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In the past three months I have been using my Asus EEE PC and love it! However, there are some shortcomings with the stock Xandros install leaving much to be desired. The “easy mode” Xandros install can be put into “full desktop” mode allowing a full KDE desktop experience. This isn’t bad, but still not perfect.
The default drivers on the Xandros install do not allow for WPA2 (LEAP) wireless access. There are numerous tutorials online explaining how to use a “WPA supplicant” file and WPA2. However, I do not want to spend time going through various tutorials. A good modern Linux install should have everything up and running out of the box! My second problem is the default Xandros install doesn’t allow the use of more than 2GB of memory. The chip set used by the EEE PC allows for 2GB of memory addressing, the default Xandros install can only address up to 1GB of memory. This is unacceptable. Xandros being under the GPL forced Asus to release the kernel source code. This allowed the great Linux enthusiasts to compile the kernel for the EEE PC, but in doing so broke a number of things in the operating system. What’s the sense of addressing 2GB of memory if none of the software/hardware functions 100% correctly? I’m not even going to mention the work involved for compiling a Linux kernel for Linux novices.
My options? Try to fix the issues with the Xandros install spending hours reading tutorials on the forums or chose another operating system. In keeping with the Linux spirit of the EEE PC I refuse to install Windows on this machine. My other options out there are eeeBuntu 7.10(Ubuntu build with EEE specific drivers), eeeDora (Fedora package with EEE specific drivers), and OpenSuse.
I first installed eeeBuntu. There were many issues with the wireless not working. There were also issues with the video acceleration. To no avail, I could not get the wireless working. I moved onto the next distro.
Secondly, I installed eeeDora. I greatly enjoyed the small footprint of this operating system. However, eeeDora uses the ext2 file system which is notoriously problematic compared with the ext3 (or more recent) file systems. After doing a system update the ext2 file system was corrupted and fsdk could not repair the disk errors. I understand why eeeDora chose to use the ext2 file system over the ext3 file system, but I think the risk of file system corruption is too high and would prefer to use the ext3 file system. The reason is the ext3 file system has a much greater rate of disk read/writes than ext2. Keeping read/writes down on a SSD drive is essential in maintaining the drives integrity. Currently the lifespan of these new types of drives are unknown in the long term.
While contemplating if I wanted to attempt OpenSuse I read the reviews and saw there were many problems with the distribution. I opted to take one last look at the forums to see if there was something I was overlooking. There was.
My golden fleece: Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha. I found this blog post mentioning the success the author has had. I decided to download the newest Ubuntu release and try one last time to get the perfect install. The install process flawless. The only issue to deal with was getting the wireless up and running. After downloading and installing the required drivers the wireless works perfectly (with WPA2/leap support out of the box)!
Many installs and burnt CDs later - my hunt was over for the perfect out of the box install for the Asus EEE PC!
Instructions:
1)Download and burn the newest release of Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha.
2)Boot the EEE PC from an external optical drive and install Ubuntu.
3)During the partition process make sure to disable the swap file install (swap files shorten the life of SSD drives). Choose a file system without journaling (i.e. avoid using ext3). I used ext2 for the file system. Again, not using a journaling file system will minimize the read/writes on the SSD drive.
4)Once the install is complete, download/install/configure the wireless drivers in terminal:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install build-essential
wget http://snapshots.madwifi.org/special/madwifi-ng-r2756+ar5007.tar.gz
tar zxvf madwifi-ng-r2756+ar5007.tar.gz
cd madwifi-ng-r2756+ar5007
make clean
make
sudo make install
reboot
5) Enjoy! : )
Conclusion:Asus envisioned an easy to use computer with everything that just “worked” out of the box. The stock Linux install for me was far from this experience. With Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha, I now truly feel I can use this machine as it was designed to be used! It’s easy. Period.
Update (17 March 2008): In the last 24 hours I received a huge spike in traffic. I wanted to thank Netpatia for his groundbreaking work with Ubuntu 8.04 Alpha on the EEE PC. Also, the great community over at EEE User Forum for their support in getting everyday people into Linux and spreading the word about everything the EEE PC and Linux has to offer.
Update (19 March 2008): Clarified this release of Ubuntu 8.04 is alpha. The beta is to be released later within the next month.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Nice findings. Not to spoil or anything but you may want to list Mandriva 2008.1 RC1 (RC2 is due in few days).
I was in your shoes trying to find low main eee-enabled distro until I stumbled across Mandriva. And to my huge surprise it’s the only distro I found that reliably autodetects right away Eee with everything (wifi, lan, audio, 3D, resolution, screen scaling, most of acpi, etc.). And that’s even from LiveCD! Check this thread (http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=18287).
March 17th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
klopus: Thanks for the information. I am always looking another good alternative. It’s good to see everything working out of the box. From what I’ve seen no distro has yet to resolve to ACPI issues 100%. A minor problem.
I imagine once new distro releases start incorporating the newest codebase a lot of the issues with the EEE PC will be resolved. It’s just a matter of time. Ubuntu was the first of a number of the modern distributions I tried that worked. Hence why I think so highly of it.
Will definitely check Mandriva out!
March 21st, 2008 at 7:01 am
Thx for nice topic
But I just have one question:
how could You install drivers at step 4 without internet connection? (e.g in Xandros I bought a wifi router to connect to the internet, because I have VPN connection and it dose not work(afaik) in xandros by default.)
March 21st, 2008 at 8:21 am
What about sleep? My experience was that the eee would sleep, wake up slowly and lose wireless. Is this the case for you?
March 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am
dim: I installed the drivers by being plugged in hard wired (Ethernet port).
March 21st, 2008 at 11:15 am
Jeff: I found the same issue with the wireless. The wireless doesn’t automatically restart when coming out of standby/resume or hibernation. It’s reported if you type “sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart” the IP address will “reset” and the interface will renew the IP and reconnect to the network.
March 23rd, 2008 at 9:52 am
Hi
It has been my experience with every laptop that the wireless disappears after it goes to sleep, I know there are two programs for the mac that stops things sleeping, but is there a version for Linux that could put everything into standby except the net?
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Maeve: From my research/testing I have not found a solution to this problem I can personally vouch for. I normally do a full power on/off with my notebook. However, there are a few methods I’ve come across that may work for you. Again, I have not tested these personally and cannot say if they will work or not work from personal experience.
The wireless doesn’t automatically restart when coming out of standby/resume or hibernation. It’s reported if you type “sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart” the IP address will “reset” and the interface will renew the IP and reconnect to the network.
You could easily make a script that issues this command when coming out of hibernation/standby to avoid having to type it manually all the time.
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Justin
March 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I have a 2gb eeePc. Is there enough memory to boot up Ubuntu or am I SOL?
March 25th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Mihael: The 2G has enough memory (512MB RAM) to run Ubuntu but I don’t think 2GB of storage space is enough for the install.
From what I can see you could run this release of Ubuntu (Xubuntu):
Minimum requirements
*
166 MHz processor
*
64 MB of system memory (RAM)
*
At least 1.5 GB of disk space
*
VGA graphics card
Recommended minimum requirements
*
300 MHz processor
*
256 MB of system memory (RAM)
*
8 GB of disk space
*
Graphics card capable of 800×600 resolution
Check it out: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/SystemRequirements
Regards,
Justin
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
There is in no way enough space for an Ubuntu install.
Xubuntu might work, but you’d still be starving for space.
Xubuntu 8.04 with OpenOffice components removed might fit well.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
The beta is out now and your download link is dead. I’m downloading Kubuntu with KDE4 now.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Kevin: Thanks for the update!
April 14th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
I don`t have an external optical drive. Can a memory stick be used? I am an absolute Linux nooby in any release so apologies if the question is a slap the forehead and go DUH! If it isn`t are there any changes and what would be the smallest mem stick one could useÉ
April 15th, 2008 at 4:47 am
[…] I have not configured the wifi properly. I have followed the instructions on the wiki, forum and justing gill, who is lucky enough to have his Ubuntu 8.04 perfect OOTB, but to no avail for […]
April 15th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Max: Yes, the install can be made using a USB flash drive/memory stick. I can’t recall off the the specific step by step off the top of my head as I install from an external CD drive.. However, take a run over to the EEE User forums and the great community over there have already answered this question. I can’t find the exact post but take a look through the thread or even post this question there!
http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=20227
Good luck and happy tinkering!
Justin
April 24th, 2008 at 5:37 am
[…] burnt CDs, hours of reading tutorials later, I have found the perfect out of the box installhttp://justingill.com/blog/2008/03/16/the-perfect-out-of-the-box-asus-eee-pc-linux-install-ubuntu-80…livuenote.exe - livuenote, Asus Driver update, Delete and Removal …livuenote.exe and information […]
May 13th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
just to be clear - the 4gb Asus EEE with Ubuntu 8.04 installed with support up to 2GB of memory?
May 13th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Dave: This is correct - 2GB support out of the box. This was one of the primary reasons I switched “away” from the default Xandros Linux install.
June 7th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Nice instructions. In addition I would also add these instructions for users, as some may not be familiar with how to get a usb install going -
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2008/05/21/usb-xubuntu-804-persistent-install-from-linux/
The instructions with regards to initrd.gz replacement are a key process in getting things working right.
In any case, this is a nice write up, and Id be specifically interested in what effect JFS and journaling actually has on the solid state drive.
June 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Cheers man. I’m an MCSE (I know, I know) but a linux dummy. Love the eee but love it even more with eeebuntu which I installed a couple of days ago. Either a suspend or running all the package manager updates (not sure which) broke the wireless but using your instructions to reinstall the wireless driver fixed it. Thanks again.
June 8th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
nodda: Happy to be of service! The kernel update kills the wireless - I’ve had to repatch the drivers a few times whenever I do a kernel update.