anyone else here play with the EEEPC?

[MrBuzz]

Last night I started working on my new Sony Vaio...to get it set up as a dual-boot system.
Right away I had a problem...the XP-SP2 installer doesn't see the SATA drive so I couldn't install XP.
After fighting with that I gave up and just went ahead with the Ubuntu Linux installation. Not surprisingly...that didn't have any issues at all.
What is it with Microsoft & Intel...after almost 30 years...Why does this stuff not work?!?!?!
Anyway...the Linux install completed just fine...I have a minor problem with the wireless card but should be able to get that ironed out quite easily.
Now I have to decide if I want to pursue the XP installation or spend my time & energies getting Ubuntu to use my Razr phone for internet access. If I can get that going I don't need Windows at all!

[toypusher]

Last night I started working on my new Sony Vaio...to get it set up as a dual-boot system.
Right away I had a problem...the XP-SP2 installer doesn't see the SATA drive so I couldn't install XP.
After fighting with that I gave up and just went ahead with the Ubuntu Linux installation. Not surprisingly...that didn't have any issues at all.
What is it with Microsoft & Intel...after almost 30 years...Why does this stuff not work?!?!?!
Anyway...the Linux install completed just fine...I have a minor problem with the wireless card but should be able to get that ironed out quite easily.
Now I have to decide if I want to pursue the XP installation or spend my time & energies getting Ubuntu to use my Razr phone for internet access. If I can get that going I don't need Windows at all!

When installing windows there is a place at the beginning to load the drivers for your sata drive. Just have to pay attention and hit the correct 'F' key when it ask along the bottom of the screen.

[MrBuzz]

Toypusher:
Yes, it's just like the old server installs to get the correct RAID controller drivers installed so the OS installer could see the HD set correctly.
"F6" I think...But from my research this morning...believe it or not...According to Sony's driver installation instructions I have to use a usb FLOPPY DRIVE to install those drivers!! Not a usb drive (which would be easy and make sense)...but an old 3 1/2" floppy drive!
Not sure if it's worth it to have XP installed!?!?!?

[toypusher]

Can you try to copy the drivers onto a CD? I am pretty sure that you can use a CD to install the drivers. I know I have on serveral Dells before.

[MrBuzz]

Kerry;
Isn't it funny how we end up learning new things?!?!? Turns out the WinXP / SATA problem is a real ugly deal. The only way you can add the correct drivers in the install process is to have them on a floppy disc and have a floppy drive on the PC that you are installing on! Sounds bizzar but it's true!
There turns out to be an interesting solution though. There's a product called NLite that you can use. NLite allows you to take a Windows install CD and add drivers, delete applications...actually create a custom install disk.
I ran it, added the SATA drivers and burned a CD. The CD booted up, recognized the SATA drive and completed the installation without an issue!!
If you work on Windows installs you should look at that NLite program...it looks like it could be useful to create some interesting installs.

[mikeschn]

Just reporting in after being gone all weekend.

The EEE PC is the only laptop I took with me. It did everything I needed it to do this weekend, including email, browsing, looking at photos from the camera, and I even installed a Linux version of Bejeweled!

So it's working out really good so far! And it travels so light!

Mike...

[toypusher]

Kerry;
Isn't it funny how we end up learning new things?!?!? Turns out the WinXP / SATA problem is a real ugly deal. The only way you can add the correct drivers in the install process is to have them on a floppy disc and have a floppy drive on the PC that you are installing on! Sounds bizzar but it's true!
There turns out to be an interesting solution though. There's a product called NLite that you can use. NLite allows you to take a Windows install CD and add drivers, delete applications...actually create a custom install disk.
I ran it, added the SATA drivers and burned a CD. The CD booted up, recognized the SATA drive and completed the installation without an issue!!
If you work on Windows installs you should look at that NLite program...it looks like it could be useful to create some interesting installs.

Don't know how I missed your reply this long!!

I have used Nlite to add service packs to install images on a few occasions and love it for that purpose. I have not used it to add drives, but then I have never had a problem getting them to work during an install either.

Thanks for the tip!!

[Gaelen]

well...I was busy in the garden and working on the Sunspot's projected wiring diagram/solar charging system, so not much computer time this weekend. Did copy the recovery media to a USB thumb drive--but still haven't tweaked to have it boot into full desktop. BTW, Staples is running a good sale on SanDisk Micro Cruzer USB thumb drives-- 4GB is $20, 8GB is $35. 2GB are so cheap I think they might be giving away free ones with purchase (just kidding...$10.) I bought a new 2GB to become mhy traveling restoration media, and after payday, I'm going back for an 8GB for extra traveling storage.

Tomorrow, I test a public wireless hotspot at the infusion center--if it goes as well as everyting else has gone, it should be the perfect thign to have with me when I'm spending five hours tied to an IV.

Mike...a Linux version of Bejeweled?
I'm listening...that's one of my favorite time wasters--er, I mean, mental health breaks. What version did you download?

[mikeschn]

I installed it thru Synaptic after adding a repository. It's called gweled. Let me check which repository I found it in. I'll let you know later.

Mike...

Mike...a Linux version of Bejeweled?
I'm listening...that's one of my favorite time wasters--er, I mean, mental health breaks. What version did you download?

[Mike B]

Just reporting in after being gone all weekend.

The EEE PC is the only laptop I took with me. It did everything I needed it to do this weekend, including email, browsing, looking at photos from the camera, and I even installed a Linux version of Bejeweled!

So it's working out really good so far! And it travels so light!

Mike...

My sentiments exactly. I took mine with me to the Fourth of July Fun at Carnation, WA this weekend. I got more bars on my WiFi connection than two Dells that were also there. Fancy that!

Mike
Hayden Lake, ID

[Geron]

The Village Idiot agrees with the above.

So far I'm to here:

*FullDesk installed.

*Money Dance installed and is probably better than Quicken EXCEPT my old bank's OFX is not registered with MD And my new bank doesn't yet have an OFX server So for now It's download and import OFX files.

*Wireless Network printer finally configured, connected and working --- after several hrs on the various forums.

*TREO 700p SYNCED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -- Finally -- to KPilot. What a PAIN

*Now to get GTK+ 2.10 installed so I can load Firefox 3.0 It's downloaded but I've yet to figure out how to install. Got a couple books on Debian ordered.

*Yes!! I want Bejeweled!! It's Mesmerizing. Sudoku, Bejeweled, Solitaire, Hearts, Keeps the fading/aging mind somewhat more alert.

Also gotta figure out how to play DVD movies. SMPlayer just won't do it.

Help always appreciated!

Geron

[mikeschn]

Okay, it's real easy...

add this repository to synaptic



then update, and you'll be able to select gweled

[Geron]

Got it.

Had already downloaded the repository. Just hadn't looked through it.

Many thanks.

geron

[mikeschn]

[Gaelen]

Mike, great pointers, thanks.
I think I'll save these tweaks for after chemo--and Geron, you don't get to be the only village idiot on the weeks I have chemo brain.

Proof--even though I knew exactly what to do, it took me a few minutes to set up the wireless connection at infusion (I know--I know! create the network connection, wireless, first; then search for signals.) but great connection once I created it--and this in a place filled with all kinds of equipment that interferes with wireless reception.

such an actually useful device. very glad I went for the 900 and didn't wait for the 901, which is still not shipping yet and is listing for an additonal 75 bucks.