HOWTO: Asus Eee PC 701 + Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy

[rapido]

Following are notes to install Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy on an Asus Eee PC. These notes and scripts are derived from: http://wiki.eeeuser.com/ubuntu

The initial os install can be performed in quite a number of different ways. There are choices to be made with respect to installation media, drive partitioning schemes, file system types, and even the location of the resultant os components. Each of those choices comes with pros and cons.

The outline below is simply based upon my choices and attempts to reduce writes to the flash drive. For the time being, I will be using Ext2 for a filesystem, among other tricks. This comes at a price in that the file system is subject to potential data loss during power failure ( and other catastrophes ). I am willing to take this risk as the limitation of the eee's internal storage will likely dictate that I am keeping little of value on it in the first place.

I may change this approach as I learn more about the volume of writes that a journaling filesystem requires. If you feel more comfortable using a filesystem like Ext3, by all means, just substitute it at the appropriate place in this guide.

This guide now includes the new, interactive post-installer. This script will handle most post-installation fixes.


GUTSY INSTALL

* Load the Ubuntu 7.10 Alternate CD into a USB external CD/DVD drive ( connected to the eee of course )

* Upon boot, enter into the BIOS ( F2 ) and change the boot order. F2 > Boot > Boot Device Priority
1st Boot Device [ATAPI CD-ROM]
2nd Boot Device [HDD: SM-SILICONMOTI]

* I have also changed the boot messaging from terse/splash screen to verbose. F2 > Boot > Boot Settings Configuration
Quick Boot [DISABLED]
Quiet Boot [DISABLED]

* Save changes and boot using the Ubuntu CD

* Install in text mode

* Partition method: manual
- Delete all existing partitions
- Create one partition consuming the entire disc with the following specs:
Use as: Ext2 file system
Format the partition: yes, format it
Mount point: /
Mount options: noatime
Bootable flag: on
- Continue without defining a swap space

* Don't select any X screen resolutions

* Complete the install

* Reboot to the internal drive ( remove the USB external CD/DVD drive )

* Login

* Gutsy should come up with Compiz, max screen resolution ( 800x480 ) and functional ethernet


GUTSY POST-INSTALL

* Fetch this help guide and unpack it.
$ wget http://www.shiftingheat.com/packages...sy_install.tar
$ tar -xvf eee_gutsy_install.tar

* Run the new, interactive post-installer. This script will selectively perform the following steps:
Upgrade the os, reduce logging ( writes to the drive ), install wireless, repair suspend/resume/powerdown,
and configure the microphone.
$ cd eee_gutsy_install
$ ./post_install.sh

[PartisanEntity]

Thanks for the HowTo! One question, why use Ext2? Why not Ext3?

[Cresho]

Originally Posted by PartisanEntity Thanks for the HowTo! One question, why use Ext2? Why not Ext3?

I read somewhere journaling of ext3 will write a sector in the internal memory of the eee to death. so ext2 is preffered for longetivity.

[Straylit Me]

Ahh ive been waiting for someone to write this. I just ordered my Eee yesterday and am very excited for it to arrive. I do have a few statements and questions, though.

1) How fast does it boot Ubuntu as compared to Xandros?
2) Why were the quick/quiet boots disabled?
3) What benefits did you obtain by using Ext2 instead of Ext3? As i understand it, 3 is simply 2 with journaling.
4) What exactly does the noatime boot parameter do?
5) Do to the 800mhz processor and 512ram, wouldnt it be a better idea to use, say, Fluxbuntu, Xubuntu, or Gutsy Barebones?
6) And lastly, do you notice any bugs or other negative effects of using *buntu on the Eee?

[VitaminBB]

Anyone have this loaded on an EEE?

A few earlier questions really stood out ..

- What is the load time with ubuntu on the EEE ?

- Why use Ext2 and not Ext3?

Fluxbuntu sounds perfect for this, though I suspect regular Ubuntu would work fine on the EEE

So who has their Asus EEE loaded with Ubuntu ?

[VitaminBB]

Heres a video of bootup ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9G012o8ENI

[Joners]

To answer a couple of the questions that were listed here. (im from the eeeuser forums, however not associated in them in any professional manor)

1. - Ext2 was used due to the reduced write cycles that it places on the SSD, there were some initial concerns that continual writing to the drive could wear them out, as they have a finite life cycle. However at this point no one is going to be able to tell until these things have been out on the open market for a a good space of time.

2. - Boot time varies. Using the default Xandros OS that is on the system it takes approximately 20-30 seconds to boot from cold, however this is in to the 'easy' mode, time taken if the system is altered to boot in to the 'advanced mode' is approx another 5 seconds or so.

Seems that most installs with ubuntu have been relatively free of worry however

a. You still have to use ndiswrapper to get the wifi working, then it works fine

b. Issues with the battery monitor, ubuntu seems to think that the battery is bad, and wont hold a charge. However the battery is fine and works properly.

c. Suspend mode doesn't work, think that this has now been resolved.

Thats pretty much it.

I know that people really would like a customized version of ubuntu created so that they wouldn't have to go though any of these issue to get the OS on the system.

[VitaminBB]

Has Asus shown any intention to make the laptop easier to setup for other OS? (besides Xandros and Windows XP).

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by Joners To answer a couple of the questions that were listed here. (im from the eeeuser forums, however not associated in them in any professional manor) 1. - Ext2 was used due to the reduced write cycles that it places on the SSD, there were some initial concerns that continual writing to the drive could wear them out, as they have a finite life cycle. However at this point no one is going to be able to tell until these things have been out on the open market for a a good space of time. I know that people really would like a customized version of ubuntu created so that they wouldn't have to go though any of these issue to get the OS on the system.

Huh, since when does solid state memory have a finite life cycle? You seem to indicate that the more you write to the memory in the Eee, that it will wear out? I've never heard of such a thing.

[imabuddha]

He's not talking about the main memory (RAM), but about the SSD which uses flash memory. Modern flash memory still has a limited number of write cycles, but except for some unusual usage scenarios this shouldn't be a problem.

I'm using ext3 myself, and the stock Asus/xandros install does use ext3 on the user data partition.