Rescatux 0.40 beta 9 released

Download, News, Rescatux, Rescatux, Rescatux Beta

Rescatux 0.40 beta 9 has been released.

Rescatux 0.40 beta 9 - New features - Easy GNU/Linux Boot Fix & Easy Windows Admin
Rescatux 0.40 beta 9 – New features – Easy GNU/Linux Boot Fix & Easy Windows Admin

Downloads:

Rescatux 0.40b9 size is about 671 Megabytes.

Some thoughts:

Putting aside the need for making sure USB automount is disabled and other burocratic tasks I think this release would be pretty similar to the next stable release.

This release comes with some exciting new features:

  • Easy GNU/Linux Boot Fix : This option combines three previous options of Rescapp into one: Force a filesystem check, update grub menus and finally restore grub into the mbr (or efi). At the same time it guides non technical savvy people to use this option because it’s under Boot (which it’s a new group of options).
  • Easy Windows Admin : This option provides you the ability to take back control of a Windows installation by the means of: Unlocking, promoting to Admin and blanking the password of a given Windows account.

Many code in the grub side and in the windows registry side has been rewritten so that these new features could be rewritten. As a consequence it will be easier to maintain Rescapp.

Finally the chntpw based options which modify the Windows registry now perform a backup of the Windows registry files in the unlikely case you want to undo some of the changes that Rescapp performs.

I guess that in the future there will be a feature to be able to restore such backups from Rescapp itself, but, let’s focus on releasing an stable release. It’s been a while since the last one.

UEFI feedback is still welcome. Specially if the Debian installation disks work for you but not the Rescatux ones.

 

Roadmap for Rescatux 0.40 stable release:

You can check the complete changelog with link to each one of the issues at: Rescatux 0.32-freeze roadmap which I’ll be reusing for Rescatux 0.40 stable release.

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • [#1364] Review Copyright notice
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2188] install-mbr : Windows 7 seems not to be fixed with it
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2190] debian-live. Include cpu detection and loopback cfg patches
  • (Fixed in: 0.40b8) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2193] bootinfoscript: Use it as a package
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2199] Btrfs support
  • (Closed in 0.40b1) [#2205] Handle different default sh script
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2217] chown root root on sudoers
  • [#2220] Make sure all the source code is available
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2221] Detect SAM file algorithm fails with directories which have spaces on them
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2227] Use chntpw 1.0-1 from Jessie
  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options
  • [#2233] Disable USB automount
  • (Fixed in 0.40b9) [#2236] chntpw based options need to be rewritten for reusing code
  • [#2239]https://www.supergrubdisk.org/wizard-step-put-rescatux-into-a-media/ suppose that the image is based on Super Grub2 Disk version and not Isolinux.The step about extracting iso inside an iso would not be longer needed. Update doc: Put Rescatux into a media for Isolinux based cd
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2259] Update bootinfoscript to the latest GIT version
  • (Fixed in: 0.40b9) [#2264] chntpw – Save prior registry files
  • (Fixed in: 0.40b9) [#2234] New option: Easy Grub fix
  • (Fixed in: 0.40b9) [#2235] New option: Easy Windows Admin

Fixed bugs (0.40b9):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b9) [#2236] chntpw based options need to be rewritten for reusing code
  • (Fixed in: 0.40b9) [#2264] chntpw – Save prior registry files
  • (Fixed in: 0.40b9) [#2234] New option: Easy Grub fix
  • (Fixed in: 0.40b9) [#2235] New option: Easy Windows Admin

Fixed bugs (0.40b8):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b8) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Improved bugs (0.40b7):

  • (Improved in 0.40b7) [#2192] UEFI boot support (Yes, again)

Improved bugs (0.40b6):

  • (Improved in 0.40b6) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b5):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b2):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support

Fixed bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options

Reopened bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Reopened in 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Fixed bugs (0.32b3):

  • (Fixed in 0.32b3) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Other fixed bugs (0.32b2):

  • Rescatux logo is not shown at boot
  • Boot entries are named “Live xxxx” instead of “Rescatux xxxx”

Fixed bugs (0.32b1):

  • Networking detection improved (fallback to network-manager-gnome)
  • Bottom bar does not have a shorcut to a file manager as it’s a common practice in modern desktops. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.
  • Double-clicking on directories on desktop opens Iceweasel (Firefox fork) instead of a file manager. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.

Improvements (0.32b1):

  • Super Grub2 Disk is no longer included. That makes easier to put the ISO to USB devices thanks to standard multiboot tools which support Debian Live cds.
  • Rescapp UI has been redesigned
    • Every option is at hand at the first screen.
    • Rescapp options can be scrolled. That makes it easier to add new options without bothering on final design.
    • Run option screen buttons have been rearranged to make it easier to read.
  • RazorQT has been replaced by LXDE which seems more mature. LXQT will have to wait.
  • WICD has been replaced by network-manager-gnome. That makes easier to connect to wired and wireless networks.
  • It is no longer based on Debian Unstable (sid) branch.

Distro facts:

  • Packages versions for this release can be found at Rescatux 0.40b9 packages.
  • It’s based mainly on Debian Jessie (Stable). Some packages are from Debian Unstable (sid).

 

Don’t forget that you can use:

Help Rescatux project:

I think we can expect four months maximum till the new stable Rescatux is ready. Helping on these tasks is appreciated:

  • Making a youtube video for the new options.
  • Make sure documentation for the new options is right.
  • Make snapshots for new options documentation so that they don’t lack images.

If you want to help please contact us here:

Thank you and happy download!

Rescatux 0.40 beta 8 released

Download, News, Rescatux, Rescatux, Rescatux Beta

Rescatux 0.40 beta 8 has been released.

Change Keyboard Layout - Rescatux 0.40b8 feature
Change Keyboard Layout – Rescatux 0.40b8 feature

Downloads:

Rescatux 0.40b8 size is about 671 Megabytes.

Some thoughts:

This release readds support for changing keyboard layout when starting Rescatux.

 

I want to thank Intrigeri from Tails project for his support. I will try to convert tails-greeter into a project suitable por other Debian Live based distros but it’s not an easy task.

UEFI feedback is still welcome. Specially if the Debian installation disks work for you but not the Rescatux ones.

 

Roadmap for Rescatux 0.40 stable release:

You can check the complete changelog with link to each one of the issues at: Rescatux 0.32-freeze roadmap which I’ll be reusing for Rescatux 0.40 stable release.

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • [#1364] Review Copyright notice
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2188] install-mbr : Windows 7 seems not to be fixed with it
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2190] debian-live. Include cpu detection and loopback cfg patches
  • (Fixed in: 0.40b8) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout
  • [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2193] bootinfoscript: Use it as a package
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2199] Btrfs support
  • (Closed in 0.40b1) [#2205] Handle different default sh script
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2217] chown root root on sudoers
  • [#2220] Make sure all the source code is available
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2221] Detect SAM file algorithm fails with directories which have spaces on them
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2227] Use chntpw 1.0-1 from Jessie
  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options
  • [#2233] Disable USB automount
  • [#2236] chntpw based options need to be rewritten for reusing code
  • [#2239]https://www.supergrubdisk.org/wizard-step-put-rescatux-into-a-media/suppose that the image is based on Super Grub2 Disk version and not Isolinux.The step about extracting iso inside an iso would not be longer needed.”>Update doc: Put Rescatux into a media for Isolinux based cd
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2259] Update bootinfoscript to the latest GIT version
  • [#2264] chntpw – Save prior registry files
  • [#2234] New option: Easy Grub fix
  • [#2235] New option: Easy Windows Admin

Fixed bugs (0.40b8):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b8) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Improved bugs (0.40b7):

  • (Improved in 0.40b7) [#2192] UEFI boot support (Yes, again)

Improved bugs (0.40b6):

  • (Improved in 0.40b6) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b5):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b2):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support

Fixed bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options

Reopened bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Reopened in 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Fixed bugs (0.32b3):

  • (Fixed in 0.32b3) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Other fixed bugs (0.32b2):

  • Rescatux logo is not shown at boot
  • Boot entries are named “Live xxxx” instead of “Rescatux xxxx”

Fixed bugs (0.32b1):

  • Networking detection improved (fallback to network-manager-gnome)
  • Bottom bar does not have a shorcut to a file manager as it’s a common practice in modern desktops. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.
  • Double-clicking on directories on desktop opens Iceweasel (Firefox fork) instead of a file manager. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.

Improvements (0.32b1):

  • Super Grub2 Disk is no longer included. That makes easier to put the ISO to USB devices thanks to standard multiboot tools which support Debian Live cds.
  • Rescapp UI has been redesigned
    • Every option is at hand at the first screen.
    • Rescapp options can be scrolled. That makes it easier to add new options without bothering on final design.
    • Run option screen buttons have been rearranged to make it easier to read.
  • RazorQT has been replaced by LXDE which seems more mature. LXQT will have to wait.
  • WICD has been replaced by network-manager-gnome. That makes easier to connect to wired and wireless networks.
  • It is no longer based on Debian Unstable (sid) branch.

Distro facts:

  • Packages versions for this release can be found at Rescatux 0.40b8 packages.
  • It’s based mainly on Debian Jessie (Stable). Some packages are from Debian Unstable (sid).

 

Don’t forget that you can use:

Help Rescatux project:

I think we can expect four months maximum till the new stable Rescatux is ready. Helping on these tasks is appreciated:

  • Making a youtube video for the new options.
  • Make sure documentation for the new options is right.
  • Make snapshots for new options documentation so that they don’t lack images.

If you want to help please contact us here:

Thank you and happy download!

Rescatux 0.40 beta 7 released

Download, News, Rescatux, Rescatux, Rescatux Beta

Rescatux 0.40 beta 7 has been released.

AFD Scanning technology in action
Rescatux 0.40b6 – AFD Scanning technology in action

Downloads:

Rescatux 0.40b7 size is about 608 Megabytes.

Some thoughts:

This release has minor fixes on UEFI boot. Some people had problems with Rescatux 0.40b6 not booting in UEFI mode (non secure boot UEFI mode). I suspect those people could be able to boot from Rescatux 0.40b5. So, now, they should be able to boot from Rescatux 0.40b7.

As I already mentioned in Rescatux 0.40b6 it does not support Secure boot yet. The reason is we are going to rely on the debian-cd team work inside Debian itself and they have not finished with it yet.

I am trying to polish this work so that it finally makes into Debian. It’s not obvious as it would seem originally with the current live-build framework based on bash. ( live-build UEFI boot support bug ).

If you have a UEFI boot-only system feedback is welcome. Specially if the Debian installation disks work for you but not the Rescatux ones.

 

Finally I want to make clear that we don’t support fixing specific UEFI issues yet from inside Rescapp native options. If you run the Restore Grub option and your Grub was originally setup in an EFI way it should probably fix it though.

You can also use boot-repair for UEFI issues, of course, which it’s included inside Rescatux, but that’s not supported by us.

 

Roadmap for Rescatux 0.40 stable release:

You can check the complete changelog with link to each one of the issues at: Rescatux 0.32-freeze roadmap which I’ll be reusing for Rescatux 0.40 stable release.

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • [#1364] Review Copyright notice
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2188] install-mbr : Windows 7 seems not to be fixed with it
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2190] debian-live. Include cpu detection and loopback cfg patches
  • (Reopened in: 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout
  • [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2193] bootinfoscript: Use it as a package
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2199] Btrfs support
  • (Closed in 0.40b1) [#2205] Handle different default sh script
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2217] chown root root on sudoers
  • [#2220] Make sure all the source code is available
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2221] Detect SAM file algorithm fails with directories which have spaces on them
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2227] Use chntpw 1.0-1 from Jessie
  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options
  • [#2233] Disable USB automount
  • [#2236] chntpw based options need to be rewritten for reusing code
  • [#2239]https://www.supergrubdisk.org/wizard-step-put-rescatux-into-a-media/suppose that the image is based on Super Grub2 Disk version and not Isolinux.The step about extracting iso inside an iso would not be longer needed.”>Update doc: Put Rescatux into a media for Isolinux based cd
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2259] Update bootinfoscript to the latest GIT version
  • [#2264] chntpw – Save prior registry files
  • [#2234] New option: Easy Grub fix
  • [#2235] New option: Easy Windows Admin

Improved bugs (0.40b7):

  • (Improved in 0.40b7) [#2192] UEFI boot support (Yes, again)

Improved bugs (0.40b6):

  • (Improved in 0.40b6) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b5):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b2):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support

Fixed bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options

Reopened bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Reopened in 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Fixed bugs (0.32b3):

  • (Fixed in 0.32b3) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Other fixed bugs (0.32b2):

  • Rescatux logo is not shown at boot
  • Boot entries are named “Live xxxx” instead of “Rescatux xxxx”

Fixed bugs (0.32b1):

  • Networking detection improved (fallback to network-manager-gnome)
  • Bottom bar does not have a shorcut to a file manager as it’s a common practice in modern desktops. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.
  • Double-clicking on directories on desktop opens Iceweasel (Firefox fork) instead of a file manager. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.

Improvements (0.32b1):

  • Super Grub2 Disk is no longer included. That makes easier to put the ISO to USB devices thanks to standard multiboot tools which support Debian Live cds.
  • Rescapp UI has been redesigned
    • Every option is at hand at the first screen.
    • Rescapp options can be scrolled. That makes it easier to add new options without bothering on final design.
    • Run option screen buttons have been rearranged to make it easier to read.
  • RazorQT has been replaced by LXDE which seems more mature. LXQT will have to wait.
  • WICD has been replaced by network-manager-gnome. That makes easier to connect to wired and wireless networks.
  • It is no longer based on Debian Unstable (sid) branch.

Distro facts:

  • Packages versions for this release can be found at Rescatux 0.40b7 packages.
  • It’s based mainly on Debian Jessie (Stable). Some packages are from Debian Unstable (sid).

 

Don’t forget that you can use:

Help Rescatux project:

I think we can expect four months maximum till the new stable Rescatux is ready. Helping on these tasks is appreciated:

  • Making a youtube video for the new options.
  • Make sure documentation for the new options is right.
  • Make snapshots for new options documentation so that they don’t lack images.

If you want to help please contact us here:

Thank you and happy download!

Happy Rescatux 2016 April Fools’ Day

News, Rescatux

(Note: If you are looking for the Super Grub2 Disk April Fools Day just check: Happy 2012 April Fools’ Day .)

The Rescatux 2016 April Fools’ Day joke in action

He, he, he! XD

If you have tried Rescatux 0.40b6 yesterday you will have noticed different than usual.

First of all a full screen window will tell you that you are doing something against the U.S.A. law. Yes, you are using a GNU GPL licensed software ! And it is forbidden, not this year actually but next year, but your computer is going to be blocked anyway. Who would have thought that the law agent would be ahead of their time! Because, yes, Software Industry jobs.

Here’s an snapshot of what I am saying:

Rescatux 2016 April Fools Day Screen 1
Rescatux 2016 April Fools Day Screen 1

Which I transcript (as it’s seen in 2016) here as:

Your computer has been locked!

This operating system is locked due to the violation of the federal laws of the United States of America!

(Article 2, Section 9, Clause 9; Article 303; Article 320 of the Criminal Code of U.S.A.

provides for a deprivation of liberty for one to four years.).

Following violations were detected:

* You are using Rescatux which its license is: GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE.

GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE has been totally forbidden since 2017

in order to protect our Software Industry jobs.

This computer lock is aimed to stop your illegal activity.

To unlock the computer you are obliged to pay a fine of $100.

You have 48 hours to pay the fine, otherwise you will be arrested.

Please click this text anywhere to learn about the different payment methods available.

This text has an FBI seal at the bottom of it to make it more credible. As you might have guessed this joke mokes up many ransomware virus that pretend to be your country police while acussing you of having child pornography (or alike) in your computer.

So if you click anywhere on the text in order to learn the different payment methods you get a HA HA screen which features the current year april fools day:

Rescatux 2016 April Fools Day - Screen 2
Rescatux 2016 April Fools Day – Screen 2

which I will also transcript for you:

Scared?

Happy 2016 April Fools’ Day !!!

Click anywhere to use Rescatux / Rescapp.

Some more facts about the joke:

  • In some screens the FBI seal gets cut. Unless someone submits a patch I’m not fixing it. Additionally, I think that a wrong implementation of the seal image adds to the joke. You know… We pay too much to the IRS so that the FBI can fight terrorism but, somehow, they are unable to pay someone so that their seal fits ok on any computer screen.
  • GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE is not forbidden but might be forbidden in a distopic future. Richard Stallman wrote The Right to Read around 1997 which describes a distopic world where it’s not so obvious to be able to read some books. If you check the article author’s notes you will notice that we might be living in such distopic world (or going towards it). If reading a book is in danger, why the GNU GPL won’t it be in the future? Think about it.
  • I wanted to make a joke about the Article, Section, Clause thing. You know, as if you opened the Laws book (not sure what it’s exact name) you could find Digital Millennium Copyright Act or a similar law, but I’m not sure what to put there. If you have any idea for this your feedback is welcome.
  • I tried to make the text to appear as legal as possible but if you know to improve it so that sounds like written by a lawyer please leave a comment.
  • You might know that, nowadays, many Software Industry jobs now are based around free software and open source. So it’s not likely that the Industry leaders will complot to forbid GNU GPL but, well, we have been reluctant about Microsoft embracing free software all of these years… why don’t just add another year?
  • Whenever the Tails greeter will be included I will try to feature 28 December (AFD for Spanish people) if you select an Spanish based language or country. Guardia Civil or Policia Nacional will be featured instead of the FBI in such case.
  • If you have an special AFD day in your country or a more official authority than FBI for you country please leave here your proposal.
  • AFD in AFD scanning technology stands for April Fools’ Day scanning technology. The only part of the computer system which it’s being scanned it’s the clock for the current date so that it can be compared to 1st of april.

Being serious

The pace of new media journalists

Once thing I have learnt (that I also learnt when releasing the AFD boot technology to the world) it’s that current technology journalists do not check the facts they are given.

But it’s not their fault actually. Our way of consuming new pieces of news has increased its pace. Sometimes, everything begins with a tweet, then a teaser article and finally an article.

If we swallow information how are we going able to taste it?

Great old paper magazines

Somehow, if you want something serious you need to gather the old paper based (or no longer paper based) monthly released GNU/Linux magazines where people are paid for writing articles.

These magazines might also make some errors (as a Rescatux 0.30 iso which was unbootable, so, nobody tried to boot it) but, usually, their articles are read by the author and the magazine editor.

Sometimes the article writer is the program developer too.

Rescatux 0.40 beta 6 was released two weeks ago

So, around two weeks ago (so that it was not so AFD obvious) I released Rescatux 0.40 beta 6 which among other features it had:

We also add AFD scanning technology to reduce user interface time based interactions while scanning the computer system.

This AFD scanning technology also had an image next to it.

AFD Scanning technology in action
AFD Scanning technology in action

it was the AFD Scanning technology in action. So… yes, I am trying to improve user interface time based interactions and I go lurking in the hard disk to show an image to the final user ? No way!

It’s a pity that nobody from the open source world has been interested in this new technology. A question on what this technology was about in the  mailing list would have been ideal.

If you take a look at the image you will see the FBI seal circumference copied several times with its yellow converted into blue (opposite colour).

Softpedia and their Rescatux 0.40 beta 6 article

So, I have a great relationship with Softpedia because not only they update my Super Grub2 Disk or Rescatux releases in their software directory. But usually they write articles about them.

The last one of them fits perfectly here because they only not picked the best title for it: Rescatux 0.40 Beta 6 System Rescue Live CD Introduces AFD Scanning Technology but they also copied the image where the AFD Scanning technology in action was shown.

So, they did not only check what they were publishing (a quick look at the commit would have been enough), but, also, were fooled by a rather stupid image of concentric spiky circles.

If you are used to debates you will find here an special appearence of the argument ad verecumdiam (argument of authority). So, the Softpedia guys could defend themselves by saying:

It was said by the Rescatux official webpage, so it had to be true!

As I said above, it was not actually their fault, they cannot double check everything they post online. Either they are the first ones on publishing the piece of news or other webpage will get the visits.

Not to say that many twitter accounts and media aggregator sites just reused the piece of news without checking or modifying it.

And who knows, maybe they were improving on the joke on purpose thanks to their authority on GNU/Linux news.

Actual impact

I have not found any mention of anyone mentioning this joke on social media. The Super Grub2 Disk one yes. So, probably Rescatux 0.40 beta 6 is not used so much. So, probably we will have to wait for next year (with a probable stable release) to find such reactions.

If you come from an April Fools Day from the future please leave your comment on how you lived the joke here so that we can have all of them in the same place.

Super Grub2 Disk stats in a random 2016 day

News, Super Grub2 Disk

I have choosen a random day from 2016 to generate some stats of Super Grub2 Disk usage (and their users). I could use some better stats from a longer period of time but being exact is not the purpose of this post.

Social networks

Unlike last year there has been no interaction from Google+.

Twitter (1),  yeah, some twits (2) can be found on twitter (3).

Video

There are people who watch old videos(4)  and new videos(5) on Youtube.

They happen to upload them into sendvid(6) too.

Reddit

Actually it was a subreddit (6).

Countries

  • Brasil (1)
  • (Probably) Brasil (6)
  • USA (2)
  • Germany (3), (5), (7)
  • Unknown (4)
  • Swaziland (8)
  • Italy (9)

Technology

Some people use flash disks (8) and some other chrome books (9). I guess many of them just use plain GNU/Linux (6).

 Summary

As you can see Super Grub2 Disk is being used daily on many parts of the globe on such distant places as Brasil, USA or even Swaziland. Given this year stats we could say that Germany is an IT country. You can learn that Chrome books are now among us. Hopefully many of the Super Grub2 Disk final users are young and will never need to ask for help.

See you next year!

Approximatively in a year I will redo the stats again so that we can compare with this year’s stats.

What happened last year?

If you want to check last year stats please check: Super Grub2 Disk stats in a random 2015 day.

Rescatux 0.40 beta 6 released

Download, News, Rescatux, Rescatux, Rescatux Beta

Rescatux 0.40 beta 6 has been released.

AFD Scanning technology in action
Rescatux 0.40b6 – AFD Scanning technology in action

Downloads:

Rescatux 0.40b6 size is about 603 Megabytes.

Some thoughts:

This release improves support for both 64-bit amd64 UEFI boot (avoids booting in blind mode problems) and 32-bit UEFI boot (not tested that one myself). It should be bootable from some Intel-based Mac Book (Pro) systems too. We also add AFD scanning technology to reduce user interface time based interactions while scanning the computer system. Finally some of the internal code has been updated to reflect the new repositories which are found in github rescatux’s organization.

So if you already have Rescatux 0.40b5 you do not need at all to download Rescatux 0.40b6 unless you are concerned about UEFI boot. Anyways it’s always nice for you to have the latest version so that you can give us feedback.

It does not support Secure boot yet. The reason is we are going to rely on the debian-cd team work inside Debian itself and they have not finished with it yet.

I am trying to polish this work so that it finally makes into Debian. It’s not obvious as it would seem originally with the current live-build framework based on bash. ( live-build UEFI boot support bug ).

If you have a UEFI boot-only system feedback is welcome. Specially if the Debian installation disks work for you but not the Rescatux ones.

 

Finally I want to make clear that we don’t support fixing specific UEFI issues yet from inside Rescapp native options. If you run the Restore Grub option and your Grub was originally setup in an EFI way it should probably fix it.

You can also use boot-repair for UEFI issues, of course, which it’s included inside Rescatux, but that’s not supported by us.

 

Roadmap for Rescatux 0.40 stable release:

You can check the complete changelog with link to each one of the issues at: Rescatux 0.32-freeze roadmap which I’ll be reusing for Rescatux 0.40 stable release.

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • [#1364] Review Copyright notice
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2188] install-mbr : Windows 7 seems not to be fixed with it
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2190] debian-live. Include cpu detection and loopback cfg patches
  • (Reopened in: 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout
  • [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2193] bootinfoscript: Use it as a package
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2199] Btrfs support
  • (Closed in 0.40b1) [#2205] Handle different default sh script
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2217] chown root root on sudoers
  • [#2220] Make sure all the source code is available
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2221] Detect SAM file algorithm fails with directories which have spaces on them
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2227] Use chntpw 1.0-1 from Jessie
  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options
  • [#2233] Disable USB automount
  • [#2236] chntpw based options need to be rewritten for reusing code
  • [#2239]https://www.supergrubdisk.org/wizard-step-put-rescatux-into-a-media/suppose that the image is based on Super Grub2 Disk version and not Isolinux.The step about extracting iso inside an iso would not be longer needed.”>Update doc: Put Rescatux into a media for Isolinux based cd
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2259] Update bootinfoscript to the latest GIT version
  • [#2264] chntpw – Save prior registry files
  • [#2234] New option: Easy Grub fix
  • [#2235] New option: Easy Windows Admin

Improved bugs (0.40b6):

  • (Improved in 0.40b6) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b5):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b2):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support

Fixed bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options

Reopened bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Reopened in 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Fixed bugs (0.32b3):

  • (Fixed in 0.32b3) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Other fixed bugs (0.32b2):

  • Rescatux logo is not shown at boot
  • Boot entries are named “Live xxxx” instead of “Rescatux xxxx”

Fixed bugs (0.32b1):

  • Networking detection improved (fallback to network-manager-gnome)
  • Bottom bar does not have a shorcut to a file manager as it’s a common practice in modern desktops. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.
  • Double-clicking on directories on desktop opens Iceweasel (Firefox fork) instead of a file manager. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.

Improvements (0.32b1):

  • Super Grub2 Disk is no longer included. That makes easier to put the ISO to USB devices thanks to standard multiboot tools which support Debian Live cds.
  • Rescapp UI has been redesigned
    • Every option is at hand at the first screen.
    • Rescapp options can be scrolled. That makes it easier to add new options without bothering on final design.
    • Run option screen buttons have been rearranged to make it easier to read.
  • RazorQT has been replaced by LXDE which seems more mature. LXQT will have to wait.
  • WICD has been replaced by network-manager-gnome. That makes easier to connect to wired and wireless networks.
  • It is no longer based on Debian Unstable (sid) branch.

Distro facts:

  • Packages versions for this release can be found at Rescatux 0.40b6 packages.
  • It’s based mainly on Debian Jessie (Stable). Some packages are from Debian Unstable (sid).

 

Don’t forget that you can use:

Help Rescatux project:

I think we can expect four months maximum till the new stable Rescatux is ready. Helping on these tasks is appreciated:

  • Making a youtube video for the new options.
  • Make sure documentation for the new options is right.
  • Make snapshots for new options documentation so that they don’t lack images.

If you want to help please contact us here:

Thank you and happy download!

Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s4 released

News, Super Grub2 Disk

Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s4 stable is here.

Super GRUB2 Disk is a live cd that helps you to boot into most any Operating System (OS) even if you cannot boot into it by normal means.

A new stable release

The former Super Grub2 Disk stable release was 2.00s3 version and released on May 2015 (10 months ago) . New features or changes since previous stable version are:

  • Using upstream grub-2.02-beta3 tag as the new base for Super Grub2 Disk’s grub.
    If Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s3 let you boot into your OS but Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s4 does not let you boot into your OS please report it so that we can report it back to the grub team which tries to release a Grub 2.02 stable release.
  • Major improvement in Windows OS detection (based on BCD) Windows Vista, 7, …
    That means that even if Windows 7 is alone in the hard disk (with no GNU/Linux) it will now be detected and you will be able to boot it if the partition boot record is ok. The fix was trivial, take into account that ntfs is case sensitive but, somehow, not enough people had complained about it. So, please, if something it’s not working as expected report it.
  • Major improvement in Windows OS detection (based on ntldr) Windows XP, 2000, …
    Same explanation as per Windows 7 but applied to Windows XP.
Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s4 - Windows 7 detected
Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s4 – Windows 7 detected

We are going to see which are the complete Super Grub2 Disk features with a demo video, where you can download it, the thank you – hall of fame and some thoughts about the Super Grub2 Disk development.

Please do not forget to read our howtos so that you can have step by step guides (how to make a cdrom or an usb, how to boot from it, etc) on how to use Super Grub2 Disk and, if needed, Rescatux.

Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s4 main menu
Super Grub2 Disk 2.02s3 main menu

Tour

Here there is a little video tour in order to discover most of Super Grub2 Disk options. The rest of the options you will have to discover them by yourself.

Features

Most of the features here will let you boot into your Operating Systems. The rest of the options will improve the Super Grub2 Disk operating systems autodetecting (enable RAID, LVM, etc.) or will deal with minor aspects of the user interface (Colours, language, etc.).

  • Change the language UI
  • Translated into several languages
    • Spanish / Español
    • German / Deutsch
    • French / Français
    • Italian / Italiano
    • Malay / Bahasa Melayu
Super Grub2 Disk 2.01 rc2 Spanish Main Menu
Super Grub2 Disk 2.01 rc2 Spanish Main Menu
  • Detect and show boot methods option to detect most Operating Systems
Super Grub2 Disk 2.01 beta 3 Everything menu making use of grub.cfg extract entries option functionality
Super Grub2 Disk 2.01 beta 3 – Everything menu making use of grub.cfg extract entries option functionality
  • Enable all native disk drivers *experimental* to detect most Operating Systems also in special devices or filesystems
  • Boot manually
    • Operating Systems
    • grub.cfg – Extract entries

      Super Grub2 Disk 2.01 beta 3 grub.cfg Extract entries option
      Super Grub2 Disk 2.01 beta 3 grub.cfg Extract entries option
    • grub.cfg – (GRUB2 configuration files)
    • menu.lst – (GRUB legacy configuration files)
    • core.img – (GRUB2 installation (even if mbr is overwritten))
    • Disks and Partitions (Chainload)
    • Bootable ISOs (in /boot-isos or /boot/boot-isos
  • Extra GRUB2 functionality
    • Enable GRUB2’s LVM support
    • Enable GRUB2’s RAID support
    • Enable GRUB2’s PATA support (to work around BIOS bugs/limitation)
    • Mount encrypted volumes (LUKS and geli)
    • Enable serial terminal
  • Extra Search functionality
    • Search in floppy ON/OFF
    • Search in CDROM ON/OFF
  • List Devices / Partitions
  • Color ON /OFF
  • Exit
    • Halt the computer
    • Reboot the computer

Supported Operating Systems

Excluding too custom kernels from university students Super Grub2 Disk can autodetect and boot most every Operating System. Some examples are written here so that Google bots can see it and also to make more confident the final user who searchs his own special (according to him) Operating System.

  • Windows
    • Windows Vista/7/8/8.1
    • Windows NT/2000/XP
    • Windows 98/ME
    • MS-DOS
    • FreeDOS
  • GNU/Linux
    • Direct Kernel with autodetected initrd
      Super Grub2 Disk - Detect any Operating System - Linux kernels detected screenshot
      Super Grub2 Disk – Detect any Operating System – Linux kernels detected
      • vmlinuz-*
      • linux-*
      • kernel-genkernel-*
    • Debian / Ubuntu / Mint
    • Mageia
    • Fedora / CentOS / Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
    • openSUSE / SuSE Linux Enterpsise Server (SLES)
    • Arch
    • Any many, many, more.
  • FreeBSD
    • FreeBSD (single)
    • FreeBSD (verbose)
    • FreeBSD (no ACPI)
    • FreeBSD (safe mode)
    • FreeBSD (Default boot loader)
  • EFI files
  • Mac OS X/Darwin 32bit or 64bit
Super Grub2 Disk 2.00s2 rc4 Mac OS X entries
Super Grub2 Disk 2.00s2 rc4 Mac OS X entries (Image credit to: Smx)

Support for different hardware platforms

Before this release we only had the hybrid version aimed at regular pcs. Now with the upcoming new EFI based machines you have the EFI standalone versions among others. What we don’t support is booting when secure boot is enabled.

  • Most any PC thanks to hybrid version (i386, x86_64, x86_64-efi) (ISO)
  • EFI x86_64 standalone version (EFI)
  • Additional Floppy, CD and USB in one download (ISO)
    • i386-pc
    • x86_64-efi

Known bugs

  • Non English translations are not completed
  • Enable all native disk drivers *experimental* crashes Virtualbox randomly

Supported Media

  • Compact Disk – Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) / DVD
  • Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices
  • Floppy (1.98s1 version only)

Downloads

Recommended download (Floppy, CD & USB in one) (Valid for i386, x86_64, and x86_64-efi):

Super Grub2 Disk 2.01 rc2 Main Menu
Super Grub2 Disk 2.01 rc2 Main Menu

 

 

 

 

 

EFI x86_64 standalone version:

CD & USB in one downloads:

About other downloads. As this is the first time I develop Super Grub2 Disk out of source code (well, probably not the first time, but the first time in ages) I have not been able to build these other downloads: coreboot, i386-efi, i386-pc, ieee1275, x86_64-efi, standalone coreboot, standalone i386-efi, standalone ieee1275. Help is welcome on this subject.

 

Source code:

Everything (All binary releases and source code):

Hashes

In order to check the former downloads you can either check the download directory page for this release

or you can check checksums right here:

MD5SUMS

dcb779162fad41805839f709897f8c9e super_grub2_disk_hybrid_2.02s4.iso
aa5c41e32554f9e5150f70e0fa621d80 super_grub2_disk_i386_pc_2.02s4.iso
48c7a8464543d783936cf92656bf4b5f super_grub2_disk_standalone_x86_64_efi_2.02s4.EFI
91e81de1e92d3364026823a722d050b7 super_grub2_disk_x86_64_efi_2.02s4.iso

SHA1SUMS

6fed370c439d298d64aa99bf10d0ffc8d078de5e super_grub2_disk_hybrid_2.02s4.iso
cde22454c213d050c96643e4d93d45f7592bc2d5 super_grub2_disk_i386_pc_2.02s4.iso
41e5de11fea74ce2ba7a543be3a00ecb6d8f2333 super_grub2_disk_standalone_x86_64_efi_2.02s4.EFI
e3864e1a8b41021a38885f8bfba5dc57f0ec323d super_grub2_disk_x86_64_efi_2.02s4.iso

SHA256SUMS

a60bc71148e3f8f669ba2a131c4bc1352e0f34164f1f0ddae695462ad6f9ae7b super_grub2_disk_hybrid_2.02s4.iso
d2fc6346885ef2aa96360f288b6fc3f3c8c2880c8f7e86bdf60d77a65958a6e9 super_grub2_disk_i386_pc_2.02s4.iso
009092adcd4af6eaca051873d87976684be8142ec5dfb6cccb843ad6e001fe5a super_grub2_disk_standalone_x86_64_efi_2.02s4.EFI
d6cbddfd762db93ef03b374700bed061fd2a50a8d8523272cba8804b7833952d super_grub2_disk_x86_64_efi_2.02s4.iso

Changelog (since former 2.00s2 stable release)

Changes since 2.02s3 version:

  • Using upstream grub-2.02-beta3 tag as the new base for Super Grub2 Disk’s grub.
  • Major improvement in Windows OS detection (based on BCD) Windows Vista, 7, …
  • Major improvement in Windows OS detection (based on ntldr) Windows XP, 2000, …

Changes since 2.02s2 beta 1 version:

  • (Devel)    grub-mkstandalone was deleted because we no longer use it
  • Updated (and added) Copyright notices for 2015
  • New option: ‘Disks and Partitions (Chainload)’ adapted from Smx work
  • Many files were rewritten so that they only loop between devices that actually need to be searched into.
    This enhacement will make Super Grub2 Disk faster.
  • Remove Super Grub2 Disk own devices from search by default. Added an option to be able to enable/disable the Super Grub2 Disk own devices search.

2.02s2 beta 1 changelog:

  • Updated grub 2.02 build to commit: 8e5bc2f4d3767485e729ed96ea943570d1cb1e45
  • Updated documentation for building Super Grub2 Disk
  • Improvement on upstream grub (d29259b134257458a98c1ddc05d2a36c677ded37 – test: do not stop after first file test or closing bracket) will probably make Super Grub2 Disk run faster.
  • Added new grub build scripts so that Super Grub2 Disk uses its own built versions of grub and not the default system / distro / chroot one.
  • Ensure that Mac OS X entries are detected ok thanks to Users dir. This is because Grub2 needs to emulate Mac OS X kernel so that it’s detected as a proper boot device on Apple computers.
  • Thanks to upstream grub improvement now Super Grub2 Disk supports booting in EFI mode when booted from a USB device / hard disk. Actually SG2D was announced previously to boot from EFI from a USB device while it only booted from a cdrom.

2.02s1 beta 1 changelog:

  • Added new option: “Enable all native disk drivers” so that you can try to load: SATA, PATA and USB hard disks (and their partitions) as native disk drives. This is experimental.
  • Removed no longer needed options: “Enable USB” and “Enable PATA”.
  • “Search floppy” and “Search cdrom” options were moved into “Extra GRUB2 functionality menu”. At the same time “Extra Search functionality” menu was removed.
  • Added new straight-forward option: “Enable GRUB2’s RAID and LVM support”.
  • “List devices/partitions” was renamed to “Print devices/partitions”.
  • “Everything” option was renamed to “Detect and show boot methods”.
  • “Everything +” option was removed to avoid confusions.
  • Other minor improvements in the source code.
  • Updated translation files. Now most translations are pending.
  • Updated INSTALL instructions.

Finally you can check all the detailed changes at our GIT commits.

If you want to translate into your language please check TRANSLATION file at source code to learn how to translate into your language.

Thank you – Hall of fame

I want to thank in alphabetical order:

  • bfree (Niall Wash): For his work in rethinking how Super Grub2 Disk grub script might be rewritten although we never used that code. For adding code for EFI chainloader, helping on building and testing Super Grub2 Disk EFI releases.
  • Jordan_U (Jordan Uggla) (jordan.uggla AT gmail DOT com): For his work in rewriting Lua Super Grub2 Disk into new Grub2 scripting. Also for his work in translation system based on gettext and po. And also I want to thank him for all this work in Super Grub2 Disk in many many ways.
  • nox (Juergen Lock) (nox AT freebsd DOT org): For his work in fixing *BSD boot entries and helping adding new *BSD boot entries and testing.
  • Smx (Stefano): For his Mac OS X / Darwin boot fixes and testing. He has also worked in redesigning some of the menues and probably his work will be included in next Super Grub2 Disk versions. He has also worked in a keyboard selection menu on his own too. That will be also included in next versions.

The person who writes this article is adrian15 and is proud of being responsible among other things for the rewriting of options as if they were libraries. And also for the User Interface (UI) complete redesign.

And I cannot forget about thanking bTactic, the enterprise where I work at and that hosts our site.

Some thoughts about Super Grub2 Disk development

Super Grub2 Disk development ideas

I don’t know when but I plan to readapt some scripts from os-prober. That will let us detect more operating systems. Not sure when though. I mean, it’s not something that worries me because it does not affect too many final users. But, well, it’s something new that I hadn’t thought about.

Again, please send us feedback on what you think it’s missing on Super Grub2 Disk.

Rescatux development

I want to focus on Rescatux development on the next months so that we have an stable release before the end of 2016. It’s a shame because last time I predicted July 2015. But, well, I don’t want to maintain many forks myself. That’s why I want to contribute some of these subprojects (E.g. UEFI support on Debian Live) to Debian properly and that takes some time.

(adrian15 speaking)

Getting help on using Super Grub2 Disk

More information about Super Grub2 Disk

Rescatux 0.40 beta 5 released

Download, News, Rescatux, Rescatux, Rescatux Beta

Rescatux 0.40 beta 5 has been released.

Rescatux 0.40b2 - New GPT options. Gptsync. Recompute CHS. Check bios_grub partition.
Rescatux 0.40b2 – New GPT options: Gptsync. Recompute CHS. Check bios_grub partition.

Downloads:

Rescatux 0.40b5 size is about 603 Megabytes.

Some thoughts:

This release adds support for both 64-bit amd64 UEFI boot (most common) and 32-bit UEFI boot (not tested that one myself). It should be bootable from some Intel-based Mac Book (Pro) systems too.

It does not support Secure boot yet. The reason is we are going to rely on the debian-cd team work inside Debian itself and they have not finished with it yet.

I am pushing this work into Debian so that live-build has UEFI boot support by default.

If you have a UEFI boot-only system feedback is welcome. Specially if the Debian installation disks work for you but not the Rescatux ones.

 

This was possible thanks to the great feedback from prolinux.de (it’s the only community where I gather quite useful feedback on their comments) which had made me think about reconsidering UEFI boot support and, even if possible, Secure boot support.

Finally I want to make clear that we don’t support fixing specific UEFI issues yet from inside Rescapp native options. If you run the Restore Grub option and your Grub was originally setup in an EFI way it should probably fix it.

You can also use boot-repair for UEFI issues, of course, which it’s included inside Rescatux, but that’s not supported by us.

 

Roadmap for Rescatux 0.40 stable release:

You can check the complete changelog with link to each one of the issues at: Rescatux 0.32-freeze roadmap which I’ll be reusing for Rescatux 0.40 stable release.

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • [#1364] Review Copyright notice
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2188] install-mbr : Windows 7 seems not to be fixed with it
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2190] debian-live. Include cpu detection and loopback cfg patches
  • (Reopened in: 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout
  • [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2193] bootinfoscript: Use it as a package
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2199] Btrfs support
  • (Closed in 0.40b1) [#2205] Handle different default sh script
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2217] chown root root on sudoers
  • [#2220] Make sure all the source code is available
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2221] Detect SAM file algorithm fails with directories which have spaces on them
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2227] Use chntpw 1.0-1 from Jessie
  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options
  • [#2233] Disable USB automount
  • [#2236] chntpw based options need to be rewritten for reusing code
  • [#2239]https://www.supergrubdisk.org/wizard-step-put-rescatux-into-a-media/suppose that the image is based on Super Grub2 Disk version and not Isolinux.The step about extracting iso inside an iso would not be longer needed.”>Update doc: Put Rescatux into a media for Isolinux based cd
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2259] Update bootinfoscript to the latest GIT version
  • [#2264] chntpw – Save prior registry files
  • [#2234] New option: Easy Grub fix
  • [#2235] New option: Easy Windows Admin

Fixed bugs (0.40b5):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b5) [#2192] UEFI boot support

Fixed bugs (0.40b2):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support

Fixed bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options

Reopened bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Reopened in 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Fixed bugs (0.32b3):

  • (Fixed in 0.32b3) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Other fixed bugs (0.32b2):

  • Rescatux logo is not shown at boot
  • Boot entries are named “Live xxxx” instead of “Rescatux xxxx”

Fixed bugs (0.32b1):

  • Networking detection improved (fallback to network-manager-gnome)
  • Bottom bar does not have a shorcut to a file manager as it’s a common practice in modern desktops. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.
  • Double-clicking on directories on desktop opens Iceweasel (Firefox fork) instead of a file manager. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.

Improvements (0.32b1):

  • Super Grub2 Disk is no longer included. That makes easier to put the ISO to USB devices thanks to standard multiboot tools which support Debian Live cds.
  • Rescapp UI has been redesigned
    • Every option is at hand at the first screen.
    • Rescapp options can be scrolled. That makes it easier to add new options without bothering on final design.
    • Run option screen buttons have been rearranged to make it easier to read.
  • RazorQT has been replaced by LXDE which seems more mature. LXQT will have to wait.
  • WICD has been replaced by network-manager-gnome. That makes easier to connect to wired and wireless networks.
  • It is no longer based on Debian Unstable (sid) branch.

Distro facts:

  • Packages versions for this release can be found at Rescatux 0.40b2 packages.
  • It’s based mainly on Debian Jessie (Stable). Some packages are from Debian Unstable (sid).

 

Don’t forget that you can use:

Help Rescatux project:

I think we can expect four months maximum till the new stable Rescatux is ready. Helping on these tasks is appreciated:

  • Making a youtube video for the new options.
  • Make sure documentation for the new options is right.
  • Make snapshots for new options documentation so that they don’t lack images.

If you want to help please contact us here:

Thank you and happy download!

Rescatux 0.40 beta 2 released

Download, News, Rescatux, Rescatux, Rescatux Beta, , , , ,

Rescatux 0.40 beta 2 has been released.

Rescatux 0.40b2 - New GPT options. Gptsync. Recompute CHS. Check bios_grub partition.
Rescatux 0.40b2 – New GPT options: Gptsync. Recompute CHS. Check bios_grub partition.

Downloads:

Rescatux 0.40b2 size is about 596 Megabytes.

Some thoughts:

This release adds support for a separated /usr in case that the GNU/Linux distribution uses UsrMerge. This is again is a another feature in order to be able to support completely the Fedora, CentOS, RHEL and alike distributions.

Additionally there are three new features related to GPT support:

  • Gptsync – Create Hybrid MBR
  • Recompute Hybrid GPT/MBR CHS
  • Check bios_grub partition on GPT

Finally on the technical side the gdisk package has been added and support of gpt partitions by default has been checked thanks to newest fdisk binary on Jessie that now can detect GPT partitions ok.

Although some of these GPT features are useful in some scenarios where you use old OSes that do not understand GPT partition tables but only MBR partition tables in most of the cases you won’t need to use them. Probably the most useful option would be the Check bios_grub partition on GPT which could be useful in those cases where there is a GPT partition table but, somehow, you don’t manage to install grub-efi package (Maybe because the machine is not EFI but has a GPT hard disk.) That option will encourage you to create a bios_grub partition for you to be able to install grub-pc package finally. But, once again, if possible try to install grub-efi package instead.

The great feedback from prolinux.de (it’s the only community where I gather quite useful feedback on their comments) have made me think about reconsidering UEFI boot support and, even if possible, Secure boot support.

I don’t want to support Secure boot support because of ethics but that means in practice that less people would be able to use Rescatux (more easily) in order to fix their systems. And, well, I would probably add Secure boot support to Super Grub2 Disk too. Although in that later case I’m not sure if it makes sense.

I have also noticed that the current SElinux support on Rescatux needs to be improved because, e.g. I cannot install the ssh program in it while running because of context issues. It might be a problem of Debian Jessie ssh package but I think it’s a problem on how the aufs mount in the disk is being done. This is more an issue on Debian Live accepting SELinux support patch than on Rescatux not working ok on SELinux systems. It actually works quite nicely on them.

Roadmap for Rescatux 0.40 stable release:

You can check the complete changelog with link to each one of the issues at: Rescatux 0.32-freeze roadmap which I’ll be reusing for Rescatux 0.40 stable release.

  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • [#1364] Review Copyright notice
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2188] install-mbr : Windows 7 seems not to be fixed with it
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2190] debian-live. Include cpu detection and loopback cfg patches
  • (Reopened in: 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout
  • [#2192] UEFI boot support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2193] bootinfoscript: Use it as a package
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2199] Btrfs support
  • (Closed in 0.40b1) [#2205] Handle different default sh script
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2217] chown root root on sudoers
  • [#2220] Make sure all the source code is available
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2221] Detect SAM file algorithm fails with directories which have spaces on them
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2227] Use chntpw 1.0-1 from Jessie
  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options
  • [#2233] Disable USB automount
  • [#2236] chntpw based options need to be rewritten for reusing code
  • [#2239]https://www.supergrubdisk.org/wizard-step-put-rescatux-into-a-media/suppose that the image is based on Super Grub2 Disk version and not Isolinux.The step about extracting iso inside an iso would not be longer needed.”>Update doc: Put Rescatux into a media for Isolinux based cd
  • (Fixed in: 0.32b2) [#2259] Update bootinfoscript to the latest GIT version
  • [#2264] chntpw – Save prior registry files
  • [#2234] New option: Easy Grub fix
  • [#2235] New option: Easy Windows Admin

Fixed bugs (0.40b2):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#1323] GPT support
  • (Fixed in 0.40b2) [#2216] Verify separated /usr support

Fixed bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Fixed in 0.40b1) [#2231] SElinux support on chroot options

Reopened bugs (0.40b1):

  • (Reopened in 0.40b1) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Fixed bugs (0.32b3):

  • (Fixed in 0.32b3) [#2191] Change Keyboard layout

Other fixed bugs (0.32b2):

  • Rescatux logo is not shown at boot
  • Boot entries are named “Live xxxx” instead of “Rescatux xxxx”

Fixed bugs (0.32b1):

  • Networking detection improved (fallback to network-manager-gnome)
  • Bottom bar does not have a shorcut to a file manager as it’s a common practice in modern desktops. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.
  • Double-clicking on directories on desktop opens Iceweasel (Firefox fork) instead of a file manager. Fixed when falling back to LXDE.

Improvements (0.32b1):

  • Super Grub2 Disk is no longer included. That makes easier to put the ISO to USB devices thanks to standard multiboot tools which support Debian Live cds.
  • Rescapp UI has been redesigned
    • Every option is at hand at the first screen.
    • Rescapp options can be scrolled. That makes it easier to add new options without bothering on final design.
    • Run option screen buttons have been rearranged to make it easier to read.
  • RazorQT has been replaced by LXDE which seems more mature. LXQT will have to wait.
  • WICD has been replaced by network-manager-gnome. That makes easier to connect to wired and wireless networks.
  • It is no longer based on Debian Unstable (sid) branch.

Distro facts:

  • Packages versions for this release can be found at Rescatux 0.40b2 packages.
  • It’s based mainly on Debian Jessie (Stable). Some packages are from Debian Unstable (sid).

Feedback welcome:

Did you ever complain because of not being able to write in your own keyboard layout when asking for help in the integrated chat? Don’t miss your chance on testing if it works ok for your language and report us feedback !!!

Don’t forget that you can use:

Help Rescatux project:

I think we can expect four months maximum till the new stable Rescatux is ready. Helping on these tasks is appreciated:

  • Making a youtube video for the new options.
  • Make sure documentation for the new options is right.
  • Make snapshots for new options documentation so that they don’t lack images.

If you want to help please contact us here:

Thank you and happy download!