Do I need to keep old kernel versions?

[azebuski]

After doing system updates I am left with several old kernel versions, which synaptic lists as being obsolete.

The latest kernel I have is 2.6.24.19

The synaptic package manager lists linux-headers, linux-image, linux-ubuntu-modules, and linux-restricted-modules from many older versions.

All these files that synaptic is calling obsolete are taking up several hundred MBs of disk space.

Can I safely delete them? I am still a linux newbie and do not want to mess around deleting kernels without knowing what I am doing.

[iaculallad]

Yes, you can safely delete your old kernels unless you're experiencing system glitches when using you're updated kernel that you need to store at least one "working" old kernel if you want to revert to using it afterwards.

[Kabezon]

I erease them; it's not a problem at all. Well, I always keep a version previous to the current one, just in case the current one might not work correctly, then I can boot the other one.