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Linux o/s for my old Asus EEE 901 - where/how/what etc?
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Lobster
Apr 12, 2013, 7:49:43 AM4/12/13
to
I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my best
efforts at trying to slipstream it.
Now, after a zillion XP service packs and bug fixes etc, drive C: is
completely and utterly full and the EEE is literally unusable; so I've
had enough and want to try resurrecting it using Linux.
YAAAAY! Finally!, I can almost hear you all shout...
Have to say I'm not overenthused about the prospect as I've never used
Linux, and also this is a family machine which needs to be used by
Windows users (incl SWMBO) who certainly won't be happy; but anyway...
The machine came with a Linux installation disk, so I'm sure I could
start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be right
in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a good idea?
If so, where should I start out - as a reluctant and complete Linux
novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of Linux to install as
painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm really after an
out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be expecting too much?
Any tips gratefully received!
Thanks
--
David
running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my best
efforts at trying to slipstream it.
Now, after a zillion XP service packs and bug fixes etc, drive C: is
completely and utterly full and the EEE is literally unusable; so I've
had enough and want to try resurrecting it using Linux.
YAAAAY! Finally!, I can almost hear you all shout...
Have to say I'm not overenthused about the prospect as I've never used
Linux, and also this is a family machine which needs to be used by
Windows users (incl SWMBO) who certainly won't be happy; but anyway...
The machine came with a Linux installation disk, so I'm sure I could
start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be right
in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a good idea?
If so, where should I start out - as a reluctant and complete Linux
novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of Linux to install as
painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm really after an
out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be expecting too much?
Any tips gratefully received!
Thanks
--
David
Jaimie Vandenbergh
Apr 12, 2013, 7:56:46 AM4/12/13
to
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:49:43 +0100, Lobster
<davidlobs...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Now, after a zillion XP service packs and bug fixes etc, drive C: is
>completely and utterly full and the EEE is literally unusable; so I've
>had enough and want to try resurrecting it using Linux.
Would you like an alternative? Cloanto Amiga Forever works
<davidlobs...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Now, after a zillion XP service packs and bug fixes etc, drive C: is
>completely and utterly full and the EEE is literally unusable; so I've
>had enough and want to try resurrecting it using Linux.
surprisingly well on these little beasties!
Other than that, just bung any current Linux on (Mint is well-favoured
these days) and it'll be good.
Cheers - Jaimie
--
"While preceding your entrance with a grenade is a good tactic in
Quake, it can lead to problems if attempted at work."
-- Chris Hacking, asr
Richard Kettlewell
Apr 12, 2013, 8:01:07 AM4/12/13
to
Lobster <davidlobs...@hotmail.com> writes:
> I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my
> best efforts at trying to slipstream it.
>
> Now, after a zillion XP service packs and bug fixes etc, drive C: is
> completely and utterly full and the EEE is literally unusable; so I've
> had enough and want to try resurrecting it using Linux.
>
> YAAAAY! Finally!, I can almost hear you all shout...
>
> Have to say I'm not overenthused about the prospect as I've never used
> Linux, and also this is a family machine which needs to be used by
> Windows users (incl SWMBO) who certainly won't be happy; but anyway...
Laptops can sometimes be a bit more work than desktops, so you might be
> I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my
> best efforts at trying to slipstream it.
>
> Now, after a zillion XP service packs and bug fixes etc, drive C: is
> completely and utterly full and the EEE is literally unusable; so I've
> had enough and want to try resurrecting it using Linux.
>
> YAAAAY! Finally!, I can almost hear you all shout...
>
> Have to say I'm not overenthused about the prospect as I've never used
> Linux, and also this is a family machine which needs to be used by
> Windows users (incl SWMBO) who certainly won't be happy; but anyway...
slightly jumping in at the deep end. That said the hardware being a few
years old will help.
> The machine came with a Linux installation disk, so I'm sure I could
> start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be right
> in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a good idea?
> If so, where should I start out - as a reluctant and complete Linux
> novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of Linux to install as
> painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm really after an
> out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be expecting too
> much?
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC/Model/901
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport/Machines/Netbooks#Asus_Eee_901
Google reveals a fair bit of discussion of installation onto this
hardware, which might prove helpful if you run into any problems. There
are also a bunch of Linux and distro-specific newsgroups.
--
http://www.greenend.org.uk/rjk/
Chris Whelan
Apr 12, 2013, 8:08:07 AM4/12/13
to
Linux distributions!
It might be worth having a look or asking here:
http://bit.ly/16RBRhr
(Forum for the EEE)
Try to do as much research as you can regarding how to download and
install Linux. It might be hard going at first, but will quickly fall
into place. Most of the better known distros have a set of 'how-to's',
and newbie sections in their forum.
To keep it short, if it was mine I would install Linux Mint 13 XFCE. 13
is a long term support version; XFCE is a desktop a bit like a cross
between Windows 98 and XP. It's very lightweight when compared to XP.
There is a bit of a learning curve when embracing the penguin, but in
most cases it's well worth it.
If your users are like the average, and just want web browsing, email,
write the odd letter, and the ability to view photos, then most distros
would suit.
Chris
--
Remove prejudice to reply.
Bill
Apr 12, 2013, 9:49:05 AM4/12/13
to
In message <HOS9t.1$F_...@fx07.fr7>, Chris Whelan
<cawh...@prejudicentlworld.com> writes
Advent laptop to replace Vista. Both went in without drama.
If you need to see and be seen by a local network, you will probably
have to get help to find out how to set the samba configuration, but I
don't think there's much else to trip over.
I haven't let the Tosh download and install updates. It currently wants
to install 237. Not sure what these would do to speed and memory use.
The family use the Advent when they visit and I've had no complaints,
just surprise at the higher speed. I hate the new interface; they seem
to just use it.
--
Bill
<cawh...@prejudicentlworld.com> writes
>If your users are like the average, and just want web browsing, email,
>write the odd letter, and the ability to view photos, then most distros
>would suit.
I've put Ubuntu 12.10 onto my old Toshiba NB100 netbook and on to an old
>write the odd letter, and the ability to view photos, then most distros
>would suit.
Advent laptop to replace Vista. Both went in without drama.
If you need to see and be seen by a local network, you will probably
have to get help to find out how to set the samba configuration, but I
don't think there's much else to trip over.
I haven't let the Tosh download and install updates. It currently wants
to install 237. Not sure what these would do to speed and memory use.
The family use the Advent when they visit and I've had no complaints,
just surprise at the higher speed. I hate the new interface; they seem
to just use it.
--
Bill
Tony Houghton
Apr 12, 2013, 10:34:07 AM4/12/13
to
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:49:43 +0100
Lobster <davidlobs...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> The machine came with a Linux installation disk, so I'm sure I could
> start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be right
> in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a good idea?
Absolutely.
> The machine came with a Linux installation disk, so I'm sure I could
> start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be right
> in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a good idea?
> If so, where should I start out - as a reluctant and complete Linux
> novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of Linux to install as
> painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm really after an
> out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be expecting too much?
release is just around the corner, so the beta/release-candidate
installers for that are working fairly well now, but it is a little
harder to work out what to download etc.
Ubuntu generally puts more effort into making the desktop Just Work for
ordinary users, in particular they've integrated the package manager
into it much better than Debian have done via GNOME's horrible
PackageKit. Ubuntu's Unity desktop has a number of features aimed at
minimising the space taken by window furniture and menus etc, so
definitely worth trying on an old netbook.
Mint is Ubuntu (although there is an alternative based on Debian) with
the desktop rewritten to be more like "good old" GNOME 2. It has an
excellent menu/launcher system, although that is rather slow, and could
be annoyingly so on your hardware.
There is also Red Hat, Fedora etc, but I've never been tempted away from
dpkg/apt as used by Debian and Ubuntu for package management.
Rob Morley
Apr 12, 2013, 10:48:30 AM4/12/13
to
> The machine came with a Linux installation disk, so I'm sure I could
> start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be
> right in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a
> good idea? If so, where should I start out - as a reluctant and
> complete Linux novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of
> Linux to install as painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm
> really after an out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be
> expecting too much?
>
Should work with most mainstream distributions, choose a lightweight
> start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be
> right in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a
> good idea? If so, where should I start out - as a reluctant and
> complete Linux novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of
> Linux to install as painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm
> really after an out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be
> expecting too much?
>
window manager and try not to install a pile of software you're not
going to use (e.g. Libre Office, although it may be easier to remove
stuff after the installation process). You might want to use a kernel
that's customised for your CPU, to squeeze every last little bit of
performance out of it, but you shouldn't need that to get it up and
running.
This might be helpful even if you're using a different distro:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/ASUS_Eee_PC_901
TMack
Apr 12, 2013, 11:00:43 AM4/12/13
to
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:49:43 +0100, Lobster wrote:
> I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my best
> efforts at trying to slipstream it.
> I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my best
> efforts at trying to slipstream it.
> where should I start out - as a reluctant and complete Linux
> novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of Linux to install as
> painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm really after an
> out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be expecting too much?
>
> Any tips gratefully received!
LXDE might be worth considering
> novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of Linux to install as
> painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm really after an
> out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be expecting too much?
>
> Any tips gratefully received!
http://lxde.org/
--
Tony
'09 FJR1300, '04 Ducati ST3, '87 TW200,
'94 PC800, OMF#24
Another Dave
Apr 12, 2013, 11:21:05 AM4/12/13
to
On 12/04/2013 12:49, Lobster wrote:
> I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my best
> efforts at trying to slipstream it.
>
> Now, after a zillion XP service packs and bug fixes etc, drive C: is
> completely and utterly full and the EEE is literally unusable; so I've
> had enough and want to try resurrecting it using Linux.
>
> Any tips gratefully received!
> I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my best
> efforts at trying to slipstream it.
>
> Now, after a zillion XP service packs and bug fixes etc, drive C: is
> completely and utterly full and the EEE is literally unusable; so I've
> had enough and want to try resurrecting it using Linux.
>
>
http://www.puppylinux.com/
Will rattle around in all that space.
Another Dave
Craig Wallace
Apr 12, 2013, 4:17:24 PM4/12/13
to
On 2013-04-12 12:49, Lobster wrote:
> The machine came with a Linux installation disk, so I'm sure I could
> start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be right
> in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a good idea?
> If so, where should I start out - as a reluctant and complete Linux
> novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of Linux to install as
> painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm really after an
> out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be expecting too much?
>
> Any tips gratefully received!
The included Linux disc is based on Xandros, but customised with a
> The machine came with a Linux installation disk, so I'm sure I could
> start from scratch with that; however as it's so old, would I be right
> in assuming that it will be hideously out of date and not a good idea?
> If so, where should I start out - as a reluctant and complete Linux
> novice - in obtaining the right flavour/version of Linux to install as
> painlessly as possible on this machine? I'm really after an
> out-of-the-box installation, but I fear that may be expecting too much?
>
> Any tips gratefully received!
simplified interface. This does mostly work, but is rather limited in
what you can do with it. Plus its now very out of date, if you try
updating the software it will probably break something. So not really
worth bothering with IMHO.
I have installed Ubuntu on my Eee 701, I think its version 11.04, with
the Unity interface. It does work, though is a bit slow. And some
windows don't fit on the small screen. The 901 is a bit higher
resolution, which should help.
Note recent versions of Ubuntu will refuse to install on a drive less
than about 4.5GB, you have to tweak a file to get around this. See
http://gobitech.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/install-ubuntu-1104-on-asus-eee-pc-701.html
Or you could try installing Android. You can get a version designed for
the Eee PC, see http://www.android-x86.org/download
Though I don't know if it actually works, or if it is any use.
Craig
David.WE.Roberts
Apr 12, 2013, 5:59:16 PM4/12/13
to
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:49:43 +0100, Lobster wrote:
> I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my best
> efforts at trying to slipstream it.
Ubuntu Netbook Remix?
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb, which is too small for Windows despite my best
> efforts at trying to slipstream it.
IIRC that is what is currently on my EEE PC.
Dean
Apr 14, 2013, 2:47:20 AM4/14/13
to
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:49:43 +0100, Lobster wrote:
(lightweight desktop) on an EEE 1005HA. Easy install with all the hardware
working, including the 3G modem, with no post install tweaks necessary. The
latter versions of ubuntu seemed to progressively slow it down but with
Lubuntu and Chrome it's quite responsive. The battery life has always been
significantly longer on linux compared to windows.
rich
Apr 14, 2013, 5:47:10 AM4/14/13
to
On Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:49:43 +0100, Lobster wrote:
> I've had an Asus EE 901 mini netbook for about 4 years. It's been
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb,
<snip>
> running Windows XP, and has never really been satisfactory as it's it
> SSD drive C: is only 4Gb,
I have 2 Acer A110's these came with Linpus Linux, I think - terrible.
one has an 8 GB SSD & 512 MB mem (popped the usb ports on this one - my
fault)
That runs an old ubuntu remix that uses LXDE as the DM, So I would
suggest a more recent LXDE such as AntiX, based on debian.
<quote> It should run on most computers, ranging from 64 MB old PII 266
systems with pre-configured 128 MB swap to the latest powerful boxes. 128
MB RAM is recommended minimum for antiX. The installer needs minimum 2.2
GB hard disk size. <un-quote>
>
The more recent one has a 16GB SSD & 1GB mem and runs an old version of
Bodhi linux (E17). Never bothered updating it, everything works incl. the
3G card. Lots of cr*p on it & the SSD is now 1/3 full. Worth a try.
rich
Apr 14, 2013, 5:51:29 AM4/14/13
to
On Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:47:10 +0000, rich wrote:
oops,
antiX no longer uses LXDE, uses fluxbox, still worth a try.
oops,
antiX no longer uses LXDE, uses fluxbox, still worth a try.
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