Eeepc Linux

[stevo1210]

As some of you may know, I recently purchased an Asus Eeepc 701 series notebook with a 4GB SSD that runs on Windows XP.
Well as you can see 4GB of SSD space is clearly not enough... especially after the fact that only 3.70GB of that 4GB is seen by Windows. Now I'm having space constraint issues... so much so that I only have 3MB of HDD space left even after uninstalling all unneccesary garbage.

So... that leaves me with only two options... use nlite and slim down Windows XP or switch to Linux. Seeing as I am adventurous at the moment, I want to switch to Linux... in particular, that original Linux that the Eeepc is based on... the one that the Eeepc 701 Linux edition comes with. I don't know the name of that Linux but it might be Xandros or GNU?

I want to know where I can get a copy of that "original" Linux from... any help would be good.

Thanks.

[washu]

Re: Eeepc Linux

The orginal version of Linux is Xandros with a custom interface from Asus. I don't know if you can get it from Asus's website or not.

I'd suggest Ubuntu Netbook Remix if you want Linux on there.
http://www.canonical.com/projects/ubuntu/unr

If you want to run XP you don't have to use nLite at all. The most important thing is to make sure you your install disk is slipstreamed with the service pack you want. SP2 or SP3 as you desire. That will make sure you don't have a huge SP uninstall folder and other backup files wasting space. That alone will save you more space than all but the most extremely stripped nLite install will.

After you install and run Windows Update delete all the patch uninstall folders out of the Windows directory.

You can also use NTFS compression and save a lot of space that way. Don't blindly compress everything, just stuff like program files that is mainly read only. On a slow SSD like in the 701 it often makes things faster.

[ratdude747]

Re: Eeepc Linux

since it is a 700 series, then i recommend one of the following:

ubuntu/kubuntu netbook remix
easy peasy
eeebuntu (pick a variant)
crunchbang
eeexubuntu
pupeee (if you are daring...)

i use ubuntu 9.10 desktop on my eee... but it is a 1000HEb with a 160gb hd and 1024x600 screen.

as for xp, it is really a bad choice for netbooks, nlited or not. uses too much cpu, etc to be productive.

[stj]

Re: Eeepc Linux

forum.
http://forum.eeeuser.com/

[stevo1210]

Re: Eeepc Linux

As much as I'd like to run the Ubuntu netbook remix.... I actually can't because the minimum system requirements is an Intel Atom CPU... my 701 only has a 630MHz Celeron.

[stevo1210]

Re: Eeepc Linux

If you want to run XP you don't have to use nLite at all. The most important thing is to make sure you your install disk is slipstreamed with the service pack you want. SP2 or SP3 as you desire. That will make sure you don't have a huge SP uninstall folder and other backup files wasting space. That alone will save you more space than all but the most extremely stripped nLite install will.

After you install and run Windows Update delete all the patch uninstall folders out of the Windows directory.

You can also use NTFS compression and save a lot of space that way. Don't blindly compress everything, just stuff like program files that is mainly read only. On a slow SSD like in the 701 it often makes things faster.

Well um... I actually reinstall XP on this 701 using the "Asus restore CD" that they gave me. Was this a good idea? or does this version have bloated junk too? It's XP Home SP2 from what I can recall.

[washu]

Re: Eeepc Linux

Well um... I actually reinstall XP on this 701 using the "Asus restore CD" that they gave me. Was this a good idea? or does this version have bloated junk too? It's XP Home SP2 from what I can recall.

I can't say for certain, but it sounds like it's a full restore CD and not an XP install CD. When you use it do you get all the drivers and a bunch of software or just XP?

You need a real XP install CD with your desired service pack. If you don't have a real CD you won't be able to slipstream or nlite it.

I have a relatively clean XP install with just Firefox and a few other apps on one of my laptops and it is only using about 1.6 GB + swapfile (256 MB). I didn't slipstream it to SP3 so the ServicePackFiles dir is over 500 MB. With a slipstreamed disk a 1 GB install isn't out of reach.

[stevo1210]

Re: Eeepc Linux

I have an original Windows XP Home install CD with SP1 from a Dell Dimension 4600... will this be ok?

[kaniki]

Re: Eeepc Linux

I have an original Windows XP Home install CD with SP1 from a Dell Dimension 4600... will this be ok?

I believe that the dell XP CD's are made for dell systems, as there is still no activation, but not sure if it will work. I know most dell XP CD's that i have run across are more toward the regular XP CD (minus registration) then a restore disk as there is usually a separate disk that has the extra drivers and programs so there is not a lot of extra junk pre-installed on the XP disk. I know that i hve used dell XP disks on other dell systems that did not match the same OS exactly (XP Pro disk with system originally having home) and it worked so it is a possibility. I would say, give it a try, you are not out anything for doing so.

[washu]

Re: Eeepc Linux

I have an original Windows XP Home install CD with SP1 from a Dell Dimension 4600... will this be ok?

That CD probably has a Dell SLC and will not work on an Asus without some hacking. It will install but then it won't activate.

[stj]

Re: Eeepc Linux

how did this thread transform from installing Linux to re-bloating the EE with xp?

[washu]

Re: Eeepc Linux

how did this thread transform from installing Linux to re-bloating the EE with xp?

stevo1210 said his reason for wanting Linux was space issues with XP, something that can be fixed. I gave him advice on both and he continued to ask for assistance with XP. If he asks for further help with Linux then I will help him with Linux.

[ratdude747]

Re: Eeepc Linux

stj- you're on eeeuser forums? me too!

and i agree, xp will not helP him with his problem. xp is bad enough on my dualbooted 1000heb.

[stj]

Re: Eeepc Linux

no, i'm not on those forums,
i dont own an eee - wish i did.

i know about the forum because i'v looked at eee's for friends.

[weirdlookinguy]

Re: Eeepc Linux

I use the Dell OEM XP CD's all the time when wiping client's machines. If it's not being installed on a Dell machine, it will ask you to activate after the install same as an actual (non-dell) XP CD. Since it's the OEM version, it will allow you to use the COA key on whatever OEM machine you are installing it on.

[NxB]

Re: Eeepc Linux

3.7 with just XP? I used NLITE and pro took up a little over a GB with sp3 and firefox and the drivers.

[Maxxarcade]

Re: Eeepc Linux

I think Ubuntu Netbook Remix will run on other hardware too. I was able to run it on my Athlon 64 system at work with no issues. Wouldn't hurt to try it.

[kaniki]

Re: Eeepc Linux

I see what you mean by space.. if you dont do updates, then you are fine. i just re-installed a computer with XP Pro w SP3 slip streamed, flash, shockwave, java, latest directx, drivers, .net framework, IE7, and media player 11, updates from microsoft update and avast antivirus.

space used is 5.21 gigs with 2 gigs in pagefile, 300 MB backup in windows folder for patch updates, and 43 MB in the temp folder. with a 512 MB pagefile, removing backups and restore info, and temp folder stuff, that would bring you down to about 3.4 GB used disk space.

That does not leave much to play with and if you use something like norton or McAfee or security suite's instead of Avast then you would use even more. But if you do not do all updates, use home instead of Pro then you use less.

[stevo1210]

Re: Eeepc Linux

In terms of free antivirus... which one has the least space constraints? I use AVG for the eeepc but I have a feeling that takes up too much room?

[ratdude747]

Re: Eeepc Linux

comodo is fast... idk the space though.