Comments on: Video killed the Radio Star

By: Alan Bell

Alan Bell — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:01:04 +0000

yes, any USB DVD drive should work just fine, but please bear in mind that playing DVDs has almost nothing to do with the drive working and is much more about encryption. I installed all the plugins and decss library on my webbook but I think I will rebuild it and start again so I can do some instructions on the steps you need to take. There is also region coding to consider, I think that does have something to do with the drive itself.

By: Gavin

Gavin — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:13:26 +0000

I’ve been wondering if it’s at all possible to get a usb dvd rom to work on the webbook? I’ve had a quick look through some forums but can’t see anything. Are you aware of any that will work with Ubuntu that would allow someone to watch dvds that haven’t been ripped?

By: Graham

Graham — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:58:31 +0000

Hi Again

Further up this thread, you advised there was a USB recovery solution available, where would I get this. I trashed the Ubuntu install on my last webbook. (Before finding this forum) and got blank screen on reinstall. I then went to XP. I found your site and tried to do the recovery by CD as you advised in OEM install, but it did not work.

I would like to have the ability to recover if my first proper venture into Ubuntu is going to work.

(I have no choice as I no longer have a windows machine as I installed either Ubuntu or Kubuntu on all at home. Someone recently stole my debit card details online and plundered my account. So its a move to Linux for security reasons.

Are you also able to advise on a good mpeg encoder similar to divx for the webbook. (I do a lot of traveling and wish to use the webbook as mini media centre as well as a business tool.

Thanks again

Gray

By: Graham

Graham — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:47:32 +0000

Hi I followed your advice for Video playback, and now can play divx files quite happily now, Albeit some of the audio is quiet on 100 percent volume. (probably encoding).

However I am also running a Freecom DVB-T stick which is detected by Ubuntu and all the channels are scanned. I get audio in Kaffine, but again no video.

There does not seem to be an option for x conversion setings like directed for Totem.

I am on my second webbook after the first had USB issues. The first one connected to wireless without issue. I have a problem with the one I have now. I carried out your LED fix, but the only option available in network icon at the top of the screen is manual configuration

Although my network is listed with DHCP connection, everytime I power on the webbook, it does not connect automatically to my wireless router.

It would appear under properties, my encryption key has doubled in length and, I have to delete and reenter my router password. I can then disconnect and reconnect to the router, that is until I end my session. If I do, I then have to re-enter my encryption key again as it adds more text to it.

Any assistance would be great.

I have dabbled in Linux prior to my webbook, but have limited command line experience in Linux

Regards

Gray

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:13:22 +0000

thanks for the response but i want to keep it as xp as i couldnt get on with linux. Will keep trying though thanks.

By: Alan Bell

Alan Bell — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:58:24 +0000

@Lee, well that is unfortunate. I am afraid I don’t have an XP Webbook or an XP anything else for that matter. I can help you upgrade it to Linux and you can now get a recovery USB stick which will reflash it with Ubuntu. Maybe take it back to store and tell them that XP doesn’t play videos.

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:19:38 +0000

Hiya I previously had the linux version of the webbook and followed your tips on how to play videos which worked great, however my laptop started crashing and letting me down so I took it back to CPW for an exchange. They told me they had had alot of problems with the linux software so could only offer me an exchange with a Windows XP webbook, this suited me as im more used to Windows but im now faced with the problem of not being able to play videos again, can you help please? I tried pressing F2 but nothing worked and im only a basic user so my knowledge is very limited. They wont even play on media player.

By: Bahkti

Bahkti — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:25:11 +0000

Thank you yet again Alan for a solution to one of my only two Webbook irritations. (Sound but no video)

I tried installing media player after media player to solve my sound but no video problem. I uninstalled them all and installed ‘VLC player’ and followed the instructions in bullet point 5. above. I did a restart after it and now I get glorious sound AND video. Another ‘irritation’ solved and a webbook now running in a state of absolute perfection. Thank goodness for these blogs/forums.

Kind regards

bahkti

By: Alan Bell

Alan Bell — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:58:47 +0000

@lukstar, there is a built in mic, front left, slap bang on top of the fan. Not the ideal positioning and I have never managed to get any good results from that. A regular headset microphone worked well for me.gtkGuitune looks interesting, I have used Audacity and I was planning an article about Audacity. have a look at this link, see if it helps you http://www.blog.highub.com/linux/make-logitech-usb-microphone-work-on-ubuntu/

By: lukstar

lukstar — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:59:43 +0000

Hi Alan,

Whilst trying to get an USB microphone working with my Webbook I started up Sound recorder and was told to configure my input device. I was directed to the Multimedia system selector screen from the control panel.

The options don’t really mean much to me though I’m afraid. And I can’t get my Logitech USB mic to work.

Have you any ideas as I really want to try out gtkGuitune to tune my guitar!

It would also be good to use Skype but as far as I’m aware there is no built in mic.?