Ubuntu Mobile Edition is a version of Ubuntu made for MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices). The EeePC is not really a MID, but rather a sub-laptop. Notably the EeePC does not have a touchscreen and the intended input method is through a traditional keyboard and touchpad. Overview
See the disclaimer at the bottom of this page before starting!
In this tutorial we will install Ubuntu JeOS as a minimal base, install an EeePC friendly kernel and module, install the Ubuntu-Mobile package and other needed packages and make system changes to optimize the user experience.
Download the JeOS ISO and install it to your SDHC card. I used Qemu so I didn't have to burn the ISO. Under Ubuntu, your qemu comand will be something like
qemu -hda /dev/sdg -cdrom jeos-8.04-jeos-i386.iso -boot d -m 1024
When the install is done, insert the SDHC card into your EeePC and reboot. At the BIOS screen, press escape to reach the boot chooser screen, and select the SDHC card. When it boots, you should reach a login prompt.
We are going to use the 2.6.24-2-generic kernel which mbm of OpenWRT fame has kindly patched and compiled with suspend to USB (and to SDHC). You can get it from mbm's page or Stuporglue.org. You will also likely want the madwifi module to make wireless work. Get it from either of the above sources.
We're also going to get the Ubuntu modules package for the same kernel version. It is available on the Ubuntu Launchpad site or Stuporglue.org
Now would be a good time to download the eee.ko module if you want overclocking and fan control abilities. It is available from Stuporglue.org if you don't want to compile the module yourself.
When you are done, you should have these three files in your current directory:
linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.24-2-generic_2.6.24-2.5_i386.deb
linux-image-2.6.24-2-generic_2.6.24-2.4_i386.deb
madwifi-modules-2.6.24-2-generic.tar.gz
(optionally) eeepc-eee.ko_v.2-kernel-2.6.24.tar.gz
Install the kernel and modules with the dpkg command. Note: This step takes a couple of minutes on the eee when working from an SDHC card.
sudo dpkg -i *.deb
Create a directory for the extra modules (madwifi and eee). Un-tar the two archives, and copy the kernel modules to that directory.
mkdir /lib/modules/2.6.24-2-generic/kernel/custom
tar xzf *tar.gz
cp `find . -name "*.ko"` /lib/modules/2.6.24-2-generic/kernel/custom
Run depmod to generate all the dependencies for the modules you just installed:
depmod 2.6.24-2-generic
Edit /etc/modules and append the following to the bottom of the file:
uvcvideo
atl2
If you are using the eee.ko module, also add the following
i2c_i801
eee
Now reboot. At the grub prompt, press ESC and choose the 2.6.24-2-generic kernel.
Lets start by getting rid of the old kernel, we don't need it any more.
apt-get remove --purge linux-image-2.6.24-16-virtual linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.24-16-virtual linux-sources-2.6.24 linux-image-virtual
Now we'll install the packages we'll need.
apt-get install ubuntu-mobile hicolor-icon-theme hildon-theme-mobile-basic mobile-application-servie mobile-basic-flash pidgin flashplugin-nonfree libgl1-mesa-dri xserver-xorg-video-intel
Do a dpkg-reconfigure, and accept the defaults / answer logically. It will produce a usable xorg.conf.
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
This is the script from https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MobileAndEmbedded. You can get it from http://stuporglue.org/downloads/eee/start-hildon.sh. Download it as your non-root user, and save it in your home directory as .xinitrc. Make its permissions 755.
chmod 755 ~/.xinitrc
As your non-root user, run startx from a console.
startx
Enjoy!
This leaves a lot not quite working correctly, but should be sufficient to get you playing around. There are several things which can be done to speed up boot time, improve battery life, decrease disk writes etc. For now search the forums, I'll post them here soon.
I don't have the following working correctly yet, but am working on them.
These instructions are a work in progress. Ubuntu Mobile Edition is a work in progress. This tutorial is provided as-is. Follow it at your own risk. I claim no responsibility for what happens to your computer, free time, or anything else if you follow these directions.
I will be playing with the development version of Ubuntu Mobile and will post updates and instructions on using that on my site here : http://stuporglue.org/ume-on-eeepc.php. I'll leave this wiki page with instructions that should be somewhat more stable.
And of course Asus for this fun little machine.
