sâmbătă, 17 octombrie 2009

Acer Aspire One and all Laptops/Notebooks/Netbooks <------> Linux Mint

So...you've decided to try Linux Mint on your laptop/notebook/netbook ( it really doesn't matter the brand, processor, RAM or HDD capacity!).
Even if it's for the first time in your life you're using a Linux distribution...just don't be scared of trying it! I assure you : once you'll start using Linux Mint your troubles (as in Windows) with restarting, reinstalling, using cracked programs will end.
First you have to acquire an ISO image of this distribution.
The developers provide two versions :
1.Linux Mint 8 "Helena" - Main Edition (688MB)
2.LinuxMint 8 Universal (1GB)
Both are available for download at http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=45.

I remind you that Linux Mint is a free distribution which was born from someone's effort to offer everyone an extremely easy to use, fast and reliable alternative to whatever "trademark-crap-with-big-name" is on the market. So consider donating to have this Linux distribution more and more improved!

My suggestion: go on and download the torrent that points to the 697MB/32bit one.
The ISO file you've just downloaded will be used to ”burn” a boot-able CD ( no matter what operation system you use I'm sure you have the necessary tools and also you know how to use them in order to create a boot-able CD ) or a boot-able USB key.

Create a boot-able USB key

This works great when your laptop/netbook/notebook doesn't have an internal CD/DVD reader/writer and also you don't want to spend 60 dollars for an external one!.
You'll need an USB key with at least 1GB capacity and a program that will help you “transfer” the ISO file on your USB key. Remember that IT IS NOT a simple file transfer copy/paste.
The program you need is Unetbootin and it is free, available for download (Windows and Linux) at http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ . The program is extremely easy to install and use and the webpage provides all necessary information so I'll not insist on this.

After downloading and installing Unetbootin you need to format your USB key.
For this, insert it into a free USB port and if your operation system is Windows , right click on the icon representing your USB key and select Format.
It's okay if you'll use the default fat32 format.

When it's done, remove and then re-insert the USB key and start the UNetbootin program.
In the window that opened be sure you select the following:
Disk Image: ISO
[Select the path to your downloaded ISO file] ( it's the box right next to Disk Image )
Type: USB Drive
Drive: [the_letter_that_represents_your_USB_key] .
For Windows users this could be D:\ , E:\ , F:\ , etc while for Linux users this could be /dev/sdb1 , /dev/sdc1 , /dev/sdd1 , etc.

When all these settings are done just click OK and the program will start creating your boot-able USB key.
It will take a little time and when the progress bar will reach 100% the program will ask you to Reboot your computer.
Do as it says!

While your computer restarts, press the key that will give you the possibility to access the BIOS.
Usually for laptops this key is F2.
Once the BIOS menu initiated , find the boot options, and using UP/DOWN arrows highlight the USB key ( it should appear in this menu as USB HDD: ).
Then, depending of your BIOS, use the F5 and F6 keys ( sometimes + and – keys will do the same ) to place the highlighted option on the first place ( meaning the option on the first place will be considered as being the drive to boot from ).

Then using the same keys, put on the second place the Hard Drive ( it will appear as HDD: or IDEO: followed by manufacturer's brand, serial number...something like that).
When you're done, just press F10 to save your settings ( by default YES is highlighted ) and then press ENTER.

The computer will restart with the new settings and , of course, do not remove the USB key so the BIOS will find it and boot the operation system from it ( in the present case – Linux Mint ).
If everything was setup correctly in BIOS when restarting your computer will display the boot: prompt.
Press ENTER and the next screen will display the Unetbootin menu with some options.
At this point if you want only to try Linux Mint without modifying anything at all into your basic operation system already installed highlight the Default option in this menu and press ENTER.
In less then a minute you'll have Linux Mint up and running.

Yes, the Desktop is green! And the icons too! But don't worry about this. If you don't like it you can customize everything: Desktop background, Theme, Icons, Fonts.
You can even designate keys or combination of keys to initiate any program you like without being necessary the use of a mouse supposed to click on different icons.
This is extremely useful in case you have a netbook with a small display (8 or 10 inches display).

If you want to explore what's “under the hood” just click on the Menu icon ( lower left corner ).
You'll discover a multitude of programs ( free and already installed ): audio/video players, image editors ( GIMP is an Adobe Photoshop like program ) , image viewers, Open Office ( Microsoft Office like program), Pidgin ( instant messenger program that allows you to login with different accounts on Yahoo Messenger and/or different other popular instant messengers you might use and have accounts on), Firefox Web Browser , Thunderbird Mail, Transmission Bit Torrent and a lot of other applications that look like whatever you know and/or use already on Windows.

If you have an iPod ( Apple product ) then Rhythmbox solves the problem with the transfer of your music files from your iPod into your computer and vice-versa. Like iTunes but better and with less consumption of resources.
The transfer of mp3 files will be handled into/from any other portable mp3 player similar as in Windows.....EXCEPT Zune.
If you have a Zune mp3 player , things are very “nashpa”.
Zune belongs to Microsoft so because they didn't want to reveal much about the processor, the software and how all things are going on inside a Zune portable player, Linux can't handle this kind of players.....for now.

What you won't find installed by default is Skype.
But don't worry about it! You can do it by yourself accessing the lower left corner Menu, then click on Package Manager ( a very important and useful tool that helps you install into your computer everything you want ).
This will work if you have configured an active Network Connection.

When the Synaptic Package Manager starts , you'll find in it a box that said Quick Search. Just type in it Skype and here we go … found it!
All you have to do now is to select the package named “skype” , right click on it and in the menu that opens select Mark for Installation.
A dialog box with two buttons will appear : Cancel and Mark. Of course, select Mark and in a few seconds ( depending on your speed of your connection ) Skype will be installed on your computer.

If you have a netbook with webcam and microphone included , all you have to do is to adjust the necessary settings in Skype so you'll have sound and video in a jiffy.

Netbooks being so called “last generation” devices ….Linux Mint will have and use drivers for all internal hardware they might contain so you don't have to worry about wireless network cards drivers, video drivers, or whatever.
Even if you have a 4-5 years old laptop there are 99% chances for Linux Mint to have the necessary drivers for it.

Linux Mint is based on Debian Linux as also are Ubuntu, Kubuntu, CrunchBang, Kuki Linux and many others.
All mentioned distributions will work perfect into your laptop/netbook/notebook and will look almost like Linux Mint too ( not so green ! ) but all of them have some more or less comfortable flows.

Some of them after update won't recognize anymore the wireless net card, some of them have an unusual graphic interface that you won't like or you might like but some hardware will require a little bit of “know what and how to do“ workaround in order to make use of them, or pure and simple some of them won't have access to so many repositories as Linux Mint has so you might not be able to install whatever needed program .

I have tested way too many Linux distributions and in the end I can say that as for the moment of this writing if you have a laptop/notebook/netbook go with Linux Mint!!!!

Observation
It is possible (especially when you put your computer to sleep and then wakeup ) from time to time that your wireless card won't be recognised.
When this happens stop your computer, wait a minute and fire it up again.
This will solve the problem for sure.



The second best would be Kuki Linux as they say it was specially designed for Acer Aspire One.
Yes, Kuki is okay, very stable and very fast but the big disadvantage…. Rhythmbox in Kuki Linux doesn't contain the necessary plugin to handle mp3 files so you can't handle your iPod in this case!!!
This requires a little bit of fucking around with it in order to install the plugin. Very uncomfortable for a “green horn” especially if you want to convince him/her to use Linux.

When time will come and you'll decide that you want to install Linux Mint , press the Install icon on your Desktop. Remember that this will guide you through a series of settings that will remove your basic operation system.

Coming soon Installing Linux Mint: how to create “comfortable” partitions for a laptop/netbook/notebook.

joi, 3 septembrie 2009

Acer Aspire One - Security and stability...only with Linux inside

You arrived here because you were searching for help, right?
So take your time and read this for the beginning!
As I was writing a few months ago, the Acer Aspire One is a very good tool especially nowadays.
If you got one with 160Gb HDD... you done good. Not that 120 Gb is bad but because you didn't want to be considered a cheep shit with porcupines in your pockets saving a few dollars just for the sake of "saving something".
It's worth the effort ( in time maybe ) to invest in a 6 cells replacement battery, but for now you're good with what you have. A little bit over 2 hours autonomy it's just perfect.
For those who are still searching for a good reason to buy this Netbook, no matter what operation system you decide to use ( Windows or Linux based distro ) there are some things you should know :
1. Netbook means a tool that helps you surf the Internet, read your e-mail, listen for some music, edit pictures and documents, upload and download stuff as much as you can and as long as you have an active Internet connection.
You found an access point -----> go for it but remember that not the Netbook will determine the speed of that ad-hoc wireless Internet connection! So don't blame your Netbook for a lousy connection.
2. Yes , you can go wired or wireless. It's easy to manage both network cards but this depends if you know what you're doing or you're just fuckin' around .
3. If you want to upgrade you RAM ...well, this Netbook will recognize only 1.5 Gb of RAM. That's all!
There is a scam here: there are 2 memory slots and if you bought your Netbook with 1Gb of RAM this is distributed over both slots - 2 x 512 Mb.
The manufacturer gives you the possibility to remove ONLY 512 Mb of RAM while the memory from the other slot is "nailed" there!
I guess it's their way to say " that's it buddy, you're allowed to play only with one memory slot".
So, knowing this, the only memory upgrade allowed is 1Gb. In the end your BIOS will display 1536Mb of RAM.
If you think that you can do this by your self, take a look at this tutorial and think deep before touching any screwdriver!
Here is the link http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/08/28/how-to-add-ram-to-the-acer-aspire-one-netbook/
4. You like to watch things on YouTube, right? And also you'd like to watch that shit in HD or normal, right? Well...sometimes you might not be so lucky with video streaming when connected this kind of web sites. That's because the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 your Netbook comes with is not quite a graphic card! It is an integrated ( onboard ) graphic chip on the Mobile Intel 945Gx chipset for Intel processors.
The BIOS will display VIDEO CARD 8Mb and that's it! There's no way to increase this value!
5. Do you really like Windows? I mean ... do you really like to "eat" all things Microsoft "serves" you pretending that it is the best?
How come "it is the best" when you have to pay a lot of money for anything you want to install into any computer starting with the operation system itself!??
Personally I consider ANY DAMN SOFTWARE that costs over 20 dollars... a robbery. And unfortunately they start to force people to let themselves robbed by issuing all kind of laws !

Instead of this shit I use a free Linux distribution called Linux Mint that can be highly customized for whatever you want your Netbook to do. Except games that require serious resources.
This Linux distro is available for download at http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
It provides a lot of FREE software , of course fully functional ( not 30 days trial crap ...like others! ).
They provide repositories loaded with all kind of software: software for handling transfer of music from and into your iPod, for editing pictures , downloading pictures and/or movies from your photo/video camera, even editing movies ! More, you'll have extremely good music/video players, burning CD/DVD's ( of course, you'll need an external CD/DVD writer for this! ) and , probably the most important, your system will be periodically updated.
You want Yahoo Messenger? Forget about it! Use Pidgin and you'll be able to log into any popular instant messenger program you want with all your nick names AT ONCE!
Unfortunately Pidgin can't offer you yet the possibility to use the web cam and the microphone incorporated in your Netbook.
But...you can use Skype! Works like a charm in Linux Mint on you Acer Aspire One!
Did I mentioned anywhere in this post something about "drivers"? No ??? Well I'm not even supposed to ! Once installed Linux Mint into your Netbook it will handle the hardware with no problem!
If you decide to give Linux Mint a chance I have to tell you one more thing : once you'll have an external CD/DVD drive available , just put your Linux Mint CD inside it, boot your computer and you'll be able to play with it WITHOUT CHANGING/REMOVING your basic operation system!
In time, if a lot of you will be interested to use Linux Mint I might post a step by step basic installation guide.

luni, 6 aprilie 2009

Acer Aspire One - AOA 150

It's been a while now since I bought this little pretty powerful but definitely useful traveling companion.
For 300 bucks you'll have a good 1.6GHz Atom N270 Processor, 1GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160GB SATA HDD, integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Certified, Acer Crystal Eye webcam, 3.5 mm audio out, three USB 2.0 ports and SDHC and multi-format media readers.
Everything in a computer with about 8.9 inches wide screen.
Some of these computers come with Windows XP SP3 Home Edition pre-installed and some of them come with a hilarious Linux version called Linpus.
Of course, for a smaller price you can get one with 120 GB HDD but my advice is: go for 160GB!
The battery lasts for approximately 120 minutes if you use Windows.
Another good advice : order one with 6 cells instead of 3 cells battery! It will double the autonomy !!
Everything works nice and pretty fast but unfortunately there are 2 important disadvantages:
1 - Some "scientists" thought that it's nice to have Windows XP pre-installed ALL IN DRIVE C ! So the hard drive has one big partition containing Windows. In case of system failure you're doomed ! You loose everything and the only method to reinstall your operation system is to use the recovery partition loaded somewhere in your hard drive.This is crap!
As crap is also the fact that you have no CD's containing drivers for your little notebook!
Okay, the little notebook comes with no CD/DVD device but as long as it has the capability to boot from an USB flash drive, I'd find a matter of common sense attaching to this little pack also an USB flash drive containing Windows XP and/or drivers for your computer. What the hell, a 2GB USB flash drive is only 5 damn bucks!!!
2 - If you have a last generation iPOD you'll have to download and install in your notebook the big crap called iTunes to help you load your music into iPOD. Once connected your iPOD to your computer everything changes in a very bad manner mainly affecting the speed of your computer because once installed iTunes is a damn shit consuming a lot of resources.
I also tried to install Windows Vista. It worked but you don't have audio drivers and, probably the most important, you don't have drivers for the wired and wireless network adapters.
I have tried to install different Linux distributions such as Red Hat, CentOS, Debian, SuSE, Fedora, Scientific Linux but with all I had in the end the same big problem : drivers for wired and wireless network adapters.
Yes, you can fix this problem for all aforementioned Linux distributions but you'll need to bang your head searching all kind of tutorials and then compiling the kernel in order to solve all problems that you might have after your system is up and running ( like webcam drivers and audio drivers ).
Now , after all this I won't keep you waiting anymore and I say that I found just the perfect operation system for your Acer AOA notebook. It's a Linux distribution called Mandriva Powerpack 2009 that is an "out-of-the-box "gizmo" solving all problems without having solid acknowledgments of Linux.
All tools provided with Mandriva Powerpack 2009 will help you manage documents ,edit and print pictures, listen music, connect, upload and download music, pictures and movies in and from your iPOD, watch on line shows, use Skype (already "embedded" into the operation system) with full audio/video features, surfing the net wired or wireless, watching movies from a connected USB flash drive with no trouble.
However, burning your own CD's or DVD's is possible only if you'll buy an external USB connected device.
More than that, Mandriva Powerpack 2009 is installed ( depending of the number of packages you want to install ) in 17 minutes and the battery will hold on around 140 minutes ( with a 3 cells battery)
Windows XP needs an hour to be installed with just a few features and the same 3 cells battery will barely hold on 120 minutes if you will not run too many applications in the same time.