Install a Desktop-Linux (Debian-Linux) on Apple TV 1G

You have an old Apple Tv 1G, collecting dust? Why not turning it in to a cheap full featured PC by installing a Desktop Linux (Debian jessie) on it!

Step 1: Watch the Video for a Step by Step Tutorial.

WARNING: This could brick your Apple Tv so please be careful.

Link to OSMC download: https://osmc.tv/download/

Command to install LXDE: sudo apt-get install lxde

Command to start LXDE: startx

Comments

[nvasilev1]

I wander if this works for A1469 think this is 3th gen.?

[stentmartin]

How to change the root password to be able to login to synaptic package manager.

1. Start terminal

2. sudo su - # to get to the root prompt

3. mount -rw -o remount /

4. passwd

5. Enter new UNIX password: "new password"

6. Retype new UNIX password: "new password"

7. password updated successfully

Close terminal and use your "new password" in the LXDE GUI to start synaptic package manager.

That's it

[stentmartin]

I have used terminal to start Synaptic (sudo su -) and download file manager and Firefox but I still dont know the password in Debian GUI? It seems to be a bug?

Sten T. Martin

[stentmartin]

Thank you for a very good video. I was nearly to give up my 2 Apple TV 1 when I learned how to make them a Debian Linux computer. And I can not stand the Kodi GUI to manage my files and photos, very bad.

I want to install Firefox and a file manager. Synaptic is asking for a password??

Please advise.

Sten T. Martin