Installing Linux on an Awful Windows CE Netbook

Thanks to Case for letting me borrow this thing, and Ray for sending me the Debian files!

Yeah... you probably saw this one coming. Today we're gonna try and install Linux on that cheap Windows CE "netbook" that we explored a few videos ago.

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro & Recap
02:57 - Gathering files
09:40 - Arch
23:02 - Debian
31:54 - Outro

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● Music/Credits:
Background Music:
"A Kiss For Amanda", "A Night Alone", "By the Fireplace", and "Brighton Lights" from the YouTube Audio Library

Outro Music: Silent Partner - Bet On It

Some materials in this video are used under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, which allows "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, commenting, news reporting, teaching, and research.

#MichaelMJD #Linux #WindowsCE

[medec]

Fun fact, in most desktops, you can move windows by clicking and dragging anywhere while holding a key. It's usually ALT or the Windows/Super key by default. Lifesaver with some of these old netbooks.

The days of Windows XP letting you really make it look *awful*, but awful your own way, is the kind of fun that's missing these days.

[minecraftaccount-kzyn]

bro took "i use arch BTW" to a whole next level

[duplicake]

Action retro: Buys Sylvania Windows CE Netbook
Michael MJD: Buys Sylvania Windows CE Netbook
Action retro: Installs Debian
Michael MJD: Installs Debian & Arch

[FreeFireFull]

The most notable thing is just how much better the performance is with Linux, compared to the built-in Windows CE

[bakary_gassama]

@MichaelMJD You should try installing Android on this device, the WM8650 works with both Windows CE and Android, and you might get it a bit more usable with that.

[projectcafe_]

glad to have helped find the debian for this thing!

[knotrocket]

Too bad Arch had no networking, I wanted to see you attempt to install 13 years of Arch updates even though you already knew it won't boot after.

[laylabranom]

Compiling from scratch is the gentoo way. Arch is a bunch of pre-built binaries but you have to do a lot of configuration and setup.

[ThatOneWindowsFan]

Ah yes. My 2 favorite distros. Arch and *_DEEBIAN_*

[SeralyneYT]

Hi! Resident Arch Elitist here! I take offense to that statement, we do not compile all our software from source. What are we, Gentoo?

[kaiden_aka_forevrr]

i know its kinda common to imagine youtubers collabing but i think that a michael mjd and action retro collab will be both entertaining and amazing lol

[casualamber]

I suggest running TinyCore Linux on that CE laptop. the installation ISO is 17mb (not joking) The minimum requirements is 15mb for both RAM & memory + 21mb for storage.

It ‪really lives up to it's name.

[TheHangarHobbit]

It amazes me how well stock Debian runs on damn near anything. I have one of the AMD based EEE PCs that I wanted to keep usable since it was given to me by my late father and even Lubuntu ran like ass on it but with Debian with XFCE? Purrs like a kitten, even has no issues with 720p YT in 2024 with H264ify which is kinda nuts considering how weak those old netbook CPUs were even when new.

[riannaremmi]

"cuz i hope you guys think like that about me" you dont even know for how long i actually thing how cool all the stuff you do

[robsquared]

Today we bring a hapless computer kicking and screaming into the 2010s.

[FlyboyHelosim]

Me: "Mom, can we get a Linux laptop?"
Mom: "We've got a Linux laptop at home!"
** the Linux laptop at home **

[Gruntzilla]

In most Linux Desktop Environments if you hold down ALT and then click anywhere in the window and drag you can move the window without having to click and drag on the title bar. This can help the next time you have a window that's too large for the screen.

[RetroGamerOG_]

The name “internet device” reminds me of my Nokia n810 but it had debian

[jamesonthehills]

surprised you actually got it running tbh. people used to flash old versions of android on these things

[Fennek_Fox_]

Speaking about arch...
Uwuntu strikes back!
Meet Nyarch!