Communications on board

[boatmike]

I know this subject has been done to death before but most posts assume a basic knowledge. I am a bit prehistoric so bear with me and assume I know nothing. You won't be far wrong!

I have two questions


1.Currently I operate a laptop computer on a home WiFi (Virgin media) I recently bought an Asus notebook to take on the boat but compared to my Sony Vaio laptop it is painfully slow. It came loaded with windows and I have not loaded loads of other stuff on it to slow it down. It has always been slow even when on my home broadband, so it's not the WiFi that's slow its the notebook. I only want it for e-mails and looking at simple webpages, not downloading movies etc, but it's painful. Is it windows? Would it do better on another operating system? Is this all I can expect? Just bought SWMBO an iPad and it operates far more quickly than the Asus notebook. Am I doing something wrong here?

2. What is the best (cheapest) way of getting Wifi on the boat when abroad? As I see it I can have a WiFi modem on board giving me 3G connectivity, buy a smartphone and either have local PAYG simcards or a contract, or simply wait until ashore somewhere and find a WiFi hotspot (which isn't always free of course and seldom convenient). So can I invest a modest sum om money in something that will give me basic communications and websearch capacity without ending up with a surprise bill of hundreds of squids??

Please keep answers as simple as possible.....I am trying to keep up here!

 

[JumbleDuck]

1.Currently I operate a laptop computer on a home WiFi (Virgin media) I recently bought an Asus notebook to take on the boat but compared to my Sony Vaio laptop it is painfully slow. It came loaded with windows and I have not loaded loads of other stuff on it to slow it down. It has always been slow even when on my home broadband, so it's not the WiFi that's slow its the notebook. I only want it for e-mails and looking at simple webpages, not downloading movies etc, but it's painful. Is it windows? Would it do better on another operating system? Is this all I can expect? Just bought SWMBO an iPad and it operates far more quickly than the Asus notebook. Am I doing something wrong here?

Your netbook is probably running slowly because it is using the hard disk for short term storage ("virtual memory") and that's very much slower than proper RAM (chips).

I have just bought an Asus 1015BX netbook from a friend. She found it unbearably slow under Windows 7, probably because it only has 1GB memory of which about 250MB is used by the graphics system, leaving a miserable 750MB for Windows, which is grossly inefficient. I have stripped out Windows and replaced it with Lubuntu Linux (a lightweight, low memory version) which runs quite acceptably. Both Chromium and Firefox are memory hogs, though, so I have installed the Epiphany web browser and all seems well.

If the idea of replacing the operating system gives you the willies, I suggest you check whether the memory can be upgraded (www.crucial.com has a helpful tool for this) and, if it can, max it out. If it can't, stick the thing on Gumtree. Beware, though, that Asus have a nasty habit of introducing models with expandable memory and then soldering it in, unupgradeably, later. Check that you have a removable hatch on the bottom and that there is a slot for memory under it.

2. What is the best (cheapest) way of getting Wifi on the boat when abroad? As I see it I can have a WiFi modem on board giving me 3G connectivity, buy a smartphone and either have local PAYG simcards or a contract, or simply wait until ashore somewhere and find a WiFi hotspot (which isn't always free of course and seldom convenient). So can I invest a modest sum om money in something that will give me basic communications and websearch capacity without ending up with a surprise bill of hundreds of squids??

You'll almost certainly be clobbered if you try to use a UK SIM for data. I'd buy an unlocked MiFi or equivalent and buy a local SIM card if there is no convenient wifi available.

 

[boatmike]

Thanks for all that. The ASUS has no memory slot. Its a1015CX so not too much different to your friends. I think the idea of runnig Windows on a little machine like this is rubbish for the reason stated. Btw there is no removable memory panel. How can I get information about how to dump windows and install Libantu Linux?

 

[[3889]]

1. I have an Asus Eeepc 1005HA which is similar to JumbleDucks and runs Windows 7 no problem, watching video etc. I have upgraded it to 2Gb RAM which is simple: Buy this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2GB-RAM-Memory-for-Asus-Eee-PC-1005HA-DDR2-5300-Netbook-Memory-Upgrade-/111131609511?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_MemoryRAM_JN&hash=item19dff5c9a7
and fit it as per this video - a 2 minute job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiKWDVTYFXs

2. Where abroad? In France the cheapest way is to buy an Orange France SIM from an Orange shop (10 Euro and photo ID required) and top up with 10E mobicarte vouchers from any tabac etc., which last 12 days. You can buy 3G access from the voucher credit for 90c for 10Mb for 1 day or 2E for 50Mb for 1 day. As most French Marinas seem to have Orange WiFi, which is free whilst your SIM has credit, the 10E easily lasts 12 days. With a smart phone you can use it as a wifi hotspot, so get internet on your netbook from the 3G. You get a WiFi code through the phone which allows direct connection of the PC to WiFi.

Edit: Cancel answer 1. - just read your reply to JD.

 

[ostell]

If you want just basics then perhaps a tablet would be sufficient. I bought a Samsung Tab 2 10.1 last year and have been very happy with it, even impressed. Haven't used it on the boat but it does come travelling with me. email and Chrome are fine. Last week watched the track of the ferry back from France using the built in GPS. Two models available: simple WiFi alone or WiFi and Sim card. Go and have a look at one in the likes of Tesco.

Useful app, if you are WiFi connected and use BT at home, is the ability to make free phone calls (NOT Skype).

 

[JumbleDuck]

1. I have an Asus Eeepc 1005HA which is similar to JumbleDucks and runs Windows 7 no problem, watching video etc. I have upgraded it to 2Gb RAM ...

If you could upgrade to 2GB then it's not similar to my 1015BX, which has soldered-in memory. That's the problem. And a shame, too, because it has a nice fast dual-core AMD processor. I also have an Eee 901 which does take a memory upgrade and is running Xubuntu very happily with 2GB.

Thanks for all that. The ASUS has no memory slot. Its a1015CX so not too much different to your friends. I think the idea of runnig Windows on a little machine like this is rubbish for the reason stated. Btw there is no removable memory panel. How can I get information about how to dump windows and install Libantu Linux?

The Lubuntu homepage is at http://www.lubuntu.net/. As a first stage you can download a "live" image, put it on a memory stick with unetbootin (http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/) and then try booting from that. If it goes well there is an "Install Lubuntu" icon on the Lubuntu desktop which will do the rest for you, including the option of keeping Windows alongside Lubuntu if you want. The only hitch - which is solvable - comes if you have UEFI booting, but since I see from the Asus spec sheet (http://www.asus.com/Notebooks_Ultrabooks/Eee_PC_1015CX/#specifications) that the 1015CX has an Intel Atom 32-bit processor that shouldn't be an issue.

It's all pretty straightforward. The hardest and slowest bit is probably creating the bootable USB stick. Installation on mine took about fifteen minutes.

 

[boatmike]

No, as JumbleDuck said it does not have a replaceable RAM. There is no slot in the back. Can't be done that way!

 

[KellysEye]

The cheapest way is to buy a WiFi high gain antenna 12db and use a laptop. We had a steel boat so we tied it to the boom, any antenna tied there will get a better range. Beware of any WiFi station without a password it's a hackers dream. If you do use a phone always buy a local SIM card otherwise you pay extortionate roaming costs. It's likely that out of Europe and the USA 3G won't be available.

 

[boatmike]

Hi again JumbleDuck!
I am still trying to get Windows to work. Now and then I think I have cracked it by disabling everything I don't need at startup and it gets faster, but then it freezes. When I shutdown I get loads of windows 7 Starter updates. Currently it's downloading 34 updates! I have not used the notebook for a while and it seems W7 has fallen behind in downloading updates. Every time I have a serious problem with speed and shut down I get updates.... Is this part of my problem? Surely updates should only have an effect on shutdown. They can't affect operating speed otherwise can they?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Hi again JumbleDuck!
I am still trying to get Windows to work. Now and then I think I have cracked it by disabling everything I don't need at startup and it gets faster, but then it freezes. When I shutdown I get loads of windows 7 Starter updates. Currently it's downloading 34 updates! I have not used the notebook for a while and it seems W7 has fallen behind in downloading updates. Every time I have a serious problem with speed and shut down I get updates.... Is this part of my problem? Surely updates should only have an effect on shutdown. They can't affect operating speed otherwise can they?

I'm afraid I can't help you much. I loathe Windows and currently run flavour of Ubuntu on three desktops, five laptops and two netbooks. One reason for this is that Windows is astonishingly slow at processing updates. My desktop at work has XP on it (as well as Ubuntu) and when I fired it up recently - I need to use Internet Explorer to submit my travel expenses - it took two and a quarter hours to boot fully, and that's with a very, very fast network connection. The biggest Ubuntu updates (new kernel) rarely take more than ten minutes.

All I can suggest is that you (a) leave it to do its stuff overnight and (b) get Lubuntu on it soonest.

 

[nigelmercier]

Surely updates should only have an effect on shutdown. They can't affect operating speed otherwise can they?

A PC will slow down when it is waiting to install updates.

For internet access, I suggest a 3G dongle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005FNCMOE/dolcetto-21

Then see this post: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rs-from-one-wifi-signal&p=4088870#post4088870

 

[boatmike]

A PC will slow down when it is waiting to install updates.

For internet access, I suggest a 3G dongle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B005FNCMOE/dolcetto-21

Then see this post: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rs-from-one-wifi-signal&p=4088870#post4088870

Thanks Nigel. That's what I thought was happening but I can't understand why because the update doesn't start until you turn off. I think you are also right about a dongle but I am worried about the cost when abroad. Won't it be the same as roaming charges on a mobile?

 

[ostell]

The updates start to install when you switch off but they have been quietly downloading in the background while you have been connected. That's why the internet was slow! I suppose it could blow your data usage.

If you are worried about the cost then turn off automatic update, remembering to update when you are connected by other means.

 

[Pete7]

2. What is the best (cheapest) way of getting Wifi on the boat when abroad? As I see it I can have a WiFi modem on board giving me 3G connectivity, buy a smartphone and either have local PAYG simcards or a contract, or simply wait until ashore somewhere and find a WiFi hotspot (which isn't always free of course and seldom convenient). So can I invest a modest sum om money in something that will give me basic communications and websearch capacity without ending up with a surprise bill of hundreds of squids??

Please keep answers as simple as possible.....I am trying to keep up here!

For the best bang for your buck I recon this takes a lot of beating. I have it connected to our Asus 1015 netbook with Win 7 and it works very well and easy to install from the CD. Longest range we have picked up is Alderney Sailing Club to middle of Bray Harbour or the high street pubs to the outer pontoons in St Peter Port. Doesn't work in Bembridge because the dozen or so networks it finds are all locked down unfortunately, but Brading Harbour YC have free wifi inside the club and very friendly they are too

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alfa-AWUS03...ong-Rang/dp/B0041OI01C/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_1

Incidently there has been a lot of updates in the past couple of months for Win 7, keeps catching me out when I close down and suddenly I am sat waiting for them to install. Perhaps take it home and use the home wifi one evening to update everything with a few shut downs and boot ups inbetween. Then use the free version of CC Cleaner and a couple of defrags.

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

Pete

 

[JumbleDuck]

The updates start to install when you switch off but they have been quietly downloading in the background while you have been connected. That's why the internet was slow! I suppose it could blow your data usage.

Some Windows update install when they are downloaded and some wait until shutdown.

 

[nigelmercier]

I think you are also right about a dongle but I am worried about the cost when abroad. Won't it be the same as roaming charges on a mobile?

No, with an unlocked dongle (such as the one I suggested) you can use a local SIM card.

What country do you have in mind?

 

[Marsupial]

The connectivity thing is - unfortunately - complicated depending on where you want to go.

For 1 pc running XP we have used a Ubiqity Bullet with a 8DB antenna lashed to a pole, works well most of the time but XP is not happy to share the internet hence 1 pc.

In some marinas the bullet wont work because of sign on protocols.

Next up a WIFI usb dongle on a 6mtr usb lead hoisted up the signal halyard - works where you can get a signal.

Next an unlocked 3 or 3.5G usb dongle with a local sim card - works well and can be shared with a USB WIFI router

Router MUST support the modem - obvious but the manufacturers keep that bit quiet.

BUT wont work in Turkey where devices have to be registered - a difficult (impossible?) process so in Turkey you buy another usb modem

Don't know about other countries but we pay 79 TL for 10GB over a maximum of 3 months, if we use it up quicker we just buy another 10G.

 

[charles_reed]

Thanks for all that. The ASUS has no memory slot. Its a1015CX so not too much different to your friends. I think the idea of runnig Windows on a little machine like this is rubbish for the reason stated. Btw there is no removable memory panel. How can I get information about how to dump windows and install Libantu Linux?

I have, since 1993, run alternate boot systems on all my computers. The Linux flavours load at about twice the speed of any MS OS. You can download any of the Linux distros over the internet (I use Suse just issued as 13.1), burn them to a DvD and then, resetting the boot sequence, so the machine starts its boot with the external drive, just install alongside your WinOS.
I've got a very similar spec MSI (with an early Celeron CULV CPU) and it's transformed on Linux. An added benefit is that you can get about 50% more use out of each battery recharge.
Frankly, on your unit Win7 is nearly unmanageable. The originals all shipped with Linux OS (admittedly butchered by Asus).
Ubuntu is probably the most atechnical and user-friendly of all the distros, but insufficiently stable for my taste.

As to WiFi I've used PAYG SIMs either in a mobile phone or in an USB receiver, in Croatia, Italy, France, Spain and latterly in Greece (where I'm using a credit account). Phones are best (usually faster and less power-consumption) and, occasionally, local Wi-Fi (not usually satisfactory because of lack of bandwidth downstream of router). Linux is significantly faster to boot and connect than proprietary software.

PS I'm talking about MS OS from Win2 - through NT and XP to Win8 (nearly as big a disaster area as Vista) and Linux from Suse 8.1.

 

[GHA]

The updates start to install when you switch off but they have been quietly downloading in the background while you have been connected. That's why the internet was slow! I suppose it could blow your data usage.

If you are worried about the cost then turn off automatic update, remembering to update when you are connected by other means.

http://www.netlimiter.com/download.php

Netlimiter3 is free and will show exactly what program is downloading what, and throttle it back up or downloading if you want. Great prog.

 

[laika]

Do I recall from a previous post that boatmike is in royal clarence? If so I hope (fingers crossed) to be back there at the beginning of January. I think I'd recommend having someone who knows windows (ie not me go over the asus to remove bloatware, disable background updates, disable any browser plugins which can be done without and do any other tuning magic to slim windows down before going down the Linux rabbit hole (I would have said "L-hole" but it sounded a bit rude), but if you insist on taking the red pill, PM me and I can show you what linux looks like on a rubbish laptop and help with the install once I'm back in Gosport

Don't expect miracles. My temporary (Linux) desktop has an E450 processor which has a little more oomph than the N2600 I believe is in the 1015cx but the big boatshow ad ybw was running made the forum unusable without disabling the flash plugin: no paging (this machine has 4GB) but one core was nearly 100% flash plugin with the other mostly taken up with firefox and X. This netbooky hardware has limitations when faced with developers who don't understand the concept of limited resources.