Eee PC BIOS Upgrade… New Features But Unstable?
October 27th, 2007 by ant
ASUS has released a first revision to the Eee PC BIOS, version 8804. Features include the ability to use 100mhz FSB, USB2 now working, and apparently the use of the webcam in skype (see this thread). However, some users are reporting problems with the update, specifically with stability issues (see this thread). While the new features are interesting, I’m personally going to hold off upgrading until more information comes out.
October 27th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I’m personally going to hold off upgrading until I can actually purchase an eeepc.
October 27th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
USB 2.0 is pretty important, when I get my eeepc I’ll make it a priority to upgrade.
October 27th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I think I’ll hold off purchasing until they have a BIOS that enables these features in a stable manner. The fact that users are reporting stability could indicate that the hardware is defective in design just as much as it could be a problem with the BIOS.
October 27th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Well, we can see that they were under huge pressure to rush this to market if the BIOS doesn’t even support all the hardware. That said, software is something that can be fixed after the fact. If the initial BIOS is stable, the hardware should be sound, and *eventually* they’ll get the BIOS complete and stable. On a side note, I WANT ONE GIMME GIMME IS IT NOVEMBER YET?!?!?! T_T
October 27th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
how can the webcam be enabled in skype if the current version of skype for linux does not support video chat? Please correct me if i am mistaken (i want to be wrong!)
October 28th, 2007 at 2:52 am
Skype webcam after a bios upgrade? Are you serious?
Just use something else, there’s a long way to go, till it will be available.
October 28th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Adrius: my point exactly! would you please suggest video chat software that (1) has a linux client and (2) can communicate with someone else running a windows PC? Preferably free…
October 28th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Not having USB 2.0 is a SERIOUS flaw in my book. USB is the unit’s main connectivity to external devices, it has to work for the computer to be worth purchasing.
Can you comment on how USB works without the update?
October 28th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
@danny g: Ekiga. Works like a charm on Linux and Windows:
http://www.ekiga.org
October 28th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
WengoPhone is an open source Skype replacement that works on Windows, Mac, and Linux with full video, calls to land lines, etc.
http://www.openwengo.org/
October 28th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
To eet & Ghy:
Hey, THANKS for the info. If I get the eeepc with its Linux OS, I’ll need a way to video chat with my Windows PC friends. You’ve given me two alternatives.
To Ant:
Could you install either of the above applications to see if one or both works with the eeepc webcam? I’m afraid the the webcam is there for show, to show that they have it. But it might not work “in release 1″.
October 29th, 2007 at 12:08 am
A better link for WengoPhone is http://www.wengophone.com/index.php
October 29th, 2007 at 8:26 am
No Gimp?
or if not Gimp, then No Krita?
And what about Gwenview, with the Kipi Plugins, the plugin for auto send of photos by email, where they take a bunch of 1.5M files (or just one) and make it about 80K, or less, (an auto resize) that is a photo size that is very good for email size, and then it takes those photos and can dump right into Thunderbird email (and opens the email client for you automatic as well, you just have to say “Hey” address the email, and send, very cool. Can we do this on the Eee PC?
Also - Can You “fix Thunderbird” do do this:
http://www.linux.com/articles/53463?tid=130
” Turn Thunderbird into a collaboration tool
By default, Thunderbird doesn’t have a calendar, and it lacks the ability to synchronise data between multiple clients. However, the Calendar plugin combined with the SyncKolab extension can fill the void. You also need an IMAP account, which SyncKolab uses to synchronise the contacts and calendar data. You can either use a local Kolab server or an IMAP email account; the latter option is probably easier. ”
How easy is this “Linux” install to customize?
December 18th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Imaging my suprise when buying some cables at local PC store that they said the had them in stock. Switched on it was brilliant this is way to go for open source everthing worked then I did Bios update, system said it was shutting down then I went to sleep and when I woke up it still said shutting down. I switched it off and it half booted now it does not start at all, even after paper clip reboot help me please to relive my short love affair