Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

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patrick chezzie

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Nov 28, 2017, 2:12:30 PM11/28/17
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I was recently given 24 grade "A" 32 bit Everex Stepnote NC1502 laptops, on which I am trying to install Linux Chalet. They have 2 gigs ram, 160 gig hard drives and 1.7 ghz. Chalet installs very slowly, but when up and running, I cannot change the screen resolution. I tried running  'Sudo Apt-Get Install Mesa-Utils' And it said the latest version was installed. It also runs very slow, as it screams speed on any other machine. Is this a machine that is not capable of running Linux? Windows 7 runs great on them, but we all know what happened there. Windows 10 is an abortion, and will not run well on these machines either. They originally ran Vista 32 bit. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks to all.

Phil Shapiro

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Nov 28, 2017, 3:29:20 PM11/28/17
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Thanks for asking, Patrick.  I use a lightweight desktop, XFCE, when I install Linux, and it runs very fast.  I'm currently using Linux Mint 18.2 xfce -- and within two weeks Linux Mint 18.3 xfce ought to be out.

    Here's a video I made showing Linux Mint 17.1 xfce running on a 2002 Dell laptop. It runs surprisingly well.


               Hope this helps. Do send any follow-up questions that come to mind.

                     Phil Shapiro, Public Geek
                     Takoma Park Maryland Library


From: "patrick chezzie" <pad...@rogers.com>
To: "refurbishers" <refurb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2017 2:12:30 PM
Subject: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!


I was recently given 24 grade "A" 32 bit Everex Stepnote NC1502 laptops, on which I am trying to install Linux Chalet. They have 2 gigs ram, 160 gig hard drives and 1.7 ghz. Chalet installs very slowly, but when up and running, I cannot change the screen resolution. I tried running  'Sudo Apt-Get Install Mesa-Utils' And it said the latest version was installed. It also runs very slow, as it screams speed on any other machine. Is this a machine that is not capable of running Linux? Windows 7 runs great on them, but we all know what happened there. Windows 10 is an abortion, and will not run well on these machines either. They originally ran Vista 32 bit. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks to all.

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"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
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"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

Charles M

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Nov 28, 2017, 3:48:46 PM11/28/17
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Patrick I suspect the (slowness) problem is two-fold, the VIA C7 CPU
and the VIA Chrome 9 graphics chipset. Most laptops generally have one
of Intel, AMD/ATI, or NVidia graphics. Detailed specifications for the
system are here:
http://static.highspeedbackbone.net/pdf/Everex_StepNote_NC1502_NotebookPC-Detailed_Specifications.pdf

Patrick yours looks to be a slightly better model of the same NC1502.

If Chalet is based on Ubuntu you might try:

sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-openchrome

Or

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg-video-openchrome

If I remember correctly a lot of VIA C7 CPUs were used for Android
boxes, but they weren't so popular as a PC processor, primarily
because who's going to write for yet another graphics chipset.
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Patrick Chezzie

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Nov 28, 2017, 9:14:36 PM11/28/17
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Hi Phil,

I have been trying to install Linux Mint on the Everex computer, but it seems no one has written a video driver for Linux. It is taking forever to install in software rendering mode without video hardware acceleration. It is a Via C7 CPU. Maybe that is why I cannot change the video resolution in Linux Chalet. It seems I am only left with reinstalling Vista. Yuk!

 

From: refurb...@googlegroups.com [mailto:refurb...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Phil Shapiro
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2017 3:29 PM
To: refurb...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

 

 

Thanks for asking, Patrick.  I use a lightweight desktop, XFCE, when I install Linux, and it runs very fast.  I'm currently using Linux Mint 18.2 xfce -- and within two weeks Linux Mint 18.3 xfce ought to be out.

 

    Here's a video I made showing Linux Mint 17.1 xfce running on a 2002 Dell laptop. It runs surprisingly well.

 

 

               Hope this helps Do send any follow-up questions that come to mind.


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Phil Shapiro

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Nov 28, 2017, 9:33:42 PM11/28/17
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wow, that's a toughie, Patrick. the only other think I can think to try is one of the Linux operating
systems that turn a computer into a Chromebook -- via a bootable USB Flash drive.

Here's some info on that --



   Do send any follow-up questions (or results) that come to mind.

                 phil

You can buy SanDisk USB Flash drives on eBay quite cheaply if you search for: "Lot of USB Flash drives"

    In case you're located outside of the United States -- I'll can make the purchase on eBay for you. I'd just
ask to be reimbursed for my costs, plus postage.





From: "Patrick Chezzie" <pad...@rogers.com>
To: refurb...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2017 9:14:29 PM
Subject: RE: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

Terry Scott

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Nov 28, 2017, 10:57:00 PM11/28/17
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Here's the easiest way to get ChomeOS onto a system - https://www.neverware.com

Download and put on USB drive, boot from USB and install.  Both 32 and 64 bit free versions.  We've used it on about 200 laptops so far, very few hiccups.   Just be sure enable to the Media updates in settings.



Terry Scott
Director
2nd Chance Computer Refurbishing Modesto
- Providing students with computers at no cost - 


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"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."

"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

 

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Phil Shapiro, psha...@his.com
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"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."
"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

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Patrick Chezzie

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Nov 29, 2017, 2:09:28 PM11/29/17
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Hi Phil,

 

These Everex laptops are proving to be quite a challenge. I downloaded the chromium O/S with special drivers  (as per Terry Scotts’ answer), formatted a 16 gig jump drive and flashed the drive with Etcher as per instructions. I then set the computer to  boot from the flash drive, and the Everex screen comes up and stops. No boot. When I plug my flash drive into my win 7 laptop to see if there is anything on it, and it wants to format it. Any ideas? Is it possible that Etcher is not making the jump drive bootable? Thx, patrick

Terry Scott

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Nov 29, 2017, 2:26:29 PM11/29/17
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A couple of possibilities -

1. Does this computer boot other flash drives?
2. Will this flash drive boot on other computers?
3. Are you using the correct version - 32bit vs 64bit



--Terry Scott


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Phil Shapiro, psha...@his.com
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http://www.twitter.com/philshapiro
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"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."

"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

 

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Phil Shapiro, psha...@his.com
http://www.his.com/pshapiro/briefbio.html
http://www.twitter.com/philshapiro
http://www.his.com/pshapiro/stories.menu.html

"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."

"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

 

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Terry Scott

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Nov 29, 2017, 3:11:21 PM11/29/17
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​Since this computer is not listed on the Neverware tested list, you can try another easy install of Linux.  We have used UberMix (ubermix.org)​ on about 3000 computers.  It is an education-based distribution, but one advantage is a 5 minute install from flash drive. 



Terry Scott
Director
2nd Chance Computer Refurbishing Modesto
- Providing students with computers at no cost - 


Patrick Chezzie

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Nov 29, 2017, 5:03:33 PM11/29/17
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Thanks for your help Terry. I will try this. But I have a question. If I can install cloud ready on the machines, how do I bypass the email and password and confirmation windows? Thanks.

 

From: terry...@gmail.com [mailto:terry...@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Terry Scott
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2017 3:11 PM
To: refurb...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

 

​Since this computer is not listed on the Neverware tested list, you can try another easy install of Linux.  We have used UberMix (ubermix.org)​ on about 3000 computers.  It is an education-based distribution, but one advantage is a 5 minute install from flash drive. 


 

 

Terry Scott

Director

2nd Chance Computer Refurbishing Modesto

- Providing students with computers at no cost - 

 

 

On Wed, Nov 29, 2017 at 11:26 AM, Terry Scott <terry...@gmail.com> wrote:

A couple of possibilities -

 

1. Does this computer boot other flash drives?

2. Will this flash drive boot on other computers?

3. Are you using the correct version - 32bit vs 64bit


 

 

--Terry Scott

 

 

On Wed, Nov 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM, Patrick Chezzie <pad...@rogers.com> wrote:

Hi Phil,

 

These Everex laptops are proving to be quite a challenge. I downloaded the chromium O/S with special drivers  (as per Terry Scotts’ answer), formatted a 16 gig jump drive and flashed the drive with Etcher as per instructions. I then set the computer to  boot from the flash drive, and the Everex screen comes up and stops. No boot. When I plug my flash drive into my win 7 laptop to see if there is anything on it, and it wants to format it. Any ideas? Is it possible that Etcher is not making the jump drive bootable? Thx, patrick

 

From: refurb...@googlegroups.com [mailto:refurb...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Phil Shapiro
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2017 9:33 PM


To: refurb...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

 

wow, that's a toughie, Patrick. the only other think I can think to try is one of the Linux operating

systems that turn a computer into a Chromebook -- via a bootable USB Flash drive

 

 

 

   Do send any follow-up questions (or results) that come to mind.

 

                 phil

 

You can buy SanDisk USB Flash drives on eBay quite cheaply if you search for: "Lot of USB Flash drives"

 

    In case you're located outside of the United States -- I'll can make the purchase on eBay for you. I'd just

ask to be reimbursed for my costs, plus postage.

 

 

From: "Patrick Chezzie" <pad...@rogers.com>
To: refurb...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2017 9:14:29 PM
Subject: RE: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

Hi Phil,

I have been trying to install Linux Mint on the Everex computer, but it seems no one has written a video driver for Linux. It is taking forever to install in software rendering mode without video hardware acceleration. It is a Via C7 CPU. Maybe that is why I cannot change the video resolution in Linux Chalet. It seems I am only left with reinstalling Vista. Yuk!

 

From: refurb...@googlegroups.com [mailto:refurb...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Phil Shapiro
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2017 3:29 PM
To: refurb...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

 

 

Thanks for asking, Patrick.  I use a lightweight desktop, XFCE, when I install Linux, and it runs very fast.  I'm currently using Linux Mint 18.2 xfce -- and within two weeks Linux Mint 18.3 xfce ought to be out.

 

    Here's a video I made showing Linux Mint 17.1 xfce running on a 2002 Dell laptop. It runs surprisingly well.

 

 

               Hope this helps Do send any follow-up questions that come to mind.

 

                     Phil Shapiro, Public Geek

                     Takoma Park Maryland Library

From: "patrick chezzie" <pad...@rogers.com>
To: "refurbishers" <refurb...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2017 2:12:30 PM
Subject: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

I was recently given 24 grade "A" 32 bit Everex Stepnote NC1502 laptops, on which I am trying to install Linux Chalet. They have 2 gigs ram, 160 gig hard drives and 1.7 ghz. Chalet installs very slowly, but when up and running, I cannot change the screen resolution. I tried running  'Sudo Apt-Get Install Mesa-Utils' And it said the latest version was installed. It also runs very slow, as it screams speed on any other machine Is this a machine that is not capable of running Linux? Windows 7 runs great on them, but we all know what happened there. Windows 10 is an abortion, and will not run well on these machines either. They originally ran Vista 32 bit. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks to all.

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"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."

"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

 

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Phil Shapiro, psha...@his.com
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"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."

"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

 

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Terry Scott

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Nov 29, 2017, 5:33:08 PM11/29/17
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You can login as guest.  However, this is limiting as it doesn't store anything and you can't install any extensions, etc.  Good for testing or maybe a kiosk, but not much else.  You can do updates (from settings) from the guest account, which is recommended before distributing to users.

Smarter to have the users get their own free gmail account, even as they login to the machine the first time.



Terry Scott
Director
2nd Chance Computer Refurbishing Modesto
- Providing students with computers at no cost - 



 

 

--Terry Scott

 

 

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"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."

"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

 

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Phil Shapiro, psha...@his.com
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"Wisdom begins with wonder." - Socrates
"Learning happens thru gentleness."

"We must reinvent a future free of blinders so that we can choose from real options."  David Suzuki

 

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Patrick Chezzie

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Dec 1, 2017, 1:34:53 PM12/1/17
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Hi Phil,

I downloaded Chromium O/S and wrote it to a flash drive, and showed over 10 partitions, using Etcher. Seems nothing other than Vista will run on them. Was the initial flash of the drive corrupted  with the 10 partitions? I also tried cloud ready on a regular Dell, and that worked ok from the USB. Maybe putting Chromium on the flash drive and using etcher is wrong? Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

From: refurb...@googlegroups.com [mailto:refurb...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Phil Shapiro
Sent: Tuesday, November 28, 2017 9:33 PM
To: refurb...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Refurbishers List] Installing Linux Chalet! UGH!!!

 

 

wow, that's a toughie, Patrick. the only other think I can thibut it came up with over 10 partitions on it. I used nk to try is one of the Linux operating

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