ExTiX Deepin 25.1 Live based on Deepin 25 Preview (latest) with Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.12.9-amd64-exton :: Build 250119

NEWS 250119 ABOUT ExTiX with Deepin 25 Preview (released 250116)
I’ve released a new version of ExTiX Deepin today (250119). The previous ExTiX Deepin version with Deepin 23 STABLE is from 240816. This ExTiX Build is based on Deepin 25 Preview (latest version) released by Deepin Technology on January 16, 2025. Please read the Release Notes. ExTiX 25.1 uses kernel 6.12.9-amd64-exton. ExTiX 25.1 works in the same way as all other ExTiX versions. I.e. you can install it to hard drive while running the system live. Use Refracta Installer for that. Deepin Installer doesn’t work in ExTiX. You can also create your own live installable Deepin 25 system with Refracta Snapshot. (Using ExTiX 25.1 as a “base system/template”). So easy that a ten year old child can do it!

Study all installed packages in ExTiX Deepin 25.1.

NEW FUNCTIONS etc. in ExTiX 25.1 Deepin
1. VirtualBox Guest Additions are NOT pre-installed. No real need for them since you can run ExTiX in full screen in VirtualBox by just changing the screen resolution.
2. You can run ExTiX from RAM. Use boot alternative 2 (load to RAM) or Advanced. A wonderful way to run Linux if you have enough RAM. Everything will be super fast. When ExTiX has booted up you can remove the DVD or USB stick.
3. You can ONLY use Refracta Installer for hard drive installations. You can not use Deepin Installer, even though there is a link to it on the Desktop. You may be able to start the program after a reinstallation (sudo apt install ‐‐reinstall Deepin-installer), but the installation to hard drive will fail. That’s because my build of Deepin 25 differ from the original in some respects.
4. I have installed Google Chrome 132.0.6834.83-1 as a replacement for Deepin’s Browser, which suddenly can be in Chinese(!?).
5. I’ve added Synaptic Package Manager. A must I think.
6. You can watch Netflix while running Google Chrome.
7. You can install ExTiX Deepin also in VirtualBox/VMware using Refracta Installer. Before doing that you should read my instruction How-to dual-boot, triple-boot or multi-boot Linux with Windows in a simple way and be happy…
NOTE1: If you already have at least one Linux system installed on your computer and use Grub as boot loader you don’t have to reinstall Grub. Just add start lines for ExTiX in /boot/grub.grub.cfg or /etc/grub.d/40_custom – see below what to add (an example of course).
set linux_gfx_mode=
export linux_gfx_mode
menuentry ‘ExTiX Deepin 25 PREVIEW’ –class deepin –class gnu-linux –class gnu –class os $menuentry_id_option ‘gnulinux-simple-9b64b795-3d67-488e-b23e-0c5fa87fe939’ {
load_video
insmod gzio
if [ x$grub_platform = xxen ]; then insmod xzio; insmod lzopio; fi
insmod part_msdos
insmod ext2
set root=’hd0,msdos4′
if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
search –no-floppy –fs-uuid –set=root –hint-bios=hd0,msdos4 –hint-efi=hd0,msdos4 –hint-baremetal=ahci0,msdos4 9b64b795-3d67-488e-b23e-0c5fa87fe939
else
search –no-floppy –fs-uuid –set=root 9b64b795-3d67-488e-b23e-0c5fa87fe939
fi
echo ‘Loading Linux 6.12.9-exton …’
linux /boot/vmlinuz-6.12.9-exton root=UUID=9b64b795-3d67-488e-b23e-0c5fa87fe939 rw quiet DEEPIN_GFXMODE=$DEEPIN_GFXMODE
echo ‘Loading initial ramdisk …’
initrd /boot/initrd.img-6.12.9-exton
boot
}
NOTE2: ExTiX 25.1 Deepin runs much better live from a USB stick or from hard drive after a hard drive installation. I mean compared to running ExTiX Deepin virtually in VirtualBox or VMware.
NOTE3: While installing ExTiX to hard drive using Refracta Installer you should keep the username user and the passwords for user and root. You can always change that afterwards. The username is changed by running the command change-username user new-username. You must first go into console mode by pressing Ctrl Alt F1 simultaneously. The log in as root with password root.
8. In version 250119 I’ve included Refracta Installer. Using it you will get an EXACT copy of ExTiX Deepin installed. You don’t have to “chroot” to install Grub. Just choose to “Copy Grub files” when asked to. Watch this movie and see this screenshot.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 6.12.9-amd64-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s stable kernel 6.12.9.

What’s new in Linux kernel 6.12?

Login to Deepin Desktop
Log in from the LightDM Login Screen as the ordinary user user with password live. You can’t login to Deepin as root. While logged in as user you can use Sudo to become root. Example commands: sudo su and sudo pcmanfm. The password for root is root.

Wireless connections
Normally NetworkManager works very well in ExTiX Deepin. Just add your WiFi Network password and connect. If you, however, after a hard drive installation can’t reach the Internet you shall run the command sudo dpkg-reconfigure resolvconf and reboot your computer.

USB installation
Read my instruction. In Windows you shall/must use Rufus. Using for example Etcher won’t make the USB stick bootable.

Upgrade to Deepin 25 STABLE
Future upgrades are very easy to perform. Just run the command sudo apt update followed by sudo apt dist-upgrade.

UNIQUE?
Previous versions of ExTiX Deepin (for example ExTiX Deepin 23 STABLE) were unique since the original Deepin System wasn’t a LIVE System. As regards Deepin Preview 25 you can also test run the System live before installing to hard drive. You can, however, not make your own Deepin 25 Preview System from the original using Refracta Snapshot. That’s because it is impossible to install Refracta Snapshot (and Refracta Installer) according to my experience.

Please read (and watch) a full enthusiastic review of ExTiX 22.12 with Deepin 20.8…

And here is another YouTube review of ExTiX 24.1 with Deepin 23 BETA 2…

ExTiX Deepin 24.8 was very popular/trendy in August 2024 at DistroWatch.com. *Trend = Trending page hits past 7 days – ExTiX 2427, deepin 861 (!?), MX Linux 298, Ubuntu 264, Manjaro 185, Debian 81, Fedora 22 and SUSE 8 – see below.

ExTiX 24.8 was very popular also at SourceForge.net. The number of downloads is very high as you can see below – 5135 one week!

IMPORTANT NOTE 1: I have kept ExTiX Deepin 24.8 on the server since it is based on Deepin 23 STABLE. That version is the one the Deepin developers recommend for daily use. They warn against using Deepin 25 Preview. People with some technical knowledge are advised to download and experience it with caution. I haven’t noticed any “bugs” in my build though.
IMPORTANT NOTE 2: The Deepin 25 Preview developers say that this update only supports a fresh installation and does not support a direct upgrade from the existing Deepin 23 version – (update notes 4). I managed to do it anyway (without problems).

SCREENSHOTS
1. ExTiX 25.1 running in VirtualBox after changing the screen resolution
2. Running Refracta Installer
3. Showing the first screen after boot (choose language)
4. Running in Qemu
5. Running in VMware
6. Showing the Desktop for user
7. Installing VirtualBox Guest Additions

 

DOWNLOAD
Download ExTiX 25.1 with Deepin 25 Preview from SourceForge.net – Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory.

md5sum for extix-deepin-25.1-refractasnapshot-4600mb-250119.iso

 

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