ExTiX 24.12 – based on Ubuntu 24.10 – with LXQt 2.0, Calamares Installer, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.12.6-amd64-exton :: Build 241223
ExTiX 24.12 LXQt – Build 241223
I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 24.12 LXQt Live System. (The previous LXQt version was 23.9 from 231123). ExTiX 24.12 is based on Ubuntu 24.10 (Oracular Oriole). Ubuntu 24.10 will only be supported until July 2025. I really wanted ExTiX 24.12 to be based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, which is supported until June 2029, but to be able to upgrade LXQt from version 1.4 to 2.0 I had to upgrade the whole system!
REFRACTA SNAPSHOT
The best thing with ExTiX 24.12 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 system. So easy that a ten year child can do it! One other very good thing with this version of ExTiX is that it is quite light. The ISO file is of only 2500 MB, which means that you can run the system super fast from RAM. When the boot process is ready you can eject the DVD or USB stick. Use Boot alternative 3 or Advanced options… >> load to RAM. Another big new thing in this version of ExTiX is that I have installed 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. Calamares aims to be easy, usable & beautiful while remaining independent of any particular Linux distribution. Nevertheless I’ve kept Refracta Installer. Use the installer you prefer.
Study all pre-installed packages in ExTiX 24.12…
ABOUT
ExTiX 24.12 LXQt, 64 bit, is based on Debian Sid and Ubuntu 24.10. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Gnome. After removing Gnome I have installed LXQt 2.0. 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 UEFI-enabled or non-UEFI computers. You shall use Calamares Installer or Refracta Installer for that.
The system language is ENGLISH.
The boot screen when running ExTiX LXQt live. I.e from a DVD or USB stick.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL about ExTiX and especially the new version from 241223?
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 3 (load to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need least 4 GB RAM to run ExTiX that way. Running from RAM means that the system will run faster than from a DVD or a USB stick. Everything will be super fast I would say! Especially since the ISO file is of only 2500 MB!
3. All packages have been upgraded to the latest version by 241223. Keep your installed ExTiX/Ubuntu 24.10 system up to date by running two commands: sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade.
4. I’ve replaced kernel 6.6.1-amd64-exton with kernel 6.12.6-amd64-exton. (Kernel 6.12.6 is the latest available kernel from Kernel.org as of 241223).
5. I have replaced Ubuntu’s installation program Ubiquity (live installer) with Refracta Installer. It works 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. I’ve added Calamares Installer. You can use Calamares even in VirtualBox/VMware without problems.
7. The best thing with ExTiX 24.12 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 system.
8. When running ExTiX 24.12 in VirtualBox you can do so in full screen since VirtualBox Guest Additions are pre-installed.
Log in to LXQt
When the live boot process is ready you will end up in X and the LXQt Desktop logged in as the ordinary use live. You can log out and log in again as root if you want. The password for root is root. The password for user is live. While logged in as user you can use Sudo to become root. Examples: sudo su and sudo pcmanfm-qt.
USB installation
Read my instruction. In Windows you shall/must use Rufus version 4.6. Using for example Etcher won’t make the USB stick bootable.
Network connections
I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better. When using an Ethernet connection you may have to find out your Network Interface with the command sudo iwconfig and then run the command sudo dhclient eth0 (for example). Watch this screenshot…
When using a WiFi connection just connect. Watch this screenshot…
Used KERNEL
My special kernel 6.12.6-amd64-exton.
Install ExTiX to hard drive
Just start the install program Calamares or Refracta Installer from the LXQt Menu/System (Install from a live CD to your system) and follow the instructions.
VirtualBox and VMware
ExTiX LXQt 24.12 runs very well live in VirtualBox and VMware.
Important about Refracta
You can use the Refracta Snapshot (pre-installed in ExTiX 24.12) for creating your own installable Ubuntu 24.10 Live System once you have installed ExTiX to hard drive. I mean change everything and then create a whole new Ubuntu live system. Start Refracta Snapshot 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 10 – 30 min! You’ll find the ISO in /home/snapshots. The whole thing is very simple. Watch a slideshow showing how easy it is to use Refracta Snapshot.
Sound problems?
Study this instruction.
SCREENSHOTS
1. ExTiX LXQt – root’s Desktop
2. ExTiX LXQt – user’s Desktop
3. ExTiX 24.12 running in full screen in VirtualBox
4. ExTiX LXQt Calamares Installer is ready
DOWNLOAD
Download ExTiX 24.12 from SourceForge.net – Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.
You can also download ExTiX 24.12 from the Swedish Linux Society.
md5sum for extix-24.12-64bit-lxqt-2.0-refractasnapshot-2500mb-241223.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 15, 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 15 (with GAPPS), RaspAnd 14 (also with GAPPS), 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)! 