Gnome/Debian won't install with a single USB port, because of lack of onscreen keyboard support. You can't plug in a USB keyboard + the install drive.
Fix was to run Archlinux, because it loads in RAM, no USB drive needed (hooray!). h/t @thememesniper
Installing archlinux is not for the faint of heart... definitely CLI land. But it's do-able.
Linux without a real keyboard sucks. On screen keyboard (OSK) for Gnome is only semi-functional, also had to load onboard. Still only a so-so solution. I think a foldable/portable USB keyboard in my future.
Need a USB expander/hub to make this platform usable for a lot of stuff I am thinking of (ham radio).
@Yumquotient@thememesniper Bluetooth keyboard might work, but I will need to find and install a Bluetooth module; it's not showing up in the hardware list; there is an option for a secondary USB module, but I am not sure if it occupies the current location of the non-standard Ethernet port on this machine. (the fun of random hardware on eBay, LOL). All possibilities now that I know I can load modern Linux versions on here (apparently no documentation of anyone else doing so... but that may be the search engines being crap nowadays).
@ai6yr@thememesniper Searching further, looks like you’re right: “bluetooth capable”… bummer. I’m leaning more towards a toughbook so I have a keyboard, which, sounds like was one of your obstacles.
@Yumquotient@thememesniper I have Toughbooks as well. For keyboard heavy work or if you need accessories (ie DB9 serial port, DVD player, flash card reader), they are definitely better. But a lot heavier. Now that I have this thing running, I am liking the small size.
@Yumquotient@thememesniper Looks like "cellwriter" is an acceptable key input device. The on screen keyboards are not great. Battery life on this looks to be calculating at around 2.5 to 3 hours... the toughbooks tend to be 8-12 hours depending on battery. Also a consideration.
@Yumquotient@thememesniper I am looking at this as a backpackable PC that could be used for some ham radio stuff that requires a PC, and it would be MUCH better for that than a toughbook.
@Yumquotient@thememesniper Running out to a park, running a Wi-Fi scan across a neighborhood, running a SDR dongle... lots of possibility for sure. The price is pretty darn good too, the seller I purchased this from (in Canada) has a ton of them now even cheaper... probably wants to pad out their Q4 sales numbers, LOL. New batteries are expensive though (more expensive than the units themselves being sold on eBay!), probably worth buying one with a good battery.
@jbaggs It's actually got a VERY GOOD screen, daylight readable. And it's MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certified... which is pretty dang good. Just need a portable keyboard to go with it.
@jbaggs This one seems like an option. Lack of USB ports would be the downside, but it's extremely lightweight vs. a Toughbook. (had considered a CF-31, but decided I would try out the Toughpad). I am trying to switch a lot of my stuff to the rugged machines, because the Toughbooks I have are awesome (albeit, slow). Watch the battery availability for the Panasonics, however... my son has a newer one, and the batteries are unobtainium.
@ai6yr It's not in the current budget and a bit low on the priorities list. If I saw one on ebay for a low price like you did though I'd definitely nab one.
@ai6yr Victory! Congratulations!
I spent years installing various flavors on devices never meant to run Linux back then. It was always some driver or another for me. Super happy to see your success—and quickly done, too.
@thememesniper Fighting the "only one USB port" problem right now. On screen keyboard doesn't work on the install software, LOL. Unplug the USB install disk, and it no longer runs. I'm sure I'll figure it out.. that's the fun.
@thememesniper Well, boy, Arch Linux is definitely hard core. Think I'm going to try the user-friendly USB-hub-and-Ubuntu, as (even though I've done it many times) the painful step-by-step connecting to wlan, partitioning, etc. does not bode well for plug-and-plus later, ha ha. Will do that if Ubuntu fails (Debian already not supporting the touchsscreen too well). Arch is running, however, with Internet access and all in RAM.
@thememesniper Although... being able to ssh in does help. Now I'm thinking maybe I do the same to the ubuntu and pipe the Xterm to another machine for the install 🤔
@bud_t Yep! The only problem, is I can't install anything, because it won't take on-screen keyboard input for install (as soon as I unplug the install USB, it all goes to pot... only one USB port). So, either I need to figure out how to get the on-screen keyboard to always pop up (working on that), or maybe I can try a USB hub or keyboard with USB hub built in....
@ai6yr hmm. Is it still running windows too? You have Ubuntu on a live boot USB I am guessing. If this is the case and you feel comfortable going nuclear on it, you might format the whole thing first and do a clean isntall of Ubuntu with new partitions.
@Yumquotient@bud_t USB port works fine, the issue is if you pull the running install USB for Ubuntu, it runs into errors. Buying an el-cheapo ($3!) USB hub to give that a try, so I can plug in a keyboard/mouse next to the USB drive.
@ai6yr@Yumquotient good luck. My next thought was to try a different distro. I successfuly installed PopOS on an MS Surface and the onscreen keyboard works no worries. Different hardware, I know, but it might be an option.
@bud_t@Yumquotient Loaded Arch Linux, no problem. But now thinking I might be able to try to run this install remotely... If not will go the USB option.
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