Is there an AntiX 16 iso with the spectre/meltdown kernel?

[Member DaveW]

Hi to all,
Antix 16 runs very well as liveUSB on my netbook (eeepc 900) and also a Dell D620.

However, I have not been successful at updating the kernel from 4.4.10 to 4.4.134.
I’m sure I messed up the process, on multiple attempts.
It would make it much easier (on my part, and other newbies), to have an updated ISO… especially since it is a security issue.

On the other hand, I suppose I ought to learn how to upgrade the kernel, because future changes are probable.
From what I have read on the forum, the process may be more straight forward, on systems installed to hard drive.
But I haven’t decided to go that route, yet. (Some features of the old Windows OS are useful.)

I tried Antix 17.1. The netbook doesn’t like it.
The D620 runs fine with 17.1. But after shutdown, it would not reboot from the USB stick.
The stick may have given up, or perhaps the boot system needs repair.

Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts.

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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@DaveW: I am running antiX 17.1 right now on a Dell Inspiron 5558, and I’m using the Debian STABLE and STRETCH repos along with those provided by antiX. These ought to be available to you whether you are using antiX 16 or 17, but may not be enabled or updated if you are using 16 from USB and have not modified or upgraded the system.

in the antix.list file, I have

deb http://repo.antixlinux.com/stretch/ stretch nosystemd main

in the debian.list file, I have

deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ stable non-free contrib main
deb http://security.debian.org/ stable/updates non-free contrib main

in debian-stable-updates.list file, I have

deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian/ stable-updates non-free contrib main

With these repos enabled, I can get a variety of new and older kernels, with patched older kernels (which I use on an old Dell D series (either D620 or D630), and newer kernels, which I have used on the Dell Inspiron 5558 that I am typing on right now. This one is definitely updated; I believe I’ve used and updated the older systems and updated software on D series hardware too. Let me know if this is helpful.

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Brian Masinick

[Member DaveW]

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Brian,
Thanks for the reply.
I have those repositories setup. I was able to install the 4.4.134 kernel with Synaptic, But it did not take. It may be that I had not setup persistence. I’ll try again and let you know what happens.
Thanks again, DaveW

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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Yeah, if you are using a stick you need to save at least root persistence.

If not, save a complete system state or create a new ISO image on USB.

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Brian Masinick

[Member DaveW]

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Well…
The eeePC had become unusable online with Win XP, because the antivirus program hogged all the resources. So, I decided to replace it with Antix 17.1 (Base).

With a wired internet connection, running FireFox on Antix 17.1 from USB was pretty slow. With Antix 16 from USB, it was acceptable. I did not connect wirelessly, but several access points were almost instantly visible.

With Antix 17.1 installed to internal SSD, FireFox performance is much improved (about what it was with Antix 16 on USB).

However, wifi did not appear to work. Actually, CENI shows wlan0 up and running, and also finds some access points. But the WPA_GUI says “Could not get status from wpa_supplicant.”

What am I missing?

Thanks, DaveW

[Moderator caprea]

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Hi,
The message from wpa-gu is normal (even if connected), and it may be better to leave wpa-gui aside unless you know exactly what you are doing.

Have you looked for ceny in the antix-faq? You must enter the preshared key in ceny for your access point. Is that what you did?

Maybe the easiest way for you will be to try wicd (under network in control-centre).
In wicd are only two buttons -connect and -something like preferences for your access point.
In preferences you only have to tick “use encryption” and type your wlan-key.
Then OK and it should be possible for you to connect.
If this workes for you more easy than ceny, then we have to make little changes to make wicd autoconnect after reboot. Please try it first and then report.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by caprea.

[Member DaveW]

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caprea,
The rapid response on this forum is phenomenal, and greatly appreciated!

But if I had done a little more exploration of the FAQs, the answer would have been discovered. (Sorry to ask a needless question.)

I guess I was looking for wicd. However, for some reason, it was not installed on my system. Synaptic P.M. took care of that. It looks like Ceni or wicd will both work for me.

Thank you, DaveW

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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Not having the right network management software included seems odd, but as long as you were able to install it and getting it to work properly, that’s good.
The size of the images used in the network managers of choice with antiX is nominal, so we’ve generally included AT LEAST two (usually THREE) network management programs. The reason is that, for “crazy software reasons”, some work better with certain hardware than others, and the other reason is the great Linux reason: offer choices, at least in our case when doing so is useful, reasonable, and economical in terms of usability and system resources.

In my opinion, reasonable network management software is a solid feature in our antiX offerings.

--
Brian Masinick

[Moderator caprea]

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As masinik mentioned, it is odd that wicd was not available on your installation.
Is it possible that you choosed the antix-base iso instead of the antix-full iso ?
If that wasn’t intentional, you may miss a few things sooner or later.
https://www.antixforum.com/forums/topic/difference-between-full-version-and-base-version-of-antix-17/#post-902

[Member DaveW]

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Sorry for the delay in responding.
I was distracted with trying to configure Claws Mail. It is working well now. (The major headache was attempting to relocate several email accounts from the default location. The documentation for Claws Mail leaves a bit too much to the imagination. But I learned a few things along the way. Unfortunately, they will be forgotten by the next time I need them.)

You are both right. I installed the Base version. Originally, my intent was to run a liveUSB system (to preserve Win XP). Antix 17 was pretty slow on the eeePC. Antix 16 on liveUSB worked pretty well, but I was unsuccessful at updating the kernel (as per subject of this thread). When I decided to over write the Win XP system, I was running Antix 17 Base on USB. The installation was seamless… and Antix 17 runs much faster from the internal SSD.

While configuring programs to my liking, I have noticed the absence of some programs from the Base version. However, so far, whatever was lacking, has been easily installed with Synaptic. At this point, it would not be worthwhile to start over with the Full version. I’m pretty happy with it. The computer had become useless for internet use, with Win XP.

Thank you for your help and encouragement… and for all the work that has gone into developing Antix.
DaveW

[Member DaveW]

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Well, I may have discovered a reason to install the Full versus the Base version.
I’m unable to print. In the Antix FAQs, I learned that CUPS is required for printing.
I installed CUPS and dependencies with Synaptic.

After rebooting, I went to the Antix CC Hardware page, but the “Set Up Printer” feature is missing.

Using a browser, I brought up localhost:631. The Add Printer button reports “unable to add printer: forbidden” (after entering my username and password). When I tried the root password, it returned to the enter username and password entry windows. So, apparently it recognized my password, but didn’t like me.

I opened a root terminal and tried lpstat -p -d with result:
lpstat: no destination added
no system default destination

Thus far, the system does not recognize my printer (Brother MFC-7420 USB multifunction printer).

Perhaps there is another piece of software that needs installation?
Edit 1 – Since I posted the above, I have visited the Brother support site, and downloaded a few drivers. Hopefully, when installed, they will wake things up.)

Edit 2 – The printer is working. I found Brother printer drivers in the Synaptic manager… actually installed almost everything related to printing in the Full version (compared my Base installation with a liveUSB of Full version)… drivers were not included for my printer. But the downloaded drivers worked. Also, the Setup Printer item is now present in the CC.

I apologize for adding extra verbage to the forum, since the problem is now resolved.

Thank you, DaveW

• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by DaveW.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by DaveW.

[Moderator caprea]

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You already managed to print, cool !
I just re-read the whole thread, if you are still interested in how to change the kernel on a live-usb, dolphin oracle made a nice video
https://www.antixforum.com/forums/topic/video-update-your-kernel-on-antix-live-usb/#post-5230

• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by caprea.

[Member DaveW]

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The video on updating kernel on liveUSB was straight forward. However, it was for Antix 17.

On my USB stick (which has persistence), I have downloaded and installed an updated kernel, and remastered the USB.
But I haven’t figured out the final step. The Antix 17 video shows a Kernel Live Update feature in the C.C.
But I have not located a Kernel Live Update feature in the Antix 16.

Actually, this feature opens a terminal window.
I imagine it can be accomplished with dkms or smxi, if I knew what I was doing.

Thanks for the pointer, DaveW

[Forum Admin anticapitalista]

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Have you installed it?
apt-get install live-kernel-updater

Open a terminal, su to root and type live-kernel-updater

Philosophers have interpreted the world in many ways; the point is to change it.

antiX with runit - leaner and meaner.

[Member DaveW]

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Thank you… live-kernel-updater was not installed.
I installed it and went through all the motions, but I think persistence was not functioning, because all changes were missing on reboot. I read somewhere that some variations of Antix 16.2 had a problem with persistence. (The iso file was downloaded in the first few months of 2017, but I seem to have lost it now.)

After making an Antix 16.3 liveUSB, installing new 4.4.151 kernel, and remastering, the system rebooted into an unfamiliar desktop. I did find a terminal and attempted to run live-kernel-updater, but it could not find a component, and would not run. I thought I would rollback on reboot, but did not locate the way to do that.

However, I was able to update to the 4.9.123 kernel, on liveUSB running Antix 17.1. Since I have already installed 17.1 on the harddrive of one computer, I think I will stop fussing with Antix 16, and use liveUSB as a backup of the installed system.

With appreciation for your help… and patience,
DaveW

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