Getting Ubuntu 10.04 working on ASUS eeePC 701

Notes on setting up Ubuntu 10.04 on the ASUS eeePC 701. Mainly done as a reference in case I need to do it again.

Initial Install

• Xubuntu 10.04 .iso from here
• UNetbootin (probably latest version, but I used v4.7.1) from here.
• Use unetbootin to put the .iso on a memory stick (1GB+ size). Boot the eee from it. Install from the desktop icon.
• When installing, format the eee's SSD as ext3, NOT the default of ext4. According to forums, ext4 writes too much, waking the computer up and draining the battery.
• Create initial user, etc. When done, remove memory stick

Post-Install

• Download latest updates, probably reboot
• In Synaptic Package Manager, go to Settings -> Repositories -> Other Software. Check the two partner repositories, close. In Settings -> Preferences, check "delete downloaded packages after install", and set History Files to delete files older than 2 days.
• In Synaptic Package Manager, search & check 'xubuntu-restricted-extras', 'skype', 'chromium', 'gnome-media' (for sound recorder). Hit install
• Plug in VGA cable. Reboot. Log in. Go to Applications -> Settings -> Xfce 4 Settings Manager. Set display resolution to ABOVE 800x480. Install printer. (Bloody Printer Install dialog box puts the important buttons at bottom offscreen at 800x480.) Unplug VGA when done.
• Install eee-control (probably latest version, but I used 0.9.6) from here. (Tip from here

Getting internal mic to work

According to bug #354705, post #12, you're supposed to be able to put "options snd-hda-intel model=3stack-dig" at the bottom of "/etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base.conf", and reboot. Alternatively, this official wiki says to put that line in /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base . (No .conf on the filename). Looks like yet another stale wiki, as filenames might have changed. After trying this, clicking on the speaker icon in the titlebar has capture options for sound card: "Capture: internal audio analog stereo (PulseAudio mixer)" and "Capture: monitor of internal audio analog stereo (pulseaudio mixer)." Not sure what the difference is; neither one seems to work for skype

Other things tried: Check www.alsa-project.org, which links to this list of all devices. Running the alsa-info.sh script from link #1, it says my eeePC has a "Realtek ALC662 rev 1". The second link notes both a "3stack-dig" and a "eeepc-p701" entry.

Running Applications -> Multimedia -> Sound Recorder, going to File -> Open Volume Control, I was able to get the Preferences -> Input -> Input Volume to show up. Uncheck the 'mute' box. Finally, something shows a volume meter that's moving as I speak.

Run skype, try a skype test call. Might need to try this troubleshooting guide, and install/run pavucontrol from the commandline to select the input device for skype while a skype chat is going. Now that's the epitome of user friendliness!

Other references