NEWS 251019 about Raspberry Pi Debian 12 Pixel – 32bit – an Exton Build
 Study all included packages in Build 251019 – latest by 251019. I’ve added NetworkManager and also Wicd, which makes it easier to configure wireless connections. Choose the one which works for you.

Most important changes in Build 251019
This build replaces version 161223 , 170425, 180316, 180928, 190705, 191102, 201108, 220505, 230319 and 240414. I’ve upgraded Raspbian/Debian from Bullseye  to Bookworm – Debian 12. I’ve also upgraded the kernel from 6.1.0-6-686-pae to 6.8.1-pae-exton. I’ve also included kernel 6.1.0-39-686, which shall be used on very old computers. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB. Firefox have been installed so you’ll have a browser when logged in as root. You can’t run Chromium as root.  In Build 251019 I have removed Chromium. I saw no advantage in keeping it. I’ve also installed Samba so that you can reach your Windows computers in your home network.

NOTE 1
This Debian PIXEL 32bit build is for UEFI and non-efi computers. So you can boot Debian PIXEL in both UEFI and Legacy mode.

NOTE 2
On certain Desktop computers you may have to start Debian PIXEL in “failsafe” graphics mode. I.e. nomodeset. On one of my six computers (my newest) I could not run Debian PIXEL at all.

NOTE 3: Version 251019 of Debian PIXEL can run on really old computers. As an example I could run it on my 19 years old laptop Acer Aspire 5102 WLMi.

NOTE 4: On one of my newer computers I had to use these Grub boot lines after a hard drive installation – see below.
menuentry ‘Debian PIXEL 32bit 251019 (sda6-Samsung_T5)’ –class debian –class gnu-linux –class gnu –class os $menuentry_id_option ‘gnulinux-simple-a3623728-20d8-46e1-8586-0a0ac14fca69’ {
recordfail
load_video
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search –no-floppy –fs-uuid –set=root a3623728-20d8-46e1-8586-0a0ac14fca69
else
search –no-floppy –fs-uuid –set=root a3623728-20d8-46e1-8586-0a0ac14fca69
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-39-686-pae root=UUID=a3623728-20d8-46e1-8586-0a0ac14fca69 acpi_backlight=vendor ro intel_iommu=off $vt_handoff nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.1.0-39-686-pae
}

NEWS 251019 – a YouTube video about Debian Pixel
I’ve discovered a YouTube video about my Debian Pixel Build 170425. The video is called Debian Pixel..Exton forks it for you..
This video is of course also valid for Build 251019. By watching the video you can learn a lot about Debian Pixel’s features.

OLD NEWS FROM 161223
On December 22, 2016 I read that the Raspberry Pi Foundation had announced the release of a new PIXEL image that can be booted on a PC or Mac. Study this site. I saw immediately that there was no installer included, which I thought was a little disappointing. Come to think of Refracta Tools, which work very well in Debian and Ubuntu. I quickly made a “remix” of the Raspberry Pi Foundation PIXEL image. My remix thus include Refracta Snapshot. This means that you can easily install the system to hard drive and you can just as easily make your own remix of the Raspberry Pi Foundation PIXEL image. I’ve added a few packages. Most important Synaptic, which I find essential.

About the PIXEL Desktop
Raspbian (Raspberry Pi OS) had its biggest update ever in September, 2016, thanks to a dazzling new desktop environment called PIXEL. Raspbian with PIXEL (which stands for “Pi Improved Xwindow Environment, Lightweight”) is a huge software update to the desktop environment. It introduces a crisp new interface, and is brimming with new programs and features.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that the latest official version of Raspberry Pi OS (Debian 11 Bullseye) compatible with PC and Mac is from July 1, 2022 …

VirtualBox and VMware
My build/image works very well in VirtualBox and VMware. I.e. you can run the system directly from the ISO file and also install it to a virtual hard drive. You can of course also make your own Raspbian/Debian system with the the PIXEL Desktop using Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed).

KERNELS
Kernel 6.8.1-pae-exton is used in Build 251019. PAE (Physical Address Extension) increases the physical memory addressable by the system from 4 GB to 64 GB. If you want to run the system (which is 32bit) on very old computers you shall use kernel 6.1.0-39-686, which also is included.
NOTE about newer kernels: I did compile a new (6.17.2) 32bit kernel to use in Debian PIXEL. I could use it, but the system became awfully slow. Then I learned that Debian has reduced support for i386 systems. In Debian 13 (trixie) i386 (32bit) is no longer supported as a regular architecture: there is no official kernel and no Debian installer for i386 systems. Debian 250809: Users running i386 systems should not upgrade to trixie. Instead, Debian recommends either reinstalling them as amd64, where possible, or retiring the hardware. This version of Debian PIXEL will therefore be my last. (Debian 12 bookworm will be supported until June 30th, 2028).

Login and passwords
Log in to the PIXEL Desktop as the ordinary user user or as root. The passwords are raspberry respectively root. When logged in as user you can use Sudo to become root. (Command: sudo su). When running Debian Pixel live (from a DVD or a USB stick) you’ll end up (after the boot process) logged in automatically as the user user in X (PIXEL Desktop). You can log out and log in again as root (other) if you want – see below.

Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure
For smoother Raspberry PI performance a virtual PC such as azure windows virtual desktop which can be the best option due to its high end functionality and 24*7 top-notch support from a reliable desktop as a service provider.

Runs from RAM
Another great thing is that this build can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 2 (load to RAM). When running Debian Pixel on an UEFI computer you shall go to “Advanced – load to RAM”.  When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or the USB stick. You’ll need at least 4 GB RAM to run the system that way. I.e. super fast! Watch this screenshot…

Spotify
You may want to run Spotify. In this version of Debian Pixel you can’t install Spotify with the command sudo apt install spotify-client. Too many unfulfilled dependencies. You can, however, run Spotify Web Player. Use Firefox for that. Watch a screenshot when Spotify Web Player is running.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed) to create your own installable Raspberry Pi Debian 12 PIXEL system once you have installed my build to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. Start Refracta from Menu >> System tools >> Refracta snapshot. You don’t even have to install my build to hard drive before you can use the Refracta Snapshot. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian PIXEL system while running my build from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO file) only will take 20 – 60 min! Please edit the configuration file /etc/refractasnapshot.conf first. Change line 45 and 46. I.e. decide where you want the ISO file to be build. The whole thing is very simple. NOTE: You can also do everything in VirtualBox or VMware. Use FileZilla (pre-installed) to transfer your new ISO file to your server. Or use Samba to transfer the ISO file to one of your Windows computers in your home Network – screenshot. In VirtualBox you can also drop the new ISO directly on your host Desktop. NOTE: You may have to do run Refracta Snapshot in three steps (1, 2 , 3).

Install to Debian PIXEL hard drive
Just start Refracta Installer from the Menu >> System tools >> Refracta Installer and follow the instructions. Very simple. After a hard drive installation Grub’s boot menu will look like this.

Install Debian PIXEL to a USB stick
You can use Rufus in Windows. Persistence can’t be enabled though. The best way to achieve persistence on a USB stick is to burn Debian PIXEL to a DVD, start up the system from the DVD and then use Refracta Installer for the installation. Choose to install Grub in MBR on /dev/sdb. (Normally your USB stick, but check it carefully!) I.e. you will get a chance to choose between /dev/sda and /dev/sdb. This method will give you perfect persistence

Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure
For smoother Raspberry PI performance a virtual PC such as azure windows virtual desktop which can be the best option due to its high end functionality and 24*7 top-notch support from a reliable desktop as a service provider.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – User Desktop 251019
Screenshot 2 – Debian PIXEL running in VirtualBox
Screenshot 3 – Samba running (reach your Windows computers in your network)
Screenshot 4 – Refracta Installer is running
Screenshot 5 – Running from RAM – eject the USB stick
Screenshot 6 – The Desktop for root

DOWNLOAD
my Debian Raspberry Pi PIXEL Build 251019 for free from SourceForge.net – Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.

md5sum for debian-12-pixel-32bit-pae-exton-build-2030mb-251019.iso
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