Tag Archives: Refracta Installer

exton, Exton Linux Distributions

ExLight 64bit UEFI, Build 240614, based on Debian “Sid/Trixie” (unstable/testing) with Enlightenment 0.25.4 (stable) as DE, Refracta Snapshot and Calamares Installer

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NEWS 240614 ABOUT ExLight
I’ve made a new version of ExLight with the Enlightenment 0.25.4 Desktop environment, Refracta Snapshot (create your own Debian Sid/Trixie System) and Calamares 3.3.6-1 Installer Framework.

New sources 240614
This new version of ExLight is based on Debian Sid / Trixie (unstable/testing). Build 240614 is a total rebuild of ExLight. The ISO file size is of only 2140 MB, which means that you’ll need about 3GB RAM to run ExLight even faster from RAM. I.e. load to RAM – screenshot. You can remove the DVD or USB stick when ExLight has booted.

KERNEL
ExLight Build 240614 uses kernel 6.9.3-amd64-exton built from Debian kernel sources with Debian patches.

What’s new in Linux kernel 6.9?

Installed packages
Study all installed packages in ExLight Build 240614.

LOGIN PROBLEMS IN BUILD 240614
To be able to login to the Enlightenment 0.25.4 Desktop you’ll have to use a “fairly new” computer. According to my experience the computer can’t be older than about eight (8) years. After a live boot (from a USB stick or a DVD) you are supposed to be logged in automatically as the ordinary user user to the Enlightenment Desktop. If not you will end up in console mode logged in as user. For testing purposes you can do the following if you have a wired Internet connection. Run the following commands:
1. sudo apt update
2. sudo apt install lxde
3. nano .xinitrc
4. Change .xinitrc to exec startlxde
5. startx
You will now enter the LXDE Desktop. So the problem is really Enlightenment. I.e. not which Display Manager to use. I’ve tried with  LXDM, SLiM and finally LightDM . I’m grateful if somebody find a solution to the problem Enlightenment/login and notify me. I’ve found only one Internet post about the problem (with no solution unfortunately).
CONCLUSION: Use a “fairly new” computer if you want to run Enlightenment 0.25.4 in ExLight. I wrote this as a comment at my SourceForge site 221129:  I tried ExLight Build 220726 on a really old computer – Acer Aspire 5102WLMi from 2006. Running ExLight on that computer I got the same problems as the ones you have described. I.e. I could only log in from console mode. I could never reach the Enlightenment Desktop. I have therefore decided to upload a new version of ExLight with a new kernel (possibly the newest) and upgraded packages. That will probably happen today. If the new version won’t run on my old Aspire I have to say that ExLight only runs on fairly new computers. ExLight Build 240614 and 231005 has the same problem. I.e. using my old Acer I can’t reach the Enlightenment 0.25.4 Desktop whatever I do. I can run LXDE (and possibly other Desktop Environments) without problem though. Watch this screenshot.

WHAT’S NEW IN ExLight BUILD 240614?
NOTE: Version 240614 replaces version 231005.
1. ExLight is now based on Debian Sid / Trixie (unstable/testing).
2. I have upgraded the Desktop environment Enlightenment (“Beauty at your fingertips”) to version 0.25.4, which is the stable version of Enlightenment. There is a newer version (0.26.0-4) of Enlightenment, but it doesn’t work (yet). I have therefore “blocked” upgrades of Enlightenment with sudo apt-mark hold enlightenment. You can “unblock” Enlightenment with the command sudo apt-mark unhold enlightenment. Could possibly work to upgrade Enlightenment after a month or so.
3. I have replaced kernel 6.5.3-amd64-exton with kernel 6.9.3-amd64-exton. 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 2 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or the USB stick. You will need at least 3 GB RAM to run ExLight that way.
6. This version of ExLight uses the Calamares Installer. Very simple to use! A new user (your user) will be created during the installation process. You can also install ExLight in your preferred language. You can as an alternative use Refracta Installer.
7. MOST IMPORTANT: I’ve added Refracta Snapshot, which make it possible for you to create your own live installable Debian Sid/Trixie system. I mean change everything to your liking, fire up Refracta Snapshot and wait 10 – 20 min until your new ISO is ready!

LOGIN and passwords
When you start up from the DVD or USB stick you will end up in Enlightenment logged in as the ordinary user user if your computer is “fairly new” – see above. You can log out from root’s Desktop screen and log in as root if you want. The password for the ordinary user user is live. The password for root (superuser) is root. NOTE: After a hard drive installation using Calamares the root password will be gone. To fix it log in as user with password live and run the command sudo passwd root.

VirtualBox and VMware
You can’t run ExLight Build 240614 in VirtualBox or VMware for some unknown reason. The system works very well in Qemu in Linux though. Using Qemu is the best way to run any Linux system virtually.

WIRELESS connections
In Build 240614 NetworkManager, WPA supplicant and ConnMan are installed. Use the one you prefer.
NOTE1: Study /etc/resolv.conf-WORKING and change it (if necessary) to suit your needs – screenshot. Keep a copy of resolv.conf-WORKING before you change the filename. Watch a screenshot showing how to use NetworkManager.
NOTE2: For WiFi connections you should use NetworkManager logged in as root.
NOTE3: On some computers it can be necessary to unblock WiFi before you can connect. Do it with the command rfkill unblock wifi

MOVIE about Calamares Installer
Watch a movie about the Calamares installation process in VirtualBox. You can use the Calamares Installer Framework to install ExLight to your computer in any language. You can even use Calamares in VirtualBox and VMware – i.e. non-efi computers. (Unfortunately not in this version of ExLight). Watch this animated GIF. (It’s for DebEX Budgie, but works in the same way in ExLight).

Or watch this slideshow.

Spotify
You can easily install Spotify in ExLight (even while running the system live). Just run the command sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install spotify-client.

Important about Refracta
You can use Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed in ExLight) to create your own installable Debian Sid/Trixie Live System once you have installed ExLight to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. When you start Refracta Snapshot it will look like this. You don’t even have to install ExLight to hard drive before you can use the Refracta Snapshot. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian system while running ExLight from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) only will take 10 – 50 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshot. Or change that by editing /etc/refractasnapshot.conf. NOTE: You may have to run Refracta Snapshot in three steps (1 – 3) before your new ISO is ready.

THE REAL McCoy
ExLight is a pure Debian system. I.e. no traces of Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc. New releases of Ubuntu are always based on Debian Sid. So is ExLight.

KNOWN ISSUES
After a hard drive installation using Calamares Installer (Not Refracta Installer) you’ll have three “problems”.
1. /etc/apt/sources.list will be different. Replace it with the file sources.list-use-after-install
2. The root password will be gone. Fix it by logging in as the ordinary user user and run the command sudo passwd root.
3. In order to see all icons in the menu you may have to change icons – watch this screenshot.
4. You can’t login to the Enlightenment 0.25.4 Desktop unless you use a “fairly new” computer – see above.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The Enlightenment 0.25.4 Desktop for user user
2. The Enlightenment 0.25.4 Desktop for root
3. Using NetworkManager for WiFi connections
4. Showing a Samba connection
5. ExLight running in Qemu -1-root
6. ExLight running in Qemu -2-user

Watch a YouTube Video about ExLight…

The Video is called “ExLight Linux – Lightest Distro I Have Ever Tried“. (It is not made by me).

exlight-logo-blue-textDOWNLOAD
ExLight Build 240614 Linux Live System can be downloaded from SourceForge.net – Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.

You can also download ExLight from the Swedish Linux Society…

md5sum for exlight-64bit-sid-efi-e-0.25.4-refracta-calamares-2140mb-240614.iso

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 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, Pie, Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop versions for Raspberry Pi 5, Pi 4 and  Pi 3/2 at
raspex.exton.se – latest is RaspAnd 14 (with GAPPS), 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1
(also with GAPPS)!
exton, Exton Linux Distributions

ExLight 64bit UEFI, Build 211130, based on Debian Sid (unstable/development) with Enlightenment 0.24.2, Refracta Snapshot, Calamares and kernel 5.15.5-exton

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NEWS 211130 ABOUT ExLight
I’ve made a new version of ExLight with the Enlightenment 0.24.2 Desktop environment, Refracta Snapshot (create your own Debian Sid System) and Calamares 3.2.44.3-1 Installer Framework. The very nice Enlightenment theme R-Matrix-2.0 is used. It will be used also after a hard drive installation.

New sources 211130
This new version of ExLight is based on Debian Sid (unstable/development). Build 211130 is a total rebuild of ExLight. The ISO file size is of only 1460 MB, which means that ExLight now can run even faster from RAM. I.e. load to RAM – screenshot. You can remove the DVD or USB stick when ExLight has booted – watch this screenshot.

KERNEL
ExLight Build 211130 uses kernel 5.15.5-exton-amd64-rt21, corresponding Kernel.org‘s latest stable kernel 5.15.5.

What’s new in kernel 5.15 LTS?

Installed packages
Study all installed packages in ExLight Build 211130.

LOGIN and passwords
After booting up ExLight (built with Refracta) from DVD/USB stick you’ll end up in Enlightenment as the ordinary user user. The password for user is live. The password for root is root. After the installation of ExLight to hard disk you’ll get the chance to create your own ordinary user. When logged in as user you can use Sudo to become root. (Command: sudo su). NOTE: After a hard drive installation of ExLight you can still log in to Enlightenment as root, but you’ll have to create a new password for root. That’s done by running the command sudo passwd root (as the ordinary user user).

VirtualBox and VMware
ExLight Build 211130 runs very well in VirtualBox and VMware. Maybe you’ll have to use boot alternative 4 (failsafe). You can use Calamares Installer also in VirtualBox and VMware without any problems.

WIRELESS connections
In Build 211130 NetworkManager, WPA supplicant and ConnMan are installed. Use the one you prefer.
NOTE1: Study /etc/resolv.conf-WORKING and change it (if necessary) to suit your needs – screenshot. Keep a copy of resolv.conf-WORKING before you change the filename. Watch a screenshot showing how to use ConnMan. NOTE2: For WiFi connections you should use ConnMan logged in as user user.

MOVIE about Calamares Installer
Watch a movie about the Calamares installation process in VirtualBox. You can use the Calamares 3.2.44.3-1 Installer Framework to install ExLight to your computer in any language. You can even use Calamares in VirtualBox and VMware – i.e. non-efi computers. Watch this animated GIF. (It’s for DebEX Budgie, but works in the same way in ExLight).

Or watch this slideshow.

Spotify
You can easily install Spotify in ExLight (even while running the system live). Just run the command sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install spotify-client.

Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed in ExLight) to create your own installable Debian Sid Live System once you have installed ExLight to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Debian live system. When you start Refracta Snapshot it will look like this. You don’t even have to install ExLight to hard drive before you can use the Refracta Snapshot. If you have plenty of RAM you can create a new (your own!) Debian system while running ExLight from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) only will take 10 – 50 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshot. NOTE: You may have to run Refracta Snapshot in three steps (1 – 3) before your new ISO is ready.

THE REAL McCoy
ExLight is a pure Debian system. I.e. no traces of Ubuntu, Kubuntu etc. New releases of Ubuntu are always based on Debian. So is ExLight.

KNOWN ISSUES
After a hard drive installation using Calamares Installer (Not Refracta Installer) you’ll have two “problems”.
1. /etc/apt/sources.list will be different. Replace it with this file.
2. The root password will be gone. Fix it by logging in as the ordinary user user and run the command sudo passwd root.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The Enlightenment 0.24.2 Desktop for user user
2. The Enlightenment 0.24.2 Desktop for root running Calamares
3. Connection from ExLight to a Windows computer using Samba
4. Using ConnMan for WiFi connections
5. Running ExLight from RAM
6. Refracta Snapshot has started
7. Running Netflix and Pavucontrol

exlight-logo-blue-textDOWNLOAD
This ExLight version has been replaced by version 220726…

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)!

 

exton, Exton Linux Distributions, Linux

ExLight 64 bit Linux with Enlightenment 0.20, kernel 4.13.0-16-exton and Refracta Tools (create your own Ubuntu live installable system)

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NEWS 180217 ABOUT ExLight
I’ve made a new extra version of ExLight, which also have the Budgie Desktop 10.4 pre-installed. SourceForge.net is down (or having problems) at the moment. You can now log in to Enlightenment 0.22.1 on all kind of computers, (which you couldn’t before).  Budgie is focused on simplicity and elegance. Designed with the modern user in mind. ExLight Build 180217 with Enlightenment and Budgie Desktop can be downloaded from the Swedish Linux Society. See a screenshot of ExLight running the Budgie Desktop. This new version of ExLight is based on Debian unstable/experimental. I.e. cutting edge software is used. Build 180217 is a total rebuild of ExLight. The ISO file size has decreased from 1560 MB to 986 MB, which means that ExLight now can run even faster from RAM.

WHAT’S NEW IN VERSION 171112?
NOTE: Version 171112 replaces version 170105.
1. ExLight is now based on Ubuntu 17.10 (alias Artful Aardvark) and Debian Buster/Stretch.
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 4.9.0-11-exton with my special kernel 4.13.0-16-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s stable kernel 4.13.4.
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 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 ExLight that way.
6. The installation program Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s live installer) has been replaced with Refracta Installer. Very simple to use! A new user (your user) will be created during the installation process. The reason for the replacement is that Ubiquity is a bit too complicated and that the program crashes once in a while.
7. I have installed Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 384.98.
8. I have added seven animated wallpapers.
9. MOST IMPORTANT: I’ve added Refracta Snapshot, which make it possible for you to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean change everything to your liking, fire up Refracta Snapshot and wait 3 – 5 min until your new ISO is ready!

What’s new in kernel 4.13?

enlightenment-logoInstalled packages
The Desktop Environment is Enlightenment 0.20.99.0 (Beauty at your fingertips). Kernel 4.13.0-16-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s stable kernel 4.13.4). Program content: Refracta Tools, Libre Office, Synaptic, GParted, SMPlayer (an alternative to Vlc), Wicd, PCManFM, Firefox (for watching Netflix movies etc.) and Gimp. Furthermore compilation tools so that you can install programs from source. I have also included Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 384.98. It has support for the following GPUs (among others): Quadro M3000 SE, GeForce 10, GeForce 900, GeForce 800A, GeForce 800M, GeForce 700, Quadro Series, GeForce GTX 970M and GeForce GTX 980M. Study the full ExLight program LIST. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as at November 12, 2017.

The system language is English.

Login to Enlightenment
When you start up from a DVD disc or a USB stick you will end up in Enlightenment logged in as the ordinary user exlight. You can log out to Slim‘s login screen and log in again as root if you want. The password for exlight is exlight. The password for root (superuser) is root. NOTE: It can happen that you – after the boot process is over – end up in console mode on certain computers. Then just log in as exlight or root and run the command startx. You will then (hopefully) enter the Enlightenment Desktop.

Using the Nvidia proprietary driver
If you want (and can) use Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 384.98 you shall boot up ExLight using boot alternative 3 (Nomodeset). Then open up a terminal and run sudo nvidia-xconfig. Log out. If you can’t reach X/Enlightenment then your card isn’t supported. Delete xorg.conf with sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf and run the command startx. Or reboot your computer. After a hard drive installation of ExLight the open source driver Nouveau will be used, since it’s “built in” in the kernel. If you want and can use Nvidia’s proprietary graphics driver 384.98 you’ll have to run the command sudo nvidia-xconfig and restart your computer. You’ll also have to change /boot/grub/grub.cfg as this example shows.
menuentry ‘ExLight :: GRUB :: (sda8)’ –class ubuntu –class gnu-linux –class gnu –class os $menuentry_id_option ‘gnulinux-simple-e150990b-5ae8-4f35-8d71-8118e682b5c7’ {
insmod gzio
insmod part_gpt
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,gpt8′
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search –no-floppy –fs-uuid –set=root –hint-bios=hd0,gpt8 –hint-efi=hd0,gpt8 –hint-baremetal=ahci0,gpt8 e150990b-5ae8-4f35-8d71-8118e682b5c7
else
search –no-floppy –fs-uuid –set=root e150990b-5ae8-4f35-8d71-8118e682b5c7
fi
linux /boot/vmlinuz-4.13.0-16-exton root=UUID=e150990b-5ae8-4f35-8d71-8118e682b5c7 rw nomodeset
initrd /boot/initrd.img-4.13.0-16-exton
}

Wireless connections
In version 171112 I have replaced NetworkManager with Wicd to make it easier to configure wireless connections. Now just start up Wicd-client. Give your WEP/WAP password and connect. That’s it! Maybe you will have to change your network interfaces (eth0, wlan0) to for example eth1 and wlan1 in Wicd’s Preferences and click on the button Refresh before you can connect. Check your interfaces with the command sudo iwconfig.

IMPORTANT ABOUT REFRACTA TOOLS
Refracta tools are pre-installed in ExLight Build 171112. Use them to create your own live installable Ubuntu system. I mean create your own installable Ubuntu 17.10 Live DVD once you have installed ExLight to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta from Menu >> System >> Refracta Snapshot. You don’t even have to install ExLight 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 ExLight from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 20 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. The whole thing is very simple. Refracta Installer replaces Ubiquity (Ubuntu’s installer). Refracta Installer is also very simple to use. No “expert knowledge” is needed.

Installation to hard drive
Note that you in advance (just in case) should create a partition of at least 20 GB (if you want to use Refracta Snapshot) for ExLight and a SWAP space double the size of your computer’s RAM. I.e. if you have RAM of 1024 MB or less. If you have RAM of 2 GB or more it’s enough with a SWAP space of 2 GB. The installation program in ExLight /Ubuntu is otherwise “intuitive”. Choose Expert Installation and select the partition you created in advance for installation. You’ll find the installation program under Menu >> System >> Refracta Installer. The installation to hard drive is now so simple that a 10 year old child can do it. NOTE 1: You should format your intended installation partition in advance. You can use GParted for that. NOTE 2: When the installation is ready (in about 5 min) you must mount your installation partition and edit /boot/grub/grub.cfg. Change ro to rw on the kernel line. Example: sudo mkdir /mnt/sda5 followed by sudo mount /dev/sda5 /mnt/sda5. Watch this screenshot.

USB installation
Read my INSTRUCTION.

Create new users
Run the command sudo adduser NewUser.

Sound
Use Alsamixer (command: alsamixer) for sound settings. It can look like this. Also: Unmute with the round sound button in the bottom panel.

How do I install and remove programs?
ExLight/Ubuntu/Debian uses Apt/Synaptic. The most important commands are apt-get update and apt-get install program-name. You can read about package management with Apt HERE. Apt/Synaptic works extremely well. You can also install programs in ExLight from source using the commands 1) ./configure –prefix=/usr 2) make 3) make install.

VirtualBox and VMware
ExLight runs very well in VirtualBox and VMware. Maybe you’ll have to use boot alternative 3 (nomodeset).

Printing using Cups
It’s really very simple to install a printer in ExLight/Ubuntu. Cups (Common UNIX Printing System) is pre-installed in ExLight Build 171112. Just open up Firefox and go to http://localhost:631/admin. See a screenshot when I have added my HP Printer in ExLight.

How to change Enlightenment themes
If you want to change the standard Enlightenment 0.20 theme to for example a theme called blingbling you can very easy install it in Exlight after a hard drive installation of Exlight or even while running ExLight live (from DVD or USB). Watch this screenshot. NOTE: In ExLight Build 171112 the blingbling theme is already used.

Spotify
You may want to install Spotify in ExLight. Just go ahead. It’s very easy. Follow this instruction for Ubuntu. When running ExLight Build 180215 and 171112 live or from hard drive you can just install Spotify with the command sudo apt update followed by sudo apt install spotify-client.

Some cool things to do in ExLight Linux…

Screenshots
ExLight – running Refracta Snapshot
ExLight running in VirtualBox
ExLight running Spotify
ExLight running Samba
ExLight running in VMware

This version of ExLight has been replaced by Build 190202…

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