28
Aug

Asus eee 901 - A Real Disappointment

   Posted by: jim   in On My Mind

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I’ve been eying the eee pc ever since it debuted and finally got a chance to spend some time with the new 901 model. I wanted to wait for the 9″ screen model and the Atom CPU, and being a Linux user I also intended all along to use either the bundled Xandros OS or perhaps install Ubuntu. So far, the all around experience has been quite disheartening.

First, the Xandros tabbed OS seems really cool. As this is really just a net appliance, I didn’t think a full blown OS was really needed. All it needs to do is connect to a network and allow various apps to run. At first, it seemed like it did this quite well. Out of the box it connected to my network, albeit slowly, and there were no real issues. Then I started to notice odd behavior. First, it wouldn’t see my wireless n network - only G - even though the specs clearly state a wireless b/g/n card and lspci confirms this. Then, apps like the file manager suddenly started to disappear. Calling Asus tech support I was told to run the recovery tool which does in fact bring the file manger back. However, it is soon gone again. No explanation at all - it just disappears. At least one other app disappeared as well but I haven’t identified it yet. Then there is the non-working eeedownload tool. Clicking it takes you to http://eeedownload.asus.com/ and tantalizes you with many different add on programs that promise to install with an “install now” button. Unfortunately none of them work. They just download a .cnr file that doesn’t do anything.

Perhaps most frustrating is that the update too is flat out broken. I am told there are updates to download but all I get is a “download failed” message that can’t be overcome with any amount of coaxing. Others report this and other problems (see http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewpoll.php?id=39924). The 901 also fails to shutdown cleanly quite often. It simply hangs on a black screen with a blinking cursor and has to be forced to shutdown.

As much as I wanted to like the Xandros OS there are just too many problems. A bit of Googling suggests that the 901 model is just plain buggy which is a real shame and a blotch on what began as a revolutionary idea in portable computing. It really makes one wonder what Asus is thinking. With many other manufacturers rushing competing products to market, Asus needs to raise the bar to stay ahead - not lower it.

Anyway, I decided that the hardware is sound even if the OS isn’t so a quick install of Ubuntu should fix everything. Unfortunatley that isn’t true either. It seems that Asus has gone out of their way to use completely incompatible components which is odd given that they were intending to put Linux on it from the start. Now I fully expect to have issues with wireless on a good many products, but this is the first time I have ever seen a wired NIC not work out of the box. After installing Ubuntu, both wired and wireless networking are broken which makes any sort of fixes for other issues downright difficult. Some enterprising people have attempted to find a workaround (http://www.ubuntu-eee.com/index.php5?title=EeePC_901) but the fact that this level of hacking is even necessary on what should be a Linux firendly computer is a real disappointment. One would think that a PC shipping with Linux would be generally compatible with other versions of Linux. It really makes me wonder how this thing works at all - although perhaps this is a clue as to why there are so many problems even with the bundled Xandros OS.

I used to have a lot of respect for Asus and generally sought out Asus components when building a computer. My experience with the eee has really turned me off and I doubt I will ever look at Asus the same.

At the moment I’m looking for a solution to all of this. Can anyone recommend a Linux distro that does work well on the 901 model? I have absolutely no interest in putting windows on this no matter how well it may work. The problem with the 901 isn’t Linux - it’s a poorly tested product for which only Asus is to blame. And as if to add insult to injury their tech support seems totally unaware of anything other than how to reinstall the same flawed OS. Thanks Asus.

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49 comments so far

Philip
 1 

http://www.array.org/ubuntu/ offers an apt repository with a custom ubuntu kernel, supporting all the eee 901 hardware (wireless, wired, camera, etc.) It works with any ubuntu derivative that uses the standard kernel. So install regular ubuntu, then follow the instructions at http://www.array.org/ubuntu/setup901.html

The only thing this doesn’t make work is the hotkeys. On the other hand, there is the question of security updates…

Also, AIUI everything but the wireless is supported in Intrepid right now (I haven’t tested it).

Absolutely agree about the broken Xandros, though.

August 28th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Mono
 2 

The wired NIC isn’t unsupported, it’s just too new for the kernel you’re using. It’s supported fine as of 2.6.27 - which has just come into Intrepid.

August 28th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Tom
 3 

The array.org Linux kernel packages makes setting up Ubuntu on the EEE PC much easier:
http://www.array.org/ubuntu/index.html

With the eeepc kernel, most things including ethernet and wireless work without further tweaking.

August 28th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Jens
 4 

I’ve got one of these and it works like a charm with ubuntu-eee and the array.org kernel.

Just follow these instructions:
http://array.org/ubuntu/setup901.html

ubuntu-eee is soon about to release a new version that fixes most of the issues. A hope Asus will adopt ubuntu-eee and contribute the the project.

August 29th, 2008 at 12:34 am
cookdn
 5 

I have just taken the plunge with a Netbook PC. After some research I discounted the eeepc for the reasons you have discovered. As you say ASUS seem to have gone out of their way to find Linux incompatible hardware.

However we live in an imperfect world. Even the MSI Wind rebadge (Advent 4211) I bought needed a Wireless card transplant before I installed Ubuntu. There are workarounds compiling Realtek drivers from source and hacks using ndiswrapper and Windows drivers, but because I want a device that ‘just works’ the Realtek card was swapped for an Intel card that is natively supported by the kernel.

I have to say other than the Wireless transplant, the MSI Wind platform supports Ubuntu really well. Everything else appears to work, the keyboard shortcuts for volume etc;, the webcam, sound card and rest of the built-in hardware appear to be functioning fine.

Now the Netbooks have proven to be a successful new PC form-factor are the manufacturers expecting everybody to want Windows?

August 29th, 2008 at 1:10 am
nco
 6 

There are many ubuntu distro that works on eee pc, the one I tried at last is eeebuntu http://www.eeebuntu.org. It uses the last version of ubuntu 8.04 and as a pretty nice desktop ( similar to the next ubuntu mobile ).

You can even still keep Xandros on your eeepc with double boot

August 29th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Henning
 7 

The last few nights I spent a lot of time to replace Xandros on my 901. First I tried Xandros, enabled full-desktop-mode and added repositories until everything was broken…

Then I installed Debian with an EeePC 901 net-installer image which included the atl1e ethernet driver. Unfortunately I had to patch and compile the Ralink wireless driver afterwards. But acpi was not fully working and using the volume keys didn’t work either.
So I looked at Ubuntu-Eee and Eeebuuntu. Both do not fully support the 901 model currently. This was very depressing!

I ended up installing an original kubuntu-hardy.iso from an USB-Stick with the help from https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromUSBStick
I also copied the special EeePC-kernel and -modules from array.org onto the stick and installed the packages after the Kubuntu installation manually with dpkg. Beware that you copy version 2.6.24-21 which contains 901 support. The repository also contains the previous version. To download the packages I added the repository to my desktop machine and downloaded them with “apt-get install -d” (you can find them in /var/cache/apt/archives).

Then I read http://wiki.eeeuser.com/getting_ubuntu_8.04_to_work_perfectly and http://wiki.eeeuser.com/hardy_on_eee901
The second page contains explanations how to enable the special keys.

After that everything works fine including hibernate and suspend. I am very satisfied with my system now :)

I hope my tips help a little bit.

August 29th, 2008 at 5:12 am
sisto
 8 

You should insist with Asus tech support and try to convince them that this isn’t a user error as they seem to think.
Please keep posting your experiences with the 901.
I am also interested in this laptop.
Since most of the problems you are having seem to be software related I feel that they might be solved with software updates!
I hope to hear from you soon after Asus releases some updates to the 901’s software.
Good luck with your little Asus EEE PC.

August 29th, 2008 at 5:27 am
jim
 9 

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I tried the ubuntu-eee version without much success. I know there are workarounds for many of the issues but I just didn’t feel like dealing with them and not sure why should have to on a PC purportedly supporting Linux - that is the real issue for me.

I will give the array.org site a try. It would be nice to hear Asus adopt a version of Ubuntu for the eee. Personally, I’d love to see the Ubuntu Netbook Remix get the nod. I’m also hoping it won’t be long before we can install this. I guess it’s already possible but not with an installer CD. I’m sure installing Ubuntu and then the remix will result in more files and programs than needed. I’m also concerned about the apparently high read/write times with ext3 file systems and how that might affect the SSD. I know you can manually change it to ext2 but not sure what the best option is.

August 29th, 2008 at 7:06 am
keen101
 10 

Jim, maybe you should try one of the intrepid ibex release candidates. Most of the ibex release is buggy, but I’ve had to use it on my external USB HDD because it is the only Ubuntu version that had the drivers needed to run on a particular computer my friend has. I said it was a little buggy, but most problems seem to be fixed rather soon.

-Andrew
-Keen101

August 29th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Charles
 11 

Like Tom said, Ubuntu-EEE with the array.org custom kernel works great. It’s a very quick upgrade.
I purchased the WinXP version, but dual-boot with Ubuntu 8.04. Ubuntu boots to a usable desktop in 45-55 seconds.
It’s a great combination.

August 29th, 2008 at 8:22 am
adamm
 12 

Well, Ubuntu-Eee (v8.04) itself doesn’t have great support for the 901/1000/1000h. Even if you add on the custom kernel. Some manual hacking is still required.

The new version of Ubuntu-Eee (v8.04.1) will have better out-of-the-box support for the 901/1000/1000h, but it’s not QUITE there yet ;)

People are actively working on a proper solution to this, be it Ubuntu or third party contributers (like myself.)

Some of the hacks on the array kernel are already included in Intrepid, and even the netbook remix, but I’d be surprised if ALL of them make it in.

August 29th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
sydhancock
 13 

Mandriva 2008.1 seems to work very well. Look here for example:
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/opensource/?p=243

HTH
Syd

August 29th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Adam Ashley
 14 

You where almost there http://www.ubuntu-eee.com/ and follow the link to the 8.04.1 RC1 image http://www.jonramvi.com/ubuntu-eee-8041-release-live-day-2/

I’ve just installed it on a 1000h, a 901 and a 701. 100% working out of the box on all three. The 8.04.1 ubuntu-eee includes the array kernel with all the drivers, the ubuntu netbook remix plus many of the array.org hacks. The only issues I’ve had with it are the system hangs when using the fn-f2 enable/disable wireless button.

As to the not seeing wireless-n it looks like the drivers asus have released for linux dont do N yet, which is a pity.

August 30th, 2008 at 3:57 am
Richard
 15 

Jim,

For some reason I went with the Acer Aspire One. I believe it was a philosophical choice–they seemed more pro-Linux to me after some research. Also, the keyboard is fine for me, and I have large hands. I type normal speed on it. When I’ve used the EEE I keep having trouble with the right shift button placement.

Anyway, I kept the default Linpus distro because everything worked out of the box. It was extremely limited, though, until I found the hack to allow the advanced xfce desktop. Now it’s really a pretty nice netbook, and I also have installed several development tools and use it for some programming–which I did not expect to do. The package manager is … okay. I’ve installed several apps via the command line instead and had surprising success.

August 30th, 2008 at 9:22 am
jim
 16 

Sydhancock - I had thought about Mandriva and heard that it might be a good option but haven’t heard if it will run on the 901. Asus seems to have made a number of hardware changes with the 901 so success on a previous model isn’t really proof it will work on the 901.

I did just install Ubuntu with the custom kernel and then added the Netbook Remix. It’s working fine but I’m not completely pleased with how apps look. The default desktop, however, looks really good.

August 30th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
inc83905
 17 

Running eeebuntu (eeebuntu.org) with the array.org kernel here, on the eeePC 1000. I think this is my best working ubuntu install to date. Wireless is quick, external 3G modem works fine, multiple monitors etc etc.

I understand your disappointment with Asus, but they never set out to make us ubuntu-hackers happy; they just created a simple laptop for people who surf and send e-mails. So if you’re gonna run a ‘non-native’ OS on your EeePC, expect to do some tweaking…

August 31st, 2008 at 2:50 am
jim
 18 

inc83905 - Actually, I was happy to keep the native OS. It is quick and simple and did exactly what I wanted a small computer like this to do. My frustration stems from the fact that the native OS is broken. Updates don’t work and apps disappear - namely the file manager. It’s there one day and then gone. That is an app that is kind of crucial. Actually, the app is there but the icon, and thus the launcher, is gone. Putting Ubuntu on was a hope to solve problems that should not have existed in the first place and for that I blame Asus. I hope a fix is coming and when it does I will probably put the Xandrox OS back on.

August 31st, 2008 at 9:36 am
aspergerian
 19 

Adamm’s work on the eee version of 8.04.1 is very appreciated. I’m typing now on an Asus 901 running 8.04.1, with low sound a remaining challenge. Adamm’s website indicates that a new version is available, 2.6.24.20.22 (http://www.array.org/ubuntu/packages.html)
However, my 901 still boots to 2.6.24.20.21, and as a near total noob, I don’t know how to safey upgrade to .22. Clearly, my 901 didn’t automatically upgrade the OS, although the url states, “By installing linux-eeepc, your system will automatically download any newer versions of this custom kernel, as they’re released.”

September 1st, 2008 at 11:39 am
Damien
 20 

[No trolling. Comment deleted by admin.]

September 26th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Nick
 21 

The recently release Mandriva 2009 rc2 should work flawlessly on the eee 901 as all the major issues have been tracked and resolved.

http://wiki.mandriva.com/en/2009.0_RC_2#Improved_support_for_netbook_hardware

https://qa.mandriva.com/showdependencytree.cgi?id=42689&hide_resolved=0

http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=45541

September 26th, 2008 at 3:23 am
jim
 22 

Nick, thanks for the tip. I may have to give this a try. Ubuntu works fairly well but there are still some issues.

September 26th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
str386
 23 

Why insist on using a server OS as anything else… I’ll never understand.

“I have absolutely no interest in putting windows on this no matter how well it may work. ”

I think you deserve Linux bugginess and uselessness then. Have fun.

September 27th, 2008 at 4:45 am
jim
 24 

@str386 - I am having fun. Thank you. I enjoy hacking computers. It’s a learning process.

By the way, Linux is not strictly a server OS. I use it as my one and only desktop OS and have for the past 3 years. The eee runs fine with it aside from some hardware hurdles. I see no more bugginess or uselessness than any other OS and in fact it is much more useful out of the box than windows. Windows is a flawed OS. It is not designed to be multi-user. It is too easy to compromise security and is absolutely useless out of the box. XP is too bloated an OS for a low power PC like the eee and vista is way out.

Enjoy forever paying for upgrades to your leased OS and running useless anti-malware software to try and keep it from breaking. Unless of course you are using OSX (which is just Aqua on top of UNIX) which is still a leased OS.

September 27th, 2008 at 9:30 am
tommy
 25 

Install Debian! You can install the testing version (despite its name, it is probably more stable than a release Ubuntu) in minutes by copying an image to a usb key, booting from usb and doing a network install.
Trust me: the eee 901 with Debian is fantastic!
The eee are new machines: support by the linux community takes time.
But Debian is working hard and very well. Go here:
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC/
there’s a lot of documentation on how to install and configure.
My advice is: clear every partition, put the system on sda1 (the 4 gb disk) and /home on the 16 gb disk. Use ext2 if you want to avoid journaling. Do not create the swap partition (I’m doing fine without it) to save space.
Trust me: it’s easy and everything (almost everything) works. Do not waste your time with other distros that are not ready. We’ll probably see the work of the Debian team in the next Ubuntu, but if you want something fully working now do what I told you above.
You will LOVE your eeepc.

September 27th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
str386
 26 

“Enjoy forever paying for upgrades to your leased OS and running useless anti-malware software to try and keep it from breaking.”

That’s what I don’t get. I don’t mind paying for software. It works, and my time and the headaches I avoid are way more valuable than the money I pay. As for malware… I’ve never had any since I know how to use my computer.

But hey, if you actually enjoy hacking on your computer instead of actually using it, more power to you. Just don’t blame Asus too much, it’s really hard to get Linux to work decently, but that’s where the fun lies anyway.

September 27th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
jim
 27 

Well, I have more than one computer - several actually. I have a main desktop that I do lots of work on and it runs Ubuntu Linux flawlessly. And then I have several laptops all running Ubuntu without issue that my wife and kids use all the time - and they don’t know how to keep a computer running so with Linux I have no worries at all. The eee is the experiment.

So, basically, I have several computers that just work and I don’t have to pay a dime for ANY software - not just the OS. I’m sure MS loves that you enjoy paying for the same functionality as I get for free (well, less actually as your AV alone saps 10% of your resources not to mention what the bloated OS sucks up).

Now, as for blaming Asus they deserve a bit for selling a Linux based computer that doesn’t really run Linux all that well. I expect a “made for windows” computer to have potential issues but when it’s made for Linux then it should run Linux. That’s just not very good business now is it. And I’m not talking about running a different OS. The Xandros OS is full of problems. I’m hoping they address then as I actually like it but the broken updates, disappearing apps and other issues were frustrating. These are all issues that Asus deserves full blame for.

So, it’s clear you like your windows. Good for you. Now stop trolling on my blog.

September 27th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
jim
 28 

Tommy, thanks for the tip. Someone else mentioned Mandriva. I’m not sure what to try. Ubuntu is actually running quite well and I’m comfortable with it. I may give one or both of these a try but I’m actually hoping that Asus will fix the issues with Xandros as I really liked it on a computer like this.

September 27th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
tommy
 29 

I also use Ubuntu on other machines: if everything works, keep it. Debian is similar (also uses Gnome as default), and after enabling the webcam and bluetooth in BIOS (I don’t know why they were disabled…), I tell you that I have *everything* working on my 901 almost out of the box: I have a complete linux desktop that works like a charm.
You can wait for complete hardware support in Ubuntu, of course: surely it will come.
I didn’t like the easy mode with xandros: too limiting, but of course your needs might be different.
Anyway, it’s a shame that Asus is not fixing the repositories problems. But I thing that with a working software the 901 is a great piece of hardware! Enjoy your 901 as I am enjoying mine. :)

September 28th, 2008 at 2:31 am
jim
 30 

Tommy, I was actually hoping the netbook release of Ubuntu would be “out” soon. I did install it and for the most part it works. The interface has some glitches in how it looks but it performs fine.

However, I’m taking your advice and downloading Debian. I’ll give it a try. You said everything is working “almost” out of the box. Other than the webcam issue (needs to be re-enabled in Ubuntu too) is there anything I will need to fix?

Thanks.

September 28th, 2008 at 9:23 am
tommy
 31 

Anyway, I read your post about Ubuntu netbook remix. Seems that most of the things are working, so if you like the tab interface maybe you should stay with Ubuntu…
My further instructions for Debian could help people that would liket to install a standard distribution instead.

September 28th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
tommy
 32 

I still have to try the wireless interface (I will do it tomorrow at work, as I do not have a wireless router at home). To install, I used an ethernet connection (with DHCP) and the network was automatically recognized during installation.
The front mic requires to rebuild the ALSA driver with the latest version, but I’m just waiting for the new release. The external mic works.
The other things all work: audio, bluetooth, webcam, hotkeys (did not try the silver keys yet), two-finger scrolling on the pad.
Be sure to follow these steps:
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC/HowTo/Install

September 28th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
tommy
 33 

During installation, when prompted to select what to install, remember to select the laptop package (deselected by default).
Then you may have to do some additional configurations to make it work:
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC/HowTo/Configure
(skip the webcam part as the packages are now included in the latest kernel)
and you may apply some of the optimizations described here:
http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC/TipsAndTricks
Some are important.

September 28th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
tommy
 34 

[sorry, I have to put lots of comments because otherwise it does not work: there must be a maximum number of characters per comment]

So, it’s not so true that everything will work optimally out of the box: I spent a whole day configuring.
But at least those pages describe quite well what works and what doesn’t and (most important!) what you have to do to make things work.

Also, you have to tweak the UI (use smaller fonts in Gnome, small icons in apps like firefox or thunderbird and so on) to fit to the smaller screen.

Finally: remember that in Debian, Firefox is called IceWeasel and Thunderbird is called IceDove (not installed by default, do an apt-get install icedove), because the names are registered by the Mozilla foundation.

September 28th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
jim
 35 

Tommy, thanks again for the info. I just finished installing Debian which was fun as I’ve never install pure Debian before. However, I have pretty much the same set up as with Ubuntu - which makes sense as Ubuntu is built on Debian - mainly wifi doesn’t work but the webcam did.

I just saw that the eee specific version is out. I think I’ll give that a try next.

http://www.ubuntu-eee.com/

September 28th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
tommy
 36 

That’s good, as wifi is not working… so I think I’ll also try ubuntu-eee! Wonderful! Thanks.

September 29th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Peter Woodleg
 37 

I was so happy to read what you wrote! It is not that I am happy about your disappointment, it is just that I 100% agree with every word of yours!
I also have the 901 and I have tried all kinds of Linux distribution and none of them works. To make the thing even more ridiculous these distributions are even named eeebuntu or ubuntueee or pupeee…!
My 901 came shipped with Win XP… and at the end the only thing that really works, like it or not, is Windows XP.

October 7th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
tommy
 38 

Dear Peter Woodleg, I now have everything working under Debian, from wireless to bluetooth… everything. Of course I spent a lot of time reading documentation, compiling the wireless driver, configuring many things and installing the software I wanted. If you don’t want to do these things, just stick with windows… linux is only for those who can. :)

October 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
JimBrooking
 39 

Unfortunately, the problems with Linux on a 900 machine remain on my month-old T1000. Specifically, broken update and crappy (non-responsive) tech support. Going to try and install eeeubuntu on a SDHC when I return home next week. Until then - the t1000 is a nice toy, but not to be confused with a tool to be relied upon.

October 17th, 2008 at 7:42 am
jim
 40 

Yeah, tech support is not what I’d call stellar by any means. However, on my 901 the broken update issue was resolved. I did go ahead and install the ubuntu-eee option just to see how it is and so far it’s pretty nice. Everything works and the interface is nice. I haven’t used it enough to say it’s better but certainly at least as good as the Xandros option but a bit of work on the interface would be nice. The panel seems superfluous and detracts for the aesthetics. Hopefully in time this will all be worked out.

October 17th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Bob D.
 41 

I am using Xandros. My wireless works fine, and EEE Download not only works (including some larger apps like Audacity and the GIMP) but it creates icons in the tabbed Easy Mode interface. I’m not sure why it wouldn’t work on your 901.

I have used Ubuntu and Kubuntu on other machines and like that distribution, but I was reluctant to switch to anything which might not work with all of the hardware if I didn’t have to (I particularly like the multitouch trackpad), so I settled for enabling the full desktop. This gave me the more familiar KDE interface some more features like virtual desktops, and the ability to use the Synaptic package manager to add software.

October 20th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
baz
 42 

Jim, how did you fix the broken update issue!??

October 21st, 2008 at 12:40 am
jim
 43 

Baz. I didn’t really do anything. I dumped Xandros and ran Ubuntu for a while and then for the fun of it switched back. The first day I switched back I still had the failed download for the update but then a day later was using it and was notified that new updates had downloaded and were ready to install. I don’t know if I was just lucky and that was the day it got fixed or what but it worked. Maybe I was just lucky and if I tried again it wouldn’t work. Maybe it’s just a hit or miss thing. Sorry, but not really sure. I took Xandros off again to try the new-ish ubuntu-eee build.

October 22nd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
David
 44 

YOUR ANSWER IS UBUNTU-EEE 8.04.1

October 24th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
paulo
 45 

Try debian with the custom installer. Instructions here: http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC (901-specific page: http://wiki.debian.org/DebianEeePC/Model/901 )

I’ve been using it for a while and it’s better than the original xandros (and from what you say above, better than ubuntu).

October 26th, 2008 at 3:51 am
thhem
 46 

901 user aswell,

Asus juat copied the 701 xandros on the 901,

there was no support nor addons as you mentionned

Maybe the agreement with microsoft is in it for something.

I’m a 1 rst time linux user, I’switched to linux for the eeepc.

Xandros was a real dissapointement,
I had a first time helper to install unbuntu,

but nowadays theres good tutorials on installing ubuntu 8.04 and make everything work

Now, after all the hassel, I’n glad I switched, Ubuntu is areal pleasure to work with

October 29th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Beket
 47 

Greetings.

I am using the archlinux distribution with the zeneee kernel. Everything (lan, wifi, bluetooth, webcamera, fn+keys) works ok.

Cheers.

October 30th, 2008 at 5:35 am
Anon
 48 

Jim - I bought the 901 with the WinXP load. IT was an excellent mini-workstation fpr travel, epecially on planes. One day, the OS just disappeared! I called techsupport. The gu on there said that was odd, because that’s the first WinXP version he heard do that, but had many of the same issues with the LINUX-based ones.
Thanks for your blog. I will be using others’ advice to load Ubuntu to the Asus.

February 21st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
bunutz
 49 

“The problem with the 901 isn’t Linux”. No, the problem IS Linux. You just won’t admit it.

August 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm

3 Trackbacks/Pings

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    [...] Asus eee 901 Posted in September 1st, 2008 by jim in On My Mind, ubuntu I recently wrote about my frustrations with the 901 model of the Asus eee PC. I think the problems are specific to this and perhaps similar models and [...]

  2. » Asus eee 901 Update Ubuntu This & Ubuntu That: My Ubuntu Related Ramblings    Oct 08 2008 / 8pm:

    [...] eee 901 Update Posted in October 8th, 2008 by jim in On My Mind A while back I wrote about some problems with the eee 901 model - namely the update tool seemed broken and the eee download site that allowed one click install of [...]

  3. Jim Hutchinson: Asus eee 901 Update | Install and Use Ubuntu    Oct 09 2008 / 8pm:

    [...] while back I wrote about some problems with the eee 901 model - namely the update tool seemed broken and the eee download site that allowed one click install of [...]

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