F96-CE_4 Latest Stable Release

[Clarity]

I discovered an missing component that was also reported HERE on the forum. It pertains to this distro as well.

This PUP, though, performs extremely well without operational issues with any of the components it has.

[Pikaxhu]

Hi Hundido

My own collection is at:

https://superbot.me/filetobot/139122

Hope it helps as start point.

Regards

Pikaxhu

[Clarity]

I discovered an missing component that was also reported HERE on the forum. It pertains to this distro as well.

This PUP, though, performs extremely well without operational issues with any of the components it has.

I am posting this for @peebee , @rockedge , and @radky because I posted earlier on their threads for their distro.

The following report reflects ONLY their WoofCE distro. The earlier report I MADE IS NOT ACCURATE, IMHO.

Reason: It does NOT appear that either of those distros I reported are MISSING exFAT. I AM WRONG!!!

That filesystem INDEED is built-in to these WoofCE distros.

The problem I fell upon has to do with what is occurring in the operating desktop when the ISO file is booted via Ventoy. Ventoy has no problem launching these distros and the distros successfully arrive at their desktops.

Summary (There is NO filesystem format problem)

1. When booted, the desktop shows the USB as unmounted. Any attempt to mount the USB (no matter which filesystem the USB is formatted, the system will NOT mount the USB's partition containing ISO files; namely partition #1.

2. If the unmounted USB is removed, then re-inserted, it will assign a different device i.e. /dev/sdb is now /dev/sdc

3. The re-inserted USB can now be mounted and the system can use it.

Circumvention
Upon desktop arrival, in order for the desktop to use the USB, the USB MUST be manually removed from the PC's port and re-inserted.

Additional Info
LSBLK command output may hint at the issue. Notice reference before and when USB re-inserted.

Code: Select all

# lsblk # BEFORE unmounted boot USB (sdc) is removed from system
NAME       MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
loop0        7:0    0   368M  1 loop /initrd/pup_ro2
loop1        7:1    0  67.3M  1 loop /initrd/pup_f
loop2        7:2    0  32.9M  1 loop /initrd/pup_z
loop3        7:3    0  43.3M  1 loop /initrd/pup_y
sda          8:0    0 931.5G  0 disk 
├─sda1       8:1    0   260M  0 part 
├─sda2       8:2    0    16M  0 part 
├─sda3       8:3    0   865G  0 part 
├─sda4       8:4    0   980M  0 part 
├─sda5       8:5    0  17.3G  0 part 
├─sda6       8:6    0     8G  0 part [SWAP]
└─sda7       8:7    0    40G  0 part 
sdc          8:32   1  28.9G  0 disk 
├─sdc1       8:33   1  28.9G  0 part 
│ └─ventoy 252:0    0   538M  0 dm    
└─sdc2       8:34   1    32M  0 part 
sr0         11:0    1  1024M  0 rom  
# lsblk # AFTER unmounted boot USB (sdc) is removed from system
NAME   MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
loop0    7:0    0   368M  1 loop /initrd/pup_ro2
loop1    7:1    0  67.3M  1 loop /initrd/pup_f
loop2    7:2    0  32.9M  1 loop /initrd/pup_z
loop3    7:3    0  43.3M  1 loop /initrd/pup_y
sda      8:0    0 931.5G  0 disk 
├─sda1   8:1    0   260M  0 part 
├─sda2   8:2    0    16M  0 part 
├─sda3   8:3    0   865G  0 part 
├─sda4   8:4    0   980M  0 part 
├─sda5   8:5    0  17.3G  0 part 
├─sda6   8:6    0     8G  0 part [SWAP]
└─sda7   8:7    0    40G  0 part 
sr0     11:0    1  1024M  0 rom  
# lsblk # WHEN unmounted boot USB is re-inserted back into system (now sdd)
NAME   MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
loop0    7:0    0   368M  1 loop /initrd/pup_ro2
loop1    7:1    0  67.3M  1 loop /initrd/pup_f
loop2    7:2    0  32.9M  1 loop /initrd/pup_z
loop3    7:3    0  43.3M  1 loop /initrd/pup_y
sda      8:0    0 931.5G  0 disk 
├─sda1   8:1    0   260M  0 part 
├─sda2   8:2    0    16M  0 part 
├─sda3   8:3    0   865G  0 part 
├─sda4   8:4    0   980M  0 part 
├─sda5   8:5    0  17.3G  0 part 
├─sda6   8:6    0     8G  0 part [SWAP]
└─sda7   8:7    0    40G  0 part 
sdd      8:48   1  28.9G  0 disk 
├─sdd1   8:49   1  28.9G  0 part 
└─sdd2   8:50   1    32M  0 part 
sr0     11:0    1  1024M  0 rom  
# 

This post is a accurate reflection of the problem.

[Clarity]

Does anyone know of a command that simulates "removal and reattaching a USB stick"?

[pp4mnklinux]

@Clarity

¿?¿? usbip

[Clarity]

Thanks @pp4mnklinux . I found this tutorial.

I'll have to install the kernel packaging and see if I can remove and attach the USB to the local system via the command line with the hope that this circumvents the current problem. Certainly would be easier-better than pulling and pushing a USB in/out of slots.

[amethyst]

I've been using this distribution on my old desktop machine for a few weeks now and it's good. Only thing that is not the greatest is the audio equalizer, it's okay but not as dynamic and sound as crystal clear as can be achieved with pequalizer (frontend for alsa-equalizer). Can pequalizer work with pulse audio and if so is there a package of alsa-equalizer and pequalizer available for this?

[rockedge]

Can pequalizer work with pulse audio and if so is there a package of alsa-equalizer and pequalizer available for this?

I think so. Using the pulseaudio-alsa library it might be possible to have pequalizer work. We'll have to investigate.....

[amethyst]

Can pequalizer work with pulse audio and if so is there a package of alsa-equalizer and pequalizer available for this?

I think so. Using the pulseaudio-alsa library it might be possible to have pequalizer work. We'll have to investigate.....

I actually made a pet just to check it out (this includes alsa-equalizer and pequalizer) but get a sound configuration error when starting pequalizer. Anyways, here is the pet, I'm just attaching it as it may be of of use as far as the investigation goes...

[Phoenix]

Hey, I'd like to suggest for the next release, to update the kernel config to have these options + modules enabled. This would allow battery management for some ASUS devices.

Code: Select all

CONFIG_HOTPLUG_PCI=y
CONFIG_ASUS_WMI=m
CONFIG_ASUS_NB_WMI=m

[bigpup]

The settings in the kernel config seem to be a black art getting the correct setup.

Does anyone really fully understand it?

Example:
In getting sound to work on some Chromebooks, using Puppy Linux to run them.
ozsouth came up with a specially configured kernel, that had the correct kernel config settings.
It does actually seem to have too much enabled, but it does make sound work on some Chromebooks.

[rockedge]

I checked the configuration DOT file for the kernel 6.6.0--rock-rt13 and can see the first one is not set

Code: Select all

# CONFIG_HOTPLUG_PCI is not set

And these options do not exist in 6.6.0

Code: Select all

CONFIG_ASUS_WMI=m
CONFIG_ASUS_NB_WMI=m

The closest I can find with out checking the documentation is:

Code: Select all

# CONFIG_SENSORS_ASUS_WMI is not set

There are these for ASUS:

Code: Select all

CONFIG_ASUS_LAPTOP=m
CONFIG_ASUS_WIRELESS=m

I can next time I build a kernel look these over and see in the documentation what they actually do.

[Phoenix]

I checked the configuration DOT file for the kernel 6.6.0--rock-rt13 and can see the first one is not set

Code: Select all

# CONFIG_HOTPLUG_PCI is not set

And these options do not exist in 6.6.0
I can next time I build a kernel look these over and see in the documentation what they actually do.

For practicality, it is chosen to not always write options when the default suffices. In this case, because the option HOTPLUG_PCI is disabled, these options are omitted and handled automatically. So are multitudes of options.

[rockedge]

For practicality, it is chosen to not always write options when the default suffices. In this case, because the option HOTPLUG_PCI is disabled, these options are omitted and handled automatically. So are multitudes of options.

@Phoenix
I am using a kernel config editor that can display all options enabled or not, default or not.
Looks like I have them set now for a build of 6.6.0-rt15 full real time also patched for AUFS and Overlay builtin.

Screenshot(58).jpg (49.1 KiB) Viewed 3539 times

Screenshot(60).jpg (48.34 KiB) Viewed 3539 times

[rockedge]

@Phoenix Any other modules to try out before I attempt to compile this version?

[rockedge]

I successfully compiled the kernel 6.6.0-rock-rt15 using @ozsouth 's kernel-kit. Full real time and with a few tweaks that should make it the best performing RT huge kernel that has both AUFS and Overlay builtin.

ASUS modules included.

DOTconfig file is attached.

[bean]

Hello, im using F96-CE_4-RT.iso 559,104kb kernel 6.1.38 downloaded 6 Oct 2023

s this the latest version?

[rockedge]

@bean The F96-CE_4 is the latest version. Only difference is the one you have listed is using the full real time kernel 6.1.38-rt13.

Since the kernel swapping is relatively easy with F96-CE_4 there are 2 versions supplied by ISO. The stock version has a general purpose kernel 6.0.12 and the RT version has 6.1.38-rt13.

You could swap to the newer real time kernel 6.6.0-rock-rt15 but it is not required. In fact you can swap in most huge kernels that do not use the usermerge scheme. Those have the a slightly different directory structure in the zdrv SFS.

All of the F96-CE_4 models are using the same components and only the kernel version being used would differentiate them.

[bean]

Thanks rockedge, ok i didcheck my kernel version later, sorry i am a real old bugger, but love trying to keep up, i have no idea how i would change kernel to 6.6.0

i did download DOTconfig-6.6.0-x86_64.tar.gz unzipped tried to run or whatever ( i am a complete amateur) anyway i got nowhere, but i do try. i figured perhaps you cant change the kernel on a usb install/drive although my big fossa save file is on my laptop partition

i will give it a go

love fossa and easyOs

[rockedge]

@bean The DOT file is for refrence only. To change a kernel easily download a huge kernel package then open a terminal and type:
Here is a link to find different kernels -> https://rockedge.org/kernels/data/Kernels/64bit/

Code: Select all

change_kernels

Remember, you do not need to swap kernels if you are satisfied with how your machine is running right now. If you are, leave the kernel as is and enjoy.

Select the kernel package you've downloaded. Once you have a success notification reboot the computer.

Screenshot(65).jpg (33.64 KiB) Viewed 3266 times

[bean]

thanks for that, i shall leave alone for now, Fossa runs superbly, very fast responsive, boots quick, wireless connects immediately, and VPN, no real bloat.

only gripe is no RDP program to connect easily to my small windows 11 Pro box, Windows 11 Pro have just improved their RDP, that works like a dream, but +/- 30Gb install, it should. Chromium on Fossa works great.

[sonny]

thanks for that, i shall leave alone for now, Fossa runs superbly, very fast responsive, boots quick, wireless connects immediately, and VPN, no real bloat.

only gripe is no RDP program to connect easily to my small windows 11 Pro box, Windows 11 Pro have just improved their RDP, that works like a dream, but +/- 30Gb install, it should. Chromium on Fossa works great.

Use Remmina for RDP.
https://remmina.org/
Install it from Puppy Package Manager

[rockedge]

@bean I have been looking at his as a solution for Fossa to host a Windows remote desktop

Download tarball -> https://downloads.nomachine.com/download/?id=3
more information -> https://www.nomachine.com/

[mikeslr]

For other possible Remote Desktop solutions see this thread: https://www.forum.puppylinux.com/viewtopic.php?t=8542

[amethyst]

I'm impressed with this Puppy. Running it almost exclusively on my old desktop which does hours of streaming each day without any problems at all. Using it with ozsouth's 5.4 kernel and mikewalsh's portable Brave browser. This Puppy still use AUFS which is cool. Solid performer, I'll definitely recommend this Puppy for old and newer machines.

[Tahrbaby]

Been running this for some months on an ancient Acer Aspire desktop PC with a AMD Athlon CPU and a newish Acer Aspire desktop PC with an Intel J4025 CPU.
Both running from USB stick and also from internal HDD and SSD.
Cant fault it.
Excellent work!
Thank you.

[Chelsea80]

Hello -

Thanks for this OS, very nice to use -

I have one question -

1. Is there a way to line up the desk-top icons and make them evenly spaced apart ?. The only way I can try to get them 'tidy' is using the cursor to drag them and my hand is not steady enough to achieve this -
. Solved by @ gychang

1. Is there a way to put a screen saver control icon on the desktop ? -

Thanks -

Chelsea80

[gychang]

Hello -

Thanks for this OS, very nice to use -

I have two questions -

1. Is there a way to line up the desk-top icons and make them evenly spaced apart ?. The only way I can try to get them 'tidy' is using the cursor to drag them and my hand is not steady enough to achieve this -

Chelsea80

@Chelsea80
Right click and Options-Pinboard and tick bottom on "coarse", JWMDesk from main menu click on Icon Manager and tick on bottom refresh icons 96. Sometime increasing the number by 12 multiples work better on my monitor.

[Chelsea80]

@ gychang

Great, thank you

Went the JWMDesk route and it worked -

Icons now look much better in line and spaced evenly -

Left size as 96 -

Another lesson learnt -

Chelsea80

[geo_c]

@rockedge

I just installed the jack audio server pet Jasper provided here: viewtopic.php?p=112500#p112500

It seems to work well in F96. I added qjackdctl, Carla, lv2-dev, and carla-lv2 plugins, along with my personal collection of lv2 plugins. Working smoothly.

note I also ran modprobe snd-seq but not sure if it was necessary or not. I think it was.