EXTON OpSuS (openSUSE) Tumbleweed with KDE Plasma 6.5.2, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton :: Build 251122

EXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed is based on openSUSE Tumbleweed, which is a rolling distribution. I.e. no need for new installations. Just run the command sudo zypper dup and you will always get the latest stable packages/kernels. The ISO files are of 2640MB (GNOME version) respectively 3030 MB (KDE version). Both versions will thus run very fast from a DVD or a USB stick. Even in VirtualBox/VMware directly from the ISO file.

ABOUT Tumbleweed
With Tumbleweed you don’t have to take difficult decisions about things you value, either freedom or safety, either control or security, technology or stability — Tumbleweed lets you have your cake and eat it too.
READ MORE…

EXTON OpSuS Tumbleweed with KDE Plasma 6.5.2 Desktop Environment Build 251122
This OpSuS version uses kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton. Installed programs: Among many other programs, Firefox, NetworkManager, GParted and a lot of special KDE packages. You’ll run the system as the normal user user or as root. The password for user is live. Root’s password is root. EXTON OpSuS KDE can easily be installed to hard drive (of those who so desire). For that you shall use Refracta Installer. All packages have been updated to the latest available version as of November 22, 2025.
NOTE1
:  When the boot process is ready you will end up at LightDM’s login screen. You can log in to the KDE Plasma Desktop as user with password live or as root with password root. You will see this first screen when logged in to KDE as the normal user user.
NOTE2: When logged in as root you won’t have sound. Watch a screenshot of the KDE Desktop for root.
NOTE3: Version 251122 of EXTON OpSuS can run on really old computers. As an example I could run it on my 19 years old laptop Acer Aspire 5102 WLMi.
NOTE4: Use Refracta Snapshot to build your very own version of EXTON OpSuS/openSUSE. I.e. you can change everything to you liking and quickly create a new ISO file. Your own.
NOTE5:
Kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton is used when running EXTON OpSuS LIVE. When running the System from hard drive you can use openSUSE’s kernel. Right now version 6.17.8.
NOTE6: To be able to use Refracta Snapshot you’ll have to keep “my” kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton in /boot and also the links to said kernel in /. (/vmlinuz and /initrd.img).
NOTE7: The KDE version 251122 works very well in VirtualBox and VMware. Version 251120 did not work so well in VirtualBox. That is the main reason for the new Build of 251122.
NOTE8: The KDE version works very well on all “normal” computers. I could run the system on my six different computers. If you have at least 6GB RAM (maybe just 4GB) you can choose boot alternative 2 – “Load to RAM”. (The best way to run any Linux system). Watch this screenshot.
NOTE9: EXTON OpSuS is a LIVE system, which means that you can try it before you install it. The official openSUSE distribution must be installed immediately.
NOTE 10: When logging in to the KDE Plasma Desktop you can choose between the X11 server and Wayland – screenshot. Wayland is the modern, more secure, and efficient replacement for the older X11 display server.

SCREENSHOTS
1. The Desktop for the normal user user
2. The Desktop for root
3. Refracta Installer has started
4. Refracta Installer has completed
5. Setting screen resolution in VirtualBox
6. Using Samba

READ MORE…

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 16, 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 16 (with GAPPS), RaspAnd 15 (also with GAPPS), RaspAnd 14 (also with GAPPS), 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

 

 

Follow me on Facebook…

EXTON OpSuS (openSUSE) Tumbleweed with GNOME 49, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton :: Build 251115

EXTON OpSuS GNOME  is based on openSUSE Tumbleweed, which is a rolling distribution. I.e. no need for new installations. Just run the command sudo zypper dup and you will always get the latest stable packages/kernels. The ISO file is of 2640MB. This GNOME 49 version will thus run very fast from a DVD or a USB stick. Even in VirtualBox/VMware directly from the ISO file.

ABOUT Tumbleweed
With Tumbleweed you don’t have to take difficult decisions about things you value, either freedom or safety, either control or security, technology or stability — Tumbleweed lets you have your cake and eat it too. READ MORE…

NOTE ABOUT EXTON OpSuS Deepin from 240807
The Deepin DE is no longer maintained by openSUSE due to packaging policy violations and various security issues. I have therefore deleted the ISO file from 240807, which used Deepin 20.6 as Desktop Environment.

ABOUT EXTON OpSuS for PC’s – Build 251115
I’ve made a new version of EXTON OpSuS with GNOME 49 as the only DE. The ISO is therefore rather small (2640MB), which means that you can run the system from RAM really fast even if you have for example only 8GB RAM. This new EXTON OpSuS build is made from “scratch” following the Wiki “openSUSE:Expert Installation“. If you want to do the same you can study my packages LIST first. Be sure to install all necessary kernel-firmware. For example kernel-firmware-nvidia. If you “forget” to do that and try to run the system on a computer with an Nvidia graphics card it won’t work. To be on the safe side you might want to run the command sudo zypper in kernel-firmware*.

Study all installed packages in EXTON OpSuS GNOME…

NOTES
NOTE1
: Kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton is used when running EXTON OpSuS LIVE. When running the System from hard drive you can use openSUSE’s original kernel. Right now version 6.17.7.
NOTE2: When the boot process is ready you will end up at GDM’s login screen. You can log in to the GNOME Desktop as user with password live or as root with password root.
NOTE3: Use Refracta Snapshot to build your very own version of EXTON OpSuS/openSUSE. I.e. you can change everything and quickly create a new ISO file. Your own. The new is ISO found in /home/snapshot.
NOTE4: You be able to use Refracta Snapshot you’ll have to keep “my” kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton in /boot and also the links to said kernel in /. (/vmlinuz and /initrd.img).
NOTE5: Version 251115 of EXTON OpSuS can run on really old computers. As an example I could run it on my 19 years old laptop Acer Aspire 5102 WLMi.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Showing a Samba connection
2. The Desktop for root
3. The Desktop for the ordinary user user
4. Installing Grub while running in VirtualBox
5. Showing how to set the screen resolution

READ MORE…

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 16, 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 16 (with GAPPS), RaspAnd 15 (also with GAPPS), RaspAnd 14 (also with GAPPS), 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

 

Follow me on Facebook…

Exton|Defender Rawhide (upcoming fc44) with GNOME 49 as DE, Calamares Installer, Refracta Snapshot and kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton :: Build 251029

ABOUT Exton|Defender Build 251029
Exton|Defender, based on Fedora Rawhide (upcoming Fedora 44), 64 bit, is an extra version built mainly because I finally found a way to install Calamares Installer in Fedora and make it work. This build is not really a “Defender SRS” system. You can, however, install all the rescue tools you may need also when running this version live. (I.e. from a USB stick or a DVD). GNOME 49 is used as DE. Fedora 43 was released in a stable version on October 28, 2025 (yesterday). So Exton|Defender fc44 (being based on upcoming Fedora 44) should be very “unstable”. I have, however, not noticed anything special. I.e. programs won’t crash or anything like that. One “bug” though: You can’t change wallpaper the “normal” way. I.e. by clicking on the Desktop. You can, however, open your desired image with gThumb and set your image as wallpaper.

REFRACTA SNAPSHOT
You can create your own Fedora Rawhide system using Refracta Snapshot, which is pre-installed. I.e. change everything to your liking and then create a new ISO. That can be done after a hard drive installation. If you have plenty of RAM it is also possible to create a new ISO while running Exton|Defender fc44 live. NOTE: For Refracta Snapshot to work you will need to run “my” kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton. It won’t work with Fedora’s original kernel. Actually you can run another kernel when starting Refracta Snapshot, but you must keep the links /vmlinuz and /initrd.img pointing to my kernel.
NOTE: When you start up Refracta Snapshot you will get a message saying that your ISO won’t boot on UEFI computers. Don’t worry. I’ve arranged so that it will.

Study all installed packages in Exton|Defender Build 251029…

Runs from RAM
Exton|Defender can run live from RAM. Running any Linux system in RAM means that it runs very fast.

KERNELS
While running live “my” kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton will be used. After a hard drive installation you can use Fedora’s original kernel, which right now is 6.18.0.rc3.30.fc44.x86_64.

CALAMARES INSTALLER

Calamares is very simple to use. Just start it from the menu and follow the instructions. If you are installing Exton|Defender on a UEFI computer you should read my general install instructions in advance. If you want to make your own Fedora distribution (with Refracta Snapshot) you should install Exton|Defender on a partition of about 40 GB and use a SWAP space of about 2 GB. Do not create special home or boot partitions. When Calamares runs in VirtualBox it can look like this. If you want to use Calamares in your own distribution you’ll have to reinstall it. That is done with the command sudo dnf install calamares

LOGIN
Log in to the GNOME 49 Desktop as the normal user liveuser with password live or as Super User (root) with password root

DNF – Fedora Package Management
DNF is a software package manager that installs, updates, and removes packages on RPM-based Linux distributions. Used by Fedora. Basically you’ll only need two commands: dnf upgrade and dnf install MyGreatProgram. Read more about DNF. You can also use the Package Manager DnfDragora, which isn’t pre-installed. It can be compared with Debian’s Synaptic. However, right now DnfDragora doesn’t work so well in Fedora Rawhide (and also in Fedora 43). I have therefore excluded DnfDragora. You can later on install it with sudo dnf install dnfdragora.

THE IMPORTANCE OF Exton|Defender Build 251029 being based on UPCOMING fc44
Programs won’t “crash” or anything like that. And I haven’t noticed any important “bugs”. That said you should of course be a bit careful. Version 251029 of Exton|Defender is for people who like to use “cutting-edge” software and the latest kernels etc. You will always have the latest Linux/Fedora software installed if you regularly run the command sudo dnf upgrade.

IMPORTANT NOTE
After a hard drive installation you should boot up Exton|Defender using my kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton. After a full upgrade of the system (sudo dnf upgrade) you can switch to Fedora’s kernel 6.18.0-rc3.30.fc44.x86_64.

SCREENSHOTS
1. Calamares is running
2. Calamares is ready
3. The liveuser Desktop
4. Showing a Samba connection
5. First screen after boot logged in as root

DOWNLOAD

Exton|Defender can be downloaded from SourceForge.netFast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory

md5sum for exton-defender-fc44-gnome-calamares-refractasnapshot-3080mb-251029.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 16, 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 16 (with GAPPS), RaspAnd 15 (also with GAPPS), RaspAnd 14 (also with GAPPS), 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

 

 

Follow me on Facebook…

Exton|Defender fc42 (stable) with Cinnamon 6.4.1, Calamares Installer and Refracta Snapshot :: Build 251026

Exton|Defender SRS  (Super Rescue System) is a Linux system available as a Live System based on Fedora 42, 64bit. Fedora 42 was released on April 15, 2025. Exton|Defender is for administrating or repairing your system and data after a crash. Exton|Defender aims to provide an easy way to carry out admin tasks on your computer, such as creating and editing the hard disk partitions. It comes with a lot of Linux software such as system tools and basic tools (editors, Midnight Commander, network tools). Exton|Defender can, however, also be used as a normal Linux Desktop System. It requires no hard drive installation, but can easily be installed to hard drive if you want. Desktop environment: A special version of Cinnamon 6.4.1 developed by Fedora.

NEWS 241210 ABOUT Exton|Defender BASED ON Fedora 42
I have discovered a way to run Exton|Defender fc42 from RAM also when starting Exton|Defender in UEFI mode. The previous Exton|Defender fc40 version could only run from RAM if it started up in Legacy mode. So my advice is to run this version SUPER FAST from RAM! The best way to run a Linux Live System! When Exton|Defender has booted up you can remove/eject the USB stick or the DVD. NOTE ALSO: In version 251026 I’ve managed to change Refracta Snapshot to a GUI (Graphical User Interface) app! It is therefore even easier to handle Refracta Snapshot now! IMPORTANT NOTE: On some computers Exton|Defender still can’t run from RAM in UEFI mode. Only in Legacy mode. I don’t know why. Sort of a mystery.

MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE
I’ve finally managed to install Refracta Snapshot in Exton|Defender, which means that you can create your own Fedora 42 System! I mean change everything to your liking and then create a new ISO. NOTE1: For Refracta Snapshot to work you have to run “my” kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton when Refracta Snapshot is running. (It won’t work with Fedora’s kernel 6.17.4-200.fc42).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Actually you can run Fedora’s original kernel 6.17.4-200.fc42 and still use Refracta Snapshot. Just don’t uninstall/remove “my” kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton before running Refracta Snapshot. And don’t remove the links /vmlinuz and /initrd.img to my kernel. Your new ISO will then be created without problems. When running your new ISO live (i.e. from a USB stick/DVD or in VirtualBox/VMware) my kernel will be used. If you install your new Fedora/Exton|Defender System to hard drive Fedora’s kernel 6.17.4-200.fc42 will be used.
NOTE2: Version 251026 of Exton|Defender can run on really old computers. As an example I could run it on my 19 years old laptop Acer Aspire 5102 WLMi.

System Tools included
NTFS-3g, GParted, Shred, Sfdisk (util-linux-ng), Rsync, Ddrescue, FSArchiver, TestDisk and Midnight Commander. Other programs (among many others): NetworkManager, Firefox, Parole Media Player, Samba, Java and Java Runtime Environment (JRE), Emacs, Safecopy, kernel headers and many compilation tools. Exton|Defender uses kernel 6.17.4-amd64-exton when running LIVE. After a hard drive installation Fedora’s original kernel 6.17.4-200.fc42.x86_64 can be used (as an alternative).

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Exton|Defender running in VirtualBox
Screenshot 2 – Refracta Snapshot has started
Screenshot 3 – Running in VMware
Screenshot 4 – Showing a WiFi connection
Screenshot 5 – Calamares Installer is ready
Screenshot 6 – Boot from hard drive

READ MORE…

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 16, 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 16 (with GAPPS), RaspAnd 15 (also with GAPPS), RaspAnd 14 (also with GAPPS), 13 and 12 (without GAPPS), RaspAnd 11 (with GAPPS) and RaspAnd Oreo 8.1 (also with GAPPS)!

Follow me on Facebook…