Hi,

I have one of the $99 7" mini netbooks and need a version of linux that will run for this type of processor. I can't stand to use the Windows CE 6.0 that has come pre-loaded.

Hi SamNYC, welcome to LQ. There are likely a number of options for this board. Here is one possibility.

http://bento-linux.org/

Good luck. ;-)

1 members found this post helpful.

What is your model number? Just curious.

There is a debian-based version out there that Im attempting to make work on MY el-cheapo chinese 7"er...

Mine is a model X6-7a... supposedly by a company called Elovo... can be found on internet.

Do a google search for 'Linux wm8505' and you should see a reference to 'easyPC'... if it is TRULY a VIA and not WMT you WILL find it there.

I have a thread in the MOBILE area about what Im doing to set up mine. I have it 'working' but cannot boot yet w/o using an SD card... it does not boot from the SPI/nand chip so far.
But that WILL change. Promise!

Good luck! (?)

Two issues. One is a linux but the more important one is can you or do you have the ability to change it to linux. Not all of these have enough public knowledge to allow even a pretty smart user to change it's OS. At some point you have to know the nuts and bolts of it.

http://digicorner.org/digital-review...t-netbook.html

Indeed!

I hear they make good clay pidgeons as well.

I only require the patience and willingness to accept defeat.

Hi,

Thank you for all the replys. Well, I still have a $99 paperweight. I can't get any of the scripts Linux, WinCE, or Android to work on this system.

When I try to load Linux, it seems to work but when I try to reboot nothing happens but a blank screen.

When I load WinCE 6.0, it starts the OS then gives me "FormatVolume () fails" and "System disk no exist!" errors.

This is the system information from the user's manual:

Processor: VIA 8505 processor 350MHZ

Display: TFT 7 inch display, resolution 800x480

Video Format: M-JPEG hardware decoder

Audio Format: Supports MP3, WMA format music

Memory: DDR2 SDRAM: 128MB, and speed up to 51MB

Storage: 1GB/2GB/4GB. NAND Flash

I/O Ports:
3 pcs * USB 2.0 port
1 pcs * RJ45
1 pcs * SD Card Slot
1 pcs * Headphone Jack
1 pcs * Microphone Jack

Keyboard: 80-Keys Keyboard Touchpad Speaker

WI-FI: Support 802.11b/g. Support WPA/AES

Operating System: WinCE 6.0 / Android

Battery: Buiot-in 1800mA/H Li-ion Battery, 7.4v

Power: 9V 1.5A DC smart adaptor

I've searched the Internet for weeks and it seems nobody can tell me how to fix this problem. (Sigh) I mean come on, I don't understand why this system is so hard to work with. The problem is all software, when I load WinCE it gives me access to all the hardware save the ability to format the NAND Flash dirve as a boot drive.

Anyway, I need to fix this problem. It's not about the $99 anymore, It's a matter of pride. I work as a computer tech and feel I should be able to beat this evil little machine at its own game.

I WILL FIND AN OS THAT RUNS ON THIS LITTLE MONSTER!

Thanks,

Sam

I will attempt to find the URL for what I got.
If you want, take a look at the thread I started in 'Mobile'...

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...rtbook-862482/
'Journey to Linux-ify a chinese smartbook'

for how far Ive gotten so far.

Does it have a model number on the bottom?

Hey,

Thanks for the link to your thread.

Nope, no model number.

Only a sticker with this:

OS: Windows CE 6.0
CPU: VIA 8505
Display: 7" TFT 800*400
Memory: DDR II 128M
Input: DC 9V 1.5A

Ok,

Using WinCE 6.0, I used storage manager in control panel to delete the three USB partitions and reformat them into a single partition. But, the system still calls it a USB Hard Disk Dirve.

Now I get "OpenPartition(Part00) fails" and "System disk no exist!" errors vs "FormatVolume () fails".

I feel that I'm making some sort of headway. I just need to format the internal USB drive as the boot drive, or change a registry setting for it.

Yes, mine did that too... Consider that as 'drive D:'...

I gave up on WinCE when I 'broke it'... wanted android but the linux looks more promising right now...
... and I got REALLY TIRED of trying to read Win-chinese!

I have found some info that I THINK will resolve my flash-boot issue... and if it does I will package it up so others can use it...

At their own risk, of course!

I have a WinCE 6.0 script from Slyvania that's all in english. Let me know if you would like a copy.

I know, but right now WinCE is the only OS that's giving me some sort of access to the system. I really want to run Linux on the system or even Android if I can.

Hmmm...

well, the 'script' was in English too... but....


Once the system came up and tried to formatvolume, etc EVERYTHING was in chinese...

If it werent for the progress I've been making I would ALMOST take you up on that!

... and feel free to PM me if you want to try what I've done.

About this... in the same location you made the single partition, make sure the right side shows PART00.... might even need 2b Part00... could be simple as that... (yah... right! )

Here is the locale for the Debian-based version I got... tho you need the VT version it has access to both VT and WMT:

http://tails92.sepwich.com/easypc_linux/

Hope this helps!

The script is a sylvania script and it's all in english even after you boot into CE.

I've downloaded that script from your link before, and no dice for me.

Also, one of the first things I did was to name the partition "PART00", again no dice.

I will PM you, at this point I will try to load any OS into this thing.
Anybody got an old Atari script!

IF
you dont mind losing the CE again...

Take the debian script folder you downloaded...
rename scriptcmd to something else... script.org or something.
rename scriptcmd.install to scriptcmd

Run that.

It will get things started, but will likely fault out when it gets to trying to expand extpart.tgz from sd
(the SD card will likely install as mmcblk0p1)
and drop you into a console.
THAT is where the 'good things' start!

I will be glad to help with what Ive done... PM me with your email if you wish & I will assist with what(little) I know...


... and yes, I'd like to try that CE... we can work on that, too...