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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

In this tutorial we will wipe the default OS (Linpus Lite) from the internal 8GB SSD (or hard drive in the case of the AOA150) and install Peppermint (Six) Linux is its place.

Why would you want to do this .. Well Linpus Lite, though small and fast is based on Fedora core 8 which is a very old Linux distribution that has been out of active development for quite some time .. so Linpus Lite doesn't receive any updates, and it is nearly impossible to get any new software to install without jumping through hoops, if at all.

Peppermint (Six) on the other hand is based on the MUCH more recent Ubuntu 14.04.2 (Long Term Support release .. supported until 2019), but uses the LXDE desktop (with the Xfce4 window manager/compositor) which is more like a "normal" desktop environment, and is also small, light, and fast .. it also has the added benefit of having access to the Ubuntu software repositories, so it is VERY easy to install the latest software.

If you want a quick look at what the Peppermint Six desktop will look like by default, see here:
http://peppermintos.com/screenshots/ (http://peppermintos.com/screenshots/)
(obviously the appearance, wallpaper, themes, icons, etc. can easily be changed, and/or you can add dock bars such as docky/cairo-dock/etc. if you wish)
Or for a more in depth look at what Peppermint is all about, why not take a look through all the Peppermint user guide sections, here:
http://peppermintos.com/guide/ (http://peppermintos.com/guide/)

As you can see it has a single panel at the bottom, an application menu, a system tray, and a workspace that you can put application icons (shortcuts), files, or directories on .. in fact (good or bad) it's very similar to the Windows layout.

I'm going to set out this tutorial in stages .. the first stage will tell you how to download the Peppermint Six ISO image, and how to use a Windows PC to write it to a 1GB or larger USB Stick.

The following stages will deal with installation, then some post-installation tasks to get Peppermint "just right".

These instructions may *look* complex at first glance, but take it from me it is easier than it looks



OK, Stage 1 ..

Downloading the Peppermint (Six) ISO image (to a Windows PC) and writing it to the USB stick

The following instructions are for creating a Peppermint Six LiveUSB stick using a Windows PC .. if you need instructions for creating a LiveUSB on an Ubuntu based Linux distro including an earlier version of Peppermint, see the instructions at the end of this posting.

On your Windows PC, download the Peppermint (Six) 32bit ISO image from here:
http://peppermintos.com/iso/Peppermint-6-20150518-i386.iso (http://peppermintos.com/iso/Peppermint-6-20150518-i386.iso)
or see here:
http://peppermintos.com (http://peppermintos.com)

Once you've got the ISO image .. download Universal USB Installer (version 1.9.5.5 or higher) from here:
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/ (http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/)

Start Universal USB Installer, and at ..

Step 1 .. In the drop down list, select PeppermintOS
Step 2  .. point it at the ISO image you downloaded
Step 3 .. Choose your (already plugged in >= 1GB) USB stick .. probably best to let it format it too, so backup its contents first.
Step 4 .. (if available) Set the slider to the largest persistence file it will allow you.. so you can save changes. (if you want to test drive it first)

Heres a pic of the Universal USB Installer interface

Click Create .. and wait till it's done .. it will take a while, and *may* appear to have stopped .. but just wait till it says it's "Done" .. as in the following pic

Pic of Universal USB Installer .. Installing to USB Stick

Once the LiveUSB has been created, click Close, plug it into your AA1, then turn ON your AA1 .. as soon as you see the first screen (Acer Empowering People), hit the F12 key to access the boot device selection screen .. and select the USB HDD as the drive to boot from and hit Enter to boot.

When asked, select "Try Peppermint" not "Install Peppermint"

Be aware .. running from a USB stick will be quite a bit slower that running it from the internal SSD after installation, so don't draw any conclusions about speed at this point

I *can* tell you that once installed, it takes slightly longer to boot than Linpus Lite .. but once booted it loads/runs applications just as quickly .. and has access to all the latest software.

Once you've got to a working desktop, you can either test drive Peppermint from the USB stick .. or you can just click the "Install Peppermint" icon that will be on the desktop .. but we'll get to that in a bit



For users creating the LiveUSB stick in another version of Peppermint (or other Ubuntu based distro) -

First you'll need too install usb-creator-gtk, so open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:

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sudo apt-get install usb-creator-gtk

Now from your menu's go to menu > System Tools > Startup Disk Creator

Here's what to expect -

I've found it's usually best to let it format the USB stick first, so in the bottom pane select your USB stick, and hit the "Erase Disk" button, and enter your password if prompted.

Once the format is done, in the top pane, select the ISO image you want to create the LiveUSB stick from (if it's not already there, browse to it by clicking the "Other" button)

If you want the LiveUSB to be persistent (ie. able to save changes), make sure "Store in reserved extra space" is selected, and use the slider to adjust the size of the persistence file (the amount of room set aside for saving changes).

Click the "Make Startup Disk" button.

You'll be prompted for your password a couple of times before it tells you the LiveUSB has been created and is ready for use.

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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Stage 2 ..

Using the LiveUSB you just created to install Peppermint (Six) to the internal SSD (or HDD)

Make sure you have NO SD cards inserted during the Peppermint install .. they may interfere with the installation procedure

This part is very easy .. Plug the LiveUSB into your AA1, then turn ON your AA1 .. as soon as you see the first screen (Acer Empowering People), hit the F12 key to access the boot device selection screen .. and select the USB stick as the drive to boot from and hit Enter to boot.

When asked, select "Try Peppermint" not "Install Peppermint"

When you get to the desktop .. Click the Install Peppermint icon on the desktop, and follow the onscreen prompts to install Peppermint

If you have your netbook connected to your router by an ethernet cable (or have enabled wireless from the Live desktop), when asked by the installer, put ticks in the boxes to

Install extra software
and
Install updates during installation

Otherwise leave them unticked.

If at any stage during the install process you're asked if you want to use LVM, or encryption, say NO

When you get to the Allocate drive space part of the installer, allow it to replace Fedora release8 (werewolf) and use the whole drive.

When you get to the part where it ask you for a username and password etc .. here's a few hints -

You will be asked for things like -

Name:
Computername:
Username:
Password:
Re-Enter Password:

The Computername field will probably be autofilled for you after you've entered your name .. but you can change it.

Make sure the Username is all lower case, and no spaces

Here's what I used for MY AA1

Name: Mark Greaves
Computername: mark-AA1
Username: mark
Password: whatever_you_want
Re-Enter Password: whatever_you_want (again)

so keep the username short and lower case (and no spaces)

Password rules .. I think it needs to be at least 6 digits and at least one number .. and remember, passwords ARE case sensitive.

It may be a good idea to write down what you enter here, so you don't forget them .. you WILL need at least the Username and Password later on, so don't forget them.

When asked if you want to enable "Auto Login" (Login Automatically) .. tick that option if you DON'T want to have to enter your username and password at each boot.

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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Stage 3 ..

Entering your Wireless key

When the installation has finished and you have rebooted to the internal SSD (or HDD) ..

Whilst on the desktop ..

Click the NetworkManager icon (it looks like little steps, or two unplugged cables in the system tray, by the clock) on the bottom panel .. you should be presented with a list of available wireless networks.

Click YOUR network, and you will be given a message about "System Policy preventing changes" asking for your password .. this dialog box expects your PEPPERMINT password (NOT your wireless key), so enter it and hit "Authenticate"

you should NOW be prompted for the WEP or WPA(2) key.

Enter your wireless network key, and click Connect.

That's it.. you're connected

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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Stage 4 ..

Enabling the extra software repositories

In the menu, go to System Tools > Synaptic Package Manager, enter your password, when Synaptic starts -

Go to Settings > Repositories .. when a new window opens -

On the "Peppermint Software" tab, make sure ALL 5 boxes are ticked.

On the "Other Software" tab, make sure all boxes are ticked EXCEPT (if present) the one that starts with cdrom:

Click Close

Click the Reload button on the Synaptic toolbar.

Close Synaptic.

(It's IMPORTANT that you close Synaptic, or the commands in the next stage won't run)

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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Stage 5 ..

Run a System Update

Open a terminal by hitting these 3 keys at the same time Ctrl+Alt+T

When the terminal opens, enter:

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sudo apt-get update
and hit the Enter key .. you will be prompted for your password, so enter your password and hit Enter again.

Be aware .. when entering your password into a terminal, nothing will get echoed to screen (not even ******) but it is going in .. also remember Linux commands (and your password) ARE  case sensitive.

When that command completes, and leaves you back at an $ prompt, (still in the terminal) run:

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sudo apt-get upgrade
then

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sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
to pull in any software and kernel updates.

When that command completes, REBOOT  <-- IMPORTANT that you reboot here

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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Stage 6 ..

Installing the extra software (part one).

OK, we're going to install the extra software in 2 stages .. the first stage to install most of the software .. but we'll leave out ubuntu-restricted-extras and lubuntu-restricted-extras because those packages also install the ttf-mscorefonts-installer which sometimes causes problems with it's license acceptance window.
(you WILL want these package, because they installs support for mp3, flash etc. but we'll install them later in the tutorial)

In the menu, go to Accessories > Terminal

When the terminal opens, enter:

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sudo apt-get update
then:

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sudo apt-get install firefox libreoffice thunderbird skype && sudo update-apt-xapian-index
hit enter, and your password if/when asked .. and if it prompts you for a y/n, hit y and enter.

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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Stage 7 ..

Installing the extra software (part two)

Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:

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sudo apt-get install ttf-mscorefonts-installer
at some point the terminal will turn blue telling you you need to accept a license, with <ok> at the bottom ..
hit the Tab key so the <ok> is highlighted red .. hit the Enter key ..
the next screen will have <yes> <no>, again hit the Tab key so/until <yes> is highlighted red .. and hit the Enter key.

It will now install.

Once ttf-mscorefonts-installer has finished installing .. still in the terminal run:

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sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras lubuntu-restricted-extras
The restricted-extras packages should now install without issue because the license for ttf-mscorefonts-installer has already been accepted.



Java -

Be Aware .. the java browser plugin will only work in Firefox or pre-Aura versions of Chrome/Chromium, Google have decided to no longer support NPAPI plugins in the Aura versions.

If you're going to NEED Java support (see warning below), you may want to install the openjdk-7-jre and icedtea-7-plugin .. so back in the terminal, run:

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sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre icedtea-7-plugin
WARNING .. there is a known security vulnerability in Java 6 and 7 that can allow someone that exploits it to break out of the java sandbox .. so if you don't need Java don't install it .. if you do, disable the icedtea plugin in your web browser and only ever enable it for websites that require java.

[Update]

If you'd prefer to try the Oracle Java 9 (JDK9 and JRE9) you can follow the instructions on this webpage:
http://www.webupd8.org/2015/02/install-oracle-java-9-in-ubuntu-linux.html (http://www.webupd8.org/2015/02/install-oracle-java-9-in-ubuntu-linux.html)
But be aware Java is still prone to security vulnerabilities.

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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Stage 8 ..

Fixing the Microphone for Skype.

First you need to change a setting in Skype .. so go to:-

menu > Internet > Skype

When Skype starts, login .. then when Skype is running and you're logged in .. right-click the Skype icon in the system tray (bottom right, by the clock) and select:-

Options > Sound Devices and make SURE the -

Allow Skype to control my mixer levels

option is NOT ticked .. click the "Apply" button .. now quit Skype by right-clicking the Skype icon in the system tray (by the clock) and selecting "Quit".

Open a terminal and enter:

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alsamixer
and hit enter.

The terminal will change to a mixer.

Hit F4 to change to the Capture devices.

Hit the right arrow key .. so Capture is light in red (at the bottom).

Hit the Q key till the left volume is at 75% .. the Z key will lower if you go too far.

Hit the C key till the right volume is at 0% .. the E key will raise it, but you want it on zero

Close the terminal

Fire up Skype again and test the mic.

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[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Stage 9 (optional - if your fan is running all the time)..
(this stage is for Peppermint Six [6] ONLY .. the fist command would be different for other versions of Peppermint)

Fixing the CPU fan (stopping it from running all the time)

The "acerhdf" module is already part of the kernel in Peppermint 6, but it contains a bug that stops it workin, so we're going to install a patched version from my server (this is a DKMS module, so will automatically recompile after kernel updates, so is "install and forget") .. so open a terminal and run these commands in sequence:

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sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic-lts-utopic build-essential dkms
then:

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mkdir ~/acerhdf-dkms
then:

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cd ~/acerhdf-dkms
then:

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wget http://www.pcnetspec.co.uk/public/acerhdf-dkms_0.5.30b.tar.gz
then:

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tar xvf acerhdf-dkms_0.5.30b.tar.gz
then:

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cd ~/acerhdf-dkms/acerhdf-dkms_0.5.30b
then:

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sudo dkms add ./acerhdf
then:

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sudo dkms install acerhdf/0.5.30b
then:

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echo "options acerhdf interval=5 fanon=60000 fanoff=55000 kernelmode=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/acerhdf.conf
then:

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sudo modprobe -r acerhdf
then:

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sudo modprobe acerhdf
The fan should now work properly, and only come on when the temperature reaches 60C, and go off again shortly after it's dropped to 55C.

You can check the temperature by running the following command in a terminal:

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cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp

the temperature will be returned  in this format -
60000 = 60C
55000 = 55C
46000 = 46C
etc.

It would be a good idea to keep an eye on the temperature for a short while, just to check the fan does come on when the temperature reaches 60000, and goes off again shortly after it's dropped to 55000 .. be aware, running the command to check the temperature takes a single reading, so you will have to run it again to get another reading.



NOTES

Running

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dmesg | grep acerhdf
then looking for the last line with a version, should show that you're running version 0.5.30b (patched dkms version), if there's no mention of 0.5.30b in the output and the only version listed is 0.5.26, something went wrong so please post below.

FYI -
You may also see a kernel warning:
module verification failed: signature and/or  required key missing - tainting kernel
this is nothing to worry about .. it just means the module has been modified but not signed by the original developer.



At this point the Peppermint 5 tutorial included an extra section about installing the TLP power manager, this is no longer necessary as most of what TLP did is now part of the kernel .. do NOT attempt to install TLP in Peppermint 6, it will cause an issue with future updates.

That's it you've completed the tutorial for installing Peppermint Six on your AA1 .. give yourself a pat on the back and start enjoying Peppermint Six

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[kenno]

Hello Mark,
lovely tutorial thanks very much, I was wanting to carry out the 'fan mods' as described, I can't reach your files on your server, do you still maintain it, or have I missed the boat...

Thanks again

Ken

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Which distro/version are you using kenno ?

acerhdf is now part of the kernel so should no longer be necessary.

If you get any output from:

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modinfo acerhdf
just carry on from the line

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echo "options acerhdf interval=5 fanon=60000 fanoff=55000 kernelmode=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/acerhdf.conf



[EDIT]

But if you're still using Peppermint 6 .. I've attached the file you're after below.

[kenno]

Thanks Mark, just the job. I was using the Peppermint 6 distro, so thanks for the file - all good now.

Cheers
Ken

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

You're welcome Ken