Netbook

A netbook is a small, cheap laptop designed for simple web browsing and low performance tasks. They have become increasingly popular due to their low cost and multiple uses. Notable notebook brands include the MSI Wind and the Asus EEE PC Family. Currently, most netbooks run on an Intel Aton N270 Processor and have a screen size ranging from 7 to 10 inches.

Operating Systems

Notable operating systems that run on netbooks include

Windows XP (Please note XP preloaded netbooks may have a built in limitation of 1GB RAM)
Xandros
Ubuntu Netbook Remix

Other distributions are mentioned in detail here [[1]].

Purchasing a netbook

When purchasing a netbook, consider the following factors

What screen size is required?
What Operating System would you prefer?
How small is the keyboard? (most netbooks have are 94% of a full sized keyboard)
How long is the battery life
Can i upgrade the ram (Some netbooks have soldered ram)

A table comparing netbook specs is located here [[2]].

Installing XP

Because netbooks do not have a CD drive, you may want to install an operating system via USB. Install a copy using the instructions here [[3].

Turning off Paging files

  * Select the Start menu, right click 'My Computer' and select Properties.
  * Click the System Properties, then the 'advanced' tab
  * Under 'Performance', click Settings
  * Choose 'Advanced', then click 'Change'
  * Choose C drive, select 'no page file' and click set
  * Choose D drive, select 'no page file' and click set
  * Select ok, then restart computer

Make and SDHC card a permanent hard drive

If you have an SD card reader on your new netbook. You may want to increase the size by adding an SD card, and making it a permanent hard drive.

Firstly, install *all* drivers for your netbook from the manufacturers website.
Restart Netbook
Format your SDHC card to NTFS. This can be done with an HP Tool [[4]].

Your SDHC card must be drive D for this to work. If it is not follow these steps:

  * Click start button in the bottom left hand corner. Right click "My Computer". Select 'Manage'.
  * Click on Disk Management on the left hand side.
  * Right click on the SDHC volume in the right pane. <Mine is Disk1 D:> and choose "Change Drive Letter and Paths".
  * Click 'Add' then select "C" drive and choose OK.

Installing Hitachi Driver

  * Download [[5] the Hitachi Microdrive Driver and Unzip it to your desktop. 
  * Select 'Start', click 'Run' and type regedit. 
  * Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\USBSTOR\
  * Select the directory Disk&Ven_USB2.0&Prod_CardReader_SD0&Rev_0100 and Open it
  * Select the next directory that contains a bunch of numbers and open it.
  * Right click 'Hardware ID' and select modify. 
  * Select and copy only the first line.
  * Select cancel and close regedit.
  * Go to your desktop and open the cfadisk.inf 
  * Scroll down to the section that starts with [cfadisk_device]. (there should be 11 lines)
  * Delete the last 10 lines of this folder, leaving one line that beins with   %MicroDrive_devdesc% = cfadisk_install,
  * Paste the directory file after the "MicroDrive_devdesc% = cfadisk_install," and select ok, then save
  * Click 'start', control panel, and select 'Administrators settings'
  * Select Device manager and choose the Disk Drive Folder
  * There should be SiliconMotion and USB2.0 Card Reader.
  * Right click on Card Reader and select 'update driver'
  * Choose location, 'i have my own driver' etc and select the driver from the desktop.
  * Press OK and ignore all the warnings
  * Reboot your computer

Thoroughly tested with Asus EEE PC 701 Davo1111 17:47, 1 September 2009 (EST)