Tag Archives: non-efi

Run Raspberry Pi’s PIXEL Desktop on a PC or Mac – an Exton modified Build 220505 with Refracta Snapshot (so you can create your own Raspberrypi Debian 11 Pixel system)

NEWS 220505 about Raspberry Pi Debian 11 Pixel – 32bit – an Exton Build
My previous Debian Pixel Build from is from 201108 . Study all included packages in Build 220505 – latest by 220505. 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 220505
This build replaces version 161223 , 170425, 180316, 180928, 190705, 191102 and 201108 . I’ve upgraded Raspbian/Debian from Buster to Bullseye – Debian 11. I’ve also upgraded the kernel from 4.19.0-12-686-pae to 5.10.0-13-686-pae. I’ve also included kernel 5.10.0-13-686, 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 220505 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 11.

NEWS 180928 – 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 220505. 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 Tools. 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 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.

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). NOTE: As regards Build 220505 you can run the system in full screen in VirtualBox. That’s because VirtualBox’s Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

KERNEL
Kernel 5.10.0-13-686-pae is used in Build 220505. 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 5.10.0-13-686, which also is included.

Login and passwords
Log in to the PIXEL Desktop as the ordinary user pi or as root. The passwords are raspberrypi respectively root. When logged in as pi 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 pi in X (PIXEL Desktop).

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 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!

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 11 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) will only 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. NOTE: Do it while logged in as root.

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 do it 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 (of course) give you perfect persistence.

Watch the slideshow below showing the Refracta installation process in Debian PIXEL.

Windows Virtual Desktop on Azure
For smoother RaspberryPI 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 – Debian PIXEL running in VirtualBox in full screen
Screenshot 2 – Samba running (reach your Windows computers in your network)
Screenshot 3 – Refracta Snapshot has started
Screenshot 4 – Refracta Installer has started
Screenshot 5 – The installation is ready
Screenshot 6 – Spotify Web Player running

DOWNLOAD
This version of Debian PIXEL has been replaced by version 230319…
Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation

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)!

ExTiX LXQt Mini Build 210710 non-uefi especially made for older computers and VirtualBox/VMware with LXQt, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 5.13.1-exton

NEWS 210710 ABOUT ExTiX LXQt Mini 21.7, Build 210710
I’ve made a new updated “mini” version of ExTiXThe Ultimate Linux System. It is based on Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS Focal Fossa. The ISO file is of only 1000 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 21.7 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 21.7 uses kernel 5.13.1-exton. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS will be supported until April 2025.

Study all pre-installed packages in ExTiX 21.7.

More about ExTiX 21.7
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 21.7 in VirtualBox you can do it in full screen since VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed. Watch this screenshot.

What’s new in kernel 5.13?

SCREENSHOTS
ExTiX version 210710 LXQt Desktop
ExTiX LXQt running Refracta Installer – 1

ExTiX LXQt running Refracta Installer – 2
ExTiX LXQt running Refracta Snapshot

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 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

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

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…

DebEX Barebone Build 181001 – a non-efi version with Budgie Desktop, Calamares Installer, Refracta Tools and kernel 4.18.11-exton

NEWS 181001 about DebEX Budgie – a Refracta Build
A new version of DebEX Barebone with Budgie Desktop 10.4 and kernel 4.18.11-exton (equivalent to Kernel.org’s latest stable kernel 4.18.11) is ready. You can download “my” kernel and use it in another Debian (or Ubuntu) system if you want. All packages have been updated to the latest version as of October 1, 2018. DebEX Barebone is now based on Debian Buster/Sid (upcoming Debian 10). Most important: The ISO has decreased from 1330 MB to 929 MB, which makes it easier to run the system live from RAM. That ability allows DebEX Budgie to be very fast, since reading and writing data from/to RAM is much faster than on a hard disk drive. This version of DebEX is a non-efi build for older computers. You can use the Calamares 3.2.2-1 Installer Framework to install DebEX Budgie to your computer in any language. You can even use Calamares in VirtualBox and VMware – i.e. non-efi computers.

MOVIE about Calamares Installer
Watch a movie
about the Calamares installation process in VirtualBox. Log in to Budgie as user with password live or as root with password root (when running DebEX live).

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in all three versions of DebEX) to create your own installable Debian Live DVD once you have installed DebEX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install DebEX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian system while running DebEX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 – 50 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshot.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot of the Budgie Desktop when running Netflix
The Budgie Desktop for the normal user user
The Budgie Desktop for root
The installation of DebEX is ready

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!

ExTiX 18.9 – “The Ultimate Linux System” – with LXQt 0.12.0, Refracta Tools, Calamares Installer and kernel 4.18.5-exton – a non-efi Build 180901

I have made a new extra version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 18.9 LXQt Live DVD. It is for non-efi computers and VirtualBox/VMware. I.e. you can use the Calamares Installer also in for example VirtualBox and VMware. Which means that you can install ExTiX in any language.

ABOUT
ExTiX 18.9
LXQt DVD 64 bit is based on Debian and Ubuntu 18.04.1 Bionic Beaver. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Gnome. After removing Gnome I have installed LXQt 0.12.0. 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 installation to non UEFI-enabled computers and VirtualBox/VMware.

The system language is ENGLISH.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.18.5-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s latest stable kernel 4.18.5. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it another Ubuntu/Debian system.

What’s new in kernel 4.18?

NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 18.9 Build 180901 with the LXQt Desktop environment
1. ExTiX LXQt is based on Ubuntu 18.04.1 Bionic Beaver. LXQt 0.12.0 is used as Desktop environment. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 180901. Kernel 4.18.5-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s kernel 4.18.5).
2. Firefox has replaced Google Chrome as Web Browser. It’s now possible to watch Netflix movies also in Firefox (while running Linux).
3. I have replaced Ubuntu’s installer Ubiquity with Calamares Installer. Calamares is an installer framework. By design it is very customizable, in order to satisfy a wide variety of needs and use cases.
4. Other included important/useful packages are: LibreOffice, Thunderbird, GParted, Brasero, SMPlayer, GCC and other compilation tools so that you can install packages from source. Furthermore “all” multimedia codecs. Everything the average Linux user could wish for I would say.
5. The ExTiX ISO’s are ISO-hybrids, which means that they can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can even run ExTiX from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence!
6. Another big improvement is that both ExTiX versions can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 4 (Load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run ExTiX that way. Running from RAM means that the system will run faster than from DVD or USB stick. Everything will be superfast I would say!
7. All packages have been upgraded to the latest version by 180901.
8. You can install Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver (without problems) if you like.
9. You can install ExTiX to hard drive using Calamares Installer on older non-efi computers (and VirtualBox/VMware). Which means that you can install ExTiX in your preferred language.
10. While running ExTiX LXQt 18.9 live or from hard drive you can use Refracta tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. A ten year child can do it!

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot of ExTiX 18.9 Desktop – LXQt 0.12.0
Netflix running in ExTiX 18.9
Refracta tools running while logged in as user live
Connections to Windows computers via PCManFM-qt using Samba
ExTiX running in VMware
ExTiX running in VirtualBox

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!


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

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!


DebEX KDE/Plasma with Plasma 5:47, Refracta tools, Calamares Installer and kernel 4.18.0-rc8-exton – Build 180814

ABOUT DebEX
All three DebEX systems/distributions are a based on 
Debian Buster/Sid (upcoming Debian 10). Budgie Desktop 10.4 is used as Desktop environment in DebEX Barebone/Budgie. Gnome 3.26 and Mate 1.18 are used in DebEX GnomeKDE Plasma Desktop 5:47 is used in DebEX KDE. The system language is English (in all three versions of DebEX).

NEWS 180814 about DebEX KDE Plasma – a Refracta Build
I have made two new versions of DebEX KDE Plasma Live DVD – one efi and one non-efi version. They replace version 180221. It’s a pure Debian system. (Unstable/Experimental). I.e.: There are no Ubuntu or Kubuntu elements involved. DebEX KDE Plasma uses the KDE Plasma Desktop 5:47 as Desktop environment. Both versions use kernel 4.18.0-rc8-exton – (4.18-rc8). I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better. I have replaced Google Chrome with Iceweasel (Firefox) 52.9 (for Netflix). I’ve also added SMPlayer – an alternative to Vlc. (SMPlayer is a free media player for Windows and Linux with built-in codecs that can play virtually all video and audio formats. It doesn’t need any external codecs. Just install SMPlayer and you’ll be able to play all formats without the hassle to find and install codec packs). All other installed packages have also been updated to the latest version of 180814. Study the full package list. MOST IMPORTANT CHANGES: I have replaced Refracta Installer with Calamares 3.2.1 Installer Framework. Now you can choose language when the installation starts. When it’s ready everything will be in your chosen language! You can even use Calamares in VirtualBox and VMware – i.e. non-efi computers. Then download and run debex-64bit-plasma-refracta-calamares-non-efi-1210mb-180814.iso. Watch a movie about the Calamares installation process of DebEX KDE in VirtualBox. You can use Calamares to install DebEX KDE on all non-efi computers without problems. VirtualBox and VMware are like non-efi computers.

MOVIE about Calamares Installer
Watch a movie
about the Calamares installation process in VirtualBox.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in all three versions of DebEX) to create your own installable Debian Live DVD once you have installed DebEX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install DebEX to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian system while running DebEX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 10 – 50 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/debex.

Why two versions of DebEX KDE?
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.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The Plasma Desktop 
2. Running in VirtualBox
3. Running in VMware
4. Watch a movie about the Calamares installation process of DebEX KDE in VirtualBox

READ MORE…


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

andex.exton.netlatest 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!