How to install and get Linux Mint running in Qubes OS 4.0.3 ?

[A]

1) How to install and get Linux Mint running in Qubes OS 4.0.3 ?

2) Is it possible to use Linux Mint for surfing the net in a secure way, and if so how ?

[unman]

On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 07:50:53AM -0800, A wrote:
> 1) How to install and get Linux Mint running in Qubes OS 4.0.3 ?
>

Download a mint iso in to a qube - make sure you have enough space to do
this - up Private storage size if needed.

Create an HVM and boot it from a Mint iso. (Instructions on this can be
found here - https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/standalone-and-hvm/ )
Or use the GUI - in Qube Manager, select Qube - "Create New qube".
Give it name and set type "Empty Standalone qube.."
Select "open Settings after creation."
In Settings window go to Advanced pane and set initial memory to 4000MB
- you can always reduce after installation.
Then select "Boot qube from CDROM" button, and select the qube where you
downloaded the Mint iso.
On start you should see Mint boot in live mode.
Note the IP address of the new mint qube (either from Qube Manager , or
using `qvm-ls -n <qube_name>`
Edit the Network settings for ipv4 to "manual" and enter the IP address
and gateway. For DNS you can use 9.9.9.9
Select option to install to disk.

After installation, shutdown the qube.
Restart.
Your new Mint qube should start up.
If you get a black screen, kill it. In terminal in dom0 , use
`qvm-features <qube> video-model cirrus` and restart.

Since Mint is based off Ubuntu, you can try installing some qubes
packages built for Ubuntu , to et copy/paste etc working. (I have
packages at qubes.3isec.org you could try, but I haven't tested this
myself - i suggest you get Mint running properly, then clone it and try
installing packages in to the clone.)

> 2) Is it possible to use Linux Mint for surfing the net in a secure way, and if so how ?
>

???

[A E]

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "qubes-users" group.
To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/qubes-users/jBHgC2TFggY/unsubscribe.
To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to qubes-users...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/qubes-users/20200216015008.GA8620%40thirdeyesecurity.org.

Thank you very much for your detailed guide.

Just to be sure: Shall I create the new qube the same way if I install Linux Mint from a DVD ?

[unman]

On Sun, Feb 16, 2020 at 08:16:59AM +0100, A E wrote:

If you can pass through the DVD to the `qvm-start` commadn, yes.

[M]

The "System storage max. size" of the HVM should also be changed to something larger than 10.7 GB before beginning the installation, as the Linux Mint needs this amount of storage.

As you properly also would like to install some apps in Linux Mint, you may set it to at least 20.240 MiB on the same time. But it can of cause also be changed later.

[M]

søndag den 16. februar 2020 kl. 02.50.13 UTC+1 skrev unman:

Where shall I "Edit the Network settings for ipv4 to "manual" and enter the IP address and gateway. For DNS you can use 9.9.9.9" ?

[M]

I have also tried to find the answer here: https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/standalone-and-hvm/#setting-up-networking-for-hvms

But the guide stops before mention it.

[M]

Arh. Now it suddenly works.

In Linux Mint: Open the network manager, go into the settings for the registered connection, go to IPv4-settings, choose "Manual" as "Method" and add a new one and write the IP, Netmask and Gateway address that is found in the "QubeSettings" for the HVM.

First I got a message saying that the Gateway address was invalid. But after deleting the other empty address lines and clicked on "Save", the message disappeared and I got a message instead saying that a network connection was established.

[redpo...@gmail.com]

Its great to see you posting unmnan.

I have downloaded some of your other templates but I can't get them working and I've posted on numerous forums and no one can or will help me.

I wonder if you'd post a similar how to for your .rpm templates?  I just don't know what to do with them  I've managed to copy them into a folder in 'personal' domain and when I go to install them (dnf install...etc) I keep being told I need about 200mb more space but for the life of me I don't know where this space needs to be freed up.  If you could do an instructional post, or point me in the direction of how to install it would be great.

[M]

søndag den 16. februar 2020 kl. 02.50.13 UTC+1 skrev unman:

Which packages (from qubes.3isec.org or other places) shall I install to be able to:

1)  Use copy and paste together with Qubes OS 4.0.3 ?

2)  Pass thru a USB device to Linux Mint ?

[M]

Have you first tried to get some more space on the system drive... First by going into the Qube Settings for the HVM and then afterwords use a partition GUI (or the terminal) inside the HVM to expand the capacity of the used drive ?

[M]

2)  For an answer, read here: https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/standalone-and-hvm/#assigning-pci-devices-to-hvms

Then I only need an answer to the first question.

[M]

søndag den 16. februar 2020 kl. 02.50.13 UTC+1 skrev unman:

Here is a detailed guide to install Linux Mint in Qubes OS 4.0.3:

1)  Open the "Qubes Settings" of the domain from where you will download Linux Mint and expand the private max. storage size to 3 GiB larger than the existing storage size (just to be certain that you have enough storage space for the ISO file - else the download process will stop somewhere on the way).

2)  Open the domains Firefox browser and download Linux Mint from https://linuxmint.com/

3)  Click on "Create Qubes VM" in the Qubes Menu.

4)  Give the HVM a name, choose "Empty standalone qube (install your own OS)" and select "launch settings after creation".

5)  In "Qube Settings": Set "System storage max. size" to 20.240 MiB, click on Advanced and set "Initial memory" to 4000 MiB, click on "Apply" and then click on "Boot qube from CDROM" and choose the Vm and the ISO-file and clicke on apply.

6)  Choose "Start Linux Mint" in the Grub menu in the newly appeared window.

7)  Click on the "Install Mint" icon on the desktop of Linux Mint and follow the installation guide.

8)  Choose to make a format and full installation on the sda drive and finish the installation guide.

9)  Restart Linux Mint.

10)  Press ENTER when you see a message appear that you has to press Enter when you have detached the installation media.

11)  Start the Linux Mint HVM up again and a new window appear.

     If there after a short time appears a white cursor that just continues blinking/flashing, then:

          a)  Shut the Linux Mint HVM down

          b)  Open the dom0 terminal

          c)  Execute this command: "qvm-features <qube-name> video-model cirrus"

          d)  Start the Linux Mint HVM again.

12)  Open the network manager, go into the settings for the registered connection, go to IPv4-settings, choose "Manual" as "Method" and add a new one and write the IP, Netmask and Gateway address that is found in the "QubeSettings" for the HVM.

13)  To pass thru a USB device to Linux Mint, read here: https://www.qubes-os.org/doc/standalone-and-hvm/#assigning-pci-devices-to-hvms

14)  Remaining: Making it possible to copy and pass content between the Linux Mint HVM and other VM's.