Problems with Acer Linux netbook

[AlanHo]

I have been given a 6 month old Acer Aspire One netbook which needs the OS etc reinstalling from the supplied recovery disc. (trigger happy grand-child has fiddled and corrupted the wifi connection files)

It runs on a version of Linux and has a small 8GB solid state hard drive. It has no CD/DVD drive but has 3 USB2 ports.

I have the Acer recovery CD - but because the computer lacks a CD drive Acer instructions tell me this CD has to be transferred to a USB stick in another computer. (or use an external CD USB drive to boot from - which I do not happen to possess)

The handbook tells me to insert a USB stick in one of the USB ports on my desktop computer, place the recovery CD into the drive with the BIOS set to boot from the CD and select the "Create recovery USB drive" option when the computer boots. (You eventually use this USB stick in the netbook to boot from).

My Vista desktop computer boots from the disc OK and allows me to select the required option - but then seems to freeze on an Acer screen with the cps lock and scroll lock lights on my keyboard flashing.

I have left it running like this for an hour in case it is just a slow process - but with no joy. Hence I have not been able to create the required USB recovery device.

I have Googled for info in vain.

Not being familiar with Linux can anyone throw any light on the subject.

[Hb_Kai]

Can you not boos OS files from a USB device? Or start the computer in CMD, insert the USB with the setup.exe on, then run the setup.exe?

[Hb_Kai]

Not CMD - Command Line, or Linux's alternative.

[Seshomaru Samma]

What OS are you trying to install?

What version of linux is installed?

What is the output of the command :

 cat /proc/version

(on the Linux machine)?

[AlanHo]

What OS are you trying to install?

What version of linux is installed?

What is the output of the command :

 cat /proc/version

(on the Linux machine)?

The info file on the netbook gives the OS spec as Linpus Linux Lite v 1.0.7.E - (possibly an Acer version specially for the netbook).

I have no idea how to get a command line in Linux - or Windows for that matter. Not really a computer buff.

However - I do not yet have a problem reinstalling the OS onto the netbook - this will possibly come later. My immediate problem is trying to create a boot-up USB memory stick using the Acer recovery DVD in my Vista Desktop computer. The computer is booting OK from the Acer DVD but is freezing when I select "Create a USB recovery drive".

I may well have problems later with booting the netbook from the USB drive and reloading the OS. But creating the USB boot-up recovery media is the first hurdle I must jump. Hence I am not able to see how the Linux version can be a factor.

[catgate]

You will at some point need the user name and password that has been used on the machine to set it up again. This should allow you to get access a terminal/command line. (possibly applications>accessories>terminal). In theory you should be able to do nothing in the way of tinkering on a linux set up without this.

My first inclination would be to put the recovery cd into any working machine and see what it actually contains.

[AlanHo]

I have just resolved the problem - I borrowed an external USB DVD drive from a friend of a friend's second cousin's husband and the Acer recovery disc worked perfectly. The netbook computer is now connecting to the internet etc without problems.

I must say that I am rather impressed with the machine - despite it having only an 8 GB hard drive and 512 MB memory. The Linux OS seems to be easy to use, plug and play works fine, the installed Email and office type programmes are all very user friendly and the monitor screen is crisp and bright. It connected to my home wireless network without problems.

It is quite small and weighs just 1 Kg - ideal for travelling with.

[catgate]

Careful Alan. You just may become a convert