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We need a hardware FAQ for the wiki, so I'd like to start a thread both asking questions, and answering questions (post a question for others if you don't know the answer yourself). We can then transfer the best answers across to the wiki.
Below are some questions I'd like answered. If you categorically know the answer then provide an answer. Bold up the question so it's clear. Please try to avoid discussion of the answers in this thread. If necessary, use the PM function of the forum to ask the other person to edit their reply with your suggested correction. Let's keep this thread concise and uncluttered. If you don't know the answer, then don't waste a reply telling us so!
Try to avoid providing the link for a long thread that provides the answer because that increases the work for the person copying to the wiki -- if necessary, cut and paste the older posting into your reply here and provide a credit for the person who originally wrote the posting.
1. Why does the CPU of the Eee appear to run at 630MHz?
2. How can I make the CPU run at 900MHz?
3. How do I update the BIOS when running Eee Linux/Windows/any distro?
4. I've heard rumours that the USB ports don't run at USB2.0 speed. Is this right?
5. Is it true that Black Eee models don't include the same hardware as the white Eees?
6. How do I expand the memory and what type should I use?
7. Is it worthwhile using faster memory?
8. Can I overclock my Eee, and if so, how?
9. Are the rumours about an Eee with a 10in screen correct?
10. What type of memory cards can I use with my Eee?
11. What's the faster memory card technology -- MMC or SD?
12. If I run two monitors, do I get two desktops, or is the one desktop mirrored?
13. My Eee makes a whistling noise. How can I stop this?
14. What types of peripherals can I use in the Mini-PCIe slot on the bottom of my Eee?
15. My Eee's touchpad needs a firm press for it to work/the touchpad seems a bit flaky. How do I fix this?
16. How can I extend my battery life as much as possible?
Last edited by rs-px (2007-11-16 9:05:33 am)
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This thread will obtain gummification once a good number of the questions have answers.
Can I suggest adding numbers to the questions, and that answers with be in non-bold font?
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1. Why does the CPU of the Eee appear to run at 630MHz?
Because it is. The shipping BIOS for the Eee has locked the front-side-bus (FSB) at 70MHz instead of the expected 100MHz. This reduces the Eee's speed.
2. How can I make the CPU run at 900MHz?
There is a BIOS available from ASUS, number 8804, that enables the option to run at 100FSB/900MHz; however, several members have reported instability, wavy lines on the screen, or complete system failure ("bricking") from attempting to use this BIOS.
4. I've heard rumours that the USB ports don't run at USB2.0 speed. Is this right?
Earlier Eee BIOS revisions did not run the ports at USB 2.0 speeds. Flashing to the latest stable BIOS (As of 2007-11-16, this is 0401) enables USB 2.0 speeds.
5. Is it true that Black Eee models don't include the same hardware as the white Eees?
We have heard reports that the black Eee models are missing the secondary MiniPCIe slot. This appears to be a change in later revisions - if your serial number begins with 7A, you likely have the second slot. Any higher number may not.
6. How do I expand the memory and what type should I use?
The memory can be expanded by removing the bottom panel of the Eee (which voids your warranty) and replacing the preinstalled memory with a larger-capacity module. The Eee takes standard DDR2 SODIMM modules in sizes up to 2GB.
7. Is it worthwhile using faster memory?
The Intel 910GML chipset of the Eee PC is limited to a memory bus of 400MHz only. Using faster memory will not affect the performance of the Eee.
8. Can I overclock my Eee, and if so, how?
Currently (2007-11-16) there is no ability to overclock the Eee, aside from unlocking the 900MHz core speed as described in #2.
9. Are the rumours about an Eee with a 10in screen correct?
As of 2007-11-16, no - ASUS has no plans at this time to introduce a larger-screen Eee.
10. What type of memory cards can I use with my Eee?
MMC, SD, SDHC, and the Micro/Mini variants of SD memory, with applicable conversion cards.
11. What's the faster memory card technology -- MMC or SD?
SD is the faster memory technology. Note that speed of SD memory cards may differ greater from manufacturer to manufacturer.
12. If I run two monitors, do I get two desktops, or is the one desktop mirrored?
Under the standard Xandros Linux, the single desktop is mirrored.
Under Windows XP or a replacement Linux installation, the desktop may be extended or mirrored.
13. My Eee makes a whistling noise. How can I stop this?
A whistling noise can typically be attributed to "coil whine" - a high-pitched noise generated by battery charging circuitry. This can be alleviated by removing the battery once it has been fully charged, and the laptop is running on AC power alone.
14. What types of peripherals can I use in the Mini-PCIe slot on the bottom of my Eee?
tristand has determined a way to add standard USB devices to the MiniPCIe slot. This upgrade requires soldering, and of course, voiding your warranty - it is recommended only for advanced users.
http://forum.eeeuser.com/viewtopic.php?id=2334
15. My Eee's touchpad needs a firm press for it to work/the touchpad seems a bit flaky. How do I fix this?
The sensitivity setting of your touchpad may need to be adjusted in your operating system.
16. How can I extend my battery life as much as possible?
Any or all of the following steps can be taken:
- Disable wireless when it is not in use
- Lower the screen brightness and increase ambient lighting in the area
- Lower or mute the speaker volume
- Unplug bus-powered USB devices when they are not in use
- Disable the camera device in the BIOS
- Minimize processor-intensive activity
- Run the Eee at stock speeds if you have enabled the 900MHz option
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I've added this to the wiki: http://wiki.eeeuser.com/eee_hardware_faq. I suggest we use that as a master copy and create a sticky here pointing to it.
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OK, I've added a few more common questions to the FAQ on the Wiki. As with all wikis, it will benefit from others reviewing and editing, so feel free.
Note that you can directly link to specific answers by copying the link address from the list on the right of the FAQ. So should somebody post here complaining that their Eee's CPU only runs at 630MHz, you could provide the following link: http://wiki.eeeuser.com/eee_hardware_fa … _at_630mhz
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The Hardware FAQ has been significantly expanded and now contains info about memory (no, you don't need DDR2-800) and BIOSes. Plus misc other stuff, such as the all-new info about overclocking.
Here's hoping the mods add a sticky pointing to it 
Last edited by rs-px (2007-11-18 1:03:45 pm)
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