Linux Mint 19.1 RT Kernel

Install Linux Mint 19.1 and build and install the RT-PREEMPT kernel for LinuxCNC Uspace.

Tested for accuracy Jan 5 2019

Download Linux Mint 19.1 and burn to a DVD. I used Linux Mint 19.1 Mate (64-bit)

  • Boot from the DVD then select Install Linux Mint from the Desktop
  • Often you need to select Install 3rd party software
  • Who Are You? select Log In Automaticly unless you just like to login

After installing remove the DVD and restart.

Go to Menu > All Applications > Preferences > Screensaver and uncheck Lock Screen when Screensaver is active and set a reasonable timeout.

Open a terminal and select Edit > Profile Preferences > Background tab and select Solid Color unless you just like to be distracted when you use the terminal.

Click on the Sheild icon and update Linux Mint

Open a terminal and download the kernel and rt patch

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y build-essential bin86 kernel-package libssl-dev
sudo apt-get install -y libqt4-dev libncurses5-dev pkg-config
mkdir rtlinux
cd rtlinux
wget https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v4.x/linux-4.19.1.tar.xz
wget https://mirrors.edge.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/projects/rt/4.19/older/patch-4.19.1-rt3.patch.gz

Now extract and patch the kernel

tar -xpf linux-4.19.1.tar.xz
gunzip patch-4.19.1-rt3.patch.gz
cp patch-4.19.1-rt3.patch linux-4.19.1
cd linux-4.19.1
cat patch-4.19.1-rt3.patch | patch -p1
make xconfig

Use ctrl f and search for preempt. Select Fully Preemptible Kernel(RT) Save and close

Now build the kernel.

make

Go take a nap or have a cup of coffee… then install the kernel.

sudo make modules_install
sudo make install

If you get the following:

Warning: No support for locale: en_US.utf8

Then do the following.

sudo dpkg-reconfigure locales
sudo update-locale LANG=en_US.UTF-8

Finally add the grub customizer.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install grub-customizer

Go to Menu > Admininstration > Grub Customizer Go to the General Settings tab and select Advanced Options for Ubuntu>Ubuntu, with Linux 4.19.1-rt3. Save and close.

Restart

Open a terminal

uname -a
... 4.19.1-rt3 #1 SMP PREEMPT RT ...

For a light weight but powerful text editor install Geany.

sudo apt install geany

Next Install LinuxCNC Uspace Linux Mint 19 LinuxCNC