AntiX Installation Flashdrive:- Modified for 32-bit UEFI tablet devices.
The AntiX Iso has 32-bit EFI grub installed. The standard flashdrive iso writing tools create a valid bootable flashdrive that works fine for the very vast majority of computers that I've tested it on. However, I've found one 32-bit UEFI tablet where the flashdrive boot fails. As this tablet doesn't have an internal EFI shell, the boot attempt just locks the tablet, requiring a hard reset.
I then prepared a flashdrive in the same way as the previous modified Linux Mint flashdrive. This flashdrive boots correctly on every 32-bit UEFI device tested.
I've rewritten the original writeup so that this can be used without the need to refer to the previous Linux Mint based one.
Purpose Of Writeup:
To provide a worked series of instructions on how to create a Antix Linux installation flashdrive for use with a 32-bit UEFI/64-bit CPU/SOC tablet.
The tablet installation is fully standard with only one additional requirement. This is the installation of 32-bit EFI Grub to the tablet's newly installed AntiX system.
The required 32-bit Grub Efi files are already provided, they just need to be installed into the running system.
The installation then boots, runs and updates as normal. I've also added an external shell EFI program.. Hopefully you won't need it, but it's very useful to have when you do.
Note: It is certainly possible to use an external USB drive (spinning rust or SSD). Basically, any read/write device that can be fitted into a USB caddy should be fine.
Be aware, an external mechanical drive will almost certainly need external power, either from it's own dedicated PSU or via a powered USB hub. This worked example uses a flashdrive. The process is identical for other devices.
A test installation was performed onto a Linx 10 tablet and two no-name generic 8" tablets. These are (64-bit SOC) Bay Trail devices with 32-bit UEFI firmware/BIOS.
For ease of installation, I used a 4 port USB hub, a USB keyboard and a USB trackball.
Overview:
The contents of the AntiX live Iso are extracted and copied to a pre-prepared flashdrive.
It is assumed here that the actual tablet processor is a 64-bit SOC (System-On-a-Chip, e.g. Bay Trail) or other discrete 64-bit processor.
It is possible to use the extra space on the flashdrive as an easy way to access extra files from the running Live system. Note: This is **not** "persistance". If you require this type of functionality then I would recommend that you perform a full installation of the system to the flashdrive directly. You could then update the flashdrive normally. Any specific installation from here would entail either a direct partition copy or a system filestructure copy to pre-prepared target partitions. Note: **Copies** of the partitions or filesystem **contents** are used.. Don't try to copy a running system. Specific details on either method on request.
I'll also assume that your Iso file is in your 'Downloads' directory. There is an optional (recommended) requirement to download a further file from Github. Ensure that both are saved in or moved to this location.
Note: The Root password for the Antix live environment is 'demo'.
Note: In the following terminal command lines, comments are shown within braces and are not to be entered. In the following, open a terminal or enter the line into the currently open terminal. Press 'enter' after each line.
e.g.
Code:
sudo su {Become root for all commands in this terminal until 'exit'.}
exit {Become a normal user again.}
exit {Close the terminal.}
To Work:
Download the External EFI Shell. 32 bit version.
Download this to your 'Downloads' directory. Rename the file to 'shell.efi'. You will copy this to /mnt later.
https://github.com/tianocore/edk2/bl...Ia32/Shell.efi
Rename 'Shell.efi' to 'shell.efi':
This is done because some early tablet Bios versions will only recognise the efi shell executable if its filename is fully lower case.
In a terminal on the host system.
Code:
mv ~/Downloads/Shell.efi ~/Downloads/shell.efi
Create The Flashdrive:
On the host system, install 32-bit EFI grub. This can be uninstalled later, if required.
Note: Here, I'm assuming that the host system is a Debian/Ubuntu/Mint system or derivative that uses 'apt' package management. Alter this to use your specific package manager as required.
Code:
sudo apt install grub-efi-ia32-bin
Plug in your flashdrive to the host system.
Most live Iso's already have 'gparted' installed, so run 'gparted' with:
If 'gparted' is not installed, then install it using your local package manager.
Select the flashdrive: 'Gparted', 'Devices' or using the drop down combo box near to the top right side.
If your laptop drive is detected as '/dev/sda' then the flashdrive will probably be '/dev/sdb'.
The size of the detected device is a good clue. e.g. an 8GB flashdrive is detected as 7.22 GiB (a slight difference in measurement methods..).
If your flashdrive has been used before or preformatted then you will probably find that it has been automounted. Unmount (disconnect from the running system) by right clicking on the partition box (or Partition/Filesystem info line, below.) and select 'Unmount'.
Note: Using a gpt partition here improves compatibility with some of the slightly "problematic" UEFI firmwares/Bios's that exist.
Now 'Device', 'Create Partition Table'. Chooses 'gpt' and apply.
'Partition' 'New'. In the 'Filesystem' box, change to 'fat32'. Now click on 'Add' button.
Click on the 'tick' (underneath 'Help') and 'Apply'.
When the operations have completed, right click on the 'fat32' filesystem. Click on 'Manage flags' and select 'boot' and 'esp'. Click on 'Close'.
Exit Gparted using 'Gparted, 'Quit'.
Transfer the installation Iso contents to the flashdrive:
Here, I'm going to use '/mnt' for the flashdrive and '/mnt1' for the Iso file.
Open a terminal and enter
Code:
sudo mkdir /mnt1 {Create a second working directory.}
sudo mount ~/Downloads/antiX-22_x64-full.iso /mnt1 {Using AntiX 22 here.}
sudo mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt {Mount the flashdrive to /mnt}
sudo rsync -a /mnt1/ /mnt {Copy the Iso contents to the flashdrive. At least one hidden file/directory exists..}
sync {This will take a few minutes. Wait for the command prompt to return.}
sudo cp ~/Downloads/shell.efi /mnt {Copy the external shell program to the flashdrive.}
sudo umount /mnt /mnt1 {Yes, the command is 'umount' **NOT** 'unmount'.}
Note: The flashdrive is a relatively slow device. When the command prompt returns (after entering the 'rsync' command), enter the 'sync' command. Now wait for the command prompt to return before proceeding. This ensures that all data has been written to the device correctly.
Power down, connect to tablet. Boot from the flashdrive.
Please see the accompanying AntiX installation notes. (coming shortly).
B.
