Comments on: Asus EeePC1000HE: switching to Linux

By: patrow

patrow — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:38:26 +0000

Sounds like something I would like to do.
The comments were also very helpful.

By: grg3

grg3 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:33:35 +0000

I,too,purchased a 1000HE. So far I have been happy with it, except for the right shift key location.

I only use windows when I absolutely must. Ubuntu is my preferred operating system and if the Dell Mini 10v with Ubuntu had been available when I purchased my netbook, I probably would have gone that way.

Even though I dislike windows, I decided to leave the installation intact because I really didn’t need the space. I looked at the huge empty D: partition and decide that it would be a perfect home for Ubuntu. Using Parted Magic, I deleted the D: partition and created extended partitions in the space for / /home and swap. I installed Ubuntu Jaunty NBR and then installed the http://array.org/ubuntu/ kernel here and now I have a great Ubuntu machine! Everything works and I can still boot XP if I absolutely must.

By: saif

saif — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:31:49 +0000

You are right that ASUS seems not be selling a HD equipped EEEPC with Linux, and actively promote Windows. This may mean that they get a discount on the Windows licence, and this then makes the computer cheaper. It seems to be impossible to claim back this “Microsoft Tax”. I reckon if it makes it cheaper with Windows, fine…it’s not too difficult to get rid off, and Windows is not really THAT bad.

WUBI is a great way to install Ubuntu on top of Windows, but doesn’t really count as a “switch” to Linux. The best way I reckon is to first try any of a number of bootable Linux distros on USB stick or SD. These do not touch your hard drive and is completely safe. EEEBUNTU or UNR (Ubuntu netbook remix) are good. I prefer Puppy (try Macpup or wNOP they are brill). If you think you can live without windows, then use the built in utility in these distros to install to HD, although options to dual boot may also be considered.

By: everalm

everalm — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:54:32 +0000

John,

Do you actually read the comments people leave you? Specifically the point about using s Linux flavour built for the EEE range such as EEEBUNTU.

The standard build of UBUNTU you downloaded will work with the 1000HE but is not built FOR the 1000HE.

To actually be able to compare the Windows and Linux builds with any degree of accuracy you need to install a flavour of UBUNTU that has been built/tweaked to work with the machine.

For example the standard build does not come with the necessary applets and underlying scripts etc to provide the overclock/underclock processes, provide one click turn of/off of wifi, bluetooth, webcam etc.

Your hibernate will not work as you did not set up a swap partition, something you will not be able to do unless you wipe and use the Windows Restore partition for the swap file.