MeX Linux Files

ABOUT MeX 64 bit Linux based on Debian "Sid" and upcoming Ubuntu 26.04 LTS with GNOME 50 and Kodi 21.1 Omega :: Build 260331

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. 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, which will be 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 50 "Tokyo" Desktop and Kodi 21.1 "Omega". 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 is that you can 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. 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. 
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: https://mex.exton.se/build-260331/mex-refractasnapshot-3-steps-260331.jpg

Used KERNEL 
Kernel 7.0.0-rc5-amd64-exton 

What's NEW in kernel 7.0? - https://9to5linux.com/linus-torvalds-announces-first-linux-kernel-7-0-release-candidate

The system language is ENGLISH. 

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. The password for the ordinary user user is live. You can also log in to the GNOME Desktop from GDM3 as root. The password for root is root. Watch a screenshot of the Desktop for root: https://mex.exton.se/build-260331/mex-root-desktop-260331.jpg
NOTE: While logged in to GNOME as root you won't have sound.

During the installation process (using Calamares Installer) you'll get the chance to create your own ordinary user. 

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 only 3490 MB! All packages have been updated to the latest available stable version as of March 31, 2026. 

INSTALLATION to hard drive
Note that you in advance (just in case) should create a partition of at least 40 GB for MeX 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 (Calamares Installer) is otherwise "intuitive". Choose manual partitioning and select the partition you created in advance for installation. In the end of the installation process you will get an error message. Just ignore it and shut down Calamares. Watch this screenshot: https://mex.exton.se/build-260331/mex-calamares-error-260331.jpg

ABOUT NetworkManager and WIRELESS configurations
Use NetworkManager to configure your wireless network. It works perfect. Screenshot: https://mex.exton.se/build-260331/mex-wifi-conn-260331.jpg

UPGRADE the GNOME Desktop and other packages
If you install MeX Linux to hard drive you will always get the latest package versions if you run the following commands: "sudo apt update" then "sudo apt upgrade". If you do that say every week you will probably not run into any problems. 

USB installation 
Read my instruction: https://mex.exton.se/mex-usb-persistent/ 
(About the best way to perform a USB installation).

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: https://mex.exton.se/build-260331/mex-calamares-edit-grub-260331.jpg

ALL EXTON DISTROS
Sixteen (16) OTHER Exton distributions you may like: 
All with English as System Language (locale). They can be downloaded from SourceForge.net - "Fast, secure and free downloads from the largest Open Source applications and software directory". 
READ MORE: https://www.exton.se/download/

READ ABOUT MY OTHER BUILDS WITH ANDROID
https://andex.exton.net - Run Android on PC's 
- latest is AndEX 11 (Android 11)
https://raspex.exton.se - Android for Raspberry Pi 
- latest is RaspAnd 16 (Android 16) - https://raspex.exton.se/raspand-16-android-16-for-raspberry-pi-5-with-gapps-google-play-store-spotify-and-bluetooth-pre-installed-build-260314/

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READ MORE about MeX Linux
https://mex.exton.se


exton /260331