How do I get my Asus Eee PC series 900 to 'work'?!

[NormanG]

Hello there, this is all a bit random, a bit of a pig's ear, but any help much appreciated.

 

I have acquired the above, but simply can't get it to work properly.

 

In no particular order and with no particular logic:

 

I can't update XP. It says there are updates, but they fail.

 

I can't use IE because it says I need to upgrade, and it won't let me.

 

I tried to install Chrome (my browser), but it won't complete, saying can't uncompress files, or something like that.

 

I have managed to install Firefox, and it does work for a short while, but then always crashes.

 

I have also managed to install ccleaner, but every time I try to use it it reboots.

 

When I turn on I get a message that says: '.NET Framework: V2.0.50727 (Think this may have something to do with Skype, which was installed; or, perhaps EEStorage, whatever that is.)

 

When I go to My Computer there are two disks there. C, which has a total capacity of 3.73GB and 47.8MB free. But there's also a D Disk, which apparently has a capacity of 7.49GB and 6.99GB free. That seems odd to my simple mind. Where is this disk, how do I find it, how to use it, why is it there... ?

 

That's it, I think. I hope it makes some sense and would greatly appreciate any help going!

 

Many thanks

 

NG

[KenB]

Hi Norman

 

To answer just one question first:

 

You have a C: drive that is 3.73 GB ( 3,730 Mb ) and only 48Mb of free space.

This is not a lot of free space - and in reality the 3.73 GB partition is not very big at all.

The lack of free space could be the cause of some of your installation problems.

 

Where is D: ?

You have one hard-drive which is divided into 2 partitions. [ 3.73 GB and 7.49 GB ]

 

Why is it there?

It is quite common to divide a hard-drive into partitions.

This is usually done on bigger drives - using the second partition for storing photos etc . That way - if something goes wrong with the C: drive the photos should be safe and accessible.

 

Where do we go from here?

I suggest that you try to create some free space on the C: partition.

Delete anything that you don't need.

Look at installed software etc.

 

I am not at home until Monday - and the connection here is terrible !!

If I don't reply .....give me a reminder by posting here again on Monday. :)

[NormanG]

Thanks for all that, Ken.

 

I have looked at uninstalling, but don't know what half the programmes and so on are, so don't know if it's safe to remove many of them. I'll look again, though.

 

With regard to the D drive, I presume it's not possible to - as it were - work off that one, where there's plenty of space relatively speaking?

[KenB]

Hi Norman

 

Regarding D: Drive - it is possible to combine the two ( C: and D: ) but with XP it is not straightforward - unlike newer systems.

You will need to install yet another piece of software.

This is why we need to free up some space.

 

Have a look in Add / Remove .....if unsure about a specific piece of software leave it and ask.

 

It has taken me ages this morning just to get a connection .... I may not be able to reply until Monday. :(

[NormanG]

Thanks, Ken. No hurry at all.

[NormanG]

Hello again, here are some of the installations on C that I'm unsure about in terms of whether they're essential or not. I would be grateful for some advice as to which I can safely do without and uninstall.

 

Adobe Reader (128MB)

AiGuru UI (21)

Compatibility pack for 2007 Office (63)

EeeStorage (10)

Inter Video X Pack (18)

J2SE Runtime Environment (119)

Java (134)

Live Update (20)

Microsoft Office Powerpoint Viewer (61)

Microsoft Works (401)

Realtek High Definition Audio Driver (49)

 

I only really want to use this netbook for basics; browsing, writing letters/documents, looking at video, listening to audio, nothing particularly fancy. For example, I don't think I want all the Microsoft Works, only Word or the equivalent, but can't see where only some elements might be uninstalled.

 

I hope this makes sense and thanks for your help!

 

Neil

[KenB]

Hi Neil

 

I suspect you will want to keep some of the above/

 

Adobe Reader allows you to read / print PDF documents

Compatability Pack allows you to open / edit files from newer versions of Office

Java - there are applications and websites that will not function without this being installed

J2SE is also linked with Java - you can usually remove the oldest Java version.

Microsoft Office Powerpoint - not needed but if you do Powerpoint slide presentations then you will want to keep this.

Microsoft Works - again not needed. This is an old version of Office.

Realtek .....Audio Driver - this is linked to your Sound Card

 

Live Update could be linked with Norton AV

Inter Video X Pack - Connect with DVD supposed to improve picture quality

 

None of the above are essential - with the exception of Java which I would recommend that you keep.

 

You could also try Disk Cleanup

click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

It will analyse your system and tell you how much space it will reclaim - you need to OK this.

 

 

 

[NormanG]

Thanks, Ken; well, removing Works and Powerpoint will free 460MB, so will see what happens after that. Will also see if I can install on D rather than C. I didn't think it gave me that option, but perhaps it does.

[KenB]

Hi Norman

 

We can try merging the two partitions into one if you like ?

This would give you one big C: partition by merging D: into it.

 

To do this you will need EaseUS from here - click here

( it is free )

 

If you want to give it a try let me know when you have EaseUS on your system.

I think you will need to create some extra free space first.

 

When installing read each page of the installation.

You don't want "Tone Up" for instance - so uncheck the agreement.

[NormanG]

We can try, Ken, thanks, if you think it's worth it. However, I managed to install Revo Uninstaller on D, apparently uninstalled Works from C, supposedly freeing 410MB, but, bizarrely, it did no such thing. There's still only a thimble-full of free space on C and Firefox still crashes. We can have a go or I can throw it at the wall!

[KenB]

Hi Norman

 

Install EaseUS

 

This video will explain how easy it is to expand C: -

This is an older version of EaseUS so it may be slightly different.

 

You will need at least 100mb of free space on C: otherwise install EaseUS on D:

 

If unsure - just ask.

 

If you install on D: then you will not be able to move all of D: to C:.

Install on C: if you can.

Best to back up anything on D: that is wanted.

If there is nothing on D: that is needed then you should be able to incorporate all of D: onto C: