repository to your system:

Import the XanMod GPG Key

First, import the cryptographic key to verify package authenticity:

curl -fSsL https://dl.xanmod.org/gpg.key | sudo gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/xanmod.gpg > /dev/null

This creates a keyring file that APT will use to verify XanMod packages.

Add the Repository to Your Sources

Add the XanMod repository to your system’s software sources:

echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/xanmod.gpg] http://deb.xanmod.org releases main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod-kernel.list

This command creates a new source list file specifically for XanMod packages.

Verify Repository Addition

Confirm that the repository was added correctly:

grep xanmod /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod-kernel.list

You should see output similar to:
deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/xanmod.gpg] http://deb.xanmod.org releases main

Update Package Lists

Finally, update your package information to include the new repository:

sudo apt update

Your system is now ready to install the XanMod Kernel.

Installation Process

With preparations complete, you can now install the appropriate XanMod Kernel variant based on your CPU capability level.

Installing the Appropriate XanMod Version

Based on the output from the CPU compatibility script, install the corresponding kernel package:

For x86-64-v1 compatibility:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-x64v1

For x86-64-v2 compatibility:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-x64v2

For x86-64-v3 compatibility:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-x64v3

For x86-64-v4 compatibility:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-x64v4

The installation process will download and install the kernel packages, update the bootloader, and prepare your system for the new kernel.

Installing a Specific XanMod Variant

If you want a specific variant like Edge, LTS, or RT, use one of the following commands:

For the Edge variant:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-edge-x64vX

For the LTS variant:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-lts-x64vX

For the RT (real-time) variant:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-rt-x64vX

Replace “X” with your CPU compatibility level (1, 2, 3, or 4).

Installation Progress

During installation, you’ll see terminal output showing:

• Package downloads
• Kernel module compilation
• Initramfs generation
• GRUB bootloader updates

This process typically takes 5-10 minutes depending on your system’s speed.

Post-Installation Configuration

After successful installation, several important steps need to be completed to ensure XanMod works properly on your Linux Mint 22 system.

Reboot Your System

First, restart your computer to boot into the new XanMod Kernel:

sudo reboot

When your system starts up again, it should automatically boot into the newly installed XanMod Kernel.

Installing Microcode Updates

For optimal performance and security, install the appropriate microcode updates:

For AMD processors:

sudo apt install amd64-microcode

For Intel processors:

sudo apt install intel-microcode

These microcode updates provide important performance and security improvements for your processor.

Optional Performance Tweaks

To further enhance performance, consider these additional tweaks:

Swappiness Adjustment:

echo 'vm.swappiness=10' | sudo tee -a /etc/sysctl.d/99-sysctl.conf

I/O Scheduler Configuration:

echo 'block/sda/queue/scheduler = bfq' | sudo tee /etc/udev/rules.d/60-scheduler.rules

These tweaks can improve responsiveness and I/O performance on most systems.

Verifying Your Installation

It’s important to confirm that your system is indeed running the XanMod Kernel and that everything is functioning as expected.

Check Running Kernel Version

Verify you’re running the XanMod Kernel with:

uname -r

The output should include “xanmod” in the name, confirming successful installation and boot.

Using System Information Tools

For more detailed information, install and use neofetch:

sudo apt install neofetch
neofetch

This provides a comprehensive overview of your system, including kernel version and other hardware information.

Review Kernel Parameters

Check active kernel parameters with:

sysctl -a | grep kernel

This can help verify that XanMod-specific optimizations are active on your system.

Performance Testing and Optimization

After installing XanMod, you might want to measure its impact on your system’s performance:

Simple Benchmarking Methods

Run basic benchmarks to compare performance before and after installation:

sudo apt install sysbench
sysbench cpu run
sysbench memory run

These tests provide metrics for CPU and memory performance improvements.

Measuring Boot Time Improvements

Compare boot times with systemd-analyze:

systemd-analyze time

Many users report significantly reduced boot times with XanMod compared to the standard kernel.

Gaming Performance Optimization

For gamers, additional tweaks can enhance performance:

echo 'fs.inotify.max_user_watches=524288' | sudo tee -a /etc/sysctl.d/99-sysctl.conf

This increases the file watch limit, benefiting games running through Wine or Proton.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite careful preparation, you might encounter certain issues with XanMod Kernel. Here are solutions to common problems:

Graphics Driver Compatibility

If you experience graphics issues, particularly with NVIDIA GPUs:

1. Re-install your graphics drivers after booting into XanMod
2. For NVIDIA users:

   sudo apt install --reinstall nvidia-driver-XXX

   (Replace XXX with your driver version)

NVIDIA compatibility issues are occasionally reported with newer XanMod versions.

VirtualBox/VMware Issues

Users of virtualization software might encounter module compilation errors:

1. Reinstall DKMS and virtualization modules:

   sudo apt install --reinstall virtualbox-dkms

2. For persistent issues, consider using an older XanMod version or reverting to the stock kernel when using virtualization software.

Network Device Problems

If you experience network connectivity issues:

1. For Realtek network cards, try removing the r8168 package:

   sudo apt remove r8168
   sudo reboot

2. If problems persist, reinstall the network drivers:

   sudo apt install --reinstall r8168-dkms

Network driver compatibility varies across different hardware configurations.

Boot Failures

If your system fails to boot with XanMod:

1. At the GRUB menu, select the previous kernel option
2. Once booted, consider trying a different XanMod variant
3. If problems persist, revert to the stock kernel

Maintaining XanMod Kernel

Regular maintenance ensures your XanMod Kernel stays up-to-date and performs optimally.

Updating XanMod

Keep your XanMod Kernel updated using standard apt commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

These commands will include XanMod updates along with regular system updates.

Managing Kernel Versions

Over time, multiple kernel versions may accumulate. Clean up old versions with:

sudo apt autoremove

This removes obsolete kernel packages while preserving the currently running kernel.

Monitoring for Security Patches

XanMod typically incorporates security patches from upstream Linux kernels. Stay informed about security updates by following the XanMod project website or GitHub repository.

Reverting to the Original Kernel (if needed)

If you decide to return to the standard Linux Mint kernel, follow these steps:

Boot into the Original Kernel

1. Restart your computer
2. In the GRUB menu, select the original Linux Mint kernel
3. Once booted, open a terminal

Remove XanMod Kernel Packages

Execute the following commands to remove XanMod:

sudo apt remove 'linux-*xanmod*'
sudo apt autoremove

Remove the XanMod Repository

Clean up by removing the XanMod repository:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod-kernel.list
sudo apt update

Verify the Reversion

After rebooting, check your kernel version:

uname -r

Confirm that you’re running the standard Linux Mint kernel.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed XanMod Kernel. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the XanMod Kernel on Linux Mont 22 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official XanMod website.