Install Linux on the Evolve Maestro Ebook Laptop

[@KM4ACK]

Ethernet Adapter - amzn.to/3ropmLd Evolve Maestro Laptop - amzn.to/3LZDcNy Mint - linuxmint.com/ WiFi Driver - github.com/lwfinger/rtl8723du

[@tmiller9099]

Thank you for showing this. For those that don't have a wifi dongle or usb adapter, you can plug your phone into USB and turn on Hotspot (for iphone) and it will connect through the phone. At least it worked for me.

[@DavidLeon140m3]

worked fer me too

[@Dog_Awesome21]

Omg thnx so much

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Videos like these remind me that I always need to buy “one more” usb stick from Microcenter whenever I am there.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I’m doing this now loaded a second drive in the jankopotamus. Gonna be smokin!

[@KM4ACK]

You'll be surprised by the performance boost :-)

[@Liberty4Ever]

Thanks Jason. I just ordered an Evolve notebook PC, lightly used on eBay for $75 that included an added 64GB SD card which could be handy. I was a bit disappointed that you showed the install of Linux Mint 21 over Linux Mint 20. I was hoping to see you blow away Windows. Defenestration is my favorite part of getting a new computer. I'll try Ubuntu 22.4, even though I'm still running 18.4 on my home PC because I've been too lazy to upgrade. Hopefully, future versions of Linux will support the Evolve's internal sound card, but that's a minor issue for me. I'll carry a set of headphones with a Dukabel USB sound card for USB audio that I can use for KZbin or ham radio. A 12V powered notebook is gonna be great. Why aren't more notebooks powered by 12VDC? I've been meaning to upgrade my very old Eee PC portable ham computer, but instead of doing all the leg work myself to determine what works, I figured I'd take the easy way and wait for someone to do that research for me. Anyone in Columbus Ohio can buy a $60 Evolve notebook at the Microcenter store, no doubt for a very limited time. They're currently sold out in the Sharonville Ohio store.

[@KM4ACK]

Sorry do disappoint Bruce. I wiped Windows within minutes of opening the box :-) and didn't turn on the camera. Funny you mention the Eee PC. I think I still have one of those in a box somewhere. I'll have to see if I can find it. Pretty sure mine was dual boot Win XP and some flavor of Linux. Haven't thought about that little guy in ages. Wonder if it will still power on?

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@KM4ACK - My old Eee PC still worked when I tried it a year ago. They're tough little notebooks, but the tiny screen is now problematic for my old eyes. I'll probably need to make a ruggedized waterproof storage for the Evolve.

[@KB5WCK_Radio]

Just an FYI, you can copy the drivers via a USB drive for the wifi and install them without the other installations at the top of the directions. Then you can do an update and install those dependencies, and then do a make clean, make, sudo make install, and the modprobe -v 8723du again and that will fix the issue. I didn't have a USB network adapter, so this is what I did and it worked.

[@KM4ACK]

great info. thanks!

[@temporarilyoffline]

I totally forgot that mint had an XFCE edition. I just knew that cinnamon and mate would be pretty beefy for this lightweight machine and went straight for xubuntu.

[@KM4ACK]

Cinnamon runs surprisingly well on the Evolve. I may give XFCE a whirl sometime just to see the difference.

[@MicroOutdoors]

FYI, this laptop is no longer available. HOWEVER, Micro Center has an Asus, for $109 / $129 (64g or 128g) BR1100ck it's just a step up from this one. Also, it has a ethernet port and can take a m.2 up to 1tb. Adding the m.2 (512g for $20) was able to do a duel boot - using Andy's ham radio linux OS. -- has ALL the apps you would ever need for ham radio. --- great video!

[@joanrowe2745]

They had 80 some of the Evolve III Maestro's available in Columbus, Ohio as of yesterday

[@FunInSC]

Yeah, that's not the case. Bought 2 for $71 in Charlotte today.

[@richardkeyes5844]

Here is another way. The Evolve iii Maestro uses the Realtek RTL8723du WIFI chipset. Here is how to set up the WIFI in these computers on Linux Mint 21. 1. Disable secure boot in the bios. It is located in the security tab. 2. Add ppa:kelebek333/kablosuz in Synaptic. 3. In the Synaptic search, type in rtl8723du-dkms. You will see two drivers for the wifi. Choose the bottom one. After the driver is installed, reboot the computer.

[@Liberty4Ever]

Just installed Ubuntu 22.04 on my new-to-me (very lightly used) $75 Evolve notebook. I *LOVE* deleting the Windows partition and replacing all that Windows malware with Linux. :-)

[@josempantaleon]

Nicely done Jason, I liked this video and the others like the Fldigi video, but that raises a question for me. That is, do you have a recommended order for installing the HAM related applications? I was curious in-case it worked better with the libs/dependencies and such, I figured you might have a recommendation based on your Build a Pi projects. Thank you sir,

[@jimlynch9390]

You mention test driving Linux from a USB drive. Be sure everyone is aware that the system will not be as responsive when running from a USB drive. Once it's installed to a hard drive, it runs much faster.

[@DavidLeon140m3]

sorry im late BUT you can use your cellphone to hook up to the net using it as a tether till the drivers are installed

[@KM4ACK]

If you can connect to your phone via a cable, it is theoretically possible. The other option is to download the driver using another computer and move it to the Evolve with a USB drive.

[@DavidLeon140m3]

@@KM4ACK I did it with an iPhone and it worked flawlessly

[@signalscout6020]

“Be careful which drive you choose” 😂I learned this one the hard way. I wrote an iso image to my CD drive and rendered it unusable, along with having an iso icon stuck on the desktop taunting me until I reinstalled windows.

[@KM4ACK]

You aren't the only one who's had a mishap. I put that in there because of my own personal experience many moons ago.

[@Sistema1927]

Change #3, wifi works out of the box. Change #4, sound works out of the box. Either the Evolve 3 hardware changed, or Mint updated drivers.

[@FunInSC]

Didn't work with my brand new Evolve this week...you never know what version you are gonna get.

[@n3vmt126]

Is this series going to go into how to setup things for ham radio like you did with BAP or Install the various softer individually?

[@KM4ACK]

This particular series will be showing how to install things individually/manually.

[@cornbread-KO5RN]

To early to watch live, I’ll watch later or maybe a little later

[@kq9l115]

Thanks Jason, I wonder if you could do another video showing how to repartition the drive so that you can dual boot the laptop into Window or Linux. Thanks. Rich KQ9L

[@KM4ACK]

Afraid I can't. I didn't go that route. I blew Windows away completely. If I ever do have a desperate need for Windows, I'll run it in a virtual environment.

[@Liberty4Ever]

I'd use Linux Mint if you made a ham radio field operations specific custom Live CD with all of the software installed, specifically optimized to run on the Evolve notebook (other PCs, install at your own risk). That should be MUCH easier than Build-A-Pi.

[@KM4ACK]

Stay tuned sir. I think you'll like where we are headed with the Evolve :-) It's not a live CD but you will have much more choice.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@KM4ACK - Don't call me sir! I work for a living! Wait... no I don't. :-) I already love where this Evolve is going! After installing Ubuntu 22.04, I decided to install Mint 21 to play along with exactly where you're going. They're functionally equivalent Linuxi - no drivers for internal sound card nor WiFi chip. Honestly, I like Ubuntu better for two reasons. I'm very accustomed to Ubuntu so I know where things are. I hate Mint having me click the start menu to look for the shutdown icon. It's too much like Windows, although intentional, to make Windows refugees more comfortable. I also think the default Ubuntu setup has better contrast that is easier for my 62 year old eyes. I'll see if there are Mint settings for larger fonts and a more contrasting color scheme. Buttons with a dark mint colored text on a slightly lighter mint colored background on an 11" LCD are a nightmare for senior citizens... and I'm not even out in the noonday sun yet. Linux makes it so darned easy to generate a LiveCD that I'm sure someone will post an ISO somewhere to make it super easy (no command line) to install a fully functioning ham radio Linux. The only hassle would be keeping the ISO updated once a month. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting. On my previous Linux notebooks, I had to search online to learn where to find WiFi drivers, etc. You're not only spoon feeding us this info (which is very valuable), but you're also encouraging the ham radio community to have a single platform which is valuable in many ways, some technical and others that are more a matter of marketing. Your Evolve setup videos are easier for the individual and better for the community. It's the same basic philosophy as your wildly successful Build-A-Pi.

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Many USBC Hubs have 2 or 3 USB ports on them. Would that be a benefit to you?

[@cbjessee]

That worked - when I unpluuged my wired ethernet adapter, I was able to connect to my home WiFi. But after I ran sudo apt-get upgrade, it stopped working. I reinstalled and it's OK now. Something in the upgrade appears to have broken the installation.

[@KM4ACK]

A kernel update will break the WiFi. Just reinstall the WiFi driver the same way your did the first time and it will resolve. I made notes so I could remember how to do it in the future in case it happens again.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@KM4ACK - I too upgraded the software and lost the WiFi, and had to do the make, make install and modprobe again. Maybe one of these software updates will include drivers for the rtl8723du chip... and the driver for the Evolve's internal sound card.

[@hmlds7336]

I bought a Mini PC with N5095 8Gb / 256Gb SSD / 12V and installed Linux Mint. It works well with 4K TV Monitor and VNC. I have installed Flrig, Fldigi, WSJT-Z, Gridtracker and JS8Call and everything works fine. Is an install Script like Build a Pi planned? 73 DH1HM

[@ImbraWolf]

Finally a linux laptop that is affordable

[@Ted13122]

hello friend, I have a problem, I broke the bios of my laptop, I changed a setting in the bios that didn't work, it's my mistake and now only the light is on that it's on and nothing shows, is there a way to fix it

[@Kd9bpy]

While doing this it told me that that driver was obsolete and it started running rtw88....so i am assuming the rest goea the same except use rtw88 in place of rtl8723du....hope this works

[@KM4ACK]

The old driver will still work as of June 2024. I just installed it the other day on an Evolve

[@Sistema1927]

It appears that the latest iteration of the Evolve 3 is significantly different. Change #1, no 12v charging port, instead replaced by USB-C. Not a biggie, since most of my gear requires USB-C already. Change #2, no M2 slot, and no way to add an SSD. I will just have to use a micor SD card for storage and make sure to be stingy in the main lartition.

[@FunInSC]

My new Evolve from last week is a 12v one with a standard bayonet plug. You never know which one you're gonna get.

[@cbjessee]

Is there any source for the Evolve Maestro power plug? I'd like to buy one and wire for Anderson Powerpoles to use in connecting to a 12V battery. Thanks!

[@KM4ACK]

These are the ones I bought since I already have a bunch of 5.5mm cables made up for various things. amzn.to/3CN7M8J

[@tedlavino2975]

Just cut the cable near the transformer and install power poles on each end…

[@DonzLockz]

I just bought a Microsoft Surface Go with LTE and GPS (8gb/256gb). It has Windows 10S, I want to dedicate it for all my field HAM ops. Would I be better off using Linux as you showed or stick with Windows?.... I am a Windows user, never used Linux but will setup my Pi with your build a Pi etc. I want both a laptop based and Pi based setup options for all everything HAM related, Winlink, FT8, APRS, WSPR JS8 and voice plus Cat control etc... Your thoughts?

[@YllaStar95970]

Create a VM within, and enjoy both worlds, safer too, in case Microsoft bricks.

[@DonzLockz]

@@YllaStar95970 good point... I didn't even think of that!👍

[@cbjessee]

I put Mint on my MS Surface Pro 6 and it was missing many drivers, so reverted back to WIndows. That was maybe 9mo ago, so maybe it's lass an issue now.

[@DonzLockz]

@@cbjessee thanks for that, good to know.🍻👍

[@uns3cur3]

If your running linux on this will it work with the digirig?

[@KM4ACK]

yes. the digirig runs great under linux.

[@jimlynch9390]

Thanks, I have been using Mint Mate for a long time. Highly recommended. BTW it is pronounced ma TAY, not "mate". It's the name of a central or south American herb, often served as a tea.

[@KM4ACK]

Learned something new today! Thanks

[@jamesmartin6290]

Jason, have an update for you re: wifi drivers. In the early phases of the Evolve III being adopted by radio operators, the Wi-Fi drivers were the real let-down. Every kernel update required the Wi-Fi drivers to be reinstalled.. and it was annoying. Now, we a repository to take care of that and allow for automatic updates. The following commands should save everyone a lot of grief. sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelebek333/kablosuz sudo apt update sudo apt install rtl8723du-dkms

[@esestudios]

I did well until the last command: I got the following error: after sudo modprobe -v 8732du modprobe: FATAL Module 8732du dot found in directory /lib/modules/5.15.0-56-generic Tom k0jpr

[@kevintierney4225]

I just downloaded Mint 20.3 cinnamon on my Dell Lattitude laptop. I have everything working except Vara. Have you installed Vara on Mint? I can get it installed with wine 7.0 but it crashes when I try to run it. I have used winetricks to make sure everything needed is loaded. Getting a comctrl.ocx outdated error.

[@KM4ACK]

Yes. I have VARA working on Mint. I am also working on a script to install VARA that will hopefully make it simpler for everyone.