Finally getting Windows XP on the Asus Eee PC

I know I promised to install Windows XP on the Asus Eee PC some time ago, but the optical drive I've been using for over three years has finally croaked. Yes, I could have gone through the effort of installing XP from a USB drive, but frankly, I didn't want to spend the time. I nabbed a new portable optical drive and the install is currently underway.

The new drive is from Targus and isn't too bad for carrying around. It's their USB 2.0 DVD / CD-ROM Slim External Drive (part PADVD010U) for the detail oriented) and ran me around $130. The drive does not write to any media, it's simply a reader, but that's fine because we have a few burners in our machines throughout the house. It's rare for me to burn media while on the road with a UMPC, so this solution is fine for my needs.

The drive measures 6.1" x 5.6" x .75" and weighs 14.6 ounces, so it's easy to carry around as needed. I tend not to carry an optical drive, but I can handle 14.6 ounces. The unit comes with a Y-connection cable: one end is a Type-B USB port that connects to the drive while the other end splits into two standard, or Type-A ports. To power the drive, it's best to have both of the USB plugs connected to your device so that the drive receives optimal power. I like the fact that one of the two USB plugs acts as a USB pass-through so that you only lose one USB port on your computer even though you're using two. Anyway: Windows XP Pro SP2 is coming soon on the Eee PC; I didn't slim down the installation at this point, I simply want to see how well the OS does or doesn't run on Eeegor. Who knows, the Eee PC might be my only computer at CES!

Comments

[Jhall]

I have been looking forward to this. I have been interested in the eee PC. Let us know about the nlite install. eee Pc user forum has alot of info on the different os installs. I have also seen a xubuntu custom install. I was thinking about getting the galaxy black version.

[tnkgrl]

When I installed XP SP2 on my Eee, I just used a standard install CD, then disabled/removed the swap file and removed any unused programs (Outlook Express, Windows Messenger)...

Then I applied all the Windows updates, installed iTunes/Quicktime and Firefox/Thunderbird, as well as the Sierra Wireless drivers from my HSDPA card - and that was it!

I still have about 2 GB free - works for me :)

[Patrick]

Hey Kevin,
When I installed XP SP2 on my EEE the only setting I fiddled with were to adjust it for optimum performance (so no eye candy) and to prevent indexing. I've read in the EEEuser forums that I should take steps to reduce the 'random' writes that XP often does, since it might reduce the like of the SSD...what do you think?

I must say that XP is working very well and is quite speedy (though I didn't dare to multi-task), though I'd be interested on how you do with nlite and regarding any other tweaks you may use.

Cheers!

[Nick]

There is a guide here for install XP to the EEE using a flash drive: http://www.eeeguides.com/2007/11/installing-windows-xp-from-usb-thumb.html