Tag: non-uefi

DebEX Barebone 32 bit – Build 240423 – based on Debian sid/trixie (upcoming Debian 13) with LXQt 1.4 and Refracta Snapshot

23
Apr
2024

NEWS 240423 about DebEX LXQt 32 bit Build 240423
I’ve made a new DebEX system for older computers. It uses LXQt 1.4  as Desktop environment. LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel. Only a minimum of packages are installed. The ISO file is of only 1610 MB! Refracta Snapshot is pre-installed also in this version of DebEX, which means that you can make your own Debian 32 bit (Intel x86 32-bit architecture) live installable system in a very simple way. I mean change everything to your liking and then create a new ISO.

What is it for?
This version of DebEX is mainly made for older computers. I could run and install DebEX LXQt without problems on my oldest computer. An Acer Aspire 5102WLMi from the year 2006. So now you too can bring back life to your (very) old computer!

Study all installed packages in Build 240423…

NOTES
NOTE1: This version of DebEX is based on Debian sid/trixie. Trixie (Debian 13) will replace Bookworm (Debian 12).
NOTE2: VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed, which means that you can run DebEX LXQt in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot…
NOTE3: You can’t watch Netflix in this version of DebEX: That’s because Google no longer support Widevine on 32 bit systems.
NOTE4:  I’ve arranged so that you can run DebEX LXQt also on UEFI computers. I.e. you can boot the System both in UEFI and Legacy mode.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Running in full screen in VirtualBox
2.  Refracta Snapshot is running
3.  The new ISO is ready
4.  The Desktop for the ordinary user user

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 11 (with GAPPS), AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 13, 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
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DSL-E BASED ON DSL (DAMN SMALL LINUX) 2024 RC3 – 32 BIT – WITH LXDE DE AND KERNEL 6.6.15-EXTON :: BUILD 240417

17
Apr
2024

NEWS 240417 ABOUT DSL-e
I’ve made a remaster of Damn Small Linux 2024 rc3– 32 bit. My first remaster of DSL 2024 is from 240207. The New DSL 2024 has been reborn as a compact Linux distribution tailored for low-spec x86 computers. It packs a lot of applications into a small package. All the applications are chosen for their functionality, small size, and low dependencies. DSL 2024 also has many text-based applications that make it handy to use in a term window or TTY.

The original DSL was of 50MB many years ago. DSL 2024 rc3 is of 700MB. The reason for that: A 50MB distribution, was a lot of fun and one of the things I am most proud of as a personal accomplishment. However, as a concept, it was in the right place at the right time, and the computer industry has changed a lot since then. While it would be possible to make a bootable Xwindows 50MB distribution today, it would be missing many drivers and have only a handful of very rudimentary applications. People would find such a distribution a fun toy or something to build upon, but it would not be usable for the average computer user out of the gate.

My remaster of DSL 2024 rc3 is of 1100MB. The reason for that is that I’ve added some real useful packages:
1. Firefox (a good Web Browser is a must I think)
2. Changed Desktop DE from Fluxbox to LXDE, which is more useful
3. GParted
4. PulseAudio and Pavucontrol (for sound to work)
5. Synaptic (a really useful package manager)
6. VLC (a Multimedia Player)
7. Changed kernel from 5.10.188-antix to 6.6.15-exton.
8. VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed so you can always run DSL-e in full screen in VirtualBox!
9. Samba is installed so that you can reach your Windows computers in your home network
10. I’ve arranged so that you can run DSL-e also on UEFI computers. I.e. you can boot DSL-e both in UEFI and Legacy mode.
Note1: I could run and install DSL-e without problems on my oldest computer. An Acer Aspire 5102WLMi from the year 2006. So now you too can bring back life to your (very) old computer!
NOTE2: VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed, which means that you can run DSL-e in full screen in VirtualBox. Watch this screenshot…
NOTE3: You can’t watch Netflix using Firefox in DSL-e: That’s because Google no longer support Widevine on 32 bit systems.
NOTE4: To use Samba you shall run this command:
sudo mount -t cifs //IP-number(for your Windows computer)/SHARED-FOLDER /mnt/samba -o user=username(in Windows)
Example: sudo mount -t cifs //192.168.0.38/LINUX /mnt/samba -o user=arne
Watch this screenshot…

Study all installed packages in DSL-e…

LOGIN to DSL-e
Log in from Slim to LXDE as user exton with password linux. You can’t log in as root from Slim. The password for root is root. Watch this screenshot…
If you want to run DSL-e as root you shall close X by pressing Ctrl Alt F2 simultaneously. Log in as root with password root and run the command startx.

INSTALL DSL-e to hard drive
It is really simple. Just click on the INSTALLER icon on the desktop and follow the instructions. Watch this screenshot…

KNOWN ISSUE
After logging in to LXDE you may have to restart X on some computers. That is if you can’t open any apps. Restart X by pressing  Ctrl Alt F2 simultaneously. Then log in as user exton with password linux. Finally run the command startx to enter X/LXDE again. Now everything should work. The error is probably due to the way my remaster is made.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Running in VirtualBox in full screen
2. Running in VMware
3. Running in Qemu in Linux (the best way to run any Linux system virtually)
4. The Slim Login Screen
5. The boot picture (splash) after a hard drive installation using Grub
6. The Installer running and installing Grub
7. VLC running

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 11 (with GAPPS), AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 13, 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
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Run Raspberry Pi’s PIXEL Desktop on a PC or Mac – an Exton modified Build 230319 with Refracta Snapshot (so you can create your own Raspberrypi Debian 12 Pixel system)

19
Mar
2023

NEWS 230319 about Raspberry Pi Debian 12 Pixel – 32bit – an Exton Build
 Study all included packages in Build 230319 – latest by 230319. 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 230319
This build replaces version 161223 , 170425, 180316, 180928, 190705, 191102, 201108 and 220505 . I’ve upgraded Raspbian/Debian from Bullseye  to Bookworm – upcoming Debian 12. I’ve also upgraded the kernel from 5.10.0-13-686-pae to 6.1.0-6-686-pae. I’ve also included kernel 6.1.0-6-686, which shall be used on older 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. Another good thing about Firefox is that you can use it to watch Netflix movies. In Build 230319 I have removed Chromium. I saw no advantage in keeping it. You can run the system in full screen in VirtualBox. That’s because VirtualBox’s Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

NOTE
This Debian PIXEL 32bit build is for non-efi computers.

UNIQUE?
As far as I know there is no official Raspberry Pi OS (Raspbian) image with Debian 12.
NOTE: Debian 12 soft freeze will happen very soon.

KERNEL
Kernel 6.1.0-6-686-pae is used in Build 230319. 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 older computers you shall use kernel 6.1.0-6-686, which also is included.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – User pi’s Desktop 230309
Screenshot 2 – Debian PIXEL running in VirtualBox in full screen
Screenshot 3 – Samba running (reach your Windows computers in your network)
Screenshot 4 – The installation is ready
Screenshot 5 – Spotify Web Player running

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 11 (with GAPPS), AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!
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ExTiX LXQt Mini Build 210220 non-uefi especially made for older computers and VirtualBox/VMware with LXQt, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 5.10.15-exton

20
Feb
2021

NEWS 210220 ABOUT ExTiX LXQt Mini 21.2, Build 210220
I’ve made a new “mini” version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. It is based on Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS Focal Fossa. The ISO file is of only 980 MB, which is good if you want to run the system super fast from RAM. It should be enough with 2GB RAM. When the boot process is ready you can eject the DVD or USB stick. Use Boot alternative 2. The best thing with ExTiX 21.2 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu 20.04.2 system. So easy that a ten year child can do it! ExTiX 21.2 uses kernel 5.10.15-exton. Kernel 5.10 is a LTS kernel supported until 2026. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS will be supported until April 2025.

Study all pre-installed packages in ExTiX 21.2.

More about ExTiX 21.2
This ExTiX version uses LXQt as Desktop environment. LXQt is the Qt port and the upcoming version of LXDE, the Lightweight Desktop Environment. It is the product of the merge between the LXDE-Qt and the Razor-qt projects: A lightweight, modular, blazing-fast and user-friendly desktop environment. NOTE: This ExTiX LXQt Build is for older non-UEFI-enabled computers and VirtualBox/VMware. When running ExTiX 21.2 in VirtualBox you can do it in full screen since VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

SCREENSHOTS
ExTiX version 210220 LXQt Desktop
ExTiX LXQt running Refracta Installer – 1
ExTiX LXQt running Refracta Installer – 2

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at
andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Android 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 4 and 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 11 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!
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exGENT (Gentoo) 64bit Live DVD/USB with LXQt 0.14.1, Calamares Installer and kernel 5.3.7-aufs-exgent – Build 200119 – can be installed in 2 min!

19
Jan
2020

NEWS 200119 about exGENT (Gentoo) 64 bit
I’ve made a new version of exGENT with only a few necessary packages pre-installed. It uses LXQt 0.14.1 as Desktop environment and kernel 5.3.7-aufs-exgent. The ISO file is of 1720 MB. Despite this exGENT version 200119 runs surprisingly fast from DVD or USB. Even in VirtualBox and VMware. Faster than most other Linux live systems. I call my new version exGENT 2020 LXQt Live DVD/USB. It replaces version 180414, 170407 and 170412. Those versions were too old for upgrading. I had to start over and build version 200119 from “scratch”. All installed packages in exGENT have been updated to the latest available version by 200119. Study the full package list.

What’s new in exGENT Build 200119?
The boot loader Grub Legacy has been replaced by Grub2. In exGENT versions before 170309 the file system wasn’t writable when running exGENT live (from DVD). Now you can emerge (install) new programs/packages even while running the system from a DVD or USB stick. If you do that and later decide to install exGENT to hard drive all your changes will follow! (That is if you use the install scripts in /root/install). Furthermore you can install/transfer exGENT to a USB stick with the dd command in Linux or use Rufus or Etcher in Windows. Such installations were impossible before. NOTE: I have not installed Google Chrome. It’s not needed anymore, since Netflix nowadays runs very well in Firefox. About the LXQt Desktop environment: LXQt is a lightweight Qt desktop environment. It will not get in your way. It will not hang or slow down your system. It is focused on being a classic desktop with a modern look and feel. MOST IMPORTANT: Now you can install exGENT to hard drive in two ways. You can still use the install scrips in /root/install. That is the best way to install exGENT on non UEFI computers for example VirtualBox and VMware. The second way is to use Calamares Installer- see below.

Calamares Installer
In exGENT Build 200119 I’ve also included the Calamares Installer version 3.2.17.1 (latest). Use it preferably if you need to install Grub on UEFI computers. You can, however, also use Calamares in VirtualBox and VMware. See a slideshow below when I have used Calamares on a UEFI computer to install exGENT on a USB stick.



If you can’t watch the slideshow in your browser watch this animated GIF.

exGENT Build 200119 is a non Systemd system
exGENT uses OpenRC 0.42.1 init system instead of Systemd. Comparison of different init systems: Read this article.

exGENT Build 200119 unique?
If you have a look at Gentoo’s download site you will notice that the latest Gentoo live system is from 20160704 (!?). Furthermore there are only a few other distros based on Gentoo. The most well-known are Funtoo Linux and Sabayon Linux. Funtoo isn’t a live system. Sabayon is a live system distributed with different Desktops variants. (Not with LXQt though). I have tried some of them on the computers I have access to. None of Sabayon’s variants could run live. Not even in VirtualBox and VMware. My guess is that exGENT has better hardware recognition than Sabayon.

WHO IS exGENT/Gentoo FOR?
Experienced Linux users or those who really want to learn Linux. (Perhaps also for people who are bored with mainstream distributions like Ubuntu).

Screenshots
1. exGENT Build 200119 – root’s Desktop
2. exGENT running Spotify
3. exGENT running Calamares in VirtualBox
4. exGENT running in VirtualBox
5. exGENT running in VMware
6. exGENT Build 200119 – live’s Desktop

READ MORE…

Read about my Android-x86 Systems – 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at

andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX 10 (with GAPPS) and AndEX Pie 9.0 (also with GAPPS)!
and
about my Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Pie 9.0 (without GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (with GAPPS)!

3 Comments extonExton Linux SystemsLinux

Exton|OS 64 bit – based on Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS – with Budgie Desktop, Refracta Snapshot, Calamares Installer and kernel 4.20.0-rc1-exton – Build 181109

09
Nov
2018

NEWS 181109 ABOUT Exton|OS with Budgie Desktop 10.4 and Refracta Snapshot
The Desktop Environment in this Exton|OS build is Budgie 10.4. (Budgie is focused on simplicity an elegance. Designed with the modern user in mind). Program content in Build 181109: Refracta Snapshot, Calamares 3.1.12, Firefox, Gimp, SMPlayer, SMTube, and GParted. Also all necessary additions in order to install programs from source. Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases. Kernel 4.20.0-rc1-exton (corresponding Kernel.org‘s latest kernel 4.20-rc1) is used. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as at November 9, 2018. Study the NEW PACKAGE list. Google Chrome has been removed since it’s now possible to use Netflix in Firefox. Using Refracta Snapshot you can change everything to your liking and create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS Live DVD once you have installed Exton|OS to hard drive.

MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES IN BUILD 181109
This Exton|OS version is for non-efi computers, which means that you can use the Calamares Installer in VirtualBox/VMware and thus install Exton|OS in any language. You can even use Calamares for installation to a USB stick and that way get persistence. Please read my instruction before you perform such an installation. Calamares Installer replaces Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s installer). Calamares Installer is also very simple to use. No “expert knowledge” is needed.

WHAT’S NEW in kernel 4.20?

IMPORTANT ABOUT REFRACTA Snapshot
Refracta Snapshot is pre-installed in Exton|OS Build 181109. Use them to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS Live DVD once you have installed Exton|OS to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta from Applications >> System Tools >> Refracta Snapshot. You don’t even have to install Exton|OS to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Ubuntu system while running Exton|OS from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 15 – 40 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. (Or change that in /etc/refractasnapshot.conf). The whole thing is very simple.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Exton|OS’s Budgie live Desktop
Screenshot 2 – Exton|OS’s Budgie root Desktop
Screenshot 3 – Exton|OS’s Budgie Desktop installing Spotify
Screenshot 4 – Exton|OS’s Budgie Desktop running Refracta Snapshot
Screenshot 5 – Exton|OS running in VMware
Screenshot 6 – showing how to add apps to Docky

READ MORE…

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ExTiX 18.8-2 with Budgie 10.4 Desktop, Refracta Tools and kernel 4.18.0-exton – Build 180819 for older non-efi computers

19
Aug
2018

About ExTiX 18.8-2 with the Budgie Desktop
I’ve made a new extra version of ExTiX with Budgie Desktop. Budgie is focused on simplicity and elegance. Designed with the modern user in mind. Only a minimum of packages are installed in ExTiX Budgie. You can of course install all packages you want. Even while running ExTiX Budgie live. I.e. from a DVD or USB stick. Study all installed packages in ExTiX Budgie.

ABOUT ExTiX
All four ExTiX systems are based on Ubuntu and Debian. ExTiX Budgie is based on Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS. This ExTiX Budgie Build is for installation to non UEFI-enabled computers and VirtualBox/VMware.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.18.0-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.18.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.18?

SCREENSHOTS
ExTiX Budgie Desktop with Spotify running
ExTiX Budgie Desktop – live
ExTiX Budgie Desktop – root
ExTiX Budgie running in VMware

READ MORE…


Read about my Android-x86 Systems – Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow, Lollipop and KitKat at

andex.exton.net – latest is AndEX Oreo 8.1!

and

about my Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd Oreo 8.1!

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ExTiX Deepin 18.8 Build 180815 for non-efi computers – an extra version of ExTiX

15
Aug
2018

NEWS 180815 ABOUT ExTiX Deepin 18.8
I’ve made an extra version of ExTiX Deepin 18.8 for NON-UEFI computers, which means that you can use the Calamares Installer also in VirtualBox and/or VMware. Build 180807 of ExTiX Deepin 18.8 is for UEFI computers. Using Build 180815 you can install ExTiX 18.8 Deepin in any language in for example VirtualBox, change everything to your liking and then create a new ISO with Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed). I.e. you can create your very own live and installable Linux/Ubuntu system. That can be done even in VirtualBox and/or VMware. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 – 15 min! So simple that even a 10 year child can do it.

KERNEL
ExTiX 18.8 Build 180815 uses kernel 4.18.0-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s latest kernel 4.18, released 180812.

Why two versions of ExTiX 18.8 Deepin?
The thing is that the packages grub-pc and grub-efi-amd64 can’t be installed at the same time. To be able to use Calamares Installer on non-efi computers grub-pc has to be installed.

SCREENSHOT
ExTiX Deepin (NON-UEFI) Build 180815 being installed in VirtualBox using Calamares Installer

READ MORE…

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