[SOLVED] Acer EEEPC Install Mint 17.1

PossumNZ · 04-11-2015, 04:05 PM

Hi Guys,

Does anybody know if it is possible to install Linux Mint 17.1 on a Acer EEEPC.

My old computer which I am using at the moment and running Linux Mint 17.1 displays the message 'Running in Software Mode without video hardware acceleration'

'There could be a problem with your drivers'.

My old computer is running quite slowly.

I have a option to buy a Acer EEEPC so was wondering if I shouldnt replace my old old computer with the Acer.

Any help appreciated

rokytnji · 04-11-2015, 05:04 PM

Depends on the model number of the eeepc.
Which no one can answer.
Since we don't know.

sgosnell · 04-11-2015, 08:31 PM

The eee-pc is rather dated, and certainly doesn't have the latest CPU or RAM. It also has a rather small SSD. You can install to an SD card, though. I have 3 of them, and I gave up on using them long ago. They served their purpose rather well back in the day, but that day has long passed. But if you want to do it, it's possible, although maybe a PITA.

floppy_stuttgart · 04-12-2015, 03:46 AM

I would suggest you install a Linux Mint light (lxde) on the PC, it is perhaps fine (NO GNOME and others which require too much memory).
On my netbook "samsung nc10" I have debian lxde. This is fine.

PossumNZ · 04-12-2015, 03:16 PM

Thanks guys for the advice. Sorry the models of the EEEPC's are B202 & B204.

Each machine is running Windows Vista so Getting on in years. I might only pay $30 for each machine but if they give problems later I will be in the same place I am in now.

I will try the Linux Mint light For now and watch out for a newer model computer.

Thanks Again

PossumNZ · 04-12-2015, 11:44 PM

Today I installed Linux Mint 9 Isadora on my old computer over Mint 17.1 and it is running sweet as.

Also a new monitor has helped so much.

A big thanks for the advice guys.

Soooo pleased.

joe_2000 · 04-13-2015, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PossumNZ

Today I installed Linux Mint 9 Isadora on my old computer over Mint 17.1 and it is running sweet as.

Puuh, that release has reached end of life two years ago. No more security updates! You don't want to do this!!!

Lightweight does not have to mean old. Try an LXDE based distro. One of the snappiest I've seen is LXLE. If you absolutely want Mint, use the xfce edition or install the LXDE desktop yourself. But do not run such an outdated version...

PossumNZ · 04-13-2015, 03:28 PM

Hi Joe_2000

Well thats a disappointment then. I am not a computer geek or really what to be. It would be great to have a stable Linux distro which will run on my 10 year computer which also has some tools I can use when needed and I don't have to be under the bonnet to keep the computer running.

With Bodhi 3.0.0 installed my computer was running without video drivers, so said the message on my desktop, making for slow and sluggish performance and freezing.

After installing Isadora Mint 9 my computer was running so good.Everything worked. Great looking graphics and colours and best of all no freezing.

I will take your advice and install a LXLE or LXDE edition.

joe_2000 · 04-13-2015, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PossumNZ

I will take your advice and install a LXLE or LXDE edition.

Sorry for the disappointment. Just a minor comment: LXLE is an own distro, not a desktop. LXDE is "just" a desktop. (Which is also used by LXLE).

Try a couple of distros live. If the performance looks good in a live environment, it will look better after install. You should definitely take a look at LXLE and Lubuntu (which by the way is the base for LXLE).

Also see how Mint 17.1 XFCE and MATE perform on your computer, they might just be light enough...

jkirchner · 04-13-2015, 04:37 PM

This one may be worth a try: AntiX

Some quickie info:

Quote:

antiX is a fast, lightweight and easy to install linux live CD distribution based on Debian Testing for Intel-AMD x86 compatible systems. antiX offers users the "antiX Magic" in an environment suitable for old computers. So don't throw away that old computer yet! The goal of antiX is to provide a light, but fully functional and flexible free operating system for both newcomers and experienced users of Linux. It should run on most computers, ranging from 64MB old PII 266 systems with pre-configured 128MB swap to the latest powerful boxes. 128MB RAM is recommended minimum for antiX. The installer needs minimum 2.2GB hard disk size. antiX can also be used as a fast-booting rescue cd. A special XFCE edition made in collaboration with the MEPIS Community called MX-14 "Symbiosis" is also available.

rokytnji · 04-13-2015, 04:58 PM

http://gizmodo.com/394563/asus-eee-b...specs-only-300

OK. Depending on ram specs. Here is what I run on my Atom N270 Netbooks.
##Slackware Based
http://forum.salixos.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6131

##Debian Based

"Fresh install over patch 5 rc4 on this touchscreen netbook."

In other words. I try and keep the desktop environment down to a minimum and processes running to a minimum on idle.
LXDE Ubuntu 14.04LTS (Lubuntu 1404LTS) and LXLE which is Lubuntu with more added as a remaster,> hopefully will be OK.
If not. And willing to learn how a Window Manager handles things instead of a Desktop Environment handles things.
##Debian Sid
http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=semplice
###Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
http://gobangos.sourceforge.net/ https://gobangos.wordpress.com/2014/...lation-gobang/

A window manager will fly like the wind on your eeepc b202 vs a desktop environment.

They can look pretty good also. Mine for example:

http://postmyimage.com/img2/705_screenshot.jpg

http://postmyimage.com/img2/336_screenshot1.jpg

http://postmyimage.com/img2/976_screenshot2.jpg

Above is my ICEWM Window Manager screen shots on my atom n270 netbook that I upgraded the ram to 2 gigs on (yours is upgradeable to 2 gigs also). Touchscreen LED screen on mine.

I made some how to's and this guy picked up the ball also and ran with it further.

Quote:

Using much of what rokytnji did for antiX11 (see links below) and other various links and my limited experience, I took copious notes installing antiX 12 on my Asus EEEPC 900 4gig/16gig dual SSD drive netbook. I didn't include screenshots, because shots in rokytnji antiX11 thread are still pretty relevant.
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3104
http://yatsite.blogspot.jp/2010/04/anti ... c-900.html
dealing-with-a-asus-eee-900-install-of-antix-8-5-t2328.html

So far with my tests. AntiX Beta 14 automounts SD and USB Flash drives automatically when inserted. LXLE and Lubuntu should do the the same. Flash works for me on my Atom single core n270 cpu (like you have). Though on youtube. I tell youtube to run html5 as my preferred viewer.

If I owned a B202 or B203. More than likely AntiX 14 (not MX-14) or Salix Fluxbox 14.1 would be flying on it.

To sum things up. Youtube "run with the doplhin" and others have install videos and how tos for any situation you may run into.
https://www.youtube.com/user/LinuxSpatry
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFW...KlXW5uE9opXukQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKwF...3aiwQG3Qc5OJWv

You may not know a lot yet. But at one time. I was clue less also.
Unfortunately. Mint Linux got out of live iso Window Manager builds after version 9 I think.
But. You can install it, if you wish.
http://linuxg.net/how-to-install-flu...nt-and-debian/
Then log into that instead. In other words. Install something like Mint 17 Ubuntu based 14.04 LTS XFCE live iso.
http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_qiana_xfce_whatsnew.php
Then hook up your land line ethernet and install fluxbox, openbox, icewm, or what ever.
Then log in to your new window manager based desktop.

I approach my computers like I do my motorcycles. None of my bikes are stock. Neither are my computers.
So if I have a 1000 cc engine with a 4 speed. I do not treat the bike as if it had a 1600CC engine with a 6 speed.

Same go for my computers. Built right. One can run rings around the other. Depends on the builder = you.

rokytnji · 04-16-2015, 05:16 PM

Older and lower specs then your EEEPC on a old IBM P3 T23
http://postmyimage.com/img2/756_screenshot.jpg

RockDoctor · 04-16-2015, 08:26 PM

FWIW, I run Fedora 22 with a Mate desktop (and have run Linux Mint 17.1 Mate) in an 8GB partition on my Acer Aspire One ZG5 (Atom N270, 1GB RAM, 120GB HDD). Doesn't seem any slower than LXDE or XFCE, but I haven't tried to benchmark the different DEs

devnod · 04-22-2015, 04:10 AM

I've been using Slackware on my EeePC, the 1005HAB with KDE, Xfce, and Mate. The last being the fastest so far..for about 5 years? Something like that. Even had it setup as a Apache server and mumble server for a while. If a graphical login is what you seek, changing default run levels will solve it for you.

I've even been able to hook up my Razer mouse and play UrbanTerror smoothly. Surprising I know..

dolphin_oracle · 04-22-2015, 07:43 AM

The biggest hiccup with some EEEPC's is that they use GMA500 graphics, which are notoriously hard to deal with in linux. You'll want to check what video chipsets the devices you are looking at use.