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MeX 64 bit Linux based on Debian Sid
and upcoming Ubuntu 26.04 LTS with
GNOME
50 and Kodi 21.1 Omega
ABOUT
MeX Linux 260331
I've uploaded a
new version of MeX, in which I've
included Kodi
Omega
21.1. Kodi
is an award-winning free and open
source (GPL) software media player
and entertainment hub that can be
installed on Linux, OSX, Windows,
iOS, tvOS and Android. It is
designed around a "10-foot user
interface" for use with
televisions and remote controls. NOTE
about Kodi: I have installed
Kodi 21.1 using Flatpak.
Kodi from the Ubuntu repositories
does not work in Ubuntu 26.04.
Kodi 21.1 runs very well in
MeX. On a web site called FireStickTricks
you can find instructions how to
install 30 (?!) extra Kodi Builds
with their own repositories and
skins. The article is called Best
Kodi Builds for 2026. I've
tried Scrubs
today. Works very well. Read about how
to install Scrubs V2. Otherwise
MeX version 260331 works in the same
way as previous versions.
NOTE about Ubuntu 26.04 LTS: It
will be released in a stable version
260423 and supported until April,
2031.
Extra Desktop Environments: Besides
GNOME
50 (with Wayland)
you can use the GNOME
Flashback (Compiz) Desktop
and the GNOME
Flashback (Metacity) Desktop.
Those DE's are using X11
(Xorg) instead of Wayland.
NEWS/CHANGES 260331
Mex Linux
is no longer based on Linux Mint.
MeX Build 260331 is based only on Debian
Sid and upcoming Ubuntu
26.04 LTS Resolute
Raccoon. I have
replaced the original kernel (7.0)
with "my" special kernel 7.0.0-rc5-amd64-exton.
All installed packages in MeX
Linux have been upgraded
to the latest version by 260331.
This version of MeX uses the GNOME
Desktop. I.e. GNOME
50 Tokyo and Kodi
21.1. You can run Kodi "windowed"
while logged in to Gnome. The very
nice icon
theme Papirus is installed and
used. Everything works inside Kodi.
Even YouTube. (It can be a bit
tricky to create
an API key and OAuth credentials).
Many (most) Kodi addons can't run
without YouTube.
MORE MeX NEWS 260331
1. The MeX ISO is now a ISO-hybrid,
which means that it can very easily
be transferred (copied) to a USB pen
drive.
2. Another big improvement is that
MeX now can run from RAM.
Use Boot alternative 2 (load
to RAM). When the
system has booted up you can eject
the disc (DVD)/USB stick. You'll
need at least 6 GB RAM to run MeX
that way. The ISO file is of only
3490 MB so MeX will run super fast
from RAM!
3. I have replaced Google Chrome
with Firefox. Google Chrome is no
longer needed to be able to run
Netflix in Linux.
4. The best thing with this new MeX
build - Create your own installable
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Live System with Refracta
Snapshot
(pre-installed)! The whole remaster
process is so simple that a 10 year
old child can do it.
5. I have installed Calamares
Installer as in many of my other
Linux builds. Calamares is an
installer framework. By design it
is very customizable, in order to
satisfy a wide variety of needs
and use cases. Very easy to
use. You can use Calamares to
install MeX on both UEFI
computers and non UEFI computers
(for example VirtualBox
and VMware).
Important
about Refracta
Snapshot
You can use the Refracta
Snapshot (pre-installed in MeX Build
260331) to create your own installable
Ubuntu Live DVD/USB once you have
installed MeX to hard drive. I mean
change everything and then create a
whole new Ubuntu 26.04 LTS live
system. When you start Refracta
Snapshot it will look
like this. You don t even have
to install MeX to hard
drive before you can use the Refracta
Snapshot. If you have plenty of RAM
you can create a new (your own!)
Ubuntu system while running MeX from
DVD or a USB stick. Please note that
the whole Refracta process (creating
your new ISO) will only take 10 30
min! You can then install VirtualBox
in MeX so you can test run your own
created new Ubuntu ISO. Or do it in
Windows. Btw: You can do the whole
thing in VirtualBox or VMware. I mean
install
MeX in VirtualBox, change
everything, create
a new Ubuntu 26.04 system using
Refracta Snapshot and transfer
your new ISO to your server with FileZilla
(pre-installed). Or use Samba
- screenshot.
NOTE1:
If you want to create your own
distro you must install MeX to a
partition of at least 40 GB. You ll
find your new ISO file in
/home/snapshot. (You can of course
change that before you start
Refracta Snapshot).
NOTE2: You may have to do the
remaster process in 3 steps. Watch
this screenshot.
The system language is ENGLISH.
Program content etc
To make it possible to run MeX from RAM
I have kept down the number of
installed packages. The MeX ISO file
is of 3490 MB. All packages have been
updated to the latest available stable
version as of March 31, 2026. See a
complete list
of all installed packages.
Used KERNEL
Kernel 7.0.0-rc5-amd64-exton
What
s new in kernel 7.0?
COMPATIBILITY
Differences: Ubuntu
26.04 LTS and MeX
Linux is different only in
principle to the terms of program
content. A general truth:
If an original system can run on a
particular computer an "Exton
remaster" of the same original system
can run on the same computer. I never
change a Linux system for the worse in
terms of auto configuration and
hardware detection, etc. It happens
that I replace the original kernel
(which I have done in this case), but
always to a "better" one with even
more native support for various
hardware etc.
Passwords and
login
The password for root
(superuser) is root. When you
start up MeX from the live DVD/USB
stick you will end up at GDM3's
login screen. Log in as Linux
User. Watch this screenshot.
The password for the ordinary user user
is live. You can also log in
to the GNOME Desktop from GDM3 as root
("Other"). The
password for root is root
- screenshot of the Desktop for
root...
NOTE: While logged in to GNOME
as root you won't have sound.
During the installation process (using
Calamares or Refracta
Installer) you'll get the chance
to create your own ordinary user.
Installation
to hard drive
Note that you in advance (just in
case) should create a partition of
at least 40 GB for MeX Linux and a
SWAP space double the size of your
computer's RAM. I.e. if you have RAM
of 1024 MB or less. If you have RAM
of 2 GB or more it's enough with a
SWAP space of 2 GB. The installation
program in MeX is otherwise
"intuitive". Choose manual
partitioning and select the
partition you created in advance for
installation. Use Refracta
Installer. Or use Calamares
Installer. Read
more about hard drive
installations...
NOTE: In the end of the
installation process you will get an
error message. Just ignore it and shut
down Calamares. Watch this screenshot...
Language settings
After a hard drive
installation you may want to change
/home/YourUser/.bashrc.
Also: If you want to have Firefox and
Thunderbird (for example) in your
language you'll have to install locale
files via Synaptic.
Keyboard settings
The command setxkbmap se
(example) won't work in MeX since MeX
(normally) uses GNOME 50 with Wayland.
Therefore you'll have to change the
standard keyboard layout (us) via
Settings. That is when logged in to
the standard GNOME 50 Desktop. You can
- however - also log in to the GNOME
Flashback (Compiz) Desktop and
to the GNOME
Flashback (Metacity) Desktop.
Then you won't have Wayland.
Samba - connect to your Windows
computers
Samba is running all the time
so you can very easily reach your
Windows computers.
USB
installation
Read my USB INSTRUCTION.
Known issue
When using Calamares Installer in
VirtualBox you'll have to edit
/boot/grub/grub.cfg when the
installation is ready. You must remove
the word "splash" on the linux boot
line. Otherwise MeX won't boot. Watch
this screenshot...
Who can benefit from MeX?
All who like Debian/Ubuntu and want
a system that is easy to use and
maintain. And of course those who
want to create their own Ubuntu
26.04 LTS system in a very
simple way with Refracta
Snapshot. Regarding MeX also
those who want to run a Linux system
super fast from RAM and/or like to
run Linux from a USB flash drive.
And those who want a new
kernel -
7.0.0-rc5 - and one
the latest stable Kodi versions -
21.1.
Watch a
YouTube Video about MeX Linux...
DOWNLOAD
MeX
Linux can be downloaded
from SourceForge.net
- Fast, secure and free
downloads from the largest Open
Source applications and software
director.
md5sum
for MeX Linux ISO which is of 3490
MB.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other EXTON Linux Live
Systems in English
you
may like...
Almost all Exton Linux
distributions are hosted by The
Swedish Linux Society. Sixteen
(16) exton distributions can also be
downloaded from SourceForge.net
- Fast, secure and free
downloads from the largest Open
Source applications and software
directory.
READ MORE ABOUT each
distribution...
Contact
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Other considerations
Disclaimer: This is experimental
software. Use at your own risk.
Under no circumstances may C A Exton
or exton.net be held liable for
damage to hardware or software, lost
data or other damage either direct
or indirect caused by using this
software.
Connect With Me
MeX Linux >> PayPal
If you like MeX, please use the
button below...
Screenshot
1 - Calamares Installer running
Screenshot
2 - The user Desktop using GNOME 50
Screenshot
3 - The user Desktop using the GNOME
Flashback (Compiz) Desktop
Screenshot
4 - Showing a WiFi connection
Screenshot
5
- Showing some Kodi addons
Screenshot
6 - Showing some other Kodi
pre-installed addons
Screenshot
7
- MeX GDM3 login Screen
EXTON distributions:
The number of Exton distributions
has decreased from 66 (all time high
in June 2011) to 16. See a complete
LIST. It was a bit too much
for me to keep 66 distributions up
to date. All Exton distributions on
the Swedish Linux Society's FTP
Server can be reached HERE.
All exton distributions in English
(English locale) can also be dowloaded
from SourceForge.net.
UPGRADE packages to
latest VERSION
If you install MeX Linux to hard
disk you will always get the latest
package versions if you run the
following commands: sudo
apt-get update and then
sudo apt-get upgrade.
ABOUT wireless
configurations
Use Network Manager to configure
your wireless network. It works
perfect.
Android-x86
Custom
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, 4 and
3/2 at
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