Tag Archives: persistence USB

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

LFA 64bit LINUX Live DVD Build 161114 – Create you own Linux For All/Ubuntu 16.10 live installable system!

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lfa-refracta-tools-runningAbout Linux For All (LFA)
The system is based on Ubuntu 16.10, codenamed Yakkety Yak and Debian testing (Stretch – upcoming Debian 9). It’s a total rebuild. I.e. nothing is left of the old LFA system. All installed packages have been updated to the latest version as of 161114. Kernel 4.4.0-19-exton is replaced by kernel 4.8.0-27-exton. (4.8.0-27 is the latest Ubuntu kernel). You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system. I have also installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 370.28. Most important: I have included Refracta Tools so you can create your own Linux For All/Ubuntu live installable system!

The system language is ENGLISH.

More news about LFA build 161114
One of my previous versions of LFA (build 141120) had four (4) Desktop environments installed. Namely Unity (Ubuntu), LXDE, Razor-qt and XBMC. LFA build 161114 uses only Fluxbox as Window Manager and Cairo-Dock as Desktop Interface. Cairo-Dock is designed to be light, fast and customizable, and is desktop-agnostic. It has a powerful DBus interface, to be controlled from a terminal or another application. Features can be added by plug-ins or applets, and applets can be written in C or in any language. About Fluxbox: Fluxbox is a Window Manager for X that was based on the Blackbox 0.61.1 code. It is very light on resources and easy to handle but yet full of features to make an easy, and extremely fast, desktop experience. So who needs KDE or Gnome?

Screenshot 1: LFA’s new Desktop
Screenshot 2: Refracta Installer running
Screenshot 3: Refracta Tools running

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in LFA Build 161114) to create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD once you have installed LFA to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu 16.10 live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install LFA to hard drive before you can use the Refracta tools. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Ubuntu live installable system while running LFA from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You can then install VirtualBox in LFA so you can test run your own created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in Windows. By the way: You can do the whole thing in VirtualBox. I mean install LFA in VirtualBox, change everything, create a new Ubuntu 16.10 system using Refracta tools and transfer your new ISO to your server using FileZilla, which is pre-installed.

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Create your own Ubuntu 16.04.1/16.10 64 bit live installable system using MeX and Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

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NEWS/CHANGES 161030
Mex Linux is no longer based on Linux Mint. MeX Build 161030 is based only on Debian 8.6 and Ubuntu 16.04.1. I have replaced the original kernel with “my” special kernel 4.8.0-25-exton. All packages in MeX Linux have been upgraded to the latest version by 161030. This version of MeX uses Cinnamon 3.0.7. Linux Mint 18 also uses Cinnamon 3.0.7 as Desktop environment.

mex-refracta-spotify-smallMORE MeX NEWS 161030
1. The MeX ISO is now a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive.
2. Another big improvement is that MeX now can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 5 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can eject the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run MeX that way. The ISO file is of only 1000 MB so MeX will run superfast from RAM!
3. The best thing with this new MeX build – Create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD with Refracta tools (pre-installed)!

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in MeX Build 161030) to create your own installable Ubuntu Live DVD once you have installed MeX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu 16.04 or 16.10 live system. When you start Refracta it will look like this. You don’t even have to install MeX 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 MeX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You can then install VirtualBox in MeX so you can test run your own created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in Windows. Btw: You can do the whole thing in VirtualBox. I mean install MeX in VirtualBox, change everything, create a new Ubuntu 16.04.1/16.10 system using Refracta tools and transfer your new ISO to your server with FileZilla (sudo apt-get install filezilla).

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Refracta tools running
Screenshot 2 – Spotify running (install it with sudo apt-get install spotify-client)
Screenshot 3 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with Samba
Screenshot 4 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with Refracta2USB running
Screenshot 5 – Cinnamon 3.0.7 Desktop with SMPlayer running
Screenshot 6 – Google Chrome with Netflix running
Screenshot 7 – Boot screen

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Exton|OS Light Build 161021 :: Based on Ubuntu 16.10 with kernel 4.8.0-25-exton (4.8.1)

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exton-os-logo-worldNEWS 161021 about Exton|OS Light Live DVD – ISO file of 970 MB
I’ve made a new extra version of Exton|OS based on Ubuntu 16.10 (alias Yakkety Yak) 64 bit with only a minimum of packages pre-installed. Among them a terminal emulator (LXTerminal), a Web Browser (Google Chrome – so you can run Netflix), SMPlayer, SMTube (YouTube browser which allows to browse, search and play YouTube videos), PCManFM (file manager), NetworkManager, GParted (Partition Editor), Samba (so you can reach your Windows computers), Audacious (a small and fast audio player which supports lots of formats) and Synaptic (Package Manager). I give you the pleasure of installing all extra packages you need after a hard disk installation of Exton|OS Light. Use Synaptic for that. You can of course also install new packages while running the system live (from DVD/USB stick), but nothing will be saved after a reboot. Unless you have followed my USB Install Instruction (under B) or used UNetbootin) and used Boot alternative 2 – Persistent when you have used UNetbootin. If you have plenty of RAM you can even install big programs (such as LibreOffice) while running the system live even from DVD. Exton|OS Light’s Window manager Openbox guarantees lightness and elegance.

Packages
All installed packages in Exton|OS Light have been updated to the latest available version as at October 21, 2016. Study the full package list.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.8.0-25-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s kernel 4.8.1. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system.

SCREENSHOTS
See a screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop
See a screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop when Samba is used
See a screenshot when Google Chrome with Netflix is running
See a screenshot when Spotify is running – (install Spotify with: sudo apt-get install spotify-client)

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Exton|OS Light Build 160728 :: Based on Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS with kernel 4.6.0-9-exton (4.6.4)

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exton-os-logo-worldNEWS 160728 about Exton|OS Light Live DVD – ISO file of 885 MB
I’ve made a new extra version of Exton|OS based on Ubuntu 16.04.1 (alias Xenial Xerus) 64 bit with only a minimum of packages pre-installed. Among them a terminal emulator (LXTerminal), a Web Browser (Google Chrome – so you can run Netflix), PCManFM (file manager), NetworkManager, GParted (Partition Editor), Samba (so you can reach your Windows computers) and Synaptic (Package Manager). I give you the pleasure of installing all extra packages you need after a hard disk installation of Exton|OS Light. Use Synaptic for that. You can of course also install new packages while running the system live (from DVD/USB stick), but nothing will be saved after a reboot. Unless you have followed my USB Install Instruction (under B) or used UNetbootin) and used Boot alternative 2 – Persistent when you have used UNetbootin. If you have plenty of RAM you can even install big programs (such as LibreOffice) while running the system live even from DVD. Exton|OS Light’s Window manager Openbox guarantees lightness and elegance.

Replacement
This version of Exton|OS Light from 160728 replaces version 160207 of Exton|OS Light. Exton|OS Light is now based on Debian Stretch/Sid and Ubuntu 16.04.1 (released 160721).

About
Exton|OS Light Live CD is based on Ubuntu 16.04.1 Xenial Xerus 64 bit and Debian Stretch/Sid. Exton|OS Light’s ISO file (of 885 MB!) is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to an USB pen drive. You can then even run Exton|OS from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! Read my USB INSTRUCTION under B).

Packages
All installed packages in Exton|OS Light have been updated to the latest available version as at July 28, 2016. Study the full package list.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.6.0-9-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s kernel 4.6.4. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system.

SCREENSHOTS
See a screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop
See a screenshot of Exton|OS Light’s Openbox Desktop when Samba is used
See a screenshot when Google Chrome with Netflix is running

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

SlackEX (Slackware 14.2/Current) live USB with kernel 4.6.4 and KDE 4.14.21

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slackware_logoI have made yet another version of SlackEX. It has the latest kernel (4.6.4, released 160711) and the latest KDE (4.14.21) Desktop Environment.

New features in version 160714 of SlackEX
I have replaced kernel 4.5.1-x86_64-exton with kernel 4.6.4-x86_64-exton with support for “everything”. Most important is that I have changed repositories from Slackware 14.1 to Current. I.e. Slackware 14.2 (released 160701). KDE is upgraded to version 4.14.21 (latest KDE version). All other component software is also upgraded to the latest Slackware Current version by now. I may also mention in particular GParted 0.24.0 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), VirtualBox 5.1.0 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), Google Chrome 46.0.2490.86 (not in Slackware’s repositories), Gimp 2.8.10 (installed from source), GSlapt 0.5.3h, Firefox 47.0.1, Thunderbird 45.2.0, Samba 4.4.5 and GCC 5.3.0. Furthermore I have installed Grub2, which can be used as boot loader (if you want) after a hard drive install. Study the full package LIST. Note: I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better. Most important: This version of SlackEX has to be installed to a USB Pen Drive!

What’s new in kernel 4.6.4?

Install SlackEX to hard drive
Use this INSTRUCTION. You can (if you want) use Grub2 (new GRUB) as boot loader.

Install SlackEX to a USB stick
Please read my INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS. NOTE: All system changes are PERSISTENT.

Screenshot 1 – SlackEX KDE 4.14.21 Desktop with Netflix running

Screenshot 2 – Samba running

Screenshot 3 – GSlapt running

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

ExLight 64 bit Linux Live DVD with Enlightenment 0.20.99.0 and kernel 4.6.2-exlight

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exlight-change-to-animated-wallpaper-smallWHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 160612?
1. ExLight is now based on Ubuntu 16.04 (alias Xenial Xerus) and Debian 8.5 Jessie.
2. I have upgraded the Desktop environment Enlightenment (Beauty at your fingertips) to version 0.20.99.0 (from 0.19.12).
3. I have replaced kernel 4.2.0-16-exton with kernel 4.6.2-exlight.
4. ExLight’s ISO file is now a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can then even run ExLight from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence!
5. Another big improvement is that ExLight can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 3 (Copy 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 ExLight that way.
6. The installation program Ubiquity (live installer) is now working as intended in ExLight version 160612. I.e. a new user (your user) will be created during the installation process.
7. I have pre-installed Nvidia proprietary Graphics driver 361.45.11.
8. I have added three animated wallpapers.

What’s new in kernel 4.6?

Installed packages
The Desktop Environment is Enlightenment 0.20.99.0 (Beauty at your fingertips). Kernel 4.6.2-exlight is used. (Kernel.org‘s latest stable kernel 4.6.2). Program content: Libre Office, Synaptic, GParted, Wicd, PCManFM, Google Chrome (for watching Netflix movies) and Gimp. Furthermore compilation tools so that you can install programs from source. I have also included Nvidia Graphics driver 361.45.11. It has support for the following GPUs (among others): GeForce 900, GeForce 800A, GeForce 800M, GeForce 700, Quadro Series, GeForce GTX 970M and GeForce GTX 980M. Study the full ExLight program LIST. All programs have been updated to the latest available version as at June 12, 2016.

Screenshots
See three screenshots of the Enlightenment 0.20.99.0 Desktop – pic 1 – pic 2 – pic 3 (animated wallpaper)

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Chromium OS, Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Chromium OS – Exton Build 160525 – with YouTube and Spotify working fast and responsive

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chromium-osAbout ChromX
I have compiled Chromium OS from source. Just for fun. Chromium OS is an open-source project that aims to build an operating system that provides a fast, simple, and more secure computing experience for people who spend most of their time on the web. My Chromium OS Build 160525 is for all 64 bit “normal” Desktop computers and laptops. If you have unusual hardware you could check out ArnoldTheBat’s special Chromium OS builds.

How do I run Chromium OS?
Normally you run Chromium OS from a USB stick, but the system can also be installed to hard drive. Could be useful if you want to bring new life to an old computer. Be aware of the fact that Chromium OS can’t be installed together with other Linux systems (or any other OS). It will “take” the whole disk.

The difference between Chromium OS and Google Chrome OS
Chromium OS is the open source project, used primarily by developers, with code that is available for anyone to checkout, modify, and build.
Google Chrome OS is the Google product that OEMs ship on Chromebooks for general consumer use.

Used kernel
4.4.4

Install my Build 160525 to a USB stick of at least 6 GB
A. In Windows you can use Win32DiskImager. It will look like this. (Unzip chromiumos-amd64-base-exton-454mb-160525.zip first).

chromiumos-win32diskimager

B. In Windows you can also use an app (Chromebook Recovery Utility) in Google Chrome. Do it like this.
1. Start by downloading your Chromium OS (chromiumos-amd64-base-exton-454mb-160525.zip) installation file. Do not unzip the file, this may cause issues with the USB creation process.
2. Open the Chrome web browser and install the Chromebook Recovery Utility plug-in from the Google Chrome Web Store. To install it, visit the link and click “Add to Chrome.”
3. After the plug-in has installed, click “Launch” from the Web Store page to open the Chromebook Recovery Utility.
4. In the Recovery Utility, click the gear icon on the upper right-hand side and select “Use Local Image”.
5. Find and select the chromiumos-amd64-base-exton-454mb-160525.zip file that you located in Step 1.
6. When prompted, insert an 8 or 16 GB USB device that you want to turn into a Chromium OS installer. Make sure it has no important files on it, as it will be completely erased. Select your USB drive from the drop-down menu and click “Continue” and then “Create Now.”
7. The process of creating your Chromium OS USB installer will take around 20 minutes. Some Windows installations may display a security prompt, click “allow” to let the process proceed. Note: The progress bar in the Chrome Recovery Utility may go over 100% and show incorrect time estimates. This is not a problem.
8. When the process has completed you will see a green check box – you can now remove your Chromium OS USB installer and use it! You can create as many additional USB installers as you want using the process above.

USB installation in Linux
In Linux you shall open up a terminal and run this command: sudo dd if=chromiumos-amd64-base-exton-3600mb-160525.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M
(You shall of course replace /dev/sdX with for example /dev/sdb or /dev/sdc. Check it carefully before you run the above command).

Notes about USB sticks
 It appears that not all USB sticks are suitable for topical purposes. I.e. they can not be made bootable. I myself have experience of brands Kingston DataTraveler, SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0, SanDisk Extreme USB 3.0 and Sony Micro Vault. The first three works (for me). You shall not use USB sticks of older model. They may work, but mostly bad. If you – after the installation of Chromium OS to the USB stick –  get different error messages when you try to run the system from the stick it is often because the stick is not “good enough”.

Install to hard drive
If you want to install the system to your hard drive, follow the instructions here and here. Beware of the warnings noted in the links! When prompted for a password for the chronos user, use “exton” (without the quotes!).

USB persistence
All your system changes will (of course) be automatically saved directly on the USB stick.

Updates/upgrades
You do not have to take any action in order to keep your system up to date. Chromium OS will itself check for updates each time it is launched and automatically install them.

Enable Spotify
Flash has to be installed. Do it like this. Leave the Chromium OS Desktop by pressing the keys Ctrl Alt F2 simultaneously. Log in as user chronos with password exton. Become root with sudo su (password exton). The run the following (magic) command: curl -L http://www.brash.ca/flash.sh | bash
It will look like this – screenshot 1 and this – screenshot 2.

Netflix
Unfortunately you can’t run Netflix in the Chromium Browser. Silverlight/Widevine is impossible to install for many reasons.

Screenshots when Chromium OS is running
Showing installed apps – screenshot 3. As you can see it shows a lot of Android apps installed by me on my Android mobile phone using the same Gmail address as the one I’ve used to log in to Chromium in Chromium OS (ChromX). Even Google Play Store is there. All apps (for example Google Maps) work, but you can’t install new apps using Google Play Store.

Spotify is running – screenshot 4

Chromium OS GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE

DOWNLOAD
This build of ChromX has been replaced by Build 170212

Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

Exton|OS 64 bit with Mate 1.12.7 and kernel 4.5.3-exton :: Build 160512

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exton-os-logo-worldExton|OS build 160512 is based on Ubuntu 16.04 64 bit and Debian Stretch/Sid (upcoming Debian 9). Exton|OS’s ISO file is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to a USB pen drive. You can then even run Exton|OS from a USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! Read my INSTRUCTION. For persistence please read under B) or use UNetbootin in Windows or Linux.

NEWS 160512
A new and much better version of Exton|OS is ready. I have replaced kernel 4.2.0-16-exton with kernel 4.5.3-exton. With kernel 4.5 there is no real need to use Nvidia proprietary graphic drivers since this kernel has better support for the open-source Nvidia driver Nouveau than any other older kernel. The Mate Desktop is upgraded to version 1.12.7 have also replaced Ubuntu’s installation program Ubiquity with Exton|OS Installer, which is a clone of Debian Live Installer. The installation to hard drive is now so simple that a 10 year old child can do it. Watch a SLIDESHOW of the hard drive installation process.

What’s new in Linux kernel 4.5.3?

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

SlackEX (Slackware 14.2/Current) live USB with kernel 4.5.1 and KDE 4.14.18

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slackware_logoI have made yet another version of SlackEX. It has the latest kernel (4.5.1, released 160412) and the latest KDE (4.14.18) Desktop Environment.

New features in version 160413 of SlackEX
I have replaced kernel 4.4.1-x86_64-exton with kernel 4.5.1-x86_64-exton with support for “everything”. Most important is that I have changed repositories from Slackware 14.1 to Current. I.e. Slackware 14.2. KDE is upgraded to version 4.14.18 (latest KDE version). All other component software is also upgraded to the latest Slackware Current version by now. I may also mention in particular GParted 0.24.0 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), VirtualBox 5.0.16 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), Google Chrome 46.0.2490.86 (not in Slackware’s repositories), Gimp 2.8.10 (installed from source), GSlapt 0.5.3h, Firefox 45.0.2, Thunderbird 38.7, Samba 4.3.2 and GCC 5.3.0. Furthermore I have installed Grub2, which can be used as boot loader (if you want) after a hard drive install. Study the full package LIST. Note: I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better. Most important: This version of SlackEX has to be installed to a USB Pen Drive!

Whats new in kernel 4.5.1?

Screenshot – KDE 4.14.18 Desktop with Netflix running

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Exton Linux distributions, LINUX

SlackEX (Slackware 14.1) Live DVD Build 151211 with KDE and kernel 4.3.1-x86_64-exton

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slackware_logoSlackEX is based on Slackware 14.1. Slackware is the first widely-used Linux system, which is still developing. Slackware has existed since 1993.

New features in version 151211 of SlackEX
I have replaced kernel 4.1.1-x86_64-exton with kernel 4.3.1-x86_64-exton with support for “everything”. KDE is downgraded to version 4.10.5 from version 4.11.1. All other component software is also upgraded to the latest Slackware version by now. I may mention in particular GParted 0.24.0 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), VirtualBox 5.0.10 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), Google Chrome 46.0.2490.86 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories),  AbiWord 2.8.6 (not in Slackware’s repositories), Gimp 2.8.10 (installed from source), GSlapt 0.5.3h, Firefox 31.7, Thunderbird 31.6, Samba 3.6.8 and GCC 4.8.2. Furthermore I have installed Grub2, which can be used as boot loader (if you want) after a hard drive install. Study the full package LIST.

Why Slackware?
Slackware is grossly underestimated (in my opinion). This article give you ten (10) reasons to choose Slackware.

Screenshot 1 – KDE 4.10.5 Desktop

Screenshot 2 – KDE 4.10.5 Desktop

Screenshot 3 – Netflix running

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