This FAQ was created by forum user rs-px and forum moderator Chris, who supplied the bulk of the initial answers.¹⁾.

Note In this FAQ, dates are in the international standard ISO format (YYYY-MM-DD)

Because it does; it's a 900MHz Celeron M ULV chip that is underclocked to 630MHz. At the time of writing (Nov07) the BIOS for the Eee locks the front-side-bus (FSB) at 70MHz instead of the expected 100MHz. This reduces the Eee's speed, although it's still adequate for most tasks.

Note that the Eee's Linux operating system misreports the speed of the Eee's processor as 900MHz. The cause of this appears to be the p4-clockmod kernel module; once this is removed, the processor speed is reported accurately. The EEE has been benchmarked with the module present in the kernel and without; the results were the same for either case.²⁾

If you run Windows XP, you'll see the CPU speed reported accurately as 630MHz in System Properties.

Note that the 2G Surf model has a slightly different CPU: it's an 800MHz Celeron M underclocked to 570MHz, and does not have the Level II cache included with the higher model CPUs.

There are two methods: overclocking using software (see question 1.3 below), or using a BIOS update.

There is a BIOS update available from ASUS, number 8804, that enables the option to run at 100FSB/900MHz. However, several members have reported instability, wavy lines on the screen, or complete system failure (“bricking”) from attempting to use this BIOS ³⁾. It is hoped that a better BIOS will be made available soon.

Technically speaking, if you run the Eee's CPU at 900MHz, you aren't overclocking. You're merely running the CPU at its rated speed. However, it is also possible to overclock the processor to around 960MHz before the system becomes unstable (your mileage may vary, of course).

To run the CPU at 900MHz, you can either install the updated BIOS as mentioned in question 1.2 above, use SetFSB for Windows XP as described in this forum posting, or follow this thread for Linux. For the Linux system there is also a wiki describing how to overclock: Overclocking the Front Side Bus (FSB) to 100 MHz with a Linux kernel module. On Windows XP, only SetFSB allows you to actually overclock your Eee and exceed the 900MHz CPU speed. Ensure you read all the postings in the forum thread before attempting to overclock, or post back errors.

Note that overclocking runs the very real risk of damaging your Eee.

Note most of overclocking information are for 4G and it is unknown if you can (ever) overclock the 2G Surf -model

Download the ROM version you want to flash to your Eee from http://update.eeepc.asus.com/bios/.

Obtain an external USB drive, and format it as FAT32 if it isn't already. Ensure it's blank. Copy the bios ROM file to the disk, naming it 701.ROM. At boot up, when the bios screen first flashes, hit Alt+F2. This will start the bios update utility built into the Eee. This will automatically find the 701.ROM file on the USB drive and flash the bios with it. On completion it will ask you to power the machine off; do so and remove the USB drive. Upon restarting you should find the computer is running with the new BIOS.

Note: I didn't have any luck with FAT32 (it claimed not to be able to find the file, though it was accessing the drive), but it worked fine with FAT16. YMMV? — tsuki 2008/01/02 12:47

Based on release dates, it appears 8804 was the initial BIOS release (2007-07-25). However, most new Eees ship with the 0204 BIOS release installed, which is dated 2007-10-05. 8804 has the ability to increase the front-side bus (FSB) speed in the BIOS. However, this was reportedly unstable.

At the time of writing (Nov07), the most recent BIOS version is 0401 (released 2007-10-17), and this allows users to fully utilise the USB2.0 ports and also the webcam with applications such as Skype (see Section 7 on Video). This is offered for download via the Eee's software update facility.

For some reason, 8804 is the only update offered to Windows users who utilise the AsusUpdate utility. However, for the reasons mentioned above, 8804 shouldn't be installed. Other BIOS versions can be found at http://update.eeepc.asus.com/bios/ and on the Eee BIOS download forum thread.

There is also mention on the forum of an 0302 BIOS coming preinstalled on some new Eees (release date 2007-10-05)⁴⁾. Not much is known about this BIOS version at the moment but the version number and release date indicate it has been superseded by the 0401 BIOS.

Based on Eeeuser.com forum user feedback, it appears the 701 model Eee uses a 512MB DDR2-667 module manufactured by SiS(Silicon Integrated Systems).

Shut down the Eee and remove the battery. The memory can be expanded by removing the bottom panel (which may void your warranty, see the forum for latest news on this) and replacing the preinstalled memory with a larger-capacity module. The Eee takes standard DDR2 SODIMM modules in sizes up to 2GB; specifically 200-Pin 667MHz (PC2 5300).

The Eee default kernel cannot use more than 1GB of ram; see How to get the stock Xandros installation to recognise a 2G RAM card.

The FSB for the Intel 910GML chipset is rated for 400 MHz, quad-pumping (4x) the bus speed of 100 MHz. When running the stock 630 MHz CPU speed, the bus is clocked at 70 MHz and is resulting in a FSB of 280 MHz (4x 70 MHz).

Datasheet for Intel 910GML

There is no need to choose memory modules faster than 400 MHz. Asus probably chose to go for a stock DDR2 667 MHz module for reasons of availability and cost.

The highest overclocked bus speed reported so far is 110 MHz, resulting in a FSB of 440 MHz. Most quality DDR2 SO-DIMM 400 MHz modules can handle to be overclocked 40 MHz. But considering the stock module Asus is providing in the Eee is rated for 667 Mhz, the memory is actually underclocked and that leaves much headroom.

Since 400 MHz modules is the lowest speed available for DDR2, there isn't much incentive to go for higher 533/667/800 MHz modules. Better timings (CL, CAS, etc) is a more important factor.

The Intel graphics system built into the Eee uses 8MB of main memory for its video RAM (VRAM). Note that it can use up to 256MB of memory depending on requirements.

Any or all of the following steps can be taken:

• Disable wireless if you are working with your Eee but don't need to go online – press Fn + F2 (this is arguably the most significant power-saving move you can make)

• Lower the screen brightness and increase ambient lighting in the area

• Lower or mute the speaker volume

• Unplug bus-powered USB devices when they are not in use

• Disable the camera device in the BIOS

• Minimize processor-intensive activity

• Run the Eee at stock speeds if you have enabled the 900MHz option

• Set the screen saver to start up in less than the 5 minutes default setting in Easy Mode, and ensure that power to the LCD is also shut off. See the wiki page on this topic.

The figure quoted is a percentage, and not an actual mAh figure. So a figure of 100 mAh means the battery is 100% charged. For more info, read /usr/share/doc/powermonitor.

Anywhere between two and three and a half hours, depending on what you're using it for.

No. The standby mode of the Eee under both Linux and Windows consumes a significant amount of the battery's power. It's better to either shutdown and reboot each time (not a hassle bearing in mind the Eee boots very quickly), or use hibernation mode if you're using Windows XP. This will involve the creation of a circa 500MB file on your hard disk, however. Note that it isn't possible to move the hibernation file to removable storage.

Hibernation (suspend to disk) isn't possible under the Xandros Linux used on the Eee because it requires a swap file/partition, which isn't present. Additionally, the Xandros kernel used on the Eee doesn't have the suspend to disk feature. However, suspend to disk should work fine with other Linux distributions that support the feature, such as Ubuntu.

MMC, SD, SDHC, and the Micro/Mini variants of SD memory (and RS-MMC), with applicable conversion cards.

SD is the faster memory technology. But note that speed of SD memory cards may differ greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Look for advertised speed ratings (such as 80x, 150x, etc.). Higher numbers are faster.

There are three possible causes of this.

1. Firstly, ensure the input level of the Eee's built in microphone isn't set too high and is causing feedback with the speakers.
2. The second cause might be a whistling noise that can typically be attributed to “coil whine” - a high-pitched noise generated by battery charging circuitry. This can be alleviated by removing the battery once it has been fully charged, and the laptop is running on AC power alone.
3. Thirdly, some users have reported that the Eee's screen produces a very quiet whine. This is common for inexpensive TFT panels and can't be stopped.

This appears to be a bug with the Linux operating system that comes with the Eee. The solution is to mute and then unmute the sound by pressing Fn + F7 twice; note that using the system tray applet to mute/unmute might not have the same effect. Alternatively, others report that plugging in headphones and then unplugging them several times in succession resumes correct speaker operation. ⁵⁾

Perhaps also it works to increase the master volume level via Alsa mixer: Open up a console window (in Easy Mode: Ctrl+Alt+T). At the prompt, type alsamixer, then Enter. The PCM slider should be colored in red. Use PageUp or PageDown to adjust the volume. Then press Esc to quit Alsa mixer.

Some games have problems to playing sound properly. It looks like audio buffer underrun is not properly handled in the Alsa driver of OpenAl. You can improve this by forcing OpenAl to use SDL to play sound. For this, create a file in your home directory named .openalrc (note the dot) and write this on the first line: ”(define devices '(sdl))”. You may have to configure your file manager to show hidden files to see your just-created file. OpenArena has been reported to work fine with this fix. For any other game, if you have sound problems try using SDL or Alsa and not OpenAl.

• You can enable the webcam in the BIOS and then it will be automatically turned on each time you start the Eee PC. Note: this will shorten your battery life considerably.
• You can open a Terminal window (Ctrl-Alt-T in Easy Mode) and type the following:

 sudo echo 1 > /proc/acpi/asus/camera 

This second method is handy if you download and install the new Beta 2.0 version of Skype (get the Xandros version) that allows webcam use under Linux. To turn it off again, replace the 1 with a 0.

• The least kludgy way: get a copy of eeecamtray written by Berkus; this is a little applet that lives in your system tray (handy if you work in Advanced Mode). Follow the forum discussion on the Skype version for more tips and details.

Under the standard Xandros Linux installed on the Eee, the single desktop is mirrored, although the native resolution of the external monitor can be fully utilised (if the external display's resolution is higher than the Eee's panel, the Eee's display switches to a “pan and scan”-style display).

Under Windows XP or a replacement Linux installation, the desktop may be extended or mirrored.

Earlier Eee BIOS revisions did not run the ports at USB 2.0 speeds. Flashing to the latest stable BIOS (as of 2007-11-16, this is 0401) enables USB 2.0 speeds.

Also note the “OS Installation” setting in the BIOS can be set to “Start” for USB1.1 and “Finish” for USB2.0 speeds. The webcam does not work on “Start” aka USB1.1 because the bandwidth of the webcam exceeds the USB1.1 specification.

The full answer to this question isn't yet known because there aren't many Mini-PCIe devices on sale and the few people have experimented with their Eees. Inserting a card into the Mini-PCIe slot will disable the onboard SSD-drive and the system expect to find a boot device in the slot. To work around this behavior, 3.3v power has to be routed from another spot on the motherboard.

On Asus Eee PC 8G 702 models the SSD is a Asus Mini-PCIe card that's mounted on the slot in the expansion bay (pictures). Other uses, when the trigger issue is fixed, are: 802.11b/g/n wireless cards, HSDPA/3G/EDGE/GPRS modem cards, and Solid State Disk cards.

The warranty sticker on the expansion bay is not legally binding in many countries and Asus has recently stated that it is OK to remove the sticker.

Forum user tristand has determined a way to add standard USB devices to the MiniPCIe slot. This upgrade requires soldering - it is recommended only for advanced users.⁶⁾

Forum member mikelpn succeeded in discreetly adding a 30 gig Apricorn Aegis Mini to his Eee, although some case modifications were necessary.⁷⁾

The easiest and cheapest method is to buy a USB Bluetooth dongle. Some of these come in very small sizes are not too obtrusive. Alternatively, you can do what TexasGuy did and replace the wifi daughter board inside the Eee with one that includes Bluetooth functionality. See the forum posting Wifi Modification.

USB modems will work fine with the Eee, provided they're supported by the operating system you're using (usually this information is provided on the box). It's also possible to open the Eee's case and add a modem daughter board, in order to utilise the Eee's built-in RJ-11 port. See the answer to question 9.6 below for details.

Check out the Eeeuser.com forum dedicated to the purpose: EeeUser Forums: Hacks and Modifications.

We have heard reports that the black Eee models are missing the secondary MiniPCIe slot. This appears to be a change in later revisions – if your serial number begins with 7A, you likely have the second slot. Any higher number may not.^{8) 9)}

The new 900 series Eee PC will have an 8.9 inch screen ¹⁰⁾ instead of the 700 series' 7 inch screen. As of 2007-11-16, ASUS has no plans at this time to introduce a larger screened Eee PC. This has been confirmed by forum members who contacted Asus directly.¹¹⁾ By 2008-06-03 ASUS officially annouced (External Link) the unveiling of a 10 inch version at Computex 2008.

The sensitivity setting of your touchpad may need to be adjusted in your operating system. Some users report that upgrading the BIOS appears to reset the sensitivity settings.

If you use the Xandros Linux that comes with the Eee, see the wiki page on how to move your Shift key.

This might be described a 'feature' of the Eee and appears to be intentional. Eventually the fan will switch off (providing the notebook isn't working hard, of course). The only way to manually stop the fan is to suspend or shutdown the notebook, and then reactivate it. Note that some early reports on the eeeuser.com forums blamed this feature on the 0401 BIOS upgrade but it also happened with earlier BIOS versions.

No. Other models of Eee will contain dial-up modems but the 701 model lacks the modem daughter board. Effectively there's a socket but no actual modem hardware. Some users have reported that a third-party daughter board can be added in successfully. ¹²⁾

It seems that the Conexant RD02-D110 56K Modem with a MDC v1.5 connector fits the free MDC header on the motherboard. A cable-to-board cable is needed to connect the RJ-11 to the daughterboard. Asus is also providing a suitable driver on their Eee ftp site.

See this forum posting if you're running the default Xandros OS. With Windows XP, double-click the Power Options icon in Control Panel and select the Advanced tab. Then select Do Nothing in the dropdown list below “When I Close The Lid of My Portable Computer”. Click Apply and then OK. rio b and you sfr