Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with eee

Can you turn a netbook into a Chumby?

bartleby — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:39:16 -0800

Is there a way to convert an old eee701 into something with a web-widget interface, like a Chumby or an AndroidOS-like device? I've got an early model ASUS eee701 netbook that's probably going to be retired after Xmas (if Santa brings me a newer netbook).

It's a little underpowered to really use for a modern netbook (and the keyboard is a bit too small for my fingers), and it doesn't have a touchscreen like later models do.

But I'm thinking that it might be a cute little cubicle companion at work if I could convert it into something that was a web-widget-based interface, like a Chumby (http://www.chumby.com/pages/learn_overview) or something that ran Android widgets instead of the default Xandros OS or the eeeBuntu that I'm running on it.

Something sitting off to the side of my desk with a half-dozen widgets (RSS, Pandora, skype, random flickr, etc.) that I can flip through.

But I also don't need to make a new hobby out of it. So if I'd have to code it myself, or spend a weekend recompiling, then never mind. But before giving up on the idea, I figured I'd ask around and see if anyone's done anything similar and had any opinions or advice.

How can you make XP Pro to run USB ports at 2.0 speed?

yggdrasil — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:23:58 -0800

Why are my netbook's USB 2.0 ports running at 1.1 speed under XP Pro, and what can I do to fix this? I have an Asus EEE 1000HA netbook that originally came with XP Home. I installed XP Pro, including complete patches, upgrades, updates, and current service packs, and have been happily computing for almost a year.

I recently noticed that whenever I plug in a USB device (be it external hard drive, disk drive, TV receiver stick, or flash drive), XP pops up a warning that the device could run faster if I'd only use the right 2.0 port. Problem: all three USB ports purport to be 2.0, but none of them are. Now that I think back, I think it has done this since the beginning, so it's not a recent development.

I'm running completely updated XP Pro and a current version of the BIOS (and no, the standard fix to turn "OS installation" in the BIOS to "complete" is not an option in this BIOS version). I've tried uninstalling all the USB devices and let Windows discover and install them, but they're still 1.1. But I know that the hardware is 2.0 compatible because both on-board camera and flash reader work - camera doesn't work at 1.1, and the flash reader runs at 2.0 speed (or at least a hell of a lot faster than the USB stick). [It's not a difference in media: same microSD card in USB stick is hella-slow, but stick it into the flash reader inside the SD adapter, and it's full speed ahead). So the 2.0 USB hardware is on-board.

I've spent more than an hour with ASUS tech support, and they say that they don't have a patch, and that it's actually a known issue with XP, and to try calling MS. I'm abroad for the next 3 months, so I really don't want to have to pay international long distance to be parked in on-hold-telephone-tree-hell at MS.

So does anyone have a work around or patch? (I can't install a linux distribution because I need to be able to run my law school's exam software... otherwise, I'd be all about it...)

Can Asus EEE laptop be fixed after getting water spilled on it?

micketymoc — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:00:57 -0800

Asus EEE 1000h laptop, daughter spilled water over it. Won't turn on anymore. Help! Asking for a friend. Daughter spilled water on it. Let it dry out, and it still worked. 24 hours later, it wouldn't turn on anymore. Is repair still possible, or practical?

What's wrong with my netbook's wireless?

fearthehat — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:21:46 -0800

What's wrong with the wireless on my netbook and how can I fix it? Does anyone know what could be wrong with the wireless internet on my EEE PC 900 HA netbook?

In both Windows XP SP3 (with drivers installed) and Ubuntu 9.04 Netbook Remix I have been able to view wireless networks and connect to them. However, once I am connected to the network programs are either completely unable to get online. Internet Explorer gives me "No internet connection is available from this computer" messages, and Firefox just gives the standard "Page not found" notice. If they can connect, things download very slowly (we're talking around two minutes just to download the Google frontpage) and the connection only lasts for a few minutes before failing completely.

I've had problems both at home and on the wireless networks at my university and in public places. My home network is run on an AirPort Express with WPA2 Personal encryption. I've tried altering the encryption scheme but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I routinely use other wi-fi devices at home without any problems (discounting the crummy internet in my part of the world, which is another topic entirely...)

So any opinions as to what the problem is? Is it just crappy hardware, or is there something defective? I'm really eager to find a solution (preferably one that doesn't cost much), as without reliable wireless the netbook is pretty much useless, and the best I can hope for is to sell it at a loss.

Thanks in advance!

Help me pimp my new eee pc.

SuperErin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:58:29 -0800

I just bought an asus eee pc from woot.com (here's the link so you can see the specs.) I need suggestions. I'm planning to install the ubuntu netbook remix. Any thoughts on that?

Any other recommendations for improving the eee? adding memory, programs, peripherals?

I've been using the same notebook since 2003, so i'm excited about my new toy.

Thanks for your help!

Help me with my trash!

nicolas léonard sadi carnot — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 00:41:01 -0800

I'm using a Linux eee, and after leaving a couple of torrents on overnight, I wake up to the message that the disk is full. Fair enough, I'll just delete a few things: but when I try to, I get the message that it's unable to create home/user/Trash/xxxxxx, where xxxxxx is some random string of characters. How can I actually free up some space? I don't mind using the terminal or whatever, I've just no idea what I'd type.

Slower than a three-toed sloth at a narcolepsy convention

sister nunchaku of love and mercy — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:26:46 -0800

GeekFilter: I just bought an Asus eee PC 900 (the model with the 16 GB HD). I needed a spare laptop fast, since my MacBook Pro had a mishap on the road and has to be repaired. I bought the eee at Best Buy, so it's running Win XP and not Linux. Problem: it's very slow. Question: should I return it, or put Linux on it when I get home? I'm traveling and am at my parents' house for a few more days. There's no Best Buy near where I live, so I need to return the eee PC here if I'm not going to keep it.

Will installing Linux fix teh_slow? I'm geeky enough to do it. I've wanted a eee for a while, so I'd really like to keep it if possible. I've heard some non-positive things about the 900/16 GB, though.

If I keep it, any suggestions for which Linux distro to put on it?

Thanks in advance, hive mind.

Sell me a useless gadget.

Pleadthefifth — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:25:25 -0800

I am ''technolusting'' over two things at the moment. One being an Asus EEE PC and the other being an iPod Touch. Unfortunately, I cannot get both. You must help me decide, great denizens of AskMe. So. I want to ask this question in a creative manner. I have a certain set of criteria in mind, but let's pretend I am a completely ignorant person. [[Pretend?]]

Pretend you work in an electronics store. Whichever one [iPod Touch or EEE PC] you think I should buy, SELL IT TO ME. Pretend you're getting a hefty commission off of selling either the iPod Touch or Asus EEE PC to me. If you have personal experience with either, or both, please include that. List the pros and cons of both. Create election-worthy smear campaigns against each other.

Please, help me decide!

(I hope this doesn't count as "chatfilter".)

Comparing Apples And Ubuntus.

2oh1 — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:16:29 -0800

How does the Macbook Air with OS X compare to the Dell Mini 12 running XP or Ubuntu? I've been buying Macs since 1994 and work exclusively with them, mostly because I'm a freelancer (thus, I work from home). I'd like to buy a netbook-ish laptop for surfing the web and writing on the go. This would be a secondary computer, so I don't need bells and whistles. I don't even need a CD/DVD drive.

I have poor vision, so I'm looking for one that's just a bit bigger than the 7 to 10 inch netbooks, but I'd still like it to be light and small. I'm thinking 13 inch screen max with a resolution no larger than 1280 X 800-ish.

That led me to the Macbook Air, refurbished, for $999, or a Dell Mini 12, which can be had for a lot less. Or, should I be looking at something else entirely? I fear the 10 inch Eee might be a bit too small of a screen.

How do they really compare?
Would I prefer Ubuntu to XP?
Is it worth it to spend more for the refurbished Air?

I'm having trouble comparing apples to apples since only one of them is, in fact, an Apple.

Would an Asus Eee running OS X Leopard be faster than my PowerBook G4?

Brian Puccio — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:23:28 -0800

I've got an older PowerBook G4 with a 1.5 GHz CPU and 1.25 GB of RAM. It works, but it's sluggish. I don't expect it to be as fast as my shiny new 24" iMac, but it's slower than I'd like. Would selling it on eBay and buying an Asus Eee (I assume the 1000 model) and installing OS X on it give me a fast machine or about the same? From what I can tell, the PowerBook seems CPU and I/O bound. Programs are slow to load, but are fine when running. I don't heavily multitask since I know RAM is limited. Anytime there is a slowdown/beachball when I'm using a program, I notice that the CPU meter has spiked to 100%.

Primary uses will include: email, web, twitter, coding (nothing compiled, just FTP'd to a server) and serving as temporary storage for photos taken on vacation in the hotel room.

Thanks!

Windows Vista Doesn't Work with VGA to HDMI Converter Box

ao4047 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:46:02 -0800

We have an HP Slimline machine running video with an Nvidia Geforce 6150 SE graphics card. We are wanting to use a VGA->HDMI box to convert the video output of the desktop and connect it to our television: 1) We know the VGA->HDMI box works correctly.

We tested with an Asus EEE Laptop running Windows XP and the video successfully outputs to the TV.

We tested with a Macbook Pro laptop and the video successfully outputs to the TV.

2) We know the HP Slimline desktop works sometimes.

When we boot up the desktop the 'HP INVENT' splash screen shows on the tv.

Then, the green status bar with 'Microsoft Corporation' displays.

Then, something happens to the video and the signal stops. I'm guessing that once the boot begins and then Vista settles in something is interfering with the signal being sent to the the VGA->HDMI box.

Any ideas? Thanks!

I found this previous thread but I think we're a bit further along in our testing.

Elegant additional storage for EEE Box?

mr.dan — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:16:19 -0800

Is there an elegant way to equip the EEE Box with massive storage? I have a recent Dell desktop that sits under my desk and wastes plenty of space and power. It's a 24/7 usenet fileserver for my home.

I am looking to downsize a bit, and the EEE Box seems like the perfect solution. It's small, has plenty of processing capability for my purposes, and does not consume a whole lot of power. However, it is only equipped to take 2.5" hard drives, and I need to have at least a terabyte available.

I considered building my own small form factor PC, but it would end up being slightly more expensive and I really don't have the time. I also like the fact that I can mount the EEE Box on the back of my monitor to keep it completely out of the way.

Is there anything short of an external hard drive that I could use to get add more storage to the EEE Box?

Netbook eats my documents

superbird — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:20:25 -0800

What the heck did my Asus EEE do to my documents? So, I was working on a paper, saving changes every 2 minutes, and then I copied a large file onto my usb drive. I removed the drive, put the drive back in, and tried to bring up my paper. Everything was gone except for the large file!

I then realized I had to delete the usb from the file manager and put it back in. But once I had done that, it had old versions of the files on there. Is there anyway I can recover the changes I'd made and saved?

Where did the saved changes go? to the realm of nowhere?

getting the big O out of the little O

randomination — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:17:49 -0800

1. What is Barack Obama doing in my copy of Opera 9.62?
2. How do I get him out? I'm running Ubuntu 8.04, modified for Eee PC (a build done by this guy).

Since November 4, my preferred web browser, Opera 9.62, has on launch started playing an audio loop of Obama's 'Yes We Can' speech, set to music, that's impossible to turn off. This was slightly charming at first but it's actually now doing my nut in.

I've searched reasonably hard to see if this is happening to anyone else, but with no luck. please reassure me that it's not happening in my own head and tell me how to remove it.

Which netbook should I get?

bshort — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:08:16 -0800

What's the perfect netbook for me? I've searched all over the internet but I'd like some input from the hive mind. So here's the deal:

I'm looking for a netbook that is small enough and cheap enough that I can throw it into a man bag without thinking twice about it.

I would like the following features:

1. WiFi (obviously).

2. A decent keyboard.

3. Bluetooth (I would consider one of those mini-dongles, but I'd prefer that it was built-in.)

4. Excellent battery life. I'm looking for a minimum of four hours in actual usage.

5. At least 2 USB ports.

6. Enough internal storage for a couple of movies. The Dell Mini can be configured with a 16GB SSD, but I'd prefer upwards of 30GB of storage.

7. The ability to install either Ubuntu or the Ubuntu Netbook Remix and have everything on the computer actually work. This is an absolute must. If there's a random LED that doesn't quite show the WiFi signal, then that's fine, but I need all the ports to work, I need a working Ethernet port, working webcam, etc.

8. I'd prefer a webcam, but this is optional.

9. A low low price. I'm looking for a "netbook" not a carbon-fiber, wafer-thin piece of precision engineering.

What say you, hive mind? Does my perfect on-the-go device exist?

Portable pdf reading - what's the way to go?

sien — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 01:38:20 -0800

What would you recommend for a compact device that reads pdfs? I've recently started train commuting and have 30 minutes on a regular basis to read. There are quite a few large pdfs that I read. I've been using a PSP but it doesn't work well. I'm currently looking at an ipod touch, eee PC, Aspire One, Nokia n800 and would consider anything else that people recommend. ( more inside ) I've been using a PSP with bookr but have found that it crashes on sizable pdfs and often won't display the pdf at a readable resolution without needing to constantly scroll across the page.

The ipod touch is almost a good solution. It just that it appears that you have to email pdfs to yourself to view them and that you can't view them in landscape mode. Perhaps these problems can be overcome by jail breaking the device but I'm not sure.

My Nokia 6110's adobe reader will view everything and work right, but with constant scrolling due to the device's small size it doesn't work well either.

Does anyone have experience with the Nokia internet tablets? There are some cheaply available on ebay Australia so they are also potentially a viable option.

In the end, if you want to read large pdfs do you really have to have a PC? A cheap eee PC or Aspire one might be what's required.

Are any of the epaper devices capable of handling large, graphics containing pdfs? I'm in Australia so the Kindle is probably not viable.

At any rate, it'd be great to have the experiences and opinions from the Blue as to what to do.

(and just as an aside, I regularly read normal books on the train and enjoy that too, it's just that some stuff is more readily available as pdfs)

B&M Asus sellers?

mad bomber what bombs at midnight — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:50:17 -0800

Where can I find an Asus eee pc tonight? I'm leaving on an extended business trip overseas in a day and I just decided to bring a laptop. I'm sold on the Asus eee pc, but I can't find one at any B&M stores in town.

Reluctantly, I will also ask for recommendations for other linux-compatible UMPC's, as long as I can find them stat.

Eee-only?

matthewr — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 19:50:58 -0800

Could I use an Eee 1000 as my only PC? I'd be getting the 10-inch 1000H, with XP Home and an 80Gb HDD.

Specifically, is it practical to watch DVDs on the move, via a bus-powered external US DVD drive? Or would that use so much power that the battery wouldn't last the length of a film?

And if I were to plug in an external monitor at home, what's the maximum resolution the Eee could output, via the VGA port? I've read various forum posts about changing Xandros config files, but nothing for XP.

Turning EEE 900 into central media server on wired network?

ofthestrait — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:29:11 -0800

Best solution for a central media server in an apartment with a wired network on the free/cheap? more details inside. So my friends and I got a great number in the housing lottery at my school and next year we're going to have our own suite with a common room. I'm trying to come up with a way for us to be able access everyone's music and movies in the common room from the TV. I'm wondering about what other people might use in this situation - it seems like there is a plethora of media-server software out there.

I'd like to be able to use an Asus EEE 900 (currently running Ubuntu) as the computer in the living room that will be hooked up to the television. Everyone has their own ethernet port in the room so I'll be able to use the dorm wired network to connect me and my friend's computers (all Macs) to the common room computer. I'd also like to be able to use a remote to control the setup. And I'd like to do this with free software if possible. I'm pretty technically minded, so don't let that be an obstacle. Also, could this be done better with a Xbox/Wii/PS3? We're thinking about getting one of these systems.

PS. any other cool stuff I could do with this? like, could people "log in" to their computer and use it from the living room? It seems like there should be a fair amount of bandwidth to do this but I wouldn't know where to start.

Where to follow the booming subnotebook/ultraportable market online?

meso — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:01:25 -0800

What's the best online place to follow the latest subnotebooks and ultraportables to arrive on the market? I'm particularly eager to be in the starting blocks when Dell's E becomes available. Bonus points if the website isn't USA-centred, but also features international updates.

Buy Asus 901 EEE PC in London?

bollockovnikov — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:46:10 -0800

EEE PC Filter: Where can I buy one of the new Asus 901 EEE PCs, in London? Preferably today. I can go to central London, near Tottenham Court Road maybe? But I live in North East London.

Any ideas? Cheers

Should I buy an eee PC?

smithmac_99 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:01:59 -0800

How do I get DVD video onto a optical driveless PC? So I'm thinking about getting one of those mini laptops such as an ASUS eeePC or some such. My main concern is the lack of an optical drive. I think it's a little silly to buy an external optical drive that you have to lug around with you if you want to watch DVD's.

So actually, I have a couple of questions and if you own one of those eees, I'd love your input.

1) Is it possible to compress a DVD movie on my mac, transfer it to a USB flash drive and watch it on an eee?

2) Does the battery life on one of these computers even make it possible to watch a movie while travelling?

3) The new eee 1000H actually can be configured with a 80gig hard drive. Would this be the way to go over one of the smaller ssd drives?

4)I'm a total linux retard. Is it tough to learn? Should I get one with XP? Will my mac play nicely with both or either?

Thanks for your help!

smash$ Xandros

trinarian — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:10:47 -0800

Is it worth changing to xUbuntu from Xandros? I purchased an Asus EEE 900 about a month ago. I've been wanting to make the switch to Linux for years and this finally put it in my lap. Like most MeFites, computers (or at least Microsoft software) are rather intuitive to me. That said, I've yet to be able to install a single application without tons of trial and error and with it a lot of time. I spent three hours today just trying to work around a Xandros bug to get Firefox 3 loaded, still with no success. Even rTorrent seems like another long slodge through terminal + forum/FAQ hell. The only thing I have managed to install was a JAR Chinese dictionary. Go me!

1) Is this something I'll just learn naturally in a few more weeks?
2) Will switching to xUbuntu make it easier to install programs?
3) Should I just install a copy of XP for when I want to do "real work"?
4) Why do repositories seem so out of date and have none of the software I actually want?

San DiEee901

Akeem — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:04:17 -0800

Where can I find an Asus Eee 901 in San Diego close to the convenion center? Will they be available by June 21? I'll be at BIO 2008 next week in San Diego; I would like to pick up an Eee 901 while I'm in the US but find different reports on its availability (June 3, June, July). Would I have to travel to the outskirts of the city to the big electronic stores or are there any that stock Eee's near the center ?

How difficult would it be to get your hands on the new model once it launches? Do you have to reserve one beforehand?

Can I expect difficulties travelling with this US purchased item through customs to Europe ? Would I have to pay import taxes ?

Is there a simple (kinda) task manager for Linux?

Koffeeman — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:45:46 -0800

Linux + EEE + Chaotic Projects = ????? Project Manager. What should I try? I have a 700 series 4G Surf Eee that I am using as a PDA plus. I like the thing (very portable, long battery life, easy to get accessories). I t has almost everything I want. But what I need is some kind of easy to use project manager.

My employer responds to RFPs (Request for Proposals) that can vary from really quick and simple to the monstoruosly complex. Most of the time the sales person and I work out the RFP needs and work that plan...Until we talk to the client and start all over as new data comes in. In order to keep to the tight timelines I have, I often try to figure out who I need to call, what needs to be done, and how the sales person needs to present our proposal. That means drafting out at least some tasks for the project. But after revisions, or Q&A sessions, or merely phone calls to the RFP company, most of those plans get rearranged. Therefore I need a better way to keep track these decidedly transient projects, allow me to toss entire trains of thought, and can make sure I don't sit around blowing bubbles when work needs to progress.

I would like the software to work on Xandros or Debian, allow me to keep soemthing like nested todos, allow me to strikethrough entries as well as delete or check off entries, and keep notes on either project or tasks as data changes, and classify projects as either active, passive, or dead. I have tried Baskets (didn't like it), use Evolution now, and would like something that would be locally installed. Ideas? Need more details?