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Have a PC hooked up to your TV or need a Linux distribution that might work better on a handheld PC? A new release of ChimeraOS is here, and it's a necessary upgrade. Think of it a bit like SteamOS with fancy extras.

ChimeraOS 40 and 41 released quickly after are needed, because the boot system has changed and if you don't update to it, you won't be able to update to ChimeraOS 42 when it comes out. The developer also mentioned that if you're on a BIOS/legacy boot, to do a fresh install for the new bootloader.

ChimeraOS 41 uses a Linux kernel version 6.1.21, Mesa version 22.3.4 (patched for ANV compatibility with Gamescope) and NVIDIA driver version: 530.41.03.

Here's all that's new:

  • Switched to the systemd-boot bootloader for new installations. BIOS/legacy installations are no longer supported.
  • Added a migrations framework to the system updater in preparation for migrating existing installations to systemd-boot in a future release.
  • Switched to PCSX2 emulator core for PlayStation 2 games. A BIOS file is now required.
  • Added support for Super Game Boy and Atari 7800 games.
  • Fixed Steam Deck failing to boot.
  • Fixed Steam Deck audio.
  • Added full controller support for AYANEO 2 and AYANEO Geek models via HandyGCCS.
  • Reduced network timeouts in the game configuration downloader to avoid connection hangs in poor network conditions.
  • Fixed automatic disk mounting in desktop mode.
  • Wake on USB will now be automatically enabled when a gamepad is plugged in.
  • Fixed a bug where session changes would not persist after a reboot.
  • Added an Xorg desktop session option.
  • Fixed a bug where game configuration tweaks were not being applied on first boot.
  • Added the ability to override the exe file used to launch GOG games. WarCraft II now works.
  • Fixed Steam failing to start with some displays at 4K when using AMD GPUs.
  • Fixed formatting and mounting of secondary storage devices in Steam.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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10 comments

MasterSleort Apr 3, 2023
Anyone knows if it works on the original Alienware Steam Machine? I read that it didn't in the last updated so didn't upgrade mine.
slaapliedje Apr 3, 2023
Quoting: MasterSleortAnyone knows if it works on the original Alienware Steam Machine? I read that it didn't in the last updated so didn't upgrade mine.
I wanted a Steam Machine, but never could justify the price of one (somehow I justify the price of an accelerator board for my Amiga instead...) But amusingly, you can get much more powerful 'NUC' styled systems now that perform a similar function.
MasterSleort Apr 3, 2023
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MasterSleortAnyone knows if it works on the original Alienware Steam Machine? I read that it didn't in the last updated so didn't upgrade mine.
I wanted a Steam Machine, but never could justify the price of one (somehow I justify the price of an accelerator board for my Amiga instead...) But amusingly, you can get much more powerful 'NUC' styled systems now that perform a similar function.

Totally agree and really it is not worth much anymore, but for some local multiplayer games it works just fine. But most importantly I just like to keep it going for as much as possible and hate that a software update basically renders it useless 😛
jordicoma Apr 4, 2023
It's this a good alternative to steamos for the deck?
I'm an arch user on my computer, but I think it's not well adapted for gamepad.
I don't like steamos with a lock file system, forcing the users to use flatpac, and it's not possible (as far as I can see) to change to catalan on kde.
AdrianEmery Apr 4, 2023
Quoting: jordicomaIt's this a good alternative to steamos for the deck?
I'm an arch user on my computer, but I think it's not well adapted for gamepad.
I don't like steamos with a lock file system, forcing the users to use flatpac, and it's not possible (as far as I can see) to change to catalan on kde.

Good question as I use ubunutu as I have been unable to use mint and Xbunutu due to incompatible hardware with the distribution and looking to try something with better gaming experience.
slaapliedje Apr 4, 2023
Quoting: MasterSleort
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MasterSleortAnyone knows if it works on the original Alienware Steam Machine? I read that it didn't in the last updated so didn't upgrade mine.
I wanted a Steam Machine, but never could justify the price of one (somehow I justify the price of an accelerator board for my Amiga instead...) But amusingly, you can get much more powerful 'NUC' styled systems now that perform a similar function.

Totally agree and really it is not worth much anymore, but for some local multiplayer games it works just fine. But most importantly I just like to keep it going for as much as possible and hate that a software update basically renders it useless 😛
Agreed! Granted, I would have just slapped Debian on one and kept it going that way. Now with the Deck UI being available on standard Steam, you could just set it up to boot straight into that.
MasterSleort Apr 4, 2023
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MasterSleort
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MasterSleortAnyone knows if it works on the original Alienware Steam Machine? I read that it didn't in the last updated so didn't upgrade mine.
I wanted a Steam Machine, but never could justify the price of one (somehow I justify the price of an accelerator board for my Amiga instead...) But amusingly, you can get much more powerful 'NUC' styled systems now that perform a similar function.

Totally agree and really it is not worth much anymore, but for some local multiplayer games it works just fine. But most importantly I just like to keep it going for as much as possible and hate that a software update basically renders it useless 😛
Agreed! Granted, I would have just slapped Debian on one and kept it going that way. Now with the Deck UI being available on standard Steam, you could just set it up to boot straight into that.

From what I gather though, it appears to be a problem in the Vulkan drivers from Nvidia.... I don't expect much luck on getting an updated driver for such old and closed hardware. So installing debian, Ubuntu or Holoiso probably won't help for the Big Picture mode at least.
Good it's my only device with Nvidia. I remember being cautious about that as well back when it was new, but I wanted to support Valves initial efforts on Linux. At some point I might just mod something else into it, as I kinda like the design of the case/shell.
Maath Apr 4, 2023
This is quite interesting to me. I've had an HTPC running Kodi, but I never liked it. They had a plugin to start Steam, but that stopped working as Kodi updated and I saw not work to fix it.

Unless I've missed it, there aren't many 10-foot UIs available for Linux. I'm not sure what this is using; it's not obvious from their web site. Can I assume if I install FireFox it can work with a controller to move the mouse around?

Whatever happened to Valve open-sourcing SteamOS 3.0, anyway?
voytrekk Apr 5, 2023
Quoting: AdrianEmery
Quoting: jordicomaIt's this a good alternative to steamos for the deck?
I'm an arch user on my computer, but I think it's not well adapted for gamepad.
I don't like steamos with a lock file system, forcing the users to use flatpac, and it's not possible (as far as I can see) to change to catalan on kde.

Good question as I use ubunutu as I have been unable to use mint and Xbunutu due to incompatible hardware with the distribution and looking to try something with better gaming experience.

No, ChimeraOS is not good if you want to be able to modify the base files. ChimeraOS takes it a step further and pretty much re-installs the whole OS when it updates leaving just user files and a few configuration files.
slaapliedje Apr 5, 2023
Quoting: MasterSleort
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MasterSleort
Quoting: slaapliedje
Quoting: MasterSleortAnyone knows if it works on the original Alienware Steam Machine? I read that it didn't in the last updated so didn't upgrade mine.
I wanted a Steam Machine, but never could justify the price of one (somehow I justify the price of an accelerator board for my Amiga instead...) But amusingly, you can get much more powerful 'NUC' styled systems now that perform a similar function.

Totally agree and really it is not worth much anymore, but for some local multiplayer games it works just fine. But most importantly I just like to keep it going for as much as possible and hate that a software update basically renders it useless 😛
Agreed! Granted, I would have just slapped Debian on one and kept it going that way. Now with the Deck UI being available on standard Steam, you could just set it up to boot straight into that.

From what I gather though, it appears to be a problem in the Vulkan drivers from Nvidia.... I don't expect much luck on getting an updated driver for such old and closed hardware. So installing debian, Ubuntu or Holoiso probably won't help for the Big Picture mode at least.
Good it's my only device with Nvidia. I remember being cautious about that as well back when it was new, but I wanted to support Valves initial efforts on Linux. At some point I might just mod something else into it, as I kinda like the design of the case/shell.
Yeah I kind of thought you could just swap in another low profile card?
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