Tag Archives: Raspberry Pi OS

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)!

RaspEX Kodi for Rpi4, Rpi3 and Rpi2 with LXDE Desktop and Kodi 18.7 Media Center “Leia” with Netflix, YouTube, Plex and Amazon Video addons – Build 210205 (32-bit) and Build 200726 (64-bit)

ABOUT RaspEX Kodi
RaspEX Kodi Build 210205 (32-bit) and 200726 (64-bit) with LXDE/Kodi Desktops
Both systems can be downloaded from SourceForge.net for free. The systems are made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB, 4GB and 2GB). RaspEX Kodi is based on Debian 11 Bullseye respectively Debian 10 Buster, Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) and Kodi Media Center. In RaspEX Kodi I’ve added the LXDE Desktop with many useful applications such as VLC Media Player and NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 18.7 Leia, which makes it possible to include useful addons such as Netflix and Amazon Video. Which I’ve done in Build 210205. Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi Build 210205 respectively Build 200726.

NOTE: Build 200726 (64-bit) is missing the Netflix and YouTube add-ons. You can (possibly) install them yourself. Without the YouTube add-on many other add-ons can’t run. Read about how to create and setup your YouTube API Key, ID and Secret for Kodi.

Used kernels
1) 5.10.12-exton-v7l+ (for Rpi4) in Build 210205
2) 5.10.12-exton-v7+ (for Rpi3 and Rpi2) in Build 210205
3) 5.4.51-v8+ (for Rpi4) in Build 200726
4) 5.4.51-v7+ (for Rpi3 and 2) in Build 200726
The system will automatically determine which Raspberry Pi you are using and load the correct kernel.

RaspEX Kodi performance
RaspEX Kodi is a very fast and responsive Rpi4 system. Much due to very low memory (RAM) usage. About 200 MB as this screenshot shows. I’ve said that RaspEX LXDE Build 210101 is very fast. RaspEX Kodi is even faster. The video and sound quality is also very very good. Even while running RaspEX Kodi on big TV screens. I.e. you can really enjoy Netflix and YouTube running on your Rpi4 mini computer!

SCREENSHOTS
1. Running Kodi in Build 210205
1b. Running Kodi in Build 200726
2. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi in Build 210205
2b. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi in Build 200726
3. Netflix running showing very good video quality
4. YouTube running showing very good video quality

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)!

RaspEX Kodi 64-bit for Rpi4, Rpi3 and Rpi2 with the LXDE Desktop and Kodi 18.7 Media Center “Leia” based on upcoming Debian 11 “Bullseye” and Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) – Build 200726

ABOUT RaspEX Kodi 64-bit
RaspEX Kodi Build 200713 (32-bit) and 200726 (64-bit) with LXDE/Kodi Desktops can be downloaded from SourceForge.net for free. The system is made especially for the new Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB, 4GB and 2GB). RaspEX Kodi is based on Debian 11 Bullseye respectively Debian 10 Buster, Raspberry Pi OS (previously called Raspbian) and Kodi Media Center. In RaspEX Kodi I’ve added the LXDE Desktop with many useful applications such as VLC Media Player and NetworkManager. Makes it easy to configure your wireless network. I’ve also upgraded Kodi to version 18.7 Leia, which makes it possible to include useful addons such as Netflix and Amazon Video. Which I’ve done in Build 200713. Study all included packages in RaspEX Kodi Build 200713 respectively Build 200726.

NOTE: Build 200726 (64-bit) is missing the Netflix and YouTube add-ons. You can (possibly) install them yourself. Without the YouTube add-on many other add-ons can’t run. Read about how to create and setup your YouTube API Key, ID and Secret for Kodi.

Passwords
pi/raspberry and root/root

Boot problems as regards RaspEX Kodi Build 200726

If you can’t boot up the system after installing to the SD card using Rufus 3.11 in Windows it’s because the files /boot/cmdline.txt and /etc/fstab has the wrong content. I.e. the PARTUUID for the card is wrong. Then you’ll have to edit said files. Do it like this.
1. Start up a Linux system (Ubuntu or…).
2. Insert your SD card with RaspEX Kodi installed. It will be seen as /dev/sdb1 (boot partition) and /dev/sdb2 (root filesystem).
3. To find out the correct PARTUUID for /dev/sdb1 and /dev/sdb2 run the command blkid /dev/sdb1 respectively blkid /dev/sdb2
4. Now change to the correct PARTUUID in /boot/cmdline.txt and /etc/fstab on the SD card. Use Leafpad or Mousepad for that. Never LibreOffice writer!

The file cmdline.txt can look like this:
console=serial0,115200 console=tty1 root=PARTUUID=347a28ab-02 rootfstype=ext4 elevator=deadline fsck.repair=yes rootwait quiet splash plymouth.ignore-serial-consoles

The file fstab can look like this:
proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
PARTUUID=347a28ab-01 /boot vfat defaults 0 2
PARTUUID=347a28ab-02 / ext4 defaults,noatime 0 1
# a swapfile is not a swap partition, no line here
# use dphys-swapfile swap[on|off] for that

Expand the filesystem on the SD card
If you install many new big programs and/or download large files (for example videos) you may run out of space on the SD card. That is best fixed by running the following command: sudo raspi-config. Click on “Advanced Options” and choose A1 Expand Filesystem.
NOTE: That’s all you have to do. Just wait for the script to fix everything. If you use a SD card of 32 GB all the space on it will be used afterwards. Watch a screenshot when raspi-config is running.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The LXDE Desktop logged in as the ordinary user pi in Build 200726
2. The LXDE Desktop logged in as root (super admin) in Build 200726
3. Kodi system info re. Build 200726
4. Error message when trying to run the YouTube add-on in Build 200726
5. Running Kodi in Build 200726

READ MORE or Download the new RaspEX Kodi 64-bit version right now…

 

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)!