Ubuntu
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MossCommuter
Guru
- Location
- Salford
[QUOTE 1295329"]
So I bought an EEPC from Crackle for my boys for Christmas.
Is it worth starting a clean install with Ubuntu? It's got Linux at the mo, and Netbooks are new to me. How easy is it to do? Is Ubuntu good?
[/quote]
What distribution of Linux does it have at the moment? Ubuntu is just one "version" (distribution) of Linux.
What's the model of the PC?
So I bought an EEPC from Crackle for my boys for Christmas.
Is it worth starting a clean install with Ubuntu? It's got Linux at the mo, and Netbooks are new to me. How easy is it to do? Is Ubuntu good?
[/quote]
What distribution of Linux does it have at the moment? Ubuntu is just one "version" (distribution) of Linux.
What's the model of the PC?
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Ubuntu is (a variation of) Linux. What's wrong with the version that you've already got on the EEEPC?
If you do decide to install Ubuntu, here's -> Ubuntu Netbook Edition.
I haven'tplayed about with used Linux yet but I intend to later in the year.
If you do decide to install Ubuntu, here's -> Ubuntu Netbook Edition.
I haven't
MossCommuter
Guru
- Location
- Salford
[QUOTE 1295332"]
It's an EEEPC 4G. How do I see what version of Linux it's running?
As to why, I just thought putting the latest version on would be the thing to do.
[/quote]
Sorry, this is probably where I bow out... I have no knowledge of that computer. From what I have read, it is possible but not straight forward unless you're a nerd.
You need to follow the instructions on the Ubuntu website, which involves creating a bootable USB memory stick and booting from that which I believe the machine is capable of. Follow the link in the previous post (or you can choose the Desktop Edition).
If you can find a terminal window, type:
cat /proc/version
and that'll tell you the version installed now.
Edit to say: on second thoughts, it does appear as straight forward as installing on any other PC after all. Follow the instructions on the Ubuntu website (using another computer to download and create the bootable USB stick).
It's an EEEPC 4G. How do I see what version of Linux it's running?
As to why, I just thought putting the latest version on would be the thing to do.
[/quote]
Sorry, this is probably where I bow out... I have no knowledge of that computer. From what I have read, it is possible but not straight forward unless you're a nerd.
You need to follow the instructions on the Ubuntu website, which involves creating a bootable USB memory stick and booting from that which I believe the machine is capable of. Follow the link in the previous post (or you can choose the Desktop Edition).
If you can find a terminal window, type:
cat /proc/version
and that'll tell you the version installed now.
Edit to say: on second thoughts, it does appear as straight forward as installing on any other PC after all. Follow the instructions on the Ubuntu website (using another computer to download and create the bootable USB stick).
HJ
Cycling in Scotland
- Location
- Auld Reekie
I haven't used the Netbook Edition of Ubuntu, but I am using the full version on my laptop and it works very well, I prefer it to Win 7...
PBancroft
Senior Member
- Location
- Winchester
Its probably either Aurora or Xandros. Never used either I'm afraid.
I'd be tempted to leave the installed OS on there and see how you get on. The beauty of Linux is that you can try different flavours and see what suits you best - you may find that you prefer Xandros over Ubuntu, for example.
I'd be tempted to leave the installed OS on there and see how you get on. The beauty of Linux is that you can try different flavours and see what suits you best - you may find that you prefer Xandros over Ubuntu, for example.
Amheirchion
Active Member
- Location
- Northampton
If it's Xandros, which as a 4G it probably is, I'd personally install something else on it, as I did not get on with Xandros at all, finding it poorly maintained and out of date.
As a 4G it's fairly old to my recollection you may have some issues with Ubuntu requiring too much in the way of system resources as the early EEE's were severely lacking in power and the netbook version is no lighter than the normal version, it just has pretty optimisations for a smaller screen. ^^
Have a look at some more lightweight distros, a couple that come to mind are Crunchbang (my personal favourite) or one of the llighter Linux Mint's, either XFCE or Fluxbox. Crunchbang might take more getting used to, but from what I've seen of Mint XFCE it looks as point and click and as ready to go as normal Ubuntu.
That said I've not used Mint at all, so have no personal experiences, just what I've seen around on t'web.
As a 4G it's fairly old to my recollection you may have some issues with Ubuntu requiring too much in the way of system resources as the early EEE's were severely lacking in power and the netbook version is no lighter than the normal version, it just has pretty optimisations for a smaller screen. ^^
Have a look at some more lightweight distros, a couple that come to mind are Crunchbang (my personal favourite) or one of the llighter Linux Mint's, either XFCE or Fluxbox. Crunchbang might take more getting used to, but from what I've seen of Mint XFCE it looks as point and click and as ready to go as normal Ubuntu.
That said I've not used Mint at all, so have no personal experiences, just what I've seen around on t'web.
ian turner
Guru
- Location
- Leicestershire
I am typing this on my EeePC 901 4G running Ubuntu 10.10, and not the Netbook edition.
It's a doddle to clean install Ubuntu on an Eee. Follow the instructions on the Ubuntu site for creating a start-up USB stick, boot-up the Eee on it and next next install. Ubuntu 10.10 works out of the box on the Eee - you had to do a few tweaks on earlier releases; wifi, sound, webcam...
Note that you will NOT have a great deal of disk space left (I have just shy of 1 gig) so it's not really enough for storing anything significant on but for web browsing etc, it's perfectly acceptable. Performance is fine too, though it will slow up sometimes with heavier graphics requirements or bloated java apps.
I have also removed many of the apps that load as part of the std Ubuntu install, just to free up a bit of space.
It's a doddle to clean install Ubuntu on an Eee. Follow the instructions on the Ubuntu site for creating a start-up USB stick, boot-up the Eee on it and next next install. Ubuntu 10.10 works out of the box on the Eee - you had to do a few tweaks on earlier releases; wifi, sound, webcam...
Note that you will NOT have a great deal of disk space left (I have just shy of 1 gig) so it's not really enough for storing anything significant on but for web browsing etc, it's perfectly acceptable. Performance is fine too, though it will slow up sometimes with heavier graphics requirements or bloated java apps.
I have also removed many of the apps that load as part of the std Ubuntu install, just to free up a bit of space.
Amheirchion
Active Member
- Location
- Northampton
A clean install is at is says, a clean install, it will completely overwrite any partitions you tell it to, if memory serves Xandros is on a single partition as default so it will be completely lost.
On my old EEEPC 701SD I had an 8GB SSD, I had mine set up with the operating system on the SSD and an 8GB SD card as my /home partition with all my data. So yes, an SD card should happily solve a storage problem either as a removable card like you would use a USB stick, or as a permanently mounted drive.
On my old EEEPC 701SD I had an 8GB SSD, I had mine set up with the operating system on the SSD and an 8GB SD card as my /home partition with all my data. So yes, an SD card should happily solve a storage problem either as a removable card like you would use a USB stick, or as a permanently mounted drive.
[QUOTE 1295339"]
Thanks yello. Why did you go for the full version and not the netbook edition? Will an SD card solve the storage problem? If I clean install it as you describe will there be anything left from the previous Linux on the machine?
[/quote]
Amheichon has pretty much answered the main questions but;
- re netbook edition, it was simple preference. I don't like the look and feel of the netbook editions. I prefer a clean desktop with a menu access that hides itself when not in use. I wanted to maximise screen space because it's limited on a netbook.
- yes, an SD card would solve storage problems.
- a clean install will wipe the disk completely before it installs deleting anything that was there. I have clean installed my Eee many many many times. I deliberately play and sometimes break it. It's my toy and there is nothing on it that I need to keep.
My Ubuntu EeePC is actually a 701 (I have a 901 but that runs XP - another story). I run cairo-dock (a menu system) and compiz (fancy graphics stuff!) on it and, as I say, performance is good.
Edit: I don't think the chromium browser likes CycleChat
Thanks yello. Why did you go for the full version and not the netbook edition? Will an SD card solve the storage problem? If I clean install it as you describe will there be anything left from the previous Linux on the machine?
[/quote]
Amheichon has pretty much answered the main questions but;
- re netbook edition, it was simple preference. I don't like the look and feel of the netbook editions. I prefer a clean desktop with a menu access that hides itself when not in use. I wanted to maximise screen space because it's limited on a netbook.
- yes, an SD card would solve storage problems.
- a clean install will wipe the disk completely before it installs deleting anything that was there. I have clean installed my Eee many many many times. I deliberately play and sometimes break it. It's my toy and there is nothing on it that I need to keep.
My Ubuntu EeePC is actually a 701 (I have a 901 but that runs XP - another story). I run cairo-dock (a menu system) and compiz (fancy graphics stuff!) on it and, as I say, performance is good.
Edit: I don't think the chromium browser likes CycleChat
MossCommuter
Guru
- Location
- Salford
[QUOTE 1295343"]
Right. I've got ubuntu on a stick, and a 16gb SD card.
Idiot's guide please -how do I configure the SD card as a partition?
Thanks
[/quote]
Do you need to? If you have managed to get "Ubuntu on a stick" then have a go at booting your computer with the stick in the USB plug. Not sure where the SD card comes into it.
Right. I've got ubuntu on a stick, and a 16gb SD card.
Idiot's guide please -how do I configure the SD card as a partition?
Thanks
[/quote]
Do you need to? If you have managed to get "Ubuntu on a stick" then have a go at booting your computer with the stick in the USB plug. Not sure where the SD card comes into it.
MossCommuter
Guru
- Location
- Salford
[QUOTE 1295345"]
There's not a lot of room left on the machine when Ubuntu is installed, so I thought that using an SD card would give more space.
[/quote]
Ah, i see
Once Ubuntu installed, just put the SD card in and it'll work pretty much like Windows
There's not a lot of room left on the machine when Ubuntu is installed, so I thought that using an SD card would give more space.
[/quote]
Ah, i see
Once Ubuntu installed, just put the SD card in and it'll work pretty much like Windows