XenialPup64 With XFCE-4.12
- battleshooter
- Posts: 1378
- Joined: Wed 14 May 2008, 05:10
- Location: Australia
Alrighty then, let's try this again:
xfcexenial-R5[fixed].iso 761.5 MB
md5sum:71d1400477a013b44ab3a6e3e28b90dc
Thanks again Marv
xfcexenial-R5[fixed].iso 761.5 MB
md5sum:71d1400477a013b44ab3a6e3e28b90dc
Thanks again Marv
[url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94580]LMMS 1.0.2[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94593]Ardour 3.5.389[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94629]Kdenlive 0.9.8[/url]
Quick check, seems fine. md5sum correct, pristine frugal install (lite mode, no adrive, no ydrive). Exactly as above, timezone & UTC set up, SNS setup of wireless connections. Then, reboot setting up the savefile exactly as above. Reboot totally normal. Then a couple of X-restarts and a suspend or two... Also normal. Then loaded the Slimjet SFS, used pmount to set the data drive to mount on boot and symlinked in the Slimjet profile and the claws mail profile. Checked both, then another reboot. Normal boot, no extra icons, all my additions preserved. Posting from it now.
To all a good night
To all a good night
Pups currently in kennel :D Older LxPupSc and X-slacko-4.4 for my users; LxPupSc, LxPupSc64 and upupEF for me. All good pups indeed, and all running savefiles for look'n'feel only. Browsers, etc. solely from SFS.
hi battleshooter,
sorry for the xenialpup build causing you problems.
the problem .xinitrc is copied from /root/firstrun on first boot. my plan was/is to attempt to get users to a working desktop if they install xfce from the PPM.
and so the .xinitrc kills rox pinboard if xfce is launched.
another thing that happens (which might cause you problems) is that when xfce is installed from the ppm, /usr/local/petget/hacks-postinstall.sh copies some basic xfce settings from /usr/local/quickpet/checks so that you get a working menu etc. it also removes the 'running as root' warning from thunar and installs a window manger switcher.
you may want to remove the xfce section from hacks-postinstall.sh in your pup in case it causes you problems.
the above is all a bit rough and ready... but going forward i'ld like to use the same system on other window managers so that users get a usable desktop & menu if they install say kde or openbox from the PPM.
i don't use xfce myself so if you're up for having a look and improving the default settings that get used that be very much appreciated.
sorry for causing you a headache!!!
sorry for the xenialpup build causing you problems.
the problem .xinitrc is copied from /root/firstrun on first boot. my plan was/is to attempt to get users to a working desktop if they install xfce from the PPM.
and so the .xinitrc kills rox pinboard if xfce is launched.
another thing that happens (which might cause you problems) is that when xfce is installed from the ppm, /usr/local/petget/hacks-postinstall.sh copies some basic xfce settings from /usr/local/quickpet/checks so that you get a working menu etc. it also removes the 'running as root' warning from thunar and installs a window manger switcher.
you may want to remove the xfce section from hacks-postinstall.sh in your pup in case it causes you problems.
the above is all a bit rough and ready... but going forward i'ld like to use the same system on other window managers so that users get a usable desktop & menu if they install say kde or openbox from the PPM.
i don't use xfce myself so if you're up for having a look and improving the default settings that get used that be very much appreciated.
sorry for causing you a headache!!!
Bionicpup64 built with bionic beaver packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=114311
Xenialpup64, built with xenial xerus packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=107331
Xenialpup64, built with xenial xerus packages http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=107331
- battleshooter
- Posts: 1378
- Joined: Wed 14 May 2008, 05:10
- Location: Australia
Oh no way do you need to apologize Phil, you've made an amazing Puplet I've enjoyed building off.
It sounds like you're taking a different approach to the same problem. I was planning to use petbuild, but if the Ubuntu debs work as well that could be better than reinventing the wheel.
line in /etc/profile and in /etc/xorg.conf-auto-pc
needs to be added so transparency works correctly. Otherwise some cases of transparency show up as black boxes. That's the only one I can think of off the top of my head that you haven't mentioned.
Thanks again for making such a great pup Phil!
@Marv, did you see the great news?
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic. ... 905#975905
pemasu worked out the great fstab mystery so we won't have to use our lovely fstab hack anymore
Here's a quick pet I put together for anyone that wants to test it. Obviously the fake fstab lines in rc.local and rc.shutdown will need to be removed.
glib-2.54.0-x86_64_xen75.pet
glib_DEV-2.54.0-x86_64_xen75.pet
It sounds like you're taking a different approach to the same problem. I was planning to use petbuild, but if the Ubuntu debs work as well that could be better than reinventing the wheel.
Code: Select all
export XLIB_SKIP_ARGB_VISUALS=1
line in /etc/profile and in /etc/xorg.conf-auto-pc
Code: Select all
Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "1"
EndSection
Thanks again for making such a great pup Phil!
@Marv, did you see the great news?
http://murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic. ... 905#975905
pemasu worked out the great fstab mystery so we won't have to use our lovely fstab hack anymore
Here's a quick pet I put together for anyone that wants to test it. Obviously the fake fstab lines in rc.local and rc.shutdown will need to be removed.
glib-2.54.0-x86_64_xen75.pet
glib_DEV-2.54.0-x86_64_xen75.pet
[url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94580]LMMS 1.0.2[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94593]Ardour 3.5.389[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94629]Kdenlive 0.9.8[/url]
Hi battleshooter. I just saw. Done right! Off with er hack I'll roll the pet in and have a go.
Cheers,
Edit: Hack out, pet in. Seems fine. Several reboots, X-restarts etc. Great.
Cheers,
Edit: Hack out, pet in. Seems fine. Several reboots, X-restarts etc. Great.
Pups currently in kennel :D Older LxPupSc and X-slacko-4.4 for my users; LxPupSc, LxPupSc64 and upupEF for me. All good pups indeed, and all running savefiles for look'n'feel only. Browsers, etc. solely from SFS.
battleshooter wrote:Alrighty then, let's try this again:
xfcexenial-R5[fixed].iso 761.5 MB
md5sum:71d1400477a013b44ab3a6e3e28b90dc
Thanks again Marv
Hi Battleshooter,
Very purdy stuff Especially them new icons, especially like the Menu firewall ones, and the terminal, my friend, ah it is supremely sublime to come setup like that. Desktop is nice and elegant, and will give it some good use these next few weeks. Pics are below. Just one question: I could've sworn that, in the R5 we had trouble with some days ago (and that is now nicely fixed), you had included Firefox, the latest actually, in it. But in this version, other than a stray Menu entry for it that still exists, I cannot find Firefox anywhere on the system (from /usr/bin, lib/lib64, /opt, /etc, /etc). Am I remembering things wrong??
- Attachments
-
- Battleshooter-Deluxe-R5.jpg
- (73.73 KiB) Downloaded 910 times
-
- no-firefox-anywhere-in-this-fixed-R5-version.jpg
- (94.54 KiB) Downloaded 913 times
- battleshooter
- Posts: 1378
- Joined: Wed 14 May 2008, 05:10
- Location: Australia
You had me doubt myself for a second there Belham, I had to check the iso
Firefox is in the adrv, is there some reason it's not being loaded? Are you trying the "light" version without ydrv and adrv?
Speaking of stray menu entries, I believe Phil has cut Hardinfo in this version but I've got the menu entry still hanging about. Let me know if you come across any more orphaned menu entries.
@Marv Coooooool. I'm still so chuffed we've finally got a real solution...was struggling with this one for so long.
Firefox is in the adrv, is there some reason it's not being loaded? Are you trying the "light" version without ydrv and adrv?
Speaking of stray menu entries, I believe Phil has cut Hardinfo in this version but I've got the menu entry still hanging about. Let me know if you come across any more orphaned menu entries.
@Marv Coooooool. I'm still so chuffed we've finally got a real solution...was struggling with this one for so long.
[url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94580]LMMS 1.0.2[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94593]Ardour 3.5.389[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94629]Kdenlive 0.9.8[/url]
battleshooter wrote:You had me doubt myself for a second there Belham, I had to check the iso
Firefox is in the adrv, is there some reason it's not being loaded? Are you trying the "light" version without ydrv and adrv?
Speaking of stray menu entries, I believe Phil has cut Hardinfo in this version but I've got the menu entry still hanging about. Let me know if you come across any more orphaned menu entries.
@Marv Coooooool. I'm still so chuffed we've finally got a real solution...was struggling with this one for so long.
...oh boy, heehee, can I claim "old age" or "oncoming (or possibly already arrived) senility".........hmmm, why did I never see Firefox like before? Well, it might help if I put the adrv in the 'frgual' folder.
Jeezlousie...sometimes I can't get out of the way of myself.
Hey, otherwise, hope your day is going good, Battleshooter!
XenialPup64 With XFCE-4.12
I installed to the hard drive of my Compaq desktop:
root# inxi -Fxxw
System: Host: puppypc30262 Kernel: 4.14.2 x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
Desktop: Xfce 4.12.4 (Gtk 2.24.30) dm: N/A Distro: xenialpup64 7.5
Machine: System: Compaq-Presario product: AU194AA-A2L CQ5123F serial: MXX9300M0F
Mobo: MSI model: Boston v: 1.0 Bios: Phoenix v: 5.24 date: 06/19/2009
Chassis: Hewlett-Packard type: 3
CPU: Dual core Pentium E5200 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips: 9999
clock speeds: min/max: 1200/2500 MHz 1: 2000 MHz 2: 1600 MHz
Graphics: Card: Intel 82G33/G31 Express Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:29c2
Display Server: X.org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
tty size: 142x28 Advanced Data: N/A for root
Audio: Card Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:27d8
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.14.2
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8101/2/6E PCI Express Fast/Gigabit Ethernet controller
driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: ce00 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8136
IF: eth0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: 00:24:21:ad:9a:d4
Drives: HDD Total Size: 500.1GB (7.5% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: Hitachi_HDP72505 size: 500.1GB serial: N/A
Partition: ID-1: swap-1 size: 4.29GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda2
RAID: System: supported: linear raid0 raid1 raid10 raid6 raid5 raid4
No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Unused Devices: none
Sensors: None detected - is lm-sensors installed and configured?
Weather: Conditions: 46 F (8 C) - Partly Cloudy Wind: From the SW at 6 MPH Humidity: 71%
Pressure: 30.17 in (1021 mb) Time: December 3, 1:12 PM EST (America/Rainy_River)
Info: Processes: 120 Uptime: 34 min Memory: 373.0/3941.0MB Init: SysVinit v: N/A runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
Client: Shell (bash 4.3.421 running in xfce4-terminal) inxi: 2.2.35
root#
I added applications with PPM including kpat,kshisen,vlc,smtube,kodi,xfce4-goodies, also compiled mplayer-1.30
When I want to close the session I open the terminal and enter reboot,that shuts the compter down,next boot goes to the xfce4 desktop.
Works okay,
Thanks.
root# inxi -Fxxw
System: Host: puppypc30262 Kernel: 4.14.2 x86_64 (64 bit gcc: 5.4.0)
Desktop: Xfce 4.12.4 (Gtk 2.24.30) dm: N/A Distro: xenialpup64 7.5
Machine: System: Compaq-Presario product: AU194AA-A2L CQ5123F serial: MXX9300M0F
Mobo: MSI model: Boston v: 1.0 Bios: Phoenix v: 5.24 date: 06/19/2009
Chassis: Hewlett-Packard type: 3
CPU: Dual core Pentium E5200 (-MCP-) cache: 2048 KB flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 ssse3) bmips: 9999
clock speeds: min/max: 1200/2500 MHz 1: 2000 MHz 2: 1600 MHz
Graphics: Card: Intel 82G33/G31 Express Integrated Graphics Controller bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:29c2
Display Server: X.org 1.18.4 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
tty size: 142x28 Advanced Data: N/A for root
Audio: Card Intel NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0 chip-ID: 8086:27d8
Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.14.2
Network: Card: Realtek RTL8101/2/6E PCI Express Fast/Gigabit Ethernet controller
driver: r8169 v: 2.3LK-NAPI port: ce00 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8136
IF: eth0 state: up speed: 100 Mbps duplex: full mac: 00:24:21:ad:9a:d4
Drives: HDD Total Size: 500.1GB (7.5% used) ID-1: /dev/sda model: Hitachi_HDP72505 size: 500.1GB serial: N/A
Partition: ID-1: swap-1 size: 4.29GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda2
RAID: System: supported: linear raid0 raid1 raid10 raid6 raid5 raid4
No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Unused Devices: none
Sensors: None detected - is lm-sensors installed and configured?
Weather: Conditions: 46 F (8 C) - Partly Cloudy Wind: From the SW at 6 MPH Humidity: 71%
Pressure: 30.17 in (1021 mb) Time: December 3, 1:12 PM EST (America/Rainy_River)
Info: Processes: 120 Uptime: 34 min Memory: 373.0/3941.0MB Init: SysVinit v: N/A runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 5.4.0
Client: Shell (bash 4.3.421 running in xfce4-terminal) inxi: 2.2.35
root#
I added applications with PPM including kpat,kshisen,vlc,smtube,kodi,xfce4-goodies, also compiled mplayer-1.30
When I want to close the session I open the terminal and enter reboot,that shuts the compter down,next boot goes to the xfce4 desktop.
Works okay,
Thanks.
- Attachments
-
- screenshot.jpg
- (34.97 KiB) Downloaded 853 times
xfcexenial-R5
Hi battleshooter,
Thanks for this release.
/usr/lib/ to /usr/lib64/
Thanks for this release.
The fix is to move the hardinfo folder which contains the modules over fromSpeaking of stray menu entries, I believe Phil has cut Hardinfo in this version but I've got the menu entry still hanging about.
Let me know if you come across any more orphaned menu entries.
/usr/lib/ to /usr/lib64/
- Attachments
-
- Screenshot_2017-12-03_21-20-22.png
- (99.43 KiB) Downloaded 833 times
Regards ETP
[url=http://tinyurl.com/pxzq8o9][img]https://s17.postimg.cc/tl19y14y7/You_Tube_signature80px.png[/img][/url]
[url=http://tinyurl.com/kennels2/]Kennels[/url]
[url=http://tinyurl.com/pxzq8o9][img]https://s17.postimg.cc/tl19y14y7/You_Tube_signature80px.png[/img][/url]
[url=http://tinyurl.com/kennels2/]Kennels[/url]
- battleshooter
- Posts: 1378
- Joined: Wed 14 May 2008, 05:10
- Location: Australia
@ETP Oh blast, that's a broken symlink. /usr/lib64 should be linked to /usr/lib, thanks for pointing that out
Looks like it's delta time
Thanks for the feedback Bill glad we're good so far
All good Belham, enjoy
Looks like it's delta time
Thanks for the feedback Bill glad we're good so far
All good Belham, enjoy
[url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94580]LMMS 1.0.2[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94593]Ardour 3.5.389[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94629]Kdenlive 0.9.8[/url]
Noob question here,
The VOLUP and VOLDOWN on my Microsoft Wireless Keyboard don't work in this OS.
When I try to read the key presses with xKeybind, it says the buttons have no symbol.
What's the procedure to get these features working?
p.s Is it easy to install btrfs?, I noticed apt-get is missing
The VOLUP and VOLDOWN on my Microsoft Wireless Keyboard don't work in this OS.
When I try to read the key presses with xKeybind, it says the buttons have no symbol.
What's the procedure to get these features working?
p.s Is it easy to install btrfs?, I noticed apt-get is missing
- battleshooter
- Posts: 1378
- Joined: Wed 14 May 2008, 05:10
- Location: Australia
Someone mentioned to me the multimedia keys weren't being picked up, I'll look into that Roy, and welcome to Puppy.
Puppy doesn't use apt-get, under the system menu there's the Puppy Package Manager, try installing btrfs from there.
Puppy doesn't use apt-get, under the system menu there's the Puppy Package Manager, try installing btrfs from there.
[url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94580]LMMS 1.0.2[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94593]Ardour 3.5.389[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94629]Kdenlive 0.9.8[/url]
- battleshooter
- Posts: 1378
- Joined: Wed 14 May 2008, 05:10
- Location: Australia
Hey rodiontw, thanks for your kind words. I haven't been very motivated lately but I probably will keep the kernel updated down the track as newer hardware is released that requires new kernels.
[url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94580]LMMS 1.0.2[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94593]Ardour 3.5.389[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94629]Kdenlive 0.9.8[/url]
Hi battleshooter,
I'm running peebees latest 4.15.0 64-bit kernel from LxPupSc 18.01 +8T in your XFCE XenialPup64. Boots and runs fine and it's the first I've seen with both meltdown mitigation and full spectre 2 mitigation. Once the kernel wonks get the spectre 1 mitigation finished that might be a good time to update the kernel.
Cheers,
I'm running peebees latest 4.15.0 64-bit kernel from LxPupSc 18.01 +8T in your XFCE XenialPup64. Boots and runs fine and it's the first I've seen with both meltdown mitigation and full spectre 2 mitigation. Once the kernel wonks get the spectre 1 mitigation finished that might be a good time to update the kernel.
Cheers,
Pups currently in kennel :D Older LxPupSc and X-slacko-4.4 for my users; LxPupSc, LxPupSc64 and upupEF for me. All good pups indeed, and all running savefiles for look'n'feel only. Browsers, etc. solely from SFS.
- battleshooter
- Posts: 1378
- Joined: Wed 14 May 2008, 05:10
- Location: Australia
Thank you for the advice Marv, that's an easy upgrade path.
It appears I have returned to hibernation mode again. I'm sorry for that even though it can't be helped. I wish I could be a more regular puppian but I can't seem to do more than turn up every now and again.
It appears I have returned to hibernation mode again. I'm sorry for that even though it can't be helped. I wish I could be a more regular puppian but I can't seem to do more than turn up every now and again.
[url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94580]LMMS 1.0.2[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94593]Ardour 3.5.389[/url], [url=http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=94629]Kdenlive 0.9.8[/url]
Just as information, peebees 4.14.18 64-bit kernel (in the most recent LxPupSc) now has meltdown and both spectre v1 and v2 mitigation. I'm running that across the board.battleshooter wrote:Thank you for the advice Marv, that's an easy upgrade path.
It appears I have returned to hibernation mode again. I'm sorry for that even though it can't be helped. I wish I could be a more regular puppian but I can't seem to do more than turn up every now and again.
Hibernate happily, we all do sometimes.
Pups currently in kennel :D Older LxPupSc and X-slacko-4.4 for my users; LxPupSc, LxPupSc64 and upupEF for me. All good pups indeed, and all running savefiles for look'n'feel only. Browsers, etc. solely from SFS.
appropriate repositories re: kernel swap
Truly appreciate battleshooter, peebee and marv's recent posts/efforts... would be lost otherwise.
Enjoying the kernel swap xenial64 hybrid as marv suggested. However, there is so much pollen here now I question every thought I have re: this concept. Swapping kernels is not something I'd previously delved into... not sure I'm thinking about this right.
Am I correct in thinking that if I run a hybrid longterm I should either...
1.) figure out how to connect to the repository associated with the kernel (vs. xenial64 connected ppm repos)
... and if I'm currently too daft to get that right (highly likely)...
2.) would it be an appropriate workaround to load iso matching what the kernel in use (in desired hybrid arrangement) is/should point at and download pkgs from there and then reboot into hybrid and load them manually in the hybrid?
... sorry... I'm likely having trouble explaining this coherently...
What I'm currently happily running is battleshooters xenial64xfce with swapped kernel (4.15.5 from peebee's LxPup-SC) and I was thinking I needed to use slacko6414.2 associated repositories after looking at various distro_specs.
If anyone can confirm or straighten me out on that basic concept I can run... err... crawl.... with it.
Thanks,
Cheryl
Enjoying the kernel swap xenial64 hybrid as marv suggested. However, there is so much pollen here now I question every thought I have re: this concept. Swapping kernels is not something I'd previously delved into... not sure I'm thinking about this right.
Am I correct in thinking that if I run a hybrid longterm I should either...
1.) figure out how to connect to the repository associated with the kernel (vs. xenial64 connected ppm repos)
... and if I'm currently too daft to get that right (highly likely)...
2.) would it be an appropriate workaround to load iso matching what the kernel in use (in desired hybrid arrangement) is/should point at and download pkgs from there and then reboot into hybrid and load them manually in the hybrid?
... sorry... I'm likely having trouble explaining this coherently...
What I'm currently happily running is battleshooters xenial64xfce with swapped kernel (4.15.5 from peebee's LxPup-SC) and I was thinking I needed to use slacko6414.2 associated repositories after looking at various distro_specs.
If anyone can confirm or straighten me out on that basic concept I can run... err... crawl.... with it.
Thanks,
Cheryl
Hi wadmalaw,
That 4.15.5 is what I'm currently running now on all my pups (32b and 64b) except for one set of core 2 duo machines where it is just too new for them, the 4.4.xx series is as new as they will go. Shows up right away on boot there.
Long story short but in general, I think you are best sticking with the repo or repos that were originally associated with the distro (xenial64 connected ppm repos in this case), primarily because you have the best chance of library compatibility with any progs you add using the PPM. Firmware is kernel independent and the newer kernels have the bulk of the drivers built in and what isn't is carried in the zdrv you swapped in along with the 4.15.5 vmlinux.
I've run 'hybrids' for a long time now, probably dating back to the Pentium M/forcepae era, and again, generally speaking, if it boots cleanly and has reasonable video, sound etc., the kernel won't get in the way of any progs you install. Much more often, it is libraries and other dependencies that do.
Cheers,
That 4.15.5 is what I'm currently running now on all my pups (32b and 64b) except for one set of core 2 duo machines where it is just too new for them, the 4.4.xx series is as new as they will go. Shows up right away on boot there.
Long story short but in general, I think you are best sticking with the repo or repos that were originally associated with the distro (xenial64 connected ppm repos in this case), primarily because you have the best chance of library compatibility with any progs you add using the PPM. Firmware is kernel independent and the newer kernels have the bulk of the drivers built in and what isn't is carried in the zdrv you swapped in along with the 4.15.5 vmlinux.
I've run 'hybrids' for a long time now, probably dating back to the Pentium M/forcepae era, and again, generally speaking, if it boots cleanly and has reasonable video, sound etc., the kernel won't get in the way of any progs you install. Much more often, it is libraries and other dependencies that do.
Cheers,
Pups currently in kennel :D Older LxPupSc and X-slacko-4.4 for my users; LxPupSc, LxPupSc64 and upupEF for me. All good pups indeed, and all running savefiles for look'n'feel only. Browsers, etc. solely from SFS.