ExTiX 17.0, Build 161221, with KDE 4.16 together with KDE Frameworks 5.26.0, Refracta Tools and kernel 4.9 (latest)
I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 17.0 KDE Live DVD. (The previous version was 16.4 from 160731). The best thing with ExTiX 17.0 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system.
ABOUT
ExTiX 17.0 KDE DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 8.6 Jessie/Debian 9 Stretch and Ubuntu 16.10. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Unity (Ubuntu). After removing Unity I have installed KDE Frameworks 5.26.0 with KDE 4.16. KDE Frameworks are 60 addon libraries to Qt which provide a wide variety of commonly needed functionality in mature, peer reviewed and well tested libraries with friendly licensing terms.
The system language is ENGLISH.
Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.9.0-11-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.9 – latest as of 161221. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system. Extract ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-exton.zip with the command unzip ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.9.0-11-exton.zip.
What’s new in Linux kernel 4.9?
NEWS ABOUT ExTiX 17.0 Build 161221 with the KDE Desktop environment and Refracta Tools
1. ExTiX KDE is based on Ubuntu 16.10 Yakkety Yak. KDE 4.16 is used as Desktop environment. All packages have been updated to the latest version by 161221. Kernel 4.9.0-11-exton is used. (Kernel.org‘s latest kernel 4.9).
2. Google Chrome is used as Web Browser, which makes it possible to watch Netflix movies. It is not possible in Firefox (in Linux).
3. I have also installed BlueGriffon Web Editor. BlueGriffon is a new WYSIWYG content editor for the World Wide Web. Powered by Gecko, the rendering engine of Firefox, it’s a modern and robust solution to edit Web pages in conformance to the latest Web Standards. Only to be compared with Dreamweaver. (In my opinion).
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 best thing with ExTiX 17.0 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL about ExTiX and especially the new version from 161221?
1. 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!
2. 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!
3. ExTiX KDE is now more stable than ever. All packages have been upgraded to the latest version by 161221.
4. I’ve replaced kernel 4.6.0-9-exton with kernel 4.9.0-11-exton (Kernel.org‘s latest stable kernel 4.9).
5. I have replaced Ubuntu’s installation program Ubiquity (live installer) with Refracta Installer. It work very well. I.e. a new user (your user) will be created during the installation process and you’ll get a chance to change root’s password. Just start the installer from the menu under System.
6. The best thing with ExTiX 17.0 is that while running the system live (from DVD/USB) or from hard drive you can use Refracta Tools (pre-installed) to create your own live installable Ubuntu system.
LOG IN to KDE
You can run ExTiX live as root (superuser) or as the ordinary user extix. Log in from Slim‘s Login Manager as root with password root or as extix with password live. After booting ExTiX 17.0 live (from DVD/USB) you will end up in KDE 4.16 logged in as the ordinary user extix. During a hard drive installation you will get the opportunity to create your own normal user. When logged in as extix you can use Sudo to become root. (Command: sudo su). NOTE: On certain computers it can happen that you end up in console mode when the boot process is over. Then just log in as root or extix and run the command startx. You will then enter X and KDE 14.16. This will most certainly happen if you use Boot alternative 4 (load to RAM).
Internet connections
ExTiX 17.0 uses NetworkManager. You can use Internet immediately if you have a wired connection. To connect wireless you’ll have to start the NetworkManager applet (nm-applet). Watch this screenshot. If you still can’t see the applet you can always start up a terminal and run the command nm-applet – watch this screenshot.
Install ExTiX to hard drive
Just start the install program Refracta Installer from the KDE Menu/System (Install from a live CD to your system). Then just follow the instructions. Choose between Simple installation and Expert installation. NOTE: If you want to install Grub as bootloader while installing ExTiX on a not UEFI-enabled computer you’ll have to replace grub-efi-amd64 with grub-pc. Just run the command sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get install grub-pc before you start the install program Refracta Installer.
USB installation
Read my instruction.
VirtualBox and VMware
ExTiX KDE 17.0 runs very well live in VirtualBox and VMware. ExTiX 17.0 has UEFI boot enabled. So to be able to run ExTiX from a virtual hard drive in VirtualBox and VMware you’ll have to replace grub-efi-amd64 with grub-pc. Just run the command sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get install grub-pc before you start the install program Refracta Installer. After the installation you may want to see Grub’s boot menu. For that you have to edit /boot/grub.cfg (change line 89 and 90).
Spotify
You may want to install Spotify in ExTiX. Just go ahead. It’s very easy. Follow this instruction for Ubuntu. When running ExTiX 17.0 live or from hard drive you can just install Spotify with the command sudo apt-get install spotify-client. Watch a screenshot when Spotify is running in ExTiX KDE.
Samba – Reach you Windows computers in your Network
Samba work very well in ExTiX KDE 17.0. Just start Konqueror and go to smb://workgroup. Your computers will be listed (if the network is named workgroup).
Printing using Cups
It’s really very simple to install a printer in ExTiX/Ubuntu. Cups (Common UNIX Printing System) is already installed. Open up Google Chrome or Firefox and go to http://localhost:631/admin. See the following five screenshots showing when I added my local printer HP Photosmart Wireless in ExTiX KDE.
1. Cups start page
2. Add the printer
3. Add a local printer
4. Configuration of the added printer
5. Printing a test document
Online photo editing with Fotojet
For “normal” photo editing you don’t need Adobe Photoshop or Gimp. Just go to fotojet.com (an all-in-one free online tool for photo editing, graphic design and photo collages) using Firefox or Google Chrome.
Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta tools (pre-installed in ExTiX 17.0) to create your own installable Ubuntu 16.10 Live DVD once you have installed ExTiX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta from Menu >> System >> Create a live CD snapshot of your system. You don’t even have to install ExTiX 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 ExTiX from DVD or a USB stick. Please note that the whole Refracta process (creating your new ISO) will only take 5 – 10 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. The whole thing is very simple.
Compatibility
A general truth: If an original system can run on a particular computer an Exton “remaster” of the same original system can run on the same computer. I never change a Linux system for the worse in terms of auto configuration and hardware detection, etc. It happens that I replace the original kernel, but always to a “better” one with even more native support for various hardware etc. (Which I have done in this case).
Screenshot 1 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – KDE 4.16 – Netflix running
Screenshot 2 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – Synaptic running
Screenshot 3 of ExTiX 17.0 Desktop – Samba running
DOWNLOAD
This version has been replaced by version 17.5 Build 170508
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” To connect wireless you’ll have to start the NetworkManager applet ”
No, no such icon with this live-iso.
Am use Rufus in Win10 to make a usb.
Of course there is. Watch this screenshot. Click on the 9th icon from the left. You will then see the nm-applet icon to the right. (It looks like two computers/screens).
Please read my instructions carefully at https://www.extix.se/?p=240 and https://www.extix.se/?page_id=24. You’ll find the answers to your questions there.
About Grub I wrote this: NOTE: If you want to install Grub as bootloader while installing ExTiX on a not UEFI-enabled computer you’ll have to replace grub-efi-amd64 with grub-pc. Just run the command sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get install grub-pc before you start the install program Refracta Installer.
General advice: It’s always good to read my INFO sites in advance.
No, no such icon is not available in my usb!
That’s strange.
You can always start up a terminal and run the command nm-applet – watch this screenshot.
If you don’t see the applet then down to the right something must be wrong with your downloaded ISO file. Download it again and check it with md5sum.
Downloaded your ISO again and burned it on a DVD. But no improvement. Has two volume icons but no network connectivity button! And installation crash as it should install Grub. No, I have to say pass and look further for another linux with minimum 4.8 kernel, that actually works!
As I understand it you refuse to read my INFO site at https://www.extix.se/?p=240
GRUB: Read this: If you want to install Grub as bootloader while installing ExTiX on a not UEFI-enabled computer you’ll have to replace grub-efi-amd64 with grub-pc. Just run the command sudo apt-get update followed by sudo apt-get install grub-pc before you start the install program Refracta Installer.
Network button: As I said before you can always start up a terminal and run the command nm-applet – watch this screenshot.
Maybe a good idea to tell people att this iso is primarily for UEFI-enabled computer!
I’ll try to start DVD UEFI-enabled computer, then I have a UEFI-enabled computer. The problem with UEFI-enabled, is that the windows do not have every visible in Grub after first boot after installation.
I thought I said just that. One hint is also the filename: extix-64bit-kde-refracta-isoh-uefi-1920mb-161221.iso
“windows do not have every visible in Grub after first boot after installation” – I don’t know what you mean.
Great Job . Thanks .
I would have to ask you a question… you can integrate refracta tools in exGENT? it would be much more user friendly.
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P.S. I am honored that you have used the boot images that I have drawn.
It’s impossible I think. Refracta Tools work only in Debian and Ubuntu (or other Debian derivatives).
You mean the Grub splash picture? It’s nice. Thanks.
No grub here?
Tried live dvd again. Used “nm-applet” as you said, it worked.
Then I would install it to the hard drive. All went well until I got an error message about Grub. Here I got the option to continue or exit. I chose then click continue. Got a popupp who told me that the installation was completed. I rebooted the machine and win10 started automatically. PS: No grub here?
Please read under Install ExTiX to hard drive.
HI, I created a live USB of ExTiX Build 161221. The problem is, it includes KDE Plasma 5, not KDE 4. I can’t be the only one who has noticed this. The main reason I’m trying this distro out, is because it uses KDE 4. I got the ISO from Linuxtracker.org, as that was the only torrent of it I could find. Thanks
I wrote this: After removing Unity I have installed KDE Frameworks 5.26.0 with KDE 4.16. KDE Frameworks are 60 addon libraries to Qt which provide a wide variety of commonly needed functionality in mature, peer reviewed and well tested libraries with friendly licensing terms.
I’m talking about the KDE Plasma 4 Desktop Environment vs. the KDE Plasma 5 Desktop Environment. Your post implies that ExTiX Build 161221 includes KDE Plasma 4 Desktop Environment, which is what I was hoping to use. Did you make a recent version of Extix that includes KDE Plasma 4 Desktop Environment? Thanks.