Totally Built Linux Distro Files

Welcome to Totally Built Linux Distro

new pre-releases: 12/17/2024 src11+wifi  2/14/2025 src15  7/14/2025 src16

      Build all of a light linux distro non-stop and no buildfails "with
      just a few commands"; including live USB created, that can run
      firefox.

      Current Build Time: 2.7 to 4.7 hours* on an iCore7 using -j8  srcN

      It's all automatic from Termcap to Gtk-4 and making new USB, it's
      new enough run firefox 44-130 and Mathematica 4-14. Minimal
      commandlines and configuration required; just a few in itself.

        . add only 1-2 hr to rolling  two srcN  simultaneously -j4
        * add optional llvm mesa-24+intel ffmpeg+intel gkt4  ~ 1 hr -j8
        . may ways to reduce time if needed

  ...............
  Downloads !  get:  basis chroot, sources, src16 (the build script and list)

  comp.2.11.2.tar.gz         comp.2.25.tar.gz

  sources-all.tar  sources-src14-additional.tar  sources-src16-additional.tar
                                                 sources-src16-5thtoe.tar

  src16-32G-gpt-2025.usb.gz  tbld-src16-2025.tar.gz  README.build-0.2

  -> 2025-News has a rundown on latest goings on as to features
  -> README.build-0.2 has INSTALL directions, the one in srcN is out-of-date

  -> src16 is "current stable" it can run firefox-131 Mathematica-14
     on nVidia (gtx 1050) or iCore7 UDH 770.


	...............
        Sources   sources-all.tar

        Goes in /mnt-src/usr/src/dl. About 500 apps and some more than 1 ver
        of.  3.5G Except for procps-2.5 Motif-2.5.1 these are same as obtained
        anywhere.  This single tar contains src for all builds srcN.  The mnt
        is done read-only for safety of human rm misconceptions.  Note: edit
        src11/mnt-disk.conf to tell tbld which dev is /mnt-src, see HOWTO below
        5thtoe does not include all optionals it strives to include a few
        and also small depends so that large optionals are not a pain to dl.

	...............
        Chroot for starting all build

        /usr/local/comp.2.11.2/ Required, the USB comp/bins are not tested
        for starting builds (may need fixes). comp.2.11.2 is a copy of
        chroot1 from src20 exactly. comp.2.25 is used vicariously in some
        builds (src11) perhaps not required, it insures builds don't depend
        too much on 2.11.2 verbatim.

	...............
        USB suggested but optional

        src11 is NEWEST and suggested to have one. Roughly 1.4 GB.
        Older motherboard UEFI may not recognize gpt-EFI. Newer motherboard
        UEFI may not recognize vfat-EFI, thus: src11-16G-vfat-2024.usb.gz
        Even if you don't boot it is good to have as reference and bin.

	...............
        TBLD scripts: required  (tbld-src11-2024)

     -> src11 is the newer than 12 (are not by highest N, see list below)

        Goes in /usr/local/src11. ~4 Megabytes (build script and configs)
        each. src11 is on src11 USB. Each of src{20,21,9,12,10,11} are
        equally built from src9 or src11 usb with other dl required
        tbld-src11-2024.tar.gz

	...............
        Optional Downloads

        FILE: jdk1.8.0_271.tar.gz  has been removed.
              because I found Oracle keeps old versions.
        8 (1.8) is 32bit despite url/filename
          .  src20/21 used it with ff qt, note jdk-24 may cause errors for
        Oracle Java jdk-24 is 64, on src16 (runs most? jdk1.8 demos)
          . demos/jfc/SwingSet2 gui obviously xorg accelerated gui demo
          . demos/Notepad and Stylepad accelerated and no typing lag

        FILE: linux-firmware-20230515-brief.tar.gz
        Contains WiFi support and is already on tbld live USB.
        Goes in /mnt-src/usr/src/dl/ and is not in sources-all.tar
        FILE is used by make-usb if present.

        __________________________

        Totally Built Linux Distro is built for Intel iCore2

        src11 allows Firefox-99/130 binary to run: get ff from
        http://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/ src11 USB can will ff for you if the
        USB can get on internet by eth0

        see README about NVIDIA (dl of drv and compiling with lk required)

        iCore7 video does not require driver download. see EFI booting below

        IntelHD audio only, igc rlt Ethernet and WiFi auto-configured at boot
        (auto-connection auto for simple cablemodem setup only)

        If using a laptop be aware TBLD may not have all files need.
        You should be experienced in laptop linux and maybe have kernel+libs.
        Power is conservative by default,

        If using a "virtual" note this is all real and not tested for
        running in VM of "other os".  some built apps may test hw directly.

Initial Questions

Do I need to boot the USB to run the build?
.  If you can chroot comp.2.11.2 you might get away with building
   inside some other linux.  It might.

Can I run build on usb without HD?
.  It was planned that way but this pre-release still cannot, and going
   forward cheap USB have not made technical leaps needed.  Passport
   (SD or HD) are too much for live-intall-USB yet insufficient for
   compiling needs.  (currently USB are made whole disk only)

The HOWTO is further below.

news summary 2024 2025

.  added several apps (some optional separate download) like blender-3.3.8
   apps not everyone uses as to mathematica will be optional downloads
   trying to keep free of clutter
.  added harware support for iCore7 graphics
.  updated X again, which in turn upped some of the build chain
.  new  nos/  are runtime os files that makes a live USB of tbld
   includes optional simple wifi access
.  updated build chain tools in src11 and base libs for Xorg-21
   .  kernel includes basic igc RTL ethernet and icore7 w/IGC EFI graphics
   .  build in more than one srcN in parallel (not a new feature)
   .  use of multiple processors during each build  make -j N
      (fixes already know Makefile that cannot, end-to-end is much faster)
.  Better support for making USB: now both Grub and EFI work and on same USB
   and are done automatically and it works with more than one kernel made.
.  Still builds all older srcN, equal tested to do so and XFree86 build is back
.  Easier end to end, though not "one touch" yet.  allot of xxx-fixme are
   newly fixed so that a build fail is easier to contend with
.  sorry, booting and kernel still not tested for laptop


Summary of what base libs are in which srcN

src11:
.  gcc-12, glibc-2.38. binutils-2.42, linux-6.10.2, xorg-server-21.1.4
.  see Errata about src10-14 being "steps toward src16"

   see sources-all.txt for all newer versions for things like gtk

src14: pre-release - slightly upgraded src11 - use src15
       need download:
         sources-src14-additional.tar
         tbld-src14-2025.tar.gz
       optional download (to build mesa-24 intel req'd):
         LLVM-19.1.0-Linux-X64.tar.gz (official) copy to /mnt-src/usr/src/dl
          in list.test.3 uncomment line ## need_llvm--__foo
          (can be done after build finishes or before started)
       gcc-14.2 glibc-2.40 crypt-2.38 and some build chain; automake flex math
       mesa-13 or mesa-24.3.0 with either software GL support or intel(s)
         built with llvm and all else from source, optionals
         tbld's kernel intel driver is hardware accelerated in Mathematica 14
       same xorg-21 apps and kernel as src11
-->    see 2025-News/ or below and necessary xorg.conf entry

src15: pre-pre-release - slightly upgraded src14
       gtk-4.16.7 gtk+-3.94.0 + several bumps needed to do that, vulkan.so
       list.test.3  probably needs more optimal re-arranging but builds,
       gtk4 now last built lib to soak up gl a/v more depends
-->    see News below and necessary xorg.conf entry (intel UHD 770 not nv)

src16: pre-pre-pre-release - slightly upgraded src15
       Extra Need Tar download is currently In Addition to src14:
         sources-src16-additional.tar
         tbld-src16-2025.tar.gz
       xorg-server-21.1.16 and x.org/individual all updated similarly
       built 1x only, not run-tested yet (xorg Not tested to startup yet)
-->    see Errata about src10-14 being "steps toward src16"

src17: see 2025-News folder, not built yet no usb yet, linux-6.15.5


src10: lesser versions than src11, same kernel.
	gcc-12, glibc-2.34, binutils-2.32
src12: lesser versions than src10, same kernel.
	gcc-10, glibc-2.31, binutils-2.52
src20: see below, re-release of src2 but has new adds (EFI, live usb)
src21: builds Xfree86-4.3.0 not Xorg, lesser mesa-ver, otherwise same

src9-2024
.  Xorg-1.17.4, 32+64 gcc-10.2 glibc-2.25, meson built (many libs recent
   or latest), linux-5.11.8
.  Mathematica 13.1 runs faster, firefox-109 has Youtube video audio
   (src11 runs mm14)
.  same as src9-ff109 but with EFI and other new stuff

src8-ff99
.  HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD  (intermediate between src2 src9)
.  ff99 binary video+audio, mathematica-13.1, Xorg > 7.7, 32+64
   work (intelHD nvidia PC), is notably "the last non-meson build"
   gcc-4.7 and gcc-10.2, glibc-2.25, mesa-12, linux-5.11.8
.  this did NOT run Mathematica 13 that had been it's goal

src2-ff44  now named "src20" (xorg) and "src21" (Xfree86-4.3.0)
.  ff44 and qt5.1 build from source, 32+64, no audio video
   (maybe can be done just snipping from src8's list but ff44 may ignore, idk)
   X11R7.7 exactly, gcc-4.7 glibc-2.11 linux-4.16.12
.  efi kernel config not available as list item


HOWTO

How to make the USB.  Use a 16G or 32G USB matching size in filename.
The following will completely erase the whole USB, were you used parted
or who to determine sdb is the target USB to use:

   $ gzip -d src11-32G-usb.gz 
   $ dd if=src11-32G-usb of=/dev/sdb

How to make a /mnt-src mount where app-101.tar.gz sources are kept

   This would be a good time to prepare /mnt-src mount for holding source dl's
   . create a small gpt (say 16G -r 64G?) to hold source.tar.gz's
   . if your not comfortable with HD partitions find a new blank USB
     # this will destroy usb in sdc
     # parted -l  # check output insure sdc is the USB you think it is
     $ parted -s /dev/sdc mklabel gpt
     $ parted -s /dev/sdc mkpart ext2 0G 32G
     $ mkfs.ext2 /dev/sdc1
   . in fstab add the line below then edit this choice
     into /usr/local/src16/mnt-disk.conf

/dev/sdc1       /mnt-src        auto    ro,user,exec                    0 2

     $ mount /mnt-src
     $ mount -o remount,rw /mnt-src
     $ mkdir -p /mnt-src/usr/src/dl
     $ tar -C /mnt-src/usr/src/dl -xf /tmp/sources-all.tar
     $ mount -o remount,ro /mnt-src

   . tbld can now cp only needed src into chroot while building in a convenient
     and SAFE manner (protects / against mistaken human rm -r commands) and
     do builds in parallel just as well (it was worth doing)

How to boot Grub:  see your motherboard manual put in CSM
   . to use CSM you must have a graphics card allowing
   . at the grub menu choose first "boot to usb" choice
   . new bios dont like linux they may refuse to boot USB
     more than 1x without a physical button reset reguardless
     of successful reboot or time

How to boot EFI:  see your motherboard manual put in EFI mode
   . must be using Intel HD Graphics (ie iCore7 12700K)
   . open the EFI Shell you get a dos\/lin prompt
   $ cd FS0:
   #    (may be FS1: depends on your setup)
   $ startup.nsh
   #    (there are other .nsh to see if you like)
   # use this nsh if tbld on this USB is already copied
   #    (edit in your /dev/sdaN if changed since USB made)
   $ boot-hd.nsh
   The USB has both GRUB and EFI your bios may choose "wrong"
   .  un-attended it may attempt to boot GRUB CSM while in UEFI-only and
      appear to fail to load kernel.  GRUB has CSM only kernel, EFI has
      EFI only kernel.  Attend bios to EFI prompt.  Your bios may or may
      not have setup to choose fs0:startup.nsh automatically.

When linux loads:
   .  If you have WiFi you'll be asked a for accesspoint name and pass.
      You can skip connect by entering nothing and run /configure later.
   .  There is a staircase on some messages (todo be more tidy) that will
      can hide Login prompt.  Pressing Enter to re-draw Login:
   .  Login:  User = root , passwd = Enter (no password)
   .  if "kernel cannot find block dev" appears: it should not but try
      resetting with physical button or increasing "rootdelay=4" to 6

How to install tbld onto HD:  hd-hd-install see /README
   .  can install to fresh partion or to existing linux by moving aside
      folders of same name into /osN/old (very easy to update tbld to tbld
      from usb).  has undo list to mv folders back.  It has
      "roll back update technology" if you like to call it that! 

How to install grub onto HD:
   .  I cowardly refuse to mess with your csm multiboot.  Boot USB always.
      (after install tbld reads kernel from usb, the rest from HD)
   .  EFI is easier to do youself just copy files from tbld efi to
      your HD EFI partition and pick appropriate bios options - however
      i would not since Win10 might not approve and demand you buy
      a new win10 USB to fix non-booting situation, so, meh

What is the most commonly used commands the workflow ?

  $ cd /usr/local/src16
  $ vi mnt-disk.conf as explained elsewhere  # a reminder

  $ elvis  build

  # in a separate xterm or console
  $ sh  ./chroot1.go makearg -j4 sleepnumber .5   chroot_create

     # it was tested to run successfully without interaction
     # until you see "make USB" prompting

  # after a flub in another xterm or console
     $ chroot /usr/local/chrootq3
     # see app-101/*.log for problem, edit 'build' to fix it

  # after a Ctrl-C that stopped build or a build fail
  $ sh  ./chroot1.go makearg -j4 sleepnumber .5   chroot_continue

  # decide chroot1 is wasted and to delete and rebuild it
  $ sh ./delete_current_chroot [go] N
  # now use continue if chroot{2,3}, use create if chroot1
  
  # decide  to create src17 chroott  series from  src16 chrootq  series
  $ sh ./create_new_chroot_from 17 t

  $ vi DIRECTORY # see what other files are for if you have a query
  


Desktop?

The default desktop is Motif Window Manager.  It is lightweight and easily
configured and stable.  Firefox requires gtk libs which are built.  It is a
nos/ runtime ready for building and working more than playing.

Is build closed end?

You can add removed things from build list with text editor simple.  TBLD does
not use a package manager it is focused on fundamentals which require no PM.
PM often contain contrived forced upgrade and build fail.  According to Ubu
tbld could not exist; it does.  You can append anything including PM to list.


Questions:

How do I start X on USB?
   If you run sh /configure firefox-130 should download before starting X.
   Tbld uses runx to wrap some details, in-between which it invokes startx(1).
   $ runx guest

   There is an edit xorg.conf detour for Intel Accelerated GL, see News
   nVidia GL requires separated DL, see README.build-0.2 or follow nv's readme

Where is su(1)?
  .  try 'sulu', tbld uses su-login(1) not suid.  su is present but chmod -x.
     see man su-login(1) login(1) and /etc/su-login.conf
  .  There is no PAM.  tbld is not full of crypto sec headaches, no.
  .  guest cannot open a root xterm in X but you can switch to console and
     have root launch an xterm.

Question
  .  vi(1) segfaults in Xorg.  always was that way in if TERM is set wrong
     # . /etc/profile
     next time open terminal with "xterm -ls"
  .  alsamixer segfaulted src15/16?  this may happen on some installs idk,
     in the meantime use black and white works:
     # alsamixer -g
   ->  replacing alsamixer's bin with src11's works, build.make.log for both
       are identical.  very strange.
       *  never bet against a new ncurses issue arising  *
     . others nethack, make menuconfig kernel netwatch work and tbld cannot
       necessarily alter things to make old mixer work without impacting
       more recent more important apps.  may be fixable may not be, is todo.

Question
   . Ctrl-Alt-Del didn't work (well)?  use
     # telinit 6
   . for nos/ shutdown(1) isn't used because the rc has logic it reboots
     quickly when / can be unmounted safe, but drops to single if it cannot
     be, to protect / and against reboot loops and need of maint disk.

Why lp why not cups?
.  cups is not secure and aimed at "non-PS chinasian support" often breaks meh
.  lp is easier and compat with older and newer software
.  tbld's (see News) current support is designed to preserve magicfilter
   pin printers + PS printers (Epson IBM HP PS laser), X Display PS DPS
.  tbld should upgrade to newer than xpdf 3.x but doesn't want older support
   removed or broken


BLFS v. TBLD - they are quite different:

  Recent BLFS begin with large recent RH like OS and builds newer larger one?

  TBLD begins on a minimal chroot and builds what can run the new Firefox, and
  makes a tbld USB of a new OS.  You can build an older and newer tbld in
  parallel using the same tbld.  TBLD avoids expanding the footprint of USB
  (the goal here is you put in your few favorites to a reasonably small base).

  TBLD doesn't use systemd or rc.d or udev: it uses a brief rc and /dev.



make-usb : some questions will follow - press Enter to continue ;)


-   /   ^   \   -



News

  .  See folder  2025-News/  on sourceforge to read more and more recent
     news online like you read this README.txt

  .  see news about added goodies like optional  blender, qt, KQ, gemrb,
     tk/tcl, afterstep, httpd, xpaint, and more
     that are optional downloads that tbld builds

     or get src16, open file list.{1,2,3}.test, you'll see whole build list
     and read  DIRECTORY  to see what files in the directory are for/do


Errata

  .  src11 and src15 need uxa and or tearfree setting.  src16 does not.
     
xorg.conf

		Section "Device"
		     Identifier     "Card0"
		     Driver         "modesetting"
		     Option         "TearFree"     "False"
		     Option         "AccelMethod"  "uxa"
		     BusID          "PCI:0:2:0"
		EndSection

  .  Xorg -configure should set this up, but if not, we need core mode,
     not evdev or libinput, Core mode, so:

Section "ServerLayout"
        Identifier     "X.org Configured"
        Screen      0  "Screen0" 0 0
        InputDevice    "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
        InputDevice    "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier  "Keyboard0"
        Driver      "kbd"
EndSection
Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier  "Mouse0"
        Driver      "mouse"
        Option      "Protocol" "auto"
        Option      "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
        Option      "ZAxisMapping" "4 5 6 7"
EndSection


.  NVIDIA-550 works with (src11), get and install it separately
   (450 470 will not work with newer kernels, 550 does support older cards)
   see README-build-0.2 if you have questions on this
.  xdm-options no longer default (it requires 2 or higher physical eths is why)
.  Alsa may not work unless sound is reset after hd-hd-install (list.test.3)
   (it re-creates /dev files using /sys info, reloads /etc/modules)
   If you want sound through LED TV, edit /usr/share/alsa/alsa.conf
   by aplay -l, ex. card 1 and device 7 (leave other entries as they are)

.  old news: src8 had been temporarily reverted to "last stable version" ...
   While testing src9 it was found that  alsa and  nvidia  modules loaded
   but were frozen, 5 bytes different.  It was found CONFIG_FS_POSIX_ACL
   caused kernel struct change that tampered with rdev.  ACL is disabled since
   fixing alsa would not fix all other .mod (also so pre-existing modules may
   work).  And ... (see junk/todo)

.  all src builds presetned are 32/64 mostly 64
   .  32bit bins are made separately before cross-compile
   .  64bit Xorg or XFree86 made once 64 only
   .  32bit desktop is perhaps possible but never tried

.  todo: dont use "inet stop" just after booting install USB to stop wifi;
   may segfaults and reboot.  Use rc.iptables iptables route is ok.  issue
   does not after after connect scripts/kernel finish.  (you have to wait for
   full connection.  you can avert wifi inet connection by giving bogus pass
   or by any other means (do not press ctrl-c while make-zones runs it has
   other cfg to write).

.  src 10,11,12,14 and maybe 15 are steps toward Mathematica-14 firefox-131
   src16 2025 release goal, 10,11,12,14 (15?) will be kept only for reference
   going forward (that they are a working combination)

.  srcN will run some bins out of box of slackware ubuntu, but others
   require special libs or ie /usr/share/foo files - so it is not convenient
   it requires chrooting and copying files between those


Vision

  @home rolls own OS just what they need from author's (compatible) source
	"not compile all petabytes of or none" likey they are ff pushing
	(welfare funded firefox cannot compile anymore too much malware in it)
  @home can, if need be, change source of any app to rid malware
	without foreign servers sending un-checked code during make

  Xorg becomes merely a compatible extension of true X11 like Xt is ;)

  rid RH malware from glibc - programs use minimal not maximal GLIBC ver
  when made and doing so is less buggy not more buggy (except _r)
  and ABI do not change in a decade in a millenia, and int isn't nazzi
  force to 32 (programmers should decide such limits not maintainers,
  64 as documented in K&R C V1 and V2 should be default)

  These so far re-state with Sun and Java principles binary source compat.

  :) fixing ABI bugs before releasing new versions (a thing obviously
  bit tech is using to ransomware and have killer apps - d3d unity et al)
  and not "deleting source from opensource because it's old buggy"
  (while new versions have longer lists of bugs than old do always)

  obviously this cannot be achieved in one or many lifetimes yet
  something things were achieved

  .  linus's vew of modularity (end-user choice) and "being able to add
     or remove that one line of open source code" is a right to be maintained
  .  an @home total distro that isn't designed as a time bomb against GNU
     scattered sources changing url, build fails, slower and non-C compilers
     that "just keep getting bigger and slower no REAL benefit"
     other than poorly lexographic changes
  .  allot of compatibility found where forbidden by supposed advice
  .  secret reciple to build china withheld: exposed in public
  .  past versions still compileable though hated abandoned
     deprecated (uk: hated by God - which is A LIE)
---
  .  running Mathematic 14 without "ubuntu stealing my root password at 
     install without requiring i buy a win10 usb after ubu deletes EFI"
  .  running Mathematic 14 without cursor glitches bugs of win10 ubu
     win10 even shows wrong answers cached, later right answer - malware
  .  running Mathematic and not being forced to have Linux Steam - although
     Qt is in mathematica now and that is all going china dei quickly
     (definitely a malicious move on their part)
  .  if an old version of Mathematica cannot open (a file) - i should be able
     to recompile my OS to modify fopen so that mm can - assuming mm is sold
     to run on linux (it is) and i'm not stealing anything