Latest steps to install Xubuntu (Ubuntu) on T100TA

First of all:

Please read these webpages:

1. http://www.jfwhome.com/2016/01/04/latest-steps-to-install-ubuntu-on-the-asus-t100ta/
2. http://askubuntu.com/questions/392719/32-bit-uefi-boot-support
3. https://wiki.debian.org/InstallingDebianOn/Asus/T100TA

and forgive my broken English.

Introduction:

Pros in using Ubuntu rather than Windows on T100:

• Nothing special, but I want.
• Graphics: VLC can play ANY 1080p videos, even in high compression (while broken pictures in Windows VLC).

Cons in using Ubuntu rather than Windows on T100:

• Touchscreen: Most software doesn't support touchscreen, only Evince and Eye of GNOME do. You can install add-ons in Firefox and Chrome to emulate, and no other software supports.
• Touchscreen: OS can detect multitouch, but most software cannot recognize it (You can use two fingers to zoom in/out at Evince only).
• Backlight: I can't try out any working solution, maybe I did something wrong.
• Camera: Drop out thinking of it, it won't work anymore.
• Bluetooth: I can't get it right, so I give up making it working.

Pros in using Xubuntu rather than Ubuntu on T100:

• Less memory usage: Xubuntu only use 14% out of 2G after boot, while Ubuntu use 25% after boot. Even you open memory monster Firefox, it only consume about 22% memory.
• Less QT-base program relative: I love KDE desktop, but it's not suitable installing on a 2G memory computer. Xubuntu can install GTK-based GUI program without re-installing GTK environment, this is why I choose Xubuntu.

Cons in using Xubuntu rather than Ubuntu on T100:

• As of 16.04.1, built-in picture browsing software doesn't support touch screen. Use Eye of GNOME instead, it support basic touch gesture.

Pros in using x86 Xubuntu rather than x64 on T100:

• Slightly less memory: about 2%.
• Slightly running faster: a psychological effects, maybe.

Cons in using x64 Xubuntu rather than x86 on T100:

• Google stop supporting softwares on x86 linux, like Google Chrome and Google Earth. It is not a big deal if you choose Chromium instead, but I must install Chrome Remote Desktop, so I give up x86 at last.

Installation:

1. Media preparation:
Take a USB drive, format to FAT32, copy all Xubuntu (Ubuntu, Kubuntu) ISO files to it, nothing special.

Downlad debian-*-amd64-i386-netinst.iso from here, then do every steps on second link above. I have tried x86 and x64 installation, it both works.

For x64: copy debian.iso/efi/boot/bootia32.efi to USB/EFI/BOOT/, and copy debian.iso/efi/boot/grub/i386-efi USB/boot/grub.

Note 1:
Using file manager is OK, rsync is not necessary.

Note 2:
Do NOT use bootloader bootia32.efi in first page link above (as he said), it is a little bit outdated. I used that file, and T100 got a lot of IO error while installing, it waste me 4 hours to try.

Note 3:
Please remove micro SD before installation, or you may get trouble.




2. Xubuntu installer:
At disk partition page, I wipe out the disk (create new table). I didn't use swap partition, it works fine until now. If you are worrying about this, you can add swap file after installation.

Click "Next", and the installer will ask where are you.



WAIT A SECOND!

If the installer prompt a dialog ask you whether to continue(about UEFI and legacy BIOS booting, like this), PLEASE click "Continue" NOW. If you click at next step(ask your keyboard), the installer will hang. In this case, I reboot and start over the installation progress.

Note 1:
If the installer (or whole OS) hangs during installing progress, don't hesitate and reboot. I got this situation several times.

Note 2:
To prevent hangs, I move my mouse every 2 minutes at last, and wish T100 won't hang.


3. First boot
Just follow "First boot" to "Completing the installation" session in first link, but don't reboot at last instruction.

Install grub manually(taken from third link):

sudo apt install grub-efi-ia32
sudo grub-install --target i386-efi

And reboot.


4. Sound

Do "Sound" session on first link.


5. Screen rotation

Follow third link "Screen rotation" session. Script provided in first link doesn't work correctly.