There are two types of iso files to choose from, an 'Alternate' and a 'Desktop'. Alternate is the 'lite' installation method, while the 'Desktop' is the bells and whistles version, but only on a graphical scale as they both do the same thing. For example, while the Partition editor on Alternate looks like this:

The same process on the 'Desktop' version looks like this:

Anyway, using the Alternate iso I created a bootable USB via method described on my last post , search for the words 'create a usb startup disk'.

When I decided to go xubuntu I chose this method thinking it'd be the 'safer' choice, or at least 'faster' than the Desktop version. I installed Kubuntu via the Desktop version as well, so reason has it that if that worked out, alternate would fly, right? As it turns out, ten minutes or so into an installation, directly after partitioning the disks and entering user details, while it's doing something (allowing me to do other things) it suddenly turns off.

I tried it 2 to 3 times and even removed the battery to run purely on the wall charge, thinking it might be a battery issue. Each time, it just shut down, no warning, no error message, nothing.

I considered updating the BIOS, but I felt it too drastic and risky. Besides the latest BIOS update didn't mention a fix to any such issue.

So instead, I downloaded the Desktop install version. Two hours later (spent watching Transformers on HBO and cooking dinner), voila:

my xubuntu powered MSI Wind, posing beside by ubuntu powered desktop (they're friends now). Picture above shows me installing the wifi drivers via ssh, with instructions I learned from here.

As expected it runs blazingly fast on Scout albeit (whispering in case she might hear me) waaaay ugly compared to previously installed Kubuntu. But that's the beauty of it. It looks almost as simplistic as, say, Windows 3.1, but as a result windows and apps just pop up and you're confident your commands fire away.

Which is in effect, what we want from our PCs, and from all machines we use in general. We want them to look nice, but at the end of the day when you want / need something done you want to issue a command and BANG it does it, no questions asked, no drama, just results.

Besides, strangely yet expectedly so, there are places on the net which teach you how to tweak your xubuntu to make it look and act like Vista or Leopard - a practice contrary, you would think, to the purpose of making a 'light' OS, but hey, if there's anything consistent with Ubuntu and Linux in general, it's that if it's tweakable, it will, and probably should, be tweaked.

At any rate, said issue is gone now, with no small measure of relief. This prompts me to proceed with discussing the unboxing and preparation of said Scout. First off, le box unwrapped:

With all the contents, including the Warranty Booklet, a CD which I haven't opened yet, 3 Cell Battery (couldn't find a 6 cell so this is a pain), Warranty Card, Power Supply, CE Compliance Booklet and a gift voucher offering a discount on Norton 360 and a Linksys Wifi G Router for only P2,099 (which is actually a sweet deal).

Anyway, moving on. I slip on the battery..

Open it (yes I'm doing this on my bed for lack of space).

.. turn it on, and I'm greeted with the Free DOS c: prompt, which is of course, useless.

Fortunately with my trusty 1gb. Kingston USB Drive..

.. plus Ubuntu's handy 'Create a USB Startup Disk' feature and a KDE ISO image I recently downloaded for this purpose..

.. I proceed with creating a Kubuntu USB Startup Disk. After which I plug the USB before booting Scout like so:

.. Press F11 while booting Scout, which results in a 'Please select boot device' screen. Naturally I choose the USB option.

And voila! Scout is now ready to install Kubuntu!

It takes a while though, but everything's pretty automated.

Finally nearly an hour later, I have Scout running the very elegant and smooth looking Kubuntu.

Which is as everyone who's ever done this knows of course, is far from over. First you have to update it:

Then you have to fix it so it works and looks the way you want it, such as how I'm installing msttcorefonts here:

The result? After two days, I've decided that I do not want KDE not because it's not pretty and good to work with (it is!), it's just that it's too different from what I'm used to and represents a too - big adjustment for me.

I'm not trying to duck the haters here, I think KDE is great as it is beautiful. I'd have stuck to it no doubt if I'd have started with it, but Gnome + Ubuntu is where I've started, I have 8.10 on my desktop PC (as I showed earlier), and so am not keen on re-learning stuff just to use it. At the end of the day these things aren't toys but rather tools we use to get things done, and so I need to make things as easy and predictable for me. Hence goodbye KDE and hello..

.. Xubuntu, which is what I used on my previous laptop Karen (may she rest in peace). It's very close to how Gnome works and faster.

So that's it, that's my report on my new MSI Wind U100x named Scout and how I got it unboxed and working. A work in progress from which countless blog posts will no doubt, result from hereonwards.

Incidentally, *'Scout' is from the lead character in To Kill a Mockingbird, whole name: Jean-Louise Finch, which I'm finally reading. It is without a doubt one of the most fascinating storytelling efforts I have ever encountered. A true work of art packed in a P175.00 purchase off of National Bookstore, stuffed in my backpocket. A fact whose irony has not escaped me whilst reading it in transit from MOA and back, trudging along the dirty highways and busy pathways of our polluted and over populated Metro.

There's something special about reading a book that transports you to a different time and place. I had come to look forward to these long trips to work just to read that wonderful little book. With it, radios can blare on their pathetic garble, people can elbow and push their way in and around you. In my mind, I'm in 1950s race - divided Alabama, absorbing the trials and tribulations of a 9 year old girl.

And now comes the 2nd part of this report, which is to sadly document a problem. Shockingly (and I kid not), there is a minor current of electricity emanating from the VGA port on the right hand side, between the LAN and fan ports.

This only happens when it's running on AC, meaning its plugged in. Otherwise while running on batteries, it's fine.

I suspect that it wasn't closed properly when we installed an extra 1gb. of RAM where I bought it. Some electric juice might be flowing through the chassis and coming out the right side.

So far, it hasn't affected the performance though, as I'm using it to make this blogpost right now. I just found out about this problem a few minutes ago when I was writing this. I was all set to write a more glowing review, considering it has turned out to be everything I thought it'd be and more. I'm quite happy with it, or rather, was, until of course aforementioned problem occurred.

Nothing a quick visit back to my vendor won't fix of course. Hassle, but it has to be done. In the meantime, I'm turning this off and turning in for the night. I had plans on reinstalling the OS with ordinary Ubuntu (I'm not really happy with Kubuntu), but because of said issue, I think I'll shelve that idea till I get this fixed or replaced.