How to have Ubuntu Pro work with Linux Mint

[MikeNovember]

Hi,

I have tried to have Ubuntu Pro works with Linux Mint (I followed this tutorial https://ubuntu.com/pro/tutorial).

Once connected to my Ubuntu account, I could get a free token (valid for 5 computers) and attach my computer.

However, this produced no effect:
- no service was automatically enabled,
- and when I tried to enable them manually (example sudo pro enable esm-apps) I got an error message: "service not available for version 20.3".

It seems that pro commands tries to get Ubuntu version, and get instead Linux Mint one (20.3 for me, I run Linux Mint Mate 20.3).

Effectively, the output of lsb_release -a is:

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No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID:	Linuxmint
Description:	Linux Mint 20.3
Release:	20.3
Codename:	una

With Ubuntu 20.04 it should be:

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No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
Release:    20.04
Codename:   focal

So, at the moment, it is not possible to get the advantages of Ubuntu Pro with Linux Mint (i.e. longer maintenance period, much more packages updated when there are security risks).

Does anybody know if there is a way to have Ubuntu Pro works with Linux Mint?

Regards,

MN

[Hoser Rob]

You followed a Ubuntu tutorial. Mint may be Ubuntu based but it is not Ubuntu. I'm not surprised it doesn't work. Why in the hell would Ubuntu support other distros in this way?

[grndplane]

No where does it say it will run on top of Linux Mint. Do you want Linux Mint installed, or Ubuntu Pro? You need to pick one.

[Artim]

To clarify things: "Ubuntu Pro" is in Linux Mint because "Ubuntu-minimal" depends on it. It's a necessary ingredient for building the Ubuntu-based version of Linux Mint.

[MikeNovember]

To clarify things: "Ubuntu Pro" is in Linux Mint because "Ubuntu-minimal" depends on it. It's a necessary ingredient for building the Ubuntu-based version of Linux Mint.

Hi,

Ubunto Pro commands (including "pro") are part of Linux Mint.

You can subscribe freely to Ubuntu Pro (see tutorial) and attach your computer to Ubuntu Pro.

But this has no effect, since Linux Mint is not recognized as Ubuntu: no extension of maintenance duration (10 years instead of 5) and no additional updated packages.

Regards,

MN

[Pjotr]

It can be made to work. The how-to on my website was incomplete. I've completed it:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... .html#ID16
(item 16)

Just tested it in a VM with a fully updated Linux Mint 19.3. With success.

About my test: first I've installed Ubuntu 18.04 LTS in a VM. For reference, because I needed to know the exact contents of the identification files. Then I installed Mint 19.3, which is based on Ubuntu 18.04, in another VM.

By applying the steps I've described in my how-to, I was offered ESM updates by Ubuntu in mintupdate (Update Manager) in Mint 19.3. Which I was able to install without a hitch (no surprise there).

The only drawback I've found so far, is that Software Sources (mintsources) fails to launch now in that Mint 19.3 VM. No biggie.

[MikeNovember]

It can be made to work. The how-to on my website was incomplete. I've completed it:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... .html#ID16
(item 16)

Just tested it in a VM with a fully updated Linux Mint 19.3. With success.

About my test: first I've installed Ubuntu 18.04 LTS in a VM. For reference, because I needed to know the exact contents of the identification files. Then I installed Mint 19.3, which is based on Ubuntu 18.04, in another VM.

By applying the steps I've described in my how-to, I was offered ESM updates by Ubuntu in mintupdate (Update Manager) in Mint 19.3. Which I was able to install without a hitch (no surprise there).

The only drawback I've found so far, is that Software Sources (mintsources) fails to launch now in that Mint 19.3 VM. No biggie.

Hi,

Thanks for this!

However, in your tutorial, you give detailed instructions only for Linux Mint 19.x (<=> Ubuntu 18.04).

But Ubuntu Pro works also for Ubuntu 20.04 (Linux Mint 20.x) and Ubuntu 22.04 (Linux Mint 21.x). Its advantages are not limited only to longer maintenance period (10 years instead of 5): Ubuntu Pro strongly increases system security, since it maintains 2300 packages of main repository (like Ubuntu) and 23000 packages of Universe. (see https://ubuntu.com/pro).

So, Ubuntu Pro is worth even for still maintained versions of Linux Mint, and detailed instructions for Linux Mint 20.x and 21.x would be nice (though they can be extrapolated easily from Linux Mint 19.x ones).

About the caveat: you mention "mintsources" does not work; this means that sources (repositories, PPAs etc.) cannot be maintained with a GUI application.

Is there any other GUI program able to manage sources ?

Regards,

MN

[MikeNovember]

Hi,

Here is what I did to have Ubuntu Pro work with Linux Mint 20.x (please, adapt the file contents for Linux Mint 19.x and 20.x).

1. Update your system. Make a system snapshot with Timeshift or a system backup

2. Make a copy of your actual files before to edit them; launch your file manager in admin mode (with Mate, pkexec caja); then copy and paste the following files:
"/etc/issue", you will get an extra file "issue (copy)"
"/etc/issue.net", you will get an extra file "issue (copy).net"
"/etc/lsb-release", you will get an extra file "lsb-release (copy)".
"/etc/os-release" or "/usr/lib/os-release" (use the physical file, not the shortcut), you will get an extra "os-release (copy)"

3. Launch text editor xed in admin mode to edit the files:
"/etc/issue":

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xed admin:////etc/issue

Replace the file content by:

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Ubuntu 20.04 LTS \n \l

"/etc/issue.net":

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xed admin:////etc/issue.net

Replace the file content by:

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Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

"/etc/lsb-release":

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xed admin:////etc/lsb-release

Replace the file content by:

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DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=20.04
DISTRIB_CODENAME=focal
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 20.04 LTS"

"/etc/os-release":

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xed admin:////etc/os-release

Replace the file content by:

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NAME="Ubuntu"
VERSION="20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa)"
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian
PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 20.04 LTS"
VERSION_ID="20.04"
HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/"
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy"
VERSION_CODENAME=focal
UBUNTU_CODENAME=focal

4. Reboot your computer.

5. With Ubuntu Pro, six services are proposed (NB: it depends on your Ubuntu version, full list is cc-eal, esm-apps, esm-infra, fips, fips-updates, livepatch, realtime-kernel, ros, ros-updates, usg):

esm-apps: Expanded Security Maintenance for Applications
esm-infra: Expanded Security Maintenance for Infrastructure
fips: NIST-certified core packages
fips-updates: NIST-certified core packages with priority security updates
livepatch: Canonical Livepatch service
usg: Security compliance and audit tools

"fips" and "fips-updates" services are not compatible with Canonical Livepatch service (you have to choose between fips + fips-update and Livepatch).
Livepatch service is a snap application; if you want to use it, you need to enable snaps in Linux Mint; for this you can remove "/etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref", comment its content, or rename it.

6. You can now follow Ubuntu Pro tutorial https://ubuntu.com/pro/tutorial, to get a free subscription to Ubuntu Pro for 5 computers, for personal use.
When you get your token, you attach your computer to Ubuntu Pro with the following command:

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sudo pro attach [Your token]

If you have enabled snaps on your computer, "esm-apps", "esm-infra" and "livepatch" services are automatically enabled; you can check it by sudo pro status; you can further enable usg by sudo pro enable usg
If you have not enabled snaps on your computer, "esm-apps", "esm-infra" services are automatically enabled, while livepatch installation fails; you can check it by sudo pro status; you can further enable fips, fips-update and usg by sudo pro enable fips fips-update usg
NB: if you enable usg service, you need then to install usg package sudo apt install usg; usg command will be used to audit the system to a given security model, and to automatically fix it.

7. Once done all this, update manager will show that updates are available; install them.
For me, the following updates were available:

imagemagick (8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4) to 8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4+esm1
imagemagick-6-common (8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4) to 8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4+esm1
imagemagick-6.q16 (8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4) to 8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4+esm1
libgegl-0.4-0 (0.4.22-3) to 0.4.22-3ubuntu0.1~esm1
libgegl-common (0.4.22-3) to 0.4.22-3ubuntu0.1~esm1
libgraphicsmagick++-q16-12 (1.4+really1.3.35-1) to 1.4+really1.3.35-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
libgraphicsmagick-q16-3 (1.4+really1.3.35-1) to 1.4+really1.3.35-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
libmagickcore-6.q16-6 (8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4) to 8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4+esm1
libmagickcore-6.q16-6-extra (8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4) to 8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4+esm1
libmagickwand-6.q16-6 (8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4) to 8:6.9.10.23+dfsg-2.1ubuntu11.4+esm1
libmediainfo0v5 (19.09+dfsg-2build1) to 19.09+dfsg-2ubuntu0.1~esm1
libmysofa1 (1.0~dfsg0-1) to 1.0~dfsg0-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
libopenexr24 (2.3.0-6ubuntu0.5) to 2.3.0-6ubuntu0.5+esm1
libsdl2-2.0-0 (2.0.10+dfsg1-3) to 2.0.10+dfsg1-3ubuntu0.1~esm1
libzmq5 (4.3.2-2ubuntu1) to 4.3.2-2ubuntu1.20.04.1~esm2
ntp (1:4.2.8p12+dfsg-3ubuntu4.20.04.1) to 1:4.2.8p12+dfsg-3ubuntu4.20.04.1+esm1
ntpdate (1:4.2.8p12+dfsg-3ubuntu4.20.04.1) to 1:4.2.8p12+dfsg-3ubuntu4.20.04.1+esm1
python3-mediainfodll (19.09+dfsg-2build1) to 19.09+dfsg-2ubuntu0.1~esm1

(Note that it is more "version name change" than "real update", packages version have an "+esm1" or "+esm2" added to the version)

8. Conclusion:

Caveats:
- As mentioned by Pjotr, "mintsources" does not launch. When you launch it from a command line, once entered your admin password, you get the following message:

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mintsources
LSB codename: 'focal'.
Version of base-files: '20.3.0'.
Your LSB codename isn't a valid Linux Mint codename.
Please check your LSB information with "lsb_release -a".

You cannot have your distro recognized as Linux Mint and Ubuntu at the same time...
You can replace "mintsources" by "sudo add-apt-repository" and "sudo add-apt-repository -r" commands to add / remove a PPA. You can manually edit your sources list (your inxi report gives them).

- The update manager no longer shows the "Linux kernels" option in the "View" menu. You can still display the kernel you are using with uname -r command.

My inxi report now mentions:

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System:
  Kernel: 5.4.0-137-generic arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.4.0 Desktop: MATE v: 1.26.0
    wm: Metacity dm: LightDM Distro: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa) base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: ASUSTeK product: G74Sx v: 1.0 serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: ASUSTeK model: G74Sx v: 1.0 serial: <superuser required> BIOS: American Megatrends
    v: G74Sx.203 date: 09/23/2011
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 40.5 Wh (100.0%) condition: 40.5/72.8 Wh (55.6%) volts: 15.3 min: 14.4
    model: ASUSTek G74--52 serial: N/A status: full
CPU:
  Info: quad core model: Intel Core i7-2670QM bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Sandy Bridge rev: 7
    cache: L1: 256 KiB L2: 1024 KiB L3: 6 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 2831 high: 2917 min/max: 800/3100 cores: 1: 2856 2: 2917 3: 2835 4: 2802
    5: 2812 6: 2794 7: 2801 8: 2837 bogomips: 35119
  Flags: avx ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GF116M [GeForce GT 560M] vendor: ASUSTeK driver: nvidia v: 390.157 arch: Fermi
    pcie: speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:1251
  Device-2: IMC Networks Integrated Webcam type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 1-1.2:4
    chip-ID: 13d3:5134
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.20.13 with: Xwayland driver: X: loaded: nvidia
    unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,nouveau,vesa gpu: nvidia display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1080 s-dpi: 128
  Monitor-1: LVDS-0 res: 1920x1080 dpi: 128 diag: 438mm (17.26")
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 390.157 renderer: GeForce GTX 560M/PCIe/SSE2 direct render: Yes
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Family High Definition Audio vendor: ASUSTeK 6
    driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:1c20
  Device-2: NVIDIA GF116 High Definition Audio vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
    pcie: speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 01:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:0bee
  Sound API: ALSA v: k5.4.0-137-generic running: yes
  Sound Server-1: PulseAudio v: 13.99.1 running: yes
Network:
  Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter vendor: AzureWave AW-NB037H 802.11bgn
    driver: ath9k v: kernel pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 bus-ID: 03:00.0 chip-ID: 168c:002b
  IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    vendor: ASUSTeK U6V/U31J laptop driver: r8169 v: kernel pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 9000
    bus-ID: 05:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8168
  IF: enp5s0 state: down mac: <filter>
  IF-ID-1: vmnet1 state: unknown speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter>
  IF-ID-2: vmnet8 state: unknown speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR3011 Bluetooth type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8 bus-ID: 1-1.1:3
    chip-ID: 0cf3:3005
  Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 2 state: down bt-service: N/A rfk-block: hardware: no
    software: yes address: <filter>
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 931.51 GiB used: 273.46 GiB (29.4%)
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Crucial model: CT1000MX500SSD1 size: 931.51 GiB speed: 6.0 Gb/s
    serial: <filter>
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 139.75 GiB used: 14.6 GiB (10.4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
  ID-2: /home size: 744.98 GiB used: 258.87 GiB (34.7%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
Swap:
  ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 30.52 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2 dev: /dev/sda3
USB:
  Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
  Hub-2: 1-1:2 info: Intel Integrated Rate Matching Hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 8087:0024
  Device-1: 1-1.1:3 info: Qualcomm Atheros AR3011 Bluetooth type: Bluetooth driver: btusb
    rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 0cf3:3005
  Device-2: 1-1.2:4 info: IMC Networks Integrated Webcam type: Video driver: uvcvideo rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 13d3:5134
  Device-3: 1-1.4:5 info: Realtek RTS5139 Card Reader Controller type: <vendor specific>
    driver: rtsx_usb,rtsx_usb_ms,rtsx_usb_sdmmc rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 0bda:0139
  Hub-3: 2-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 8 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
  Hub-4: 2-1:2 info: Intel Integrated Rate Matching Hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 8087:0024
  Device-1: 2-1.2:3 info: Trust type: Mouse driver: hid-generic,usbhid rev: 1.1 speed: 1.5 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 145f:01d9
  Hub-5: 2-1.3:4 info: Genesys Logic Hub ports: 4 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 05e3:0608
  Device-1: 2-1.3.3:5 info: Microsoft Digital Media Keyboard 3000 type: Keyboard,HID
    driver: microsoft,usbhid rev: 2.0 speed: 1.5 Mb/s chip-ID: 045e:0730
  Device-2: 2-1.3.4:6 info: Wacom CTL-470 [Bamboo Connect] type: Mouse,HID driver: usbhid,wacom
    rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 056a:00dd
  Hub-6: 3-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 1 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
  Hub-7: 4-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 1 rev: 3.0 speed: 5 Gb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0003
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 74.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nvidia temp: 62 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 3300
Repos:
  Packages: 2231 pm: dpkg pkgs: 2193 pm: flatpak pkgs: 35 pm: snap pkgs: 3
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-stable-focal.list
    1: deb http: //ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/graphics-drivers-ppa-focal.list
    1: deb http: //ppa.launchpad.net/graphics-drivers/ppa/ubuntu focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
    1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com una main upstream import backport
    2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
    3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
    4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
    6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/tor.list
    1: deb https: //deb.torproject.org/torproject.org/ focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu-cis.list
    1: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/cis/ubuntu focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu-esm-apps.list
    1: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/apps/ubuntu focal-apps-security main
    2: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/apps/ubuntu focal-apps-updates main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu-esm-infra.list
    1: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/infra/ubuntu focal-infra-security main
    2: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/infra/ubuntu focal-infra-updates main
Info:
  Processes: 306 Uptime: 1h 5m Memory: 15.61 GiB used: 4.76 GiB (30.5%) Init: systemd v: 245
  target: graphical (5) default: graphical Compilers: gcc: 9.4.0 alt: 9 Client: Unknown python3.8
  client inxi: 3.3.24

If you are happy with this, make a new backup / system snapshot.
You can go back to your former system state using your former backup / system snapshot.
You can have mintsources work again by replacing edited files by their saved copies; this will probably disable pro services (not tested).

Interest of Ubuntu Pro: if your Linux Mint distribution is really not maintained (LM 18.x based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS) or close to be no longer maintained (LM 19.x based on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS) and your computer does not accept a more recent version of Linux Mint, Ubuntu Pro is a way to have a longer maintenance period.
If you are using LM 20.x or LM 21.x, benefit is essentially limited to Livepatch service.
In all cases, there are caveats (two identified, maybe more?); your system cannot be identified as Linux Mint and Ubuntu at the same time... This might induce problems with Mint specific programs.

(After having done all this, I am back to Linux Mint 20.3 without Ubuntu Pro).

Regards,

MN

[Pjotr]

It can be made to work. The how-to on my website was incomplete. I've completed it:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... .html#ID16
(item 16)

Just tested it in a VM with a fully updated Linux Mint 19.3. With success.

About my test: first I've installed Ubuntu 18.04 LTS in a VM. For reference, because I needed to know the exact contents of the identification files. Then I installed Mint 19.3, which is based on Ubuntu 18.04, in another VM.

By applying the steps I've described in my how-to, I was offered ESM updates by Ubuntu in mintupdate (Update Manager) in Mint 19.3. Which I was able to install without a hitch (no surprise there).

The only drawback I've found so far, is that Software Sources (mintsources) fails to launch now in that Mint 19.3 VM. No biggie.

Hi,

Thanks for this!

You're welcome.

It was fun to do, and I've learned something new. This kind of hacking is part of what makes Linux so enjoyable for me.

I've improved my how-to a bit, by also including esm-infra (not just esm-apps). And I've checked: you're right, also in mintupdate in my 19.3, the kernel tool has disappeared. That's the price you pay. C'est la vie...

As a final note: I only recommend it for a dead or near-dead Mint version like Linux Mint 19.x. Not for a still supported version of Mint, because then the disadvantages are much bigger than the advantages.

[MikeNovember]

[...]
It was fun to do, and I've learned something new. This kind of hacking is part of what makes Linux so enjoyable for me.

Hi,

I think mintsources can be hacked: configuration files for all versions of Linux Mint are stored in directories in the system.

In "/usr/share/mintsources" there are several directories; one is "una" (I run Una, 20.3). It contains:
mintsources.conf
official-package-repositories.list
official-dbgsym-repositories.list
official-source-repositories.list

The idea is to create a "focal" directory in "/usr/share/mintsources", then to copy all the files from "una" to "focal".

Now, mintsources checks for system codename, finds "focal", looks for "/usr/share/mintsources/focal" directory and finds it with necessary files --> mintsources should launch (untested).

But the most important is to find a way to hack the kernel tool. I guess the hack will be similar, kernel tool points to different lists of kernel, depending on Mint / Ubuntu version, but I didn't find where configuration files are.

Regards,

MN

[MikeNovember]

[...]
I've improved my how-to a bit, by also including esm-infra (not just esm-apps). And I've checked: you're right, also in mintupdate in my 19.3, the kernel tool has disappeared. That's the price you pay. C'est la vie...
[...]

Hi,

I think I have found a better hack, with "mintsources" still working!

All that follows is valid for Linux Mint 20.3 Una, and needs to be adapted for other versions.

At first, before to attach the computer to Ubuntu Pro, pro security-status gives an error: "una version not found in distro-info database".

This is easy to correct, by editing "/usr/share/distro-info/ubuntu.csv":
Original version:

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version,codename,series,created,release,eol,eol-server,eol-esm
4.10,Warty Warthog,warty,2004-03-05,2004-10-20,2006-04-30
5.04,Hoary Hedgehog,hoary,2004-10-20,2005-04-08,2006-10-31
5.10,Breezy Badger,breezy,2005-04-08,2005-10-12,2007-04-13
6.06 LTS,Dapper Drake,dapper,2005-10-12,2006-06-01,2009-07-14,2011-06-01
6.10,Edgy Eft,edgy,2006-06-01,2006-10-26,2008-04-26
7.04,Feisty Fawn,feisty,2006-10-26,2007-04-19,2008-10-19
7.10,Gutsy Gibbon,gutsy,2007-04-19,2007-10-18,2009-04-18
8.04 LTS,Hardy Heron,hardy,2007-10-18,2008-04-24,2011-05-12,2013-05-09
8.10,Intrepid Ibex,intrepid,2008-04-24,2008-10-30,2010-04-30
9.04,Jaunty Jackalope,jaunty,2008-10-30,2009-04-23,2010-10-23
9.10,Karmic Koala,karmic,2009-04-23,2009-10-29,2011-04-30
10.04 LTS,Lucid Lynx,lucid,2009-10-29,2010-04-29,2013-05-09,2015-04-30
10.10,Maverick Meerkat,maverick,2010-04-29,2010-10-10,2012-04-10
11.04,Natty Narwhal,natty,2010-10-10,2011-04-28,2012-10-28
11.10,Oneiric Ocelot,oneiric,2011-04-28,2011-10-13,2013-05-09
12.04 LTS,Precise Pangolin,precise,2011-10-13,2012-04-26,2017-04-28,2017-04-28,2019-04-28
12.10,Quantal Quetzal,quantal,2012-04-26,2012-10-18,2014-05-16
13.04,Raring Ringtail,raring,2012-10-18,2013-04-25,2014-01-27
13.10,Saucy Salamander,saucy,2013-04-25,2013-10-17,2014-07-17
14.04 LTS,Trusty Tahr,trusty,2013-10-17,2014-04-17,2019-04-25,2019-04-25,2024-04-25
14.10,Utopic Unicorn,utopic,2014-04-17,2014-10-23,2015-07-23
15.04,Vivid Vervet,vivid,2014-10-23,2015-04-23,2016-02-04
15.10,Wily Werewolf,wily,2015-04-23,2015-10-22,2016-07-28
16.04 LTS,Xenial Xerus,xenial,2015-10-22,2016-04-21,2021-04-21,2021-04-21,2026-04-23
16.10,Yakkety Yak,yakkety,2016-04-21,2016-10-13,2017-07-20
17.04,Zesty Zapus,zesty,2016-10-13,2017-04-13,2018-01-13
17.10,Artful Aardvark,artful,2017-04-13,2017-10-19,2018-07-19
18.04 LTS,Bionic Beaver,bionic,2017-10-19,2018-04-26,2023-04-26,2023-04-26,2028-04-26
18.10,Cosmic Cuttlefish,cosmic,2018-04-26,2018-10-18,2019-07-18
19.04,Disco Dingo,disco,2018-10-18,2019-04-18,2020-01-23
19.10,Eoan Ermine,eoan,2019-04-18,2019-10-17,2020-07-17
20.04 LTS,Focal Fossa,focal,2019-10-17,2020-04-23,2025-04-23,2025-04-23,2030-04-23
20.10,Groovy Gorilla,groovy,2020-04-23,2020-10-22,2021-07-22
21.04,Hirsute Hippo,hirsute,2020-10-22,2021-04-22,2022-01-20
21.10,Impish Indri,impish,2021-04-22,2021-10-14,2022-07-14
22.04 LTS,Jammy Jellyfish,jammy,2021-10-14,2022-04-21,2027-04-21,2027-04-21,2032-04-21
22.10,Kinetic Kudu,kinetic,2022-04-21,2022-10-20,2023-07-20
23.04,Lunar Lobster,lunar,2022-10-20,2023-04-20,2024-01-25

Edited version: I add "20.04 LTS,Una,una,2019-10-17,2020-04-23,2025-04-23,2025-04-23,2030-04-23"

Code: Select all

version,codename,series,created,release,eol,eol-server,eol-esm
4.10,Warty Warthog,warty,2004-03-05,2004-10-20,2006-04-30
5.04,Hoary Hedgehog,hoary,2004-10-20,2005-04-08,2006-10-31
5.10,Breezy Badger,breezy,2005-04-08,2005-10-12,2007-04-13
6.06 LTS,Dapper Drake,dapper,2005-10-12,2006-06-01,2009-07-14,2011-06-01
6.10,Edgy Eft,edgy,2006-06-01,2006-10-26,2008-04-26
7.04,Feisty Fawn,feisty,2006-10-26,2007-04-19,2008-10-19
7.10,Gutsy Gibbon,gutsy,2007-04-19,2007-10-18,2009-04-18
8.04 LTS,Hardy Heron,hardy,2007-10-18,2008-04-24,2011-05-12,2013-05-09
8.10,Intrepid Ibex,intrepid,2008-04-24,2008-10-30,2010-04-30
9.04,Jaunty Jackalope,jaunty,2008-10-30,2009-04-23,2010-10-23
9.10,Karmic Koala,karmic,2009-04-23,2009-10-29,2011-04-30
10.04 LTS,Lucid Lynx,lucid,2009-10-29,2010-04-29,2013-05-09,2015-04-30
10.10,Maverick Meerkat,maverick,2010-04-29,2010-10-10,2012-04-10
11.04,Natty Narwhal,natty,2010-10-10,2011-04-28,2012-10-28
11.10,Oneiric Ocelot,oneiric,2011-04-28,2011-10-13,2013-05-09
12.04 LTS,Precise Pangolin,precise,2011-10-13,2012-04-26,2017-04-28,2017-04-28,2019-04-28
12.10,Quantal Quetzal,quantal,2012-04-26,2012-10-18,2014-05-16
13.04,Raring Ringtail,raring,2012-10-18,2013-04-25,2014-01-27
13.10,Saucy Salamander,saucy,2013-04-25,2013-10-17,2014-07-17
14.04 LTS,Trusty Tahr,trusty,2013-10-17,2014-04-17,2019-04-25,2019-04-25,2024-04-25
14.10,Utopic Unicorn,utopic,2014-04-17,2014-10-23,2015-07-23
15.04,Vivid Vervet,vivid,2014-10-23,2015-04-23,2016-02-04
15.10,Wily Werewolf,wily,2015-04-23,2015-10-22,2016-07-28
16.04 LTS,Xenial Xerus,xenial,2015-10-22,2016-04-21,2021-04-21,2021-04-21,2026-04-23
16.10,Yakkety Yak,yakkety,2016-04-21,2016-10-13,2017-07-20
17.04,Zesty Zapus,zesty,2016-10-13,2017-04-13,2018-01-13
17.10,Artful Aardvark,artful,2017-04-13,2017-10-19,2018-07-19
18.04 LTS,Bionic Beaver,bionic,2017-10-19,2018-04-26,2023-04-26,2023-04-26,2028-04-26
18.10,Cosmic Cuttlefish,cosmic,2018-04-26,2018-10-18,2019-07-18
19.04,Disco Dingo,disco,2018-10-18,2019-04-18,2020-01-23
19.10,Eoan Ermine,eoan,2019-04-18,2019-10-17,2020-07-17
20.04 LTS,Focal Fossa,focal,2019-10-17,2020-04-23,2025-04-23,2025-04-23,2030-04-23
20.04 LTS,Una,una,2019-10-17,2020-04-23,2025-04-23,2025-04-23,2030-04-23
20.10,Groovy Gorilla,groovy,2020-04-23,2020-10-22,2021-07-22
21.04,Hirsute Hippo,hirsute,2020-10-22,2021-04-22,2022-01-20
21.10,Impish Indri,impish,2021-04-22,2021-10-14,2022-07-14
22.04 LTS,Jammy Jellyfish,jammy,2021-10-14,2022-04-21,2027-04-21,2027-04-21,2032-04-21
22.10,Kinetic Kudu,kinetic,2022-04-21,2022-10-20,2023-07-20
23.04,Lunar Lobster,lunar,2022-10-20,2023-04-20,2024-01-25

Then, attaching the computer to Ubuntu Pro works, but there is no automatically launched service. Trying sudo pro enable esm-infra gives an error "Ubuntu 20.3 is not a valid version".

Looking at Ubuntu Pro logs, it seems that "/etc/os-release" is where Ubuntu Pro reads the distribution version.

So, "/etc/os-release" content is changed to:

Code: Select all

NAME="Ubuntu"
VERSION="20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa)"
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian
PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 20.04 LTS"
VERSION_ID="20.04"
HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/"
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy"
VERSION_CODENAME=focal
UBUNTU_CODENAME=focal

At this step, the command sudo pro enable esm-infra esm-apps works and install the two "esm-infra" and "esm-apps" services.

When launching the Update Manager and actualizing it, updates are available, and I install them.

Here is pro status output:

Code: Select all

This machine is attached to an Ubuntu Pro subscription.

Main/Restricted packages are receiving security updates from
Ubuntu Pro with 'esm-infra' enabled until 2030.

Universe/Multiverse packages are receiving security updates from
Ubuntu Pro with 'esm-apps' enabled until 2030. You have received 18 security
updates.

pro status
SERVICE          ENTITLED  STATUS    DESCRIPTION
esm-apps         yes       enabled   Expanded Security Maintenance for Applications
esm-infra        yes       enabled   Expanded Security Maintenance for Infrastructure
fips             yes       disabled  NIST-certified core packages
fips-updates     yes       disabled  NIST-certified core packages with priority security updates
livepatch        yes       disabled  Canonical Livepatch service
usg              yes       disabled  Security compliance and audit tools

Enable services with: pro enable <service>

     Account: user@domain
Subscription: Ubuntu Pro - free personal subscription

And pro security-status output:

Code: Select all

2193 packages installed:
     1600 packages from Ubuntu Main/Restricted repository
     388 packages from Ubuntu Universe/Multiverse repository
     183 packages from third parties
     22 packages no longer available for download

To get more information about the packages, run
    pro security-status --help
for a list of available options.

This machine is attached to an Ubuntu Pro subscription.

Main/Restricted packages are receiving security updates from
Ubuntu Pro with 'esm-infra' enabled until 2030.

Universe/Multiverse packages are receiving security updates from
Ubuntu Pro with 'esm-apps' enabled until 2030. You have received 18 security
updates.

The "Linux kernels" view is still active in the Update Manager, and it works correctly (it is not affected by the change in "/etc/os-release"). But this does not last, and kernel tool does not launch at next boot.

At this moment, "mintsources" still does not launch.

As I guessed, it can be corrected the following way: in "/usr/share/mintsources" directory, copy "una" subdirectroy and its content to "focal" subdirectory.

That's all, "mintsources" can now be launched! It even shows four extra repositories: "Ubuntu/focal-apps-security", "Ubuntu/focal-apps-updates", "Ubuntu/focal-infra-security" and "Ubuntu/focal-infra-updates", added by Ubuntu Pro.

Finally, this hack allows having Ubuntu Pro and Linux Mint mintsources working altogether.

Unfortunately, it does not allow having kernel tool working.

Workarounds:

- Enable Ubuntu Pro Livepatch service, that allows to have kernel update without session interrupt.
In order to enable it:
* Remove "/etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref" or comment its content.
* Change the contents of "/etc/issue", "/etc/issue.net", "/etc/lsb-release", as in viewtopic.php?p=2291833#p2291833.
* Then sudo pro enable livepatch
After this, my system inxi report is:

Code: Select all

System:
  Kernel: 5.4.0-137-generic arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.4.0 Desktop: MATE v: 1.26.0
    wm: Metacity dm: LightDM Distro: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa) base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: ASUSTeK product: G74Sx v: 1.0 serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: ASUSTeK model: G74Sx v: 1.0 serial: <superuser required> BIOS: American Megatrends
    v: G74Sx.203 date: 09/23/2011
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 40.5 Wh (100.0%) condition: 40.5/72.8 Wh (55.6%) volts: 15.3 min: 14.4
    model: ASUSTek G74--52 serial: N/A status: full
CPU:
  Info: quad core model: Intel Core i7-2670QM bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Sandy Bridge rev: 7
    cache: L1: 256 KiB L2: 1024 KiB L3: 6 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 2876 high: 2956 min/max: 800/3100 cores: 1: 2802 2: 2886 3: 2816 4: 2866
    5: 2884 6: 2956 7: 2899 8: 2905 bogomips: 35119
  Flags: avx ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GF116M [GeForce GT 560M] vendor: ASUSTeK driver: nvidia v: 390.157 arch: Fermi
    pcie: speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:1251
  Device-2: IMC Networks Integrated Webcam type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 1-1.2:4
    chip-ID: 13d3:5134
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.20.13 with: Xwayland driver: X: loaded: nvidia
    unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,nouveau,vesa gpu: nvidia display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1080 s-dpi: 128
  Monitor-1: LVDS-0 res: 1920x1080 dpi: 128 diag: 438mm (17.26")
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 390.157 renderer: GeForce GTX 560M/PCIe/SSE2 direct render: Yes
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Family High Definition Audio vendor: ASUSTeK 6
    driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:1c20
  Device-2: NVIDIA GF116 High Definition Audio vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
    pcie: speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 01:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:0bee
  Sound API: ALSA v: k5.4.0-137-generic running: yes
  Sound Server-1: PulseAudio v: 13.99.1 running: yes
Network:
  Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter vendor: AzureWave AW-NB037H 802.11bgn
    driver: ath9k v: kernel pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 bus-ID: 03:00.0 chip-ID: 168c:002b
  IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    vendor: ASUSTeK U6V/U31J laptop driver: r8169 v: kernel pcie: speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 9000
    bus-ID: 05:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8168
  IF: enp5s0 state: down mac: <filter>
  IF-ID-1: vmnet1 state: unknown speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter>
  IF-ID-2: vmnet8 state: unknown speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR3011 Bluetooth type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8 bus-ID: 1-1.1:3
    chip-ID: 0cf3:3005
  Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 2 state: down bt-service: N/A rfk-block: hardware: no
    software: yes address: <filter>
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 931.51 GiB used: 273.11 GiB (29.3%)
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Crucial model: CT1000MX500SSD1 size: 931.51 GiB speed: 6.0 Gb/s
    serial: <filter>
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 139.75 GiB used: 14.23 GiB (10.2%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
  ID-2: /home size: 744.98 GiB used: 258.88 GiB (34.8%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda2
Swap:
  ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 30.52 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2 dev: /dev/sda3
USB:
  Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
  Hub-2: 1-1:2 info: Intel Integrated Rate Matching Hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 8087:0024
  Device-1: 1-1.1:3 info: Qualcomm Atheros AR3011 Bluetooth type: Bluetooth driver: btusb
    rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 0cf3:3005
  Device-2: 1-1.2:4 info: IMC Networks Integrated Webcam type: Video driver: uvcvideo rev: 2.0
    speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 13d3:5134
  Device-3: 1-1.4:5 info: Realtek RTS5139 Card Reader Controller type: <vendor specific>
    driver: rtsx_usb,rtsx_usb_ms,rtsx_usb_sdmmc rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 0bda:0139
  Hub-3: 2-0:1 info: Full speed or root hub ports: 8 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
  Hub-4: 2-1:2 info: Intel Integrated Rate Matching Hub ports: 6 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 8087:0024
  Device-1: 2-1.2:3 info: Trust type: Mouse driver: hid-generic,usbhid rev: 1.1 speed: 1.5 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 145f:01d9
  Hub-5: 2-1.3:4 info: Genesys Logic Hub ports: 4 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s chip-ID: 05e3:0608
  Device-1: 2-1.3.3:5 info: Microsoft Digital Media Keyboard 3000 type: Keyboard,HID
    driver: microsoft,usbhid rev: 2.0 speed: 1.5 Mb/s chip-ID: 045e:0730
  Device-2: 2-1.3.4:6 info: Wacom CTL-470 [Bamboo Connect] type: Mouse,HID driver: usbhid,wacom
    rev: 2.0 speed: 12 Mb/s chip-ID: 056a:00dd
  Hub-6: 3-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 1 rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s
    chip-ID: 1d6b:0002
  Hub-7: 4-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 1 rev: 3.0 speed: 5 Gb/s chip-ID: 1d6b:0003
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 82.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nvidia temp: 70 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): cpu: 3300
Repos:
  Packages: 2231 pm: dpkg pkgs: 2194 pm: flatpak pkgs: 34 pm: snap pkgs: 3
  No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/flatpak-stable-focal.list
    1: deb http: //ppa.launchpad.net/flatpak/stable/ubuntu focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/graphics-drivers-ppa-focal.list
    1: deb http: //ppa.launchpad.net/graphics-drivers/ppa/ubuntu focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
    1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com una main upstream import backport
    2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
    3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
    4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
    5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
    6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/tor.list
    1: deb https: //deb.torproject.org/torproject.org/ focal main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu-esm-apps.list
    1: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/apps/ubuntu focal-apps-security main
    2: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/apps/ubuntu focal-apps-updates main
  Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu-esm-infra.list
    1: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/infra/ubuntu focal-infra-security main
    2: deb https: //esm.ubuntu.com/infra/ubuntu focal-infra-updates main
Info:
  Processes: 275 Uptime: 10m Memory: 15.61 GiB used: 2.53 GiB (16.2%) Init: systemd v: 245
  target: graphical (5) default: graphical Compilers: gcc: 9.4.0 alt: 9 Client: Unknown python3.8
  client inxi: 3.3.24

(NB: my system is now recognized as Ubuntu 20.04 LTS; and I have three snap packages installed on my system; mintsources is still working).

- Or use another kernel management tool.
* Mainline is free and OpenSource, but it can manage only mainline kernels, and not generic ones.
* UKUU advanced version, payware, allows selecting "generic" in the list of kernels and to avoid mainline ones. See https://teejeetech.com/2022/04/02/ukuu- ... more-10717

Regards,

MN

[Pjotr]

Nice find!

[Pjotr]

In order to prevent an update from the Mint sources in your near-dead Mint 19.x from overwriting the files you've hacked, you can simply remove the Mint source from your sources list with this command:

Code: Select all

sudo sed -i '1d' /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list

Of course you do not wish to do so in Mint 20.x or Mint 21.x, at least not yet. Because they still have years of official life in them.

I've added this to the how-to on my website, because I only recommend an Ubuntu Pro life extension for a dead or near-dead Mint (and even then only as an emergency measure)....