ASUS EeePC T91

with Ubuntu Netbook Remix

10 August 2009, Updated 12 August 2009, 27 September 2010

This information is still very much a work in progress, Updates and corrections will be added as problems are solved.

So my new toy arrived last week, and first thing is to install Ubuntu Netbook Remix (Jaunty). The install went without a hitch except no wireless and the screen resolution is 800 x 600. Hoping that these problems will go away once all updates are installed I press on. Unfortunately there are several issues that are still not working.

Wireless networking still does not work. Spent many hours trying to resolve this, but have yet to solve the problems. The chipset is known, Atheros AR9285, and shows up when the appropriate tools are run, but the kernel modules don't load, and when manually loaded nothing happens. Tried the *mad* wireless stuff, but think all I did was install the userspace tools and not the actual modules. Most information was for other machines with the same chipset.
Update - Have got the wireless working, although the function key still does nothing about turning it on or off. Using information from a couple of sources, I was able to install the backports modules, reboot, and away it went. More details are here.
Screen drivers are a major issue, finally worked out the chipset I think, Intel Poulsbo. Bad news is from what I read, the linux drivers from intel are hopeless and don't work. Found lots of different and difficult to install information, again for other machines, although seems there is some more development out there.
This information is for Jaunty - Found more information about installing drivers that were built in June as part of ubuntu mobile, Was finally able to get video working. More details are here.
For Karmic and other releases GMA500 Poulsbo video
Touch screen is working great, although took me several attempts to calibrate, as the instructions are displayed, then are lost when the actual calibration screen is displayed.
Bluetooth is working, the only issues with that is installing my bluetooth GPS module, but with very easy to follow web page, was up and running fairly easily.
Most of the blue function keys are working fine, except the wireless/bluetooth toggle (F2). There are some scripts and other things in the package manager, but one wont install because something is missing, the other installs but does nothing that I can see. Haven't tried the external monitor as would like to get the screen drivers working first.

Audio was not working properly with the upgrade to Karmic, after lots of hunting around found I had to install the alsa drivers from scratch. There had been a way of installing them from a "repository" but unfortunately the karmic builds seem to have been removed. For details about building alsa see Upgrade Alsa (1.0.23) on Ubuntu Karmic Koala 9.10.

Although there is software for the built in camera, the camera is not working, and although would be fun to have running, is the least of the problems

Previous to this purchases, I had been using a very old 10" notebook, with very limited battery life, the specs of which would now make it very underpowed wireless-less netbook. It was heavy and larger than I really required, so this new "toy" despite the above problems is a great little device for commuting - I spend up to two hours a day on the train each way getting to and from work, so having the T91 helps me use the time a little more productively, for instance, writing this.

Despite some negative comments from others about not enough storage, keyboard to small, to small a screen, I personally think for the way I will be using it will be a great little machine. My only problem will be the intergrated battery.