Sunday, August 25, 2013

Installing Debian Testing "Jessie" on the Asus 1015E

After trying multiple distros, Arch, Manjaro, Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Linux Mint 15, CrunchBang #! 11, Atposid, Siduction, and Elementary OS. I decided to go back to Debian Testing. Although Crunchbang came in a close second. The Asus 1015E ran great on CrunchBang and everything just worked. Unfortunately, CrunchBang which is based on Debian stable is just a little too outdated for me. If you want somethign that works and is easy to install CrunchBang is definitely the way to go. If you want to live closer to the edge of development try Debian Testing.

After downloading, a Debian Testing image, I was excited to install "Jessie" on my system. The only problem was the installer hung when trying to detect my Asus 1015E's hardware.

The fix is pretty easy, once the Debian testing netinstall iso loads:

Select Advanced options/Expert install

Once in advanced options select Execute a shell

At the command prompt type:
nano /bin/check-missing-firmware

Insert exit 0 directly after #!/bin/sh

Save file file with ctrl-o and the exit nano with ctrl-x

At the command prompt type:
exit
to exit back to the installer

Now you can install Debian without a problem :)

5 comments:

  1. Hi, I just purchased an ASUS 1015E-DS03 with ubuntu on it. I'd like to try some other distros such as crunch bang but cannot figure out how to boot from USB to e.g. install another distribution. Is there some magic incantation which works - apparently so since you appear to have done it. Any pointers appreciated. Thanks.

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    1. Steve I used a USB DVD drive. But recently installed Arch via USB. You have to set the hard drive boot priority in bios. Plus in your premade USB key. Boot with it up, the. Reboot with it plugged it. Load I to your bios and under boot you'll find the settings to set hard drive priority. Its super hidden. Hit me up if you need more help.

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  2. I was happy to read someone was able to install another distro on this Asus. I have had mine for a couple weeks and can't get it to boot (Xubuntu 12.04 Desktop AMD64 on a USB, installed through UUI installer on Windows). Any help would be greatly apppreciated.

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    1. Here's what worked for me:: make sure your USB thumb drive with the linux install is in fact working (perhaps test it by booting another machine with it?); after that, install the thumb drive, reboot computer, while computer is booting (immediately after the ASUS logo appears, or even before) hit F2 several times to enter the BIOS setup. In the BIOS setup, go to the page where you "save changes" and scroll down to "boot override" - choose the USB drive. Then save and exit the BIOS, At that point, it should boot from the thumb drive.

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    2. I installed and ran both Ubuntu 13.04 and 13.10 fine on the Asus 1015e. You might want to try a newer distro. Also the UUI Installer on Windows is notorious for being buggy. Reinstall or try a more traditional install method. Nothing beats a good USB or DVD install.

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