OS2 World Community Forum

OS/2, eCS & ArcaOS - Technical => Hardware => Topic started by: BigGoofyGuy on September 09, 2013, 08:36:06 pm

Title: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on September 09, 2013, 08:36:06 pm
I have an Asus X55U laptop computer. Windows 8 is slow and driving me nuts.  >:( For some reason Microsoft thinks the start button is no longer needed. It makes finding things more difficult. The 'start screen' is really frustrating. I want to try installing eComStation onto it. Will it work or will it be a lot of frustration?  8) I bought eCS 2.0 not long ago.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: shortslim on September 09, 2013, 08:52:11 pm
What I did for my Windows 8 Laptop, is I bought Startdock's Start8 program.  It makes Windows 8 desktop look like Windows 7.  It cost me about 9 USD.  I don't know about ECS on your laptop, but on my desktop with an ASUS P8B75-m, it only partially works.  I am trying to solve a couple of problems with it.  I am waiting on ECS 2.2, which I hope will solve at least one of my problems.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: jdeb on September 09, 2013, 09:42:17 pm
One way to find out. Drop a spare HD in it and go for it. Lets us know if it does.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on September 11, 2013, 10:06:33 pm
I don't have a spare HD to drop in it but I will check out the Stardock Start8 program. Thanks for the information.  8)
http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ (http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/)

If waiting for eCS 2.2 is better choice than trying to use eCS 2.0, I might try installing eCS 2.0 onto my netbook with Win 7 limited on it.  8)
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: Doug Bissett on September 12, 2013, 06:46:44 am
Quote
If waiting for eCS 2.2 is better choice than trying to use eCS 2.0, I might try installing eCS 2.0 onto my netbook with Win 7 limited on it.

I would think that eCS 2.2 GA would be better than eCS 2.0. If you have access to Software Subscription, you could try eCS 2.1. The current beta eCS 2.2 is not usable, unless a new one has been released, as I write this. If you do decide to try eCS 2.0, you should review the information in: http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/download/pub/os2/doc/eCs-2-on-modern-laptop-win7-rev-1.zip (http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/download/pub/os2/doc/eCs-2-on-modern-laptop-win7-rev-1.zip) and http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/download/pub/os2/doc/TAMING_WIN7_V0_2_1.zip (http://hobbes.nmsu.edu/download/pub/os2/doc/TAMING_WIN7_V0_2_1.zip).

One thing to be sure that you do, is create the recovery disks (DVDs), so you can get back to where you started.

Another option, is to try eCS (any version, but 2.1 or newer is best) in a Virtual machine. I find that eCS 2.1, and a patched up eCS 2.2 beta, works pretty good in VirtualBox, under Win7 (home premium and PRO 64 bit). Just be sure to enable the virtual machine extensions, in your BIOS.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on September 13, 2013, 03:36:09 am
Thank you for the information. It is truly appreciated. Thanks.  8)
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on September 19, 2013, 02:56:42 am
I renewed my software subscription recently.  8)

Wit Windows 8, I am so over it. I grew weary of having to use Windows.  >:(
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on January 28, 2014, 01:11:38 am
I have tried to use the eCS 2.2 demo CD but there doesn't seem to be a BIOS screen (one where one usually clicks a F# to bring up the settings). I am trying to get it to boot from the CD drive. Am I missing something? I tried pressing F2 as it boots but it still goes to the Win 8 boot screen.  >:( I wonder if this will keep me from installing eCS 2.1 or 2.2?
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: Pete on January 28, 2014, 01:28:37 am
Hi Tom

This page shows how to access the setup and setup boot from cd/dvd.

It also reveals that it uses UEFI but has a "Legacy BIOS mode" option which you will need to Enable.

Good Luck  :-)


Regards

Pete
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on January 28, 2014, 03:28:31 am
Hi Tom

This page shows how to access the setup and setup boot from CD/DVD.

It also reveals that it uses UEFI but has a "Legacy BIOS mode" option which you will need to Enable.

Good Luck  :-)


Regards

Pete

Is there supposed to be a link here?

 Thank you for the reply and the information.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on January 28, 2014, 05:47:21 pm
http://www.canbike.ca/information-technology/2013/03/12/asus-uefi-boot-from-cd-dvd-x55u.html (http://www.canbike.ca/information-technology/2013/03/12/asus-uefi-boot-from-cd-dvd-x55u.html)
I found a link that might help. It seems it also shows why Win 8 seems to run so slow on my computer.  :o I will give it a try.  8)

http://www.top-password.com/blog/set-windows-8-pc-to-boot-with-legacy-bios-mode-instead-of-uefi-mode/ (http://www.top-password.com/blog/set-windows-8-pc-to-boot-with-legacy-bios-mode-instead-of-uefi-mode/)
Not my computer but seems to be similar solution. The person does not seem to be a big fan of Win 8 either.  ;D
Title: How to Uninstall Windows 8, Install Windows 7 on Your PC / Perhaps eCS?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on January 28, 2014, 06:30:10 pm
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2417361,00.asp (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2417361,00.asp)
I guess un-installing Win 8 is not an uncommon thing to do. Perhaps the same precedure could be used to install eCS?  8)
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: Pete on January 29, 2014, 04:30:31 am
Hi Tom

Apologies, no idea what happened to the url at the end of the "This page..." line.

I see you found the right page anyway - Google can be useful, sometimes  :-)

Yes, looks like http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2417361,00.asp would be the way to go - except use an eCS CD/DVD instead of Windows7 CD/DVD  :-)


Regards

Pete


Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on January 29, 2014, 05:56:55 pm
Thank you for the recommendation and the link. It is appreciated.  8)
Title: SUCCESS.
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on February 01, 2014, 04:15:01 am
I tried it and it works. I am a happy camper.  8)

I tried the eCS 2.2 demo CD. It ran nicely and fast. It ran a lot faster than the Windows 8 did.

I learned from the one site that the Asus X55U did not really meet the requirements to run Windows 8 but it does seem more than enough to run eComStation 2.2.

After I backed up some files, I will give either eCS 2.1 or ReactOS 0.3.15 a try.  ::)
Title: eCS 2.1 on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on February 14, 2014, 02:16:15 am
I tried eCS 2.1 on my Asus X55U. It did not get very far in the installation. I was able to chose some options but it would result in it stopping on the installation where it would go no further or a trap error (did not record it :( ). I guess I will have to wait till 2.2 comes out to try that version.

I also tried ReactOS 0.3.16 but it did not get very far either. It resulted in the BSOD.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: Pete on February 14, 2014, 05:31:02 pm
Hi Tom

What ACPI setting did you use in the Pre-Boot Menu?

If you have Software Subscription give the 2.2 beta2 a try - and report the results to the eCS BugTracker as well as here.

Regards

Pete
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on February 15, 2014, 02:26:55 am
I don't remember the ACPI setting but I will check.

I will see if I can download the 2.2 beta. If I don't have the software subscription (I am pretty sure I do), I will download it and give it a try.  8)
Title: Will try eCS 2.2 Beta on an Asus X55U
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on March 21, 2014, 08:14:52 pm
I will try installing the eCS 2.2 beta DVD on my Asus X55U notebook computer. I am having a little problem with installing it on my netbook but I am hoping it will work better on the notebook.  8)
Title: GUID?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on April 11, 2014, 12:13:47 am
I tried installing eCS 2.2 beta on the Asus X55U. It seems that the X55U uses the GUID partition table. It seems eCS is unable to handle it / incompatible with it. It shows this information when it gets to the part where it checks the hard drive. It indicates that one should check with the eCS Quick Start Guide for advice. It indicates that it has to be removed and the drive re-partitioned but it does not show how to do it. 
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: Eugene Gorbunoff on April 11, 2014, 01:04:35 am
Buy one more hard drive, remove original, insert new one into the laptop,

Disable EFI in BIOS Setup,

Try installation of eCS without ACPI.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on April 11, 2014, 02:11:48 am
I will check online to see if I can find a drive for it and see if I can find one that does not cost a lot.  ;D


I want to see if there is a way around the GUID partition table; perhaps a way to reformat or re-partition the drive. I am checking online. :)
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: dbanet on April 11, 2014, 06:17:37 pm
Wipe the drive and repartition it using DFSee.

http://www.os2world.com/forum/index.php/topic,213.msg3169.html#msg3169
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on April 11, 2014, 10:13:06 pm
I will get the DFSee and use it. I think there is a way to boot it from an USB drive? I will check out the one that is with FreeDOS. Thanks.  8)

I will come back with the results.  8)
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: Alex Taylor on April 12, 2014, 03:41:07 pm
Just use the built-in eComStation disk utility to wipe the drive. The manual should tell you how to do this, but you can access it from the Maintenance Console, "Disk" menu.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: dbanet on April 12, 2014, 07:08:55 pm
Just use the built-in eComStation disk utility to wipe the drive. The manual should tell you how to do this, but you can access it from the Maintenance Console, "Disk" menu.

Alex,
I get the 'incompatible' message when it is checking the drive and before I can check the 'management' button.    I believe it is after one check 'I accept' and goes to the next screen and checks the drive. I was hoping to get to the 'management' button but it exits me out before I can.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: Alex Taylor on April 13, 2014, 11:33:15 am
?I don't see the quoted message anywhere...?

Anyway, just cancel out of the installer on the first screen to get to the maintenance console.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: dbanet on April 13, 2014, 05:03:29 pm
?I don't see the quoted message anywhere...?

Anyway, just cancel out of the installer on the first screen to get to the maintenance console.

To get to the citation source, you need to move and point your mouse cursor on the hyperlink that starts from Quote from: and that is located above the citation you need to get the source of, like this:

(http://beta.hstor.org/files/f30/2bb/2c7/f302bb2c7eee43adba876dc67db6bbf0.png)

Then you may notice that the hyperlink has just become underlined, and the universal resource locator has appeared in the status bar of your browser, like this:

(http://beta.hstor.org/files/9dc/a15/9cd/9dca159cd9d84a67921a444463062b72.png)

The universal resource locator (URL) that has just appeared is the reference of the hyperlink you've pointed your mouse cursor to, and that was previously mentioned. This URL locates the desired source of the citation.

Now you just need to click your mouse to get to the citation source.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: dbanet on April 13, 2014, 05:05:47 pm
Don't take that seriously pls  ;D ;D
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on April 14, 2014, 04:27:06 pm
?I don't see the quoted message anywhere...?

Anyway, just cancel out of the installer on the first screen to get to the maintenance console.

I will give that a try. Thanks.  8)
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on April 20, 2014, 03:30:14 am
I used FreeDOS to re-partition the hard drive. It would not boot from the hard drive. I tried eCS 2.2 beta on it. It did not report an in compatible with GUID message. It took a couple of hours to check and format the drive. It went to reboot as part of the installation process but re-started the installation process again. The hard drive is partitioned JFS yet it indicates it was not formatted. I have gotten farther with it than I did before. I will try again.  :(
Title: Success at last
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on May 26, 2014, 11:58:06 pm
I tried again. It would get to the point where it would reboot to complete the installation. It was suppose to show the option of booting from the hard drive. It did not. I tried it again. It stopped at the reboot. I changed the bios to boot from a boot manager. It showed the 'boot from the hard drive' option. It completed the installation. It now has eComStation 2.2 beta on it now. It did not detect the network and it does not have sound but has eCS on it now. I am glad. I can work on the problems later. I will use the program from the Acer Aspire One thread. :)

Now I don't have to use Windows 8. The Asus X55U was not really up to par to run it. It showed since it was really slow and would freeze up every so often.
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: Mentore on May 27, 2014, 10:01:57 am
Sounds good. Please let us know your progress!

Mentore
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: onlineuser2 on May 27, 2014, 09:34:17 pm
By the way:
on line you can find Asus X55U (in two different configurations) sold WITHOUT any OS.
If you get good results, first steps (unistalling win etc) may be not necessary.
go on working !! and ... working around..
thanks for your report
Onlineuser2
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on May 28, 2014, 04:58:31 pm
By the way:
on line you can find Asus X55U (in two different configurations) sold WITHOUT any OS.
If you get good results, first steps (unistalling win etc) may be not necessary.
go on working !! and ... working around..
thanks for your report
Onlineuser2

The one I bought was floor display that was on sale / discounted. I wish I knew about them coming without an OS (slapping head with hand). Next time, I will look online. Thanks.  8)
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on July 05, 2014, 09:13:26 pm
I seem to have a problem with it. It boots and seems to start eComStation but shows this air boot? (IIRC on program that lists the drives). I had the installation disc in the optical drive and it might have run from it. I will try installing eComStation onto it again to see if it works.   ???
Title: Re: eCS on an Asus X55U?
Post by: BigGoofyGuy on December 04, 2014, 03:38:25 pm
I have tried again but it shows the drive has an error. I have download and created the bootable DFSee disc. I will be buying DFSee from Arca Noae at their store.  8)