FluxFlux-Eee

Welcome to fluxflux-eee


Preamble

fluxflux-eee is a personal project created for my own use. I offered it to some eeePC-Users for testing and because of the positive feedback I decided to make it public.

I work alone on the project and try to integrate the wishes and experiences of eeePC-Users. For this English version, Surfer Dude at eeeuser.com helped by checking my translation of the system messages, the readme, the webpage and some personal scripts from German into English.

I welcome feedback from eeePC-Users about fluxflux-eee in order to have new ideas for the next release and to improve the system. I am not interested in mails or other public opinions, that the original Xandros Linux of the eeePC is better. I never started a competition, and I know that this international producer of computers and notebooks has a lot of highly qualified specialists for the development and the programming of this Original Linux. The people who send me such mails should know this.

Manfred Müller says: "Use it, if you like it! --- Do not use it, if you do not like it!"


The project

fluxflux-eee is a remaster of PCLinuxOS (many thanks to the crew of PCLinuxOS for the basesystem of fluxflux-eee!), specialized for using on the eeePC. It is "designed" to use as a live system and also to be installed on to the internal SSD of the eeePC (there is a special installer, easy to use).

To have most of the system resources for the eeePC, fluxflux-eee does not use KDE as windowmanager, but Openbox or Fluxbox (the user can choose). The available programs are stable and well tested GTK2 programs (here more about the included programs).

The system is full-featured and useable for the daily work with all of the average PC-User neccessary programs (working with documents, printing, scanning, chatting, Samba, browsing pictures, converting pictures, listening to music, watching TV or videos, burning CDs/DVDs, internet, e-mail and more). The system has a virtual drag-and-drop desktop, a hidden panel, a special iconbar and more.

At http://fluxflux.net you will find general information about fluxflux (most of the tips are useable for the special edition fluxflux-eee too).

For English speaking users there are two forums:

http://forum.eeeuser.com
http://pclinuxos.com


Important:

fluxflux-eee-en-2008-9 is designed to boot the following eeePCs:
  • eeePC 70x
  • eeePC 900/A
  • eeePC 901
  • eeePC 1000H
fluxflux-eee-en-2008-9.iso shows a boot menu where the user can choose the version of the eeePC to boot. Then a customized version (ACPI, resolution, OSD, overclocking) will boot.

Before you start an installation as real linux, make sure that in the BIOS the option in "Advanced" "OS Installation" is set to "Start" and after the installation and before the first real boot back to "Finished"!
License:

You use fluxflux-eee at your own risk! I am not responsible for damage of datas or hardware in the eeePC where you started fluxflux-eee! fluxflux-eee is heavily tested and there are no known problems (the existing problems shown in the section of each release are not critical for your hardware) and no damage of datas or hardware happens up to now.


16.04.2009: fluxflux-eee-en-2009.1 (I am working on this release ...)
  • Due to some personal duties the updated version will be available in about 4 weeks.
  • Every user can update eee-en-2008-9 without problems:
  • Open Synaptic, deactivate maik's and flux's repo, reload, choose all updates, update, reboot the system when Synaptic will give you the message.
  • If you boot off SDHC/USB replace at the bootprompt the rootpartition /dev/sdbN to /dev/sdaN to be able to boot the system.
  • In the booted system open Synaptic again, reload, choose all updates, update and the system is up-to-date. Activate maik's and flux's repo again and remove the section gnome in this two repos. There are no new updates in this two repos.
  • Change the icon mozilla-firefox to firefox3 in .fbpanel/open with an editor and change the bootsplash to your customized!
  • That is all!
  • There are about 500 MB to download and to update!

03.10.2008: fluxflux-eee-en-2008-9 (as ISO):
  • Support (ACPI, WLAN, WebCam, LAN, Bluetooth, Fn-Buttons, OSD) for:
  • eeePC 70x
  • eeePC 900
  • eeePC 900A
  • eeePC 901 (led for wlan/bt cannot be switched, if bt is on)
  • eeePC 1000H (led for wlan/bt cannot be switched, if bt is on)
  • Own fluxflux-repository to have updates and new features: more infos here ...
  • fluxDesk: a very special desktop (a kind of easy-mode ...)
  • UMTS: Huawei USB sticks will be supported out of the box:
  • - plugged in before booting the sytem: automatic switching, in the menu there is a special script to create a connection or to use an existing connection
  • - plugged in after booting the system: automatic switching and the script to connect will popup automatically
  • All Updates up to 03. October 2008
  • Flashcam kernel modul for using the webcam in flash applications (firefox, videochats via webbrowser) and a startscript to use it with firefox
  • Encrypted Folder Management Tool: Create encrypted folders and mount/unmount it manually or in the bootprocess
  • You can create a bootable USB drive or SD(HC) without booting the ISO, just have a look to the howto at the end of this site ...
  • New RaLink kernel module (for eeepc 901 and 1000H) available via Synaptic
  • New webcam kernel module available via Synaptic
  • New suspend-script (for eeePC 901 and 1000H) available via Synaptic
  • New wlan-toggle-script (for eeePC 901 and 1000H) available via Synaptic
  • New hotkey-script (for a fix in all eeePCs and for instant keys in eeePC 901 and 1000H) available via Synaptic:
  • Now you have 4 working instant keys (from left to right):
  • 1 = Firefox
  • 2 = Thunderbird
  • 3 = Skype
  • 4= Pidgin
  • Feel free to change the commands in /etc/acpi/hotkey.sh to your favorites!
  • ...










03.08.2008 fluxflux-eee-en-2008-8 released (ISO, 516 MB):
  • New installer (commented with additional information)
  • New bootsplash (640x480 for the 70x, 800x600 for the 900) - special thanks to Richard Mohler, Las Vegas, for the picture (relhom.deviantart.com)
  • ISO useable for eeePC 70x and 900 (the user can choose at the bootprompt of the livesystem)
  • Needed files to create a bootable usb-stick/SDHC included in the ISO (the user can create a bootable device in linux or windows without booting the ISO)
  • ISO shrinked to 513 MB (1,55 GB in installed mode, useable also with the 2-GB-version of the 70x)
  • AbiWord instead o OpenOffice
  • Firefox3 instead of Firefox2
  • Thunderbird-Lightning added
  • MTpaint added, GimP removed
  • Updates up to the 31.07.2008 included
  • New scripts: Change the cursor, change the background (manually, every login another picture), record and play DVB-T
  • New Live-USB-Creator running out of the booted ISO
  • Fluxbox cancelled, only Openbox is available now (there are too much changes in the different configurationfiles and I have not the time to offer this in future)
  • IMPORTANT: Make sure that in the BIOS of the eeePC the option "OS Installation" is set to "Finished" after the installation, so that the webcam will work proberly!
  • Tip: Too large windows can be moved with ALT+mousebutton (press both at the same time and move the cklicked window) to reach the OK or Cancel buttons!
  • Tip: Autologin of the new created user (in case of an installation as real linux to SSD/USB/SDHC) via Menu - Settings - Login Window (choose Security and change the user "gast" to your new user, move the window up and close it with the Cancel button).
  • Tip: Configure your printer in Firefox with the URL "localhost:631" (the easiest way)!
  • Important: The harddisk-installer is customized to install a real linux system to ONE ext3 formatted partition (at a SSD, SDHC, USB-drive). The next version will be able to handle also a separate /home-partition ...
  • Please install to an ext3-formatted rootpartition!
  • To reduce write cycles at the internal SSD the installer will create a customized /etc/fstab with ext3 mounted "noatime" and the temporary directories mounted to a tmpfs!

fluxflux-eee-en-2008-6 (now available as ISO and tar.gz):
  • Complete English version
  • Main applications updated to current stable status (27.05.2008)
  • New madwifi drivers for the internal WLAN to manage hidden SSIDs without problems
  • New suspend2ram-script
  • In installed mode the spoken login message is reduced to "Welcome. It is 12.34!"
  • New eee-scripts (eeefan: customize the speed of the fan; eee2bthandy: send files to a handy connected via bluetooth)
  • More usefull scripts (btnavitstart: starts navit with a connected bluetooth gps; eeedvbt2avi: stream, rip and watch dvbt at the same time) can be found in the german pclinuxos forum. I will translate these scripts into english the next days ...
  • Bluetooth added
  • ObexFTP added
  • Better video performance through the INTEL-BATCH=1 in /etc/environment
  • xorg.conf dynamically created, not static like in the last version, so that special mice can be used by default. Only the default color depth will be set to 24 bit automatically
  • Special initialization of the webcam during the start of wxcam and skype
  • Time to initialize WBar is longer due to the fact that reading from the ISO is slower than reading from an USB boot device (in installed mode the times are the same)
  • The ISO version can be booted with an external optical device, the tar.gz can be extracted to an USB device and made bootable with the bootinst.sh-script.
  • Please check after an installation to internal SSD or external USB or SDHC in real linux mode, that the option "Advanced - OS Installation" in the BIOS is set to "Finished", so that the webcam can work proberly. If the option is set to "Start" there is no go for the webcam!!!
  • Booting from an external optical drive is slower than from an USB device, because of the low reading rate!

First full English release fluxflux-eee-en-2008-5.tar.gz:
  • complete English version
  • Skype added
  • WBarconf added
  • webcam (for skype and wxcam or mplayer) will be initialized even after a resume from suspend-to-ram
  • WLAN works automatically after resume from suspend-to-ram
  • espeak gives a message about critical battery level
  • espeak gives a short welcome message for the user
  • Installer changed to show the default fluxflux-eee-bootsplash after a harddisk installation
  • bootinst.sh and bootinst.bat fixed (there was a typo, thank you to Surfer Dude from forum.eeeuser.com
  • added a "&" to a command in the scritp for the battery check
  • OnScreen display for the function keys with English text
  • SMPlayer added
Known Problems of the release en-2008-5:
  • In livemode (booting off an USB-drive or off a (HC)SD-card) with cheatcode "changes=/dev/sdXN" the suspend does NOT work, due to the fact, that the suspending system tries to umount all external devices, but the device with the changes is in use. So there is no go. I cannot see any solution for this one problem. All other features work in livemode with cheatcode "changes=..."
  • Without cheatcode "changes=..." also in livemode the suspend works without errors!
  • Script for changing the wallpaper will not work because of a wrong path after installing the system to internal SSD. Users who want to install the system onto internal SSD may download the file "pre-installation-fix.sh" out of download directory and follow the instructions in the textfile "readme-pre-installation-fix.txt" before running the installer.

Release (in German) fluxflux-eee-2008-4.tar.gz:
  • Updates up to 28.03.2008
  • new bootsplash (see the link at the top "pictures")
  • fbpanel hidden
  • new WBar
  • LAN is started automatically (if a DHCP server is running)
  • WLAN configuration with the task applet in hidden panel
  • 24-bit for X-Server as standard also in live system
  • Fn+F5 toggles between LCD, CRT and LCD+CRT, if an external monitor is present
  • Pressing the powerbutton will shut down the system

Release (in German) fluxflux-eee-2008-3.tar.gz:
  • i686-Kernel (2.6.22.15.tex3) with special kernelmodules for the eeePC
  • bootsplash in 640x480 resolution
  • Fn-keys: for the actions shown by the symbols there is a special onscreen display
  • overclocking of the front-side-bus to 105 MHz is possible (more performance)
  • automatic configuration of keyboard and timezone
  • the live system needs 690 MB
  • recommended USB device with 1 GB capacity
  • recommended partitioning: 1 FAT32 partition with 700 MB for the live system and 1 ext3 partition (remaining capacity on the device) for changes (with this option you are able to store changes in the running live system for a reboot, data, music, downloads, links and more)

Usage of the ISO:
  • Burn the downloaded ISO onto a CD (bootable)
  • Boot the CD with an external optical drive
  • Choose at the bootprompt your used version of the eeePC (70x or 900)
  • Once bootet you can install the system to internal SSD as real linux system (menu - configurationscripts - real linux installation to SSD/SDHC/USB) or you can create a bootable pen drive with a livesystem (menu - configurationscripts - Create a bootable live-system at SDHC/USB)

Create a bootable live-system at USB pendrive or SDHC without booting the ISO:
  • Download the ISO
In Linux:
  • In a running linux system mount the USB pendrive or SDHC and also the ISO.
  • You need a 520 MB partition formatted FAT 32 at the USB pendrive or SDHC.
  • Copy all files from the ISO onto the top level directory of the USB pendrive or SDHC.
  • Make sure you have installed the package mtools in you running linux system.
  • Navigate to the top level directory of the mounted USB pendrive or SDHC.
  • Important: for usage with the eeePC 70x copy (or rename) the file initrd70x.gz to initrd.gz and the file syslinux70x.cfg to syslinux.cfg!
  • Important: for usage with the eeePC 900/A copy (or rename) the file initrd900.gz to initrd.gz and the file syslinux900.cfg to syslinux.cfg!
  • Important: for usage with the eeePC 901 copy (or rename) the file initrd901.gz to initrd.gz and the file syslinux901.cfg to syslinux.cfg!
  • Important: for usage with the eeePC 1000H copy (or rename) the file initrd1000.gz to initrd.gz and the file syslinux1000.cfg to syslinux.cfg!
  • Run then as root the command: "./bootinst.sh" and follow the menu to make the device bootable.
  • Now you have created a bootable USB pendrive or SDHC.
  • Umount and unplug it.
In Windows (2000, NT, XP):
  • In running Windows plug in the USB pendrive or SDHC and burn the ISO to harddisk or CD.
  • You need a 520 MB partition formatted FAT 32 at the USB pendrive or SDHC.
  • Copy all files from the ISO onto the top level directory of the USB pendrive or SDHC.
  • Navigate to the top level directory of the mounted USB pendrive or SDHC.
  • Important: for usage with the eeePC 70x copy (or rename) the file initrd70x.gz to initrd.gz and the file syslinux70x.cfg to syslinux.cfg!
  • Important: for usage with the eeePC 900/A copy (or rename) the file initrd900.gz to initrd.gz and the file syslinux900.cfg to syslinux.cfg!
  • Important: for usage with the eeePC 901 copy (or rename) the file initrd901.gz to initrd.gz and the file syslinux901.cfg to syslinux.cfg!
  • Important: for usage with the eeePC 1000H copy (or rename) the file initrd1000.gz to initrd.gz and the file syslinux1000.cfg to syslinux.cfg!
  • Doubleclick then the batchfile "bootinst.bat" and follow the menu. Be careful to check and choose the correct device of the USB pendrive or SDHC! Follow the menu and make your device bootable.
  • Tip: Because of an error in the syslinux.exe there will be an error message in the bootmenu at the first boot ("unknown keyword in syslinux"). Just press ENTER to boot the system!
  • IMPORTANT: Use the following fix after the first boot and reboot the system immediately afterwords! Then at the second boot choose the correct option for your eeePC to have a working system! Without following these instructions you will have no working system!!!
  • You can fix this error message in this way: Once the system has booted into graphical mode open a terminal and type there:
  • su -
  • root
  • cd /initrd/cdrom
  • ./bootinst.sh
  • Follow the menu and the syslinux bootloader will be installed correctly to have a correct menu at the next bootprocess!
  • Now you have created a bootable USB pendrive or SDHC.
  • Umount and unplug it.
Plug in the bootable USB pendrive or SDHC in your eeePC, power on the eeePC, press ESC and choose the correct bootdevice.

IMPORTANT:

If you have problems with your WLAN connection and freezes (programs do not start any more), just change in the file ${HOME}/.config/openbox/autostart.sh the line "(sleep 5 && net_applet) &" to "(sleep 60 && net_applet) &" and login again.

I hope you will enjoy the system!

My personal thanks to all, who gave me their knowledge and useful tips. Only with these people and some trial-and-error on my side was I able to create this little operating system for the eeePC (I never had a special education in computer or software related topics and questions, in real life I have nothing to do with these kind of things)!

I hope you will find useful information here on the website.

I hope to get some feedback ...

Thomas Schönhütl
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