The Acer Guy

As many of you will have noticed, the Aspire One comes without Skype installed.

Rumour has it the decision not to include it as standard comes down to a question of cost. Skype is free if you download it for personal use, however, if a computer manufacturer wants to install it as OEM software, there’s a licence fee to pay, which would have bumped up the cost of the Aspire One and would have made Skype the only paid-for software on the machine.

Don’t know if this is true, but if it is, hats off to Acer for saving us all some unnecessary cash.

However, that leaves us with the problem of getting Skype on the Aspire One.

Got a mail from Daniel who managed to get Skype installed on his Aspire One just the way he wanted and I thought I’d post it here so that you could do the same.

First off, you have to download and install Skype 2.0 for Linux. You can find it here. (http://www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/)

To launch it, you’ll need to enable the advance mode on the Acer Aspire One that allows the user to “go behind” the default GUI (graphic user interface) and open up the main Linpus features.

“To do this go to Files > My Documents to open the File Manager. Then go to File > Terminal.

The Linpus Linus uses Xfce, so use “xfce-setting-show” to get the Xfce Settings Manager.

Click on Desktop to get to the Desktop Preferences and choose the Behavior tab.

Now click under Menus the Show desktop menu on right click option and close the window.

This setting will allow you to bring up the normal desktop menu when you right click somewhere on the desktop. The Desktop Menu contains many more options than the limited user interface on the Aspire One.

Under System you will find Add/Remove Software which is the Red Hat/Fedora Packet Manager. You will need your password (the one you set up during installation) to access it. Now you can go nuts and install programs. It’s a pretty big selection and the files will be downloaded (you need internet access) and installed for you. If it’s an application you usually find it later in the Desktop Menu.

That will put it on your desktop but if you want it in the “Connect” area, then you’ll need to edit a XML file located in:

/home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml

Opened it and look for the line concerning Skype:

Just delete the exclamation point and the dashes, reboot and there it is, the Skype logo in all its glory in the Connect Area!

A screenshot of the Homepage:

You want comments? We got comments:

1. Paul J R wrote, on July 30th, 2008:

   

   The quick and easy way of getting to the xfce settings.

   Hit alt-f2 and type “xfce-settings-show” (alt-f2 is the equiv of windows “start->run”)

2. juan carlos wrote, on August 2nd, 2008:

   

   Well, I have done all you said, but I don’t find this file in this place but in another, and I made changes you said and the icon doesn’t appear. I will be trying….

3. Brian Hedney wrote, on August 4th, 2008:

   

   OK, I tried to do what Michael suggested above, but when I entered “/home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml” into Terminal I was told that I did not have permission (or something of the sort). I am the only user on my Acer One – do I need to do something to give myself “permission”? I am a Windows guy who is totally new to Linux!

4. Morris Lee wrote, on August 4th, 2008:

   

   ALL linux system have a build-in “root” user, which is like the administrator account you can only “see” in the login window in safe mode for windows. you were asked for administrator or root password when you first setup your Aspire One no? I never had a aspire one, but that’s my assumption for a pre-build linux machine.

5. Frank Falzett wrote, on August 5th, 2008:

   

   I am new to Linux. Can some please explain how to find the xml file and then how to edit it? Also, what is the Linux equivalent to Windows “Ctrl C” and “Ctrl V”?

6. Frank Falzett wrote, on August 5th, 2008:

   

   I found the file and can bring it up in the text editor; however I cannot save it. Can anyone please give me a hint?

7. evren wrote, on August 5th, 2008:

   

   how do you get thru the permission in order to bring the skype logo to the initial screen? it doesnt even ask for a password…

8. Tom Lazatin wrote, on August 7th, 2008:

   

   There are many versions for linux, which one should I download? I don’t see a linpus version. Thanks in advance.

9. Tom Lazatin wrote, on August 8th, 2008:

   

   I downloaded Skype for Fedora 7. Works fine. Also got Skype in the connect tab. Thanks Acer Guy.

10. raven wrote, on August 8th, 2008:

    

    which skype version is it?
    fedora 7 or ubuntu for linpus on acer one?
    iam confused..
    thx if any1 can help me..

11. denial wrote, on August 9th, 2008:

    

    have downloaded Fedora 7 on the Skype download site. its sitting in my download folder and has been installed…but where the heck is Skype? no icon no place.

12. Reinier wrote, on August 10th, 2008:

    

    Hey denial,
    Right-click on the home page and find Skype in the Network menu.
    Good-luck,
    Reinier

    BTW: Thanks Acer Guy!

13. Emma wrote, on August 10th, 2008:

    

    Hi, I have the skype icon now under the Connect page however there does not seem to be room for it-therefore i have to have 2 icons overlapping each other. Can you help?

    I am new to all this but very happy that i have found this fab website as i was feeling very annoyed at not having Skype and being able to download it however with your great advice things are looking up! Thanks

14. Ryan wrote, on August 10th, 2008:

    

    My fiancee had the same problem as you did, Emma, but we were able to fix it.

    In the xml file you have to edit to add the icon to the Connect page, the line that mentions skype also has a part that says “index=#”, where the # is… a number. Look at the other lines in the same section of the file, and you’ll see that another line will have the same index value as the Skype line, which is what puts the icons on top of each other.

    Just make sure that all the lines in that section have a different index value, ignoring the lines that start with <!– (which are called comment lines and are ignored by the computer, by the way).

    Hope that helps!

15. Ryan wrote, on August 10th, 2008:

    

    Oh, a few other notes from our experience that I forgot to mention:

    1. We never needed to use the Add/Remove Software program to install Skype. Just tell Firefox to open the downloader instead of saving it, and it installs just fine.

    2. The best way to access the XML file that you need to edit to get the icon on the Connect page is to use My Documents in the File page to open the File Manager, erase everything typed into the “Location Bar” (which shows you what directory you’re viewing, then copy and paste the file’s location from this site to the “Location Bar” and press Enter. That will open the file for editing. (You might need to enter your password to confirm that you have administrator access.)

    Again, hope this helps!
    (You know, a screencast would be really helpful, Acer Guy. Just saying… ^_^)

16. Ryan wrote, on August 10th, 2008:

    

    Last one, I promise:

    3. In Skype, set your Video Settings to automatically start video when you make a call. Otherwise, you’ll just get a black box instead of video. (It’s a problem that happens when you start a call before starting video. They’ve apparently fixed this in a new beta version of Skype for Linux 2.0, but for now, this’ll work.)

17. Michael Walsh wrote, on August 10th, 2008:

    

    OK Ryan,

    Have you figured out a way to screencast from the Aspire One too?

    Only kidding. This month is a tricky one (Italy’s on holiday) and I’m kinda out of action too for another week but you’ve given me a good idea.

    I’ll see if Simone’s up for the job and see about getting a video of us setting up Skype and – more importantly for me – my Vodafone 3G UBS stick on my Aspire One.

    In the meantime thanks for all your inputs. I would be lying if I said the Aspire One and Linux for me weren’t a steep learning curve but it’s great to see I’m in good company.

    Oh, and @Reinier, thanks to you!

18. denial wrote, on August 11th, 2008:

    

    sorry Reiner,

    just arrived in Northern Thailand. you wrote right click in the homepage…ummm, which homepage…i right click in the start-up homepage and well get nothing…more clues.

    also, and while i’m at it! i have an SD card from my camera, i plug it in the right-hand side and it appears in File Manager but how to upload pix n’ flix from the card? cut and paste? seems awfully primitive…any clues?

    many thanks, really appreciate your help,

    denial
    (and acerguy, this is a great site!)

19. Emma wrote, on August 13th, 2008:

    

    Thanks Ryan am all set up now! Any ideas on how i can load music onto my ipod from the accer??

20. Emma wrote, on August 13th, 2008:

    

    Thanks for that advice skype is all set up and working well now!
    Does anyone know how i can download music to my ipod using the aspire one- this is the last thing i need to do before i am completely happy with my new purchase?

21. denial wrote, on August 13th, 2008:

    

    to get into advanced mode which allows right click at the opening homepage do this:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CmbYrvt3e8&feature=related

    now to figure out the file transfer thingy…anyone, i want to take pix off my camera sd card and transfer them to photomaster or myphotos easily….?

22. Morris Lee wrote, on August 13th, 2008:

    

    Emma, I just did a quick search on google, here is what i came up with, as I am currently not in the luck of possessing an Aspire One or have taken the liberty of installing another copy of linux on any of my computers.

    http://wiki.banshee-project.org/Main_Page

    this is the furthest I can help you to for now, only risk is that I do not know for sure if it will work with linpus lite’s interface.

    Denial, I suppose, transferring files from SD cards will only work from the file browser that is equipped with Aspire One

23. Hilde wrote, on August 13th, 2008:

    

    OK, good work, but how do i know what’s the good version on my aspire one? someone told me that it had to do with something about the system, how do i find that? Can someone help me?
    I’ve a Dutch version…

    Thanx

24. Morris Lee wrote, on August 13th, 2008:

    

    Hilde, are you asking about the banshee program? if so, you should just try the lastest one, I just realised that I put up an old link there, here is the “new” site they call it http://banshee-project.org/

25. Emma wrote, on August 14th, 2008:

    

    Thanks-Please bear with me as I am completely new to all this stuff. Ok so i downloaded the Banshee then tried to use my common sense and do the same type of thing that i did with the skype by adding a needed programme. I decided i needed to add Banshee did however it then told me it was unable to resolve dependencies for some packages and the following; Unresolvable requirement libpanel-applet-2.so.0 for gnome-utils
    Unresolvable requirement notification-daemon for notify-python
    Unresolvable requirement yelp for smanager
    Unresolvable requirement fedora-gnome-theme >= 8.0.0 for libgnome
    Any ideas?

    tra

26. Hilde wrote, on August 15th, 2008:

    

    Thanx Morris Lee
    well, i would like to know wich version of skype for linux i can download. There are 8 options, wich one will work on my aspire one?

27. Morris Lee wrote, on August 16th, 2008:

    

    Emma, i am sorry, I am unable to answer your questions, but those codes looks like you are missing some files maybe it is the GUI is incompatible, aspire one probably has customized gnome(the GUI system) which Banshee is incapable of rendering its windows in. At this time, i can’t think of any possible solutions, but wait and see what others say about it

    Hilde, you talking about this site?
    http://www.skype.com/download/skype/linux/choose/
    try the fedora 7 version. I believe Aspire One is fedora core.

28. francois wrote, on August 16th, 2008:

    

    tried installing skype on my brand new aspire one but getting the following:
    “cannot retrieve repository metadata (repomd.xml) for repository: development. Please verify its path and try again”.
    any idea?? thks

29. jon wrote, on August 16th, 2008:

    

    “ried installing skype on my brand new aspire one but getting the following:
    “cannot retrieve repository metadata (repomd.xml) for repository: development. Please verify its path and try again”.
    any idea?? thks”

    same thing happens to me as well. bleh

30. Morris Lee wrote, on August 16th, 2008:

    

    francois, jon, are you guys trying the Skype installation for the fedora 7? if the version 7 does not work try 6, it it still does not work, ubuntu version(highly doubt that it will work).

31. Kate wrote, on August 17th, 2008:

    

    I keep getting that message too.
    When trying to install skype but also when I tried to run software updater.
    first tells me that the problem may be that I’m not connected to the internet (I obviously am!) and then comes up with the repository metedata blah blah error message.

    help?!?? bought this thing mainly to skype in comfort…

    Kate

32. Morris Lee wrote, on August 17th, 2008:

    

    Sorry, totally forgot about Fedora Core back when I used to use it( F core you ALWAYS install livna repository for fedora core itself, here is the link http://rpm.livna.org/rlowiki/ I believe Aspire one is Core 8, so choose “Fedora 8 repository RPM” install that, then you should be able to install skype. I am not sure if advanced mode is required.

33. Morris Lee wrote, on August 17th, 2008:

    

    arr, suppose to mean ( F Core 8 ) instead of ( F Core

34. Eric wrote, on August 17th, 2008:

    

    I installed the livna repository as mentioned above and than tried to install Skype but i still get the same error message. Do I have to setup the repository or to activate it? Or will it work directly after the install?

    I have the idea that the links for repository update in the standard Aspire One 150 are wrong and that that is the reason that it fails to connect to the desired server. Is this possible? Can someone tell me were to find these links? Im new to Linux and don’t really understand the reasoning behind these repositories…

    Can someone help? Maybe by giving the right paths for these standard repositories…

    Many thanks!

35. Tom Lazatin wrote, on August 17th, 2008:

    

    The server is not available. I suggest to try again and again.

36. Hilde wrote, on August 18th, 2008:

    

    thanx Morris Lee, thats what I wanted to know. But now I get the password question… What’s the root password?

37. stina wrote, on August 18th, 2008:

    

    hey acerguy, where to i find the system when you say under system you will find add remove programs. and this keyboard is killing me, i cannot find questionmarks, exclamationm= marks etc. help!!

38. Morris Lee wrote, on August 19th, 2008:

    

    Hilde, you entered a root password at the very first time when you turned on Aspire one right? it should have asked you to enter one at that time, if you don’t remember the password, then you are out of luck, you need root password to to administrative things, like admin account in windows

39. LENS wrote, on August 20th, 2008:

    

    Hi guys, I have used windows since the first time I touched I pc. I have no idea of Linux, I find it really interesting and challenging and I am wiling to learn. Now, I purchased this Acer Aspire One laptop because the reviews it has. Let’s say I am a road warrior. In the connectivity side, the only issue I found is Skype. I have done every single thing you guys mention here with no succes.
    1. enable advance mode.
    2. Download skype for linux (fedora7.0)
    3. In advance mode “Add/install”, but then the system when installing freezes and tells I have no connection to internet??????????????????? here is where I need help…..

    My question, do you know of any video that you take you step by step thru the installation of skype?

    On the application side as MS “Excel” user I ned to work with macros, does some body have enable the macros in Open Office “Calc”? I am not able to see the plug in option in “calc” ….

    I know I am asking a lot but what a better place to ask that here??
    Thank you all in advance for your help

40. Morris Lee wrote, on August 20th, 2008:

    

    LENS, not that I know if it is the internet connection, but try install livna repository pacakge before you install skype for fedore core 7

    so

    1, go to http://rpm.livna.org/rlowiki/ download the fedora 8 one

    2, download skype for fedora 7 if you don’t have inst anymore

    3, install should continue fine now (root password will be asked)

    lots people have live update problems, try finding another hot spot for internet connection, maybe some network will work with the update, that is the only recommendation i can provide

41. Michael Walsh wrote, on August 20th, 2008:

    

    LENS
    “…do you know of any video that you take you step by step thru the installation of skype?”

    I’m working on it. But it won’t be ready for a week or two as I’ll be away for a week next week.

42. Michael Walsh wrote, on August 20th, 2008:

    

    @stina
    You might have the same problem I have encountered. I selected English when I first booted my Aspire One and it decided I had an English keyboard (obviously). However I don’t and nothing I have done can convince it that my Italian keyboard has the @ sign if I push ALT GR + ò.

    Basically I can’t mail anyone.

    I’m going to take Simone’s recommendation and do a system restore to see if this helps. If it does I’ll post how I did it.

43. Geenie wrote, on August 21st, 2008:

    

    I want to thank *all* of you, Acer Guy and Denial especially. We bought this Aspire One the day before my high-school kid headed to Europe for a year — because we needed connectivity in an ultra small computer and getting Skype 2.0 on the eee pc we bought wasn’t working. Figured the Messenger on this would do the job and couldn’t figure out why it worked when we tested it here and then not again.

    So first, you reassured us we were not crazy. Messenger had a problem and still has; the Live Update patch is still not available to us. We will watch this site to see how it is progressing

    With your instructions and Denial’s video, as a never-before-Linux user I was able to “talk” (via chat) our kid through installing Skype 2.0 and accessing it through Advance Mode. Decided to stop at that without trying to get the icon on the screen.

    Only problem now is that, after working fine the first few times, the video drops from the Skype call (on the Aspire One side) after the first minute or two. Any ideas about that?

44. Geenie wrote, on August 21st, 2008:

    

    Given all the troubles people above have had, feel like I should append what worked for us:
    1) Selected Fedora 7 version of Skype 2.0
    2) Chose “Open” not “Save” from the Firefox Downloader window.
    3) After the download was complete, followed the instructions in Denial’s video for accessing Advance Mode and were able to open Skype from there. At some point along the way, we did have to provide the password we set up with the first install of the computer.
    Note — this was done via plain chat across 6000 miles and 7 time zones by a non-geek coaching a very sick and homesick kid. My advice is to keep it simple. My biggest fear was messing something up and having no way to restore the system.

45. Hilde wrote, on August 21st, 2008:

    

    Noop, Morris Lee, the first time i turned it on, he didn’t ask anything… So I didn’t enter any password… ai.

46. Morris Lee wrote, on August 21st, 2008:

    

    Hilde, was yours a display one on shelve? I wonder if you have erecovery or recovery cd’s, if it is a display one, you should really put it to factory, then you should be able to setup your root password

47. Michael Walsh wrote, on August 22nd, 2008:

    

    Geenie and everyone else,

    I’ve had a word with Simone about the video problems and this is his advice. Might be worth keeping in mind.

    “The video drops probably for traffic line issues…
    Try to use the small video window, I’ve seen that also with IM it’s better to avoid large screens in general, not only with the Aspire One.”

48. Hilde wrote, on August 22nd, 2008:

    

    YES,I’ve found an instruction to set up the root password at http://www.laptopmag.com. Now it’s working, i’ve allready installed Skype. now i’m gonna figure out how to get it on my desktop!

    Thanx for the help!!

49. Michael Walsh wrote, on August 22nd, 2008:

    

    Hilde,
    I’ve decided you’ve won the contest for the most determined, patient and resilient visitor to this blog in 2008. If you were my friend on Facebook, I’d buy you a beer Congrats on getting Skype up and running.

50. bkk 92 wrote, on August 23rd, 2008:

    

    Michael,

    Try to follow your advice, but I couldn’t progress from my already installed Skype (I was opening from Alt+F2 before). I’ve managed to put in Advance mode and got Skype in Network after right click in Desktop.

    However I had the same problem than other people when I try to put the Icon in Connect as in terminal I was not permitted to open the xml file you gave us.

    So I’ve decided to re-install Fedora 7 and now after download they ask me if I want to install the update patch and when I ckick OK, I’ve got a message that says that the patch file is not available and right now I cannot even re-install Skype. Anybody can help ?
    Thanks a lot in advance.

51. bkk 92 wrote, on August 23rd, 2008:

    

    To All again !

    Finally I solved all the problems after I start again and I’ve gor the Skype icon in connect. Thanks to Ryan as your advice how to open the xml file and how to place the Icon properly in Connect.

    Thks a lot once again

52. Tone wrote, on August 23rd, 2008:

    

    No joy installing Skype on a fresh AA1 for me. Got Advanced Mode, OK. D’loaded Skype (Fed 7) from Skype.com, but every time I try and install, I get dependency errors.

    Error Resolving Dependencies

    Missing Dependency: libgnutls.so.13(GNUTLS_1_3) is needed by package libpurple
    Missing Dependency: libedataserver-1.2.so.9 is needed by package ame
    Missing Dependency: libgnutls.so.13 is needed by package ame
    Missing Dependency: libgnutls.so.13 is needed by package libpurple
    Missing Dependency: libedataserver-1.2.so.9 is needed by package acerim
    Missing Dependency: libgnutls.so.13 is needed by package acerim

    Acerima and libpurple should be on system – bases for Messenger, right? – but the installer doesn’t see ‘em.

53. Tone wrote, on August 23rd, 2008:

    

    Fixed it.

    Re-install Linpus from the Recovery Disc.

    I don’t know what difference it made, but afterwards I could install Skype without any dependency errors cropping up.

    All I need to do now is figure out how to get my Novatel Wireless MC950D 3G modem to work…

    Anyway, hopefully the OS reinstall will work for others in difficulty.

54. Hilde wrote, on August 23rd, 2008:

    

    Michael, thanx for the words! And thanx for the beer.

    I’ve never worked with Linux before, but it’s working now, and i’ve to say: finally it’s easy to get it working… In the same time i’ve changed some layout things aswell

55. Rob wrote, on August 30th, 2008:

    

    Thanks to everyone for their help – as a Windows techie it’s certainly been interesting. I founxfce-setting-show” that opening the file in Firefox instead of saving meant that the install was very straight-forward. The shortcut to terminal and the advance config section ‘xfce-setting-show’ was great. Thanks all

56. alice kuipers wrote, on September 10th, 2008:

    

    Please could someone help me – I’m new to linux and have an acer aspire one laptop (bought for travelling and skyping home). Well, I’ve spent HOURS following all the above advice, I have installed the livna repository and it claims it’s installed. I know my password. I have put in the advanced stuff so I can right click and get the list. BUT everytime I try to install Fedora 7 or 6 I get the following message: Cannot retrieve repository metadata (repomd.xml) for repository: updates-source. Please verify its path and try again

    I have ticked all the repository boxes in the repository manager as someone on another forum suggested – they remain ticked. But nothing else is happening.

    Thanks for answering if you do, i really appreciate it!
    Ali

57. Morris Lee wrote, on September 10th, 2008:

    

    Someone was having repository problems, he/she(can’t remember) did a factory restore was able to complete the guide and install skype flawlessly, if you don’t have anything important saved, that is what I would suggest you to do. other then that, you can try updating the system, that is your only hope as far as I know.

    keep trying, I will try my best to help you get it right.
    Morris Lee

58. alice kuipers wrote, on September 11th, 2008:

    

    Thanks Morris Lee – I’ll try the factory restore when I get back to the UK (in about three weeks), how, in the meantime, do I update the system (sorry but I have no idea). I looked through the comments and Eric had the same problems as me, but doesn’t seem to have received a reply – like him, I’ve done everything and am still getting the same respository message. The person who did the restore had a different message…

    Thanks so much for trying – my mum’ll really appreciate it if I end up being able to call her!

    A

59. alice kuipers wrote, on September 11th, 2008:

    

    I get the same message when I try to install the package manager – does this mean anything?

60. Morris Lee wrote, on September 11th, 2008:

    

    Alice, install updates first, make sure you are connected to a good signal wireless connection and/or with a LAN(RJ45 cable) cable, open firefox first, see if you are at a good browsing speed. then, on your “home” or the “desktop” at the right corner, just above the wifi, sound icons, you have the “settings” button, click on that, you will be brought to a page with system informations etc, there you will find “Live Update” click on that, and follow the on screen instructions, if it is not updating, sometimes the server can be down for up to a day(which I have experienced) so don’t worry, give it a few hours, then try it again, if still does not work after one or 2 days, THEN you should consider a factory default maybe, but please come back to the forum before you do so!! we might have the solutions at any moment!!

    As for the repository problem, I have yet to find out what is going on, but I think there is something wrong in the Acer file managing syetem. Last time when I want to revert back to the original Acer messenger, I was missing whole bunch of lib files, and still runs into problems when i try recoverying them from another drive.

    Morris Lee

61. richard wrote, on September 11th, 2008:

    

    have done all this and all i get is a error msg saying unable to retrieve software information any ideas thanks richard

62. shawn wrote, on September 11th, 2008:

    

    i followed the instructions all the way up to the reboot. rebooted the system and the icon hasn’t appeared. rechecked the .xml file and the line containing skype has disappeared. anyway to get it back or can someone tell me what to paste in so i can have the icon in the connect tab?

63. Morris Lee wrote, on September 12th, 2008:

    

    shawn, I will post it sometime in the weekend time, i gotta finish my homework here, and I have XP installed. I am going to do a 30GB 1.8 inch hdd mod though.(i do have the linpus installed on another USB hdd, don’t worry)

64. shawn wrote, on September 12th, 2008:

    

    That’s great. I really appreciate that. The application still works and everything seems in order. I suppose I can’t have done too much damage. I may need some help getting the line in the right place, if that makes a difference at all.

65. jase wrote, on September 13th, 2008:

    

    Hi
    I did everything like said in the article to install skype whoch worked. Now everytime i click on it whether it be in the menu or in the connect area it simply does NOTHING. i have re-installed and restarted my computer plenty of times but it just does nothing whenever i click on the skype icon.

66. eleanor wrote, on September 15th, 2008:

    

    Hi,

    I followed your suggestions for installing skype, but whenever I try to make a call it says ‘problem with audio playback’. I can hear other stuff on my computer fine – do you have any idea what could be wrong?

    Thanks

67. Morris Lee wrote, on September 16th, 2008:

    

    Hey Shawn, sorry for the late reply, but here is the original line for skype

    change it to

    /usr/share/applications/skype.desktop

    notice the number for skype I have changed to to 8, change that number to the next largest number in the catagory.

    this line is generated right under the

    /usr/share/applications/linpus-web.desktop

    line upon skype installation.

    new update on my aspire one, installed linpus back, got fed up with windows stupidity of not controlling MLC SSD correctly. I do have a performance “patch up” job using ewf, can ask me if you are interested.

68. Javier wrote, on September 17th, 2008:

    

    Skype intstalled and working fine (right clicking)!… so far.

    To put ICON in CONNECT its another story. I erase the dashes and exclamation in the ….groups-app.xml but i didnt change the index number. rebooting and nothing happend. I couldn´t find again in groups-app.xlm the line related skype¿? any suggest??

    thanks.
    Javier.

69. Javier wrote, on September 17th, 2008:

    

    SOLVE IT BY MYSELF!.
    thanks anyway

70. Morris Lee wrote, on September 17th, 2008:

    

    oi… I didn’t check the post results, i suppose it does not post the tags, probably some html and xml protection for this site

71. Michael T wrote, on September 20th, 2008:

    

    Installed skype (opens with right click) Can’t get icon on desktop. When I Try to open file /home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml it says ‘permission denied’.
    I have put in my user password if requested
    Can you help?

72. Morris Lee wrote, on September 20th, 2008:

    

    hum.. you shouldn’t get permission problem, but if you do, right click on the file and click on Open with other application(something like that) and use custom command using “sudo mousepad” without the quotes, then you can edit the file as root

73. shawn wrote, on September 21st, 2008:

    

    Thanks loads for all the help, Morris Lee. Works a treat and now it’s easily accessible for my wife. The less things that can go wrong on her watch, the better. :p

74. Herman de Jongste wrote, on September 21st, 2008:

    

    For days (in fact more than a week now) I am getting an error message while trying to do a live update. There are four updates waiting; A thai language update and three greyed out updates (so I presume they are obligatory):
    180053 A date/time patch
    180054 A system patch
    19004 Xfdesktop patch

    Live update goes through selecting the packages but after a while the process times out and I get an error message.

    I have good internet connection as witnessed by Firefox running well and I am getting my emails. Also live update worked fine in the past.

    I tried sudo yum install fedora-release. It runs the transaction test successfully but then hangs on “Running Transaction”.

    I have now also noticed that when installing new software via the package manager the process stops when it requires updating package. Is that related?

    Help!!

75. Morris Lee wrote, on September 21st, 2008:

    

    Herman de Jongste, welcome to the linux world, you see, in linux, there are so many things that you can do with it, so many possibilities. BUT comes to the bad side, so many possible problems. What i am trying to say is anything you could have possiblily done can result to some software to funtion incorrectly.

    you can wait it out, see if the updates are corrected adjusted on the server side, or you can do a factory default and see if that fixes the problem(do the update before you install anything else.

76. Pat wrote, on September 24th, 2008:

    

    Hi,
    I managed to get it up and running, in the connect box, was very happy with it (it only really works on the aspire one here, the windows-based ones always give me trouble). Except that today I clicked on the updates, got the updates, and it has wiped out my icon and, apparently, my skype… what can I do to get it back? Go through the whole install again?
    Help please!

77. Morris Lee wrote, on September 25th, 2008:

    

    no, you don’t need to reinstall, read my post 67 on this page, I have the values you have to put in, and the instructions on where it is suppose to be

78. Javier wrote, on September 28th, 2008:

    

    Do we need to do the post 67 every time we have updates?!.. Thanks Morris Lee, every little helps!.

79. Andrey wrote, on September 28th, 2008:

    

    I have same problems with “Cannot retrieve repository metadata (repomd.xml)…”
    In other article http://www.labtestproject.com/using_linux/install_software_from_fedora_installation_dvd
    I read that this problem occur when AcerOne do not connect to net.
    How I can do the installation of Skype or other program without connecton to net?

80. Morris Lee wrote, on September 28th, 2008:

    

    Javier, you shouldn’t have to, if you do, there is something wrong, I never had trouble with missing icon when updating….

    the only solution I know so far is doing a clean factory recovery, install all the updates, THEN install anything you want to use.

81. Paul Zainiputra wrote, on October 7th, 2008:

    

    I’ve got my skype working fine, yeah, thanks a lot guys!

82. Randy McDermott wrote, on October 9th, 2008:

    

    Hi Group,

    I’m new here and to Linix.

    Now that I know that programs CAN be added to the One (thanks acer guy), is there an equivalent (hopefully free) to Windoze Remote Desktop for Limpus Light on the Aspire One?

    My boss wants to access his PC at work when he is off-site with his One.

    Thanks in advance,

    Randy

83. Morris Lee wrote, on October 9th, 2008:

    

    Yes, you can use rdesktop, you can install it by using terminal with the following command:

    sudo yum install rdesktop
    (you might need to install livna prior)

    you will need to use commands to use this program like the following:

    rdesktop 192.125.125.12 -u morris -p 123456

    example is connecting to a computer with ip 192.125.125.12 with user name morris and password 123456

    (of course the ip up there is not my server nor my user name and password ~~)

    use rdesktop command in the terminal to see uses

84. Lorraine wrote, on October 27th, 2008:

    

    Fantastically useful help in finding the superuser file manager, without which would never have downloaded skype in a million years. Sincere thanks.
    L.

85. jsg wrote, on October 28th, 2008:

    

    Hi
    Great info. I would add that it is critical to use a decent connection – I gave up on my home wifi and used a LAN cable.

    After downloading and using the software installer (right click on rpm)

    I get the following dependency errors – I am lost and would appreciate help

    Missing Dependency: libgnutls.so.13(GNUTLS_1_3) is needed by package libpurple
    Missing Dependency: libedataserver-1.2.so.9 is needed by package ame
    Missing Dependency: libgnutls.so.13 is needed by package ame
    Missing Dependency: libgnutls.so.13 is needed by package libpurple
    Missing Dependency: libedataserver-1.2.so.9 is needed by package acerim
    Missing Dependency: libgnutls.so.13 is needed by package acerim

    Thanks

86. Morris Lee wrote, on October 29th, 2008:

    

    did you remove anything? or did you ever installed other softwares like aMSN, or pidgean?

87. jsg wrote, on October 29th, 2008:

    

    Hi

    Thanks. As far as I know I didnt break anything – but sometimes it is hard to tell…..

    Anyway I discovered this

    http://www.acer.com/aspireone/support/files/connect.html

    It seems that the acer guys have finally got their act together. This is a compplete install – including icon and working video.

    Also some other good downloads – check it out

    Thanks for your time

    JSG

88. need help wrote, on November 7th, 2008:

    

    hey, i followed everything it said, but i cant install skype.
    it says it cant retrieve the software info.
    can anyone help me

89. gian kon wrote, on November 9th, 2008:

    

    hi,i want to install k lite program in acer aspire one 110.i try to find on my own but i couldn’t find the solution.can anybody help me?
    thanks in advance.

90. Morris Lee wrote, on November 10th, 2008:

    

    Linpus one? or Windows? for linux, you need to install VLC player to play movies, k-lite should work in Windows easily.

91. Dutchies wrote, on November 19th, 2008:

    

    I downloaded the skype, and had the same problem with the root password..however to complete the sky instaltion, you will have to reset the password if you hadnt done it before.
    Here is how you do it.

    you right click the menu tab, go to system and then go to the terminal on the system.http://www.theacerguy.com/2008/07/25/getting-skype-on-the-aspire-one/il
    Once the terminal has opened type this:
    sudo -su

    it will propmt u to enter a password. type this:
    passwd

    It will now prompt you to enter the new root password(Just type it)

    Note: That the password need not be a dictionary word and needlonger than 6 characters, however the insructions will tell u to do so anyway.

    This is just for the people who had the same problem of not knowing the root password when asked for it.

    Greetings from Nova Scotia

92. Michael Walsh wrote, on November 26th, 2008:

    

    Hi Dutchies,

    Thanks for that heads up and sorry it took so long to get back to you. This almost deserves its own post you know…

    Michael

    Greetings back from Milan

93. Pete wrote, on December 4th, 2008:

    

    When i want to install tsclient I get the following, anyone?

    Unresolvable requirement redhat-menus for kdelibs
    Unresolvable requirement libgnome-desktop-2.so.2 for gnome-utils
    Unresolvable requirement redhat-menus >= 1.11 for htmlview

94. mel wrote, on December 19th, 2008:

    

    hi i have acer aspire one linux version. i have opted for the advanced menu but i cannot open the add/remove software. after i give the root password it never showed up. help me please..do i need to recover back my system..

95. Morris Lee wrote, on December 19th, 2008:

    

    @mel,

    I am not sure of your exact problem, but is your machine up-to-date?

    if there is no other option, you can try http://www.theacerguy.com/2008/09/aspire-one-recovery/

    good luck

96. Mike O'D wrote, on December 21st, 2008:

    

    Thanks for the fantastic instructions… skype is up and running, but I cannot get the icon to show on my desktop. I got into /home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml and edited the skype entry as instructed, and then saved the file, but no sign of the skype icon. Interestingly when I went back to have another look, it had reverted to the original entry with the !–.

    Do you have any suggestions?

97. ywamer wrote, on December 27th, 2008:

    

    Hey,

    I had some of these same problems getting Skype setup on my AspireOne.

    I’m just wondering why nobody is following the simple self-installing version of Skype that Acer has released for the Aspire One?

    Skype, FileZilla, Firefox 3 and more + install instructions are all there.

    http://www.acer.com/aspireone/support/files/connect.html

98. Andy T wrote, on December 31st, 2008:

    

    Can anyone help? Trying to install Skype from the acer website above and not getting very far.

    Have downloaded the zip file, opened it with Xarchiver, but when I double click on sklype.sh nothing happens.

    I have tried highlighting the file and clicking the open tab but keep getting the following message – ‘can’t open file “mnt/home/downloads/skype.sh/skype.sh” Archive format is not recognized!

    Does anyone know a way around this?

99. diclidophora wrote, on January 3rd, 2009:

    

    yep. downloaded skype from the acer website and it seem to be working fine. have got the icon on the coms as well.

100. becca wrote, on January 6th, 2009:

     

     hey so i downloaded skype, the ubuntu one…and now i cant find it anywhere. i dont see it in my desktop or anywhere else. id reallllly like to get the skype icon under connects however im having the same problem as brian hedney (3rd comment at the top of this page.) help : ( im not sure ill be able to come back to this page so if anyone could help? my email is lilxmissie@aol.com. i will try to bookmark this site. thanks !!

101. Morris Lee wrote, on January 6th, 2009:

     

     @becca,

     download the FEDORA one, not Ubuntu, then after install, edit your /home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml file

102. Jean Pierre TSHIENDA wrote, on January 6th, 2009:

     

     I’m completely satisfied with your website. It deserve to be called the best. Back to the comment of restoring the root password, you need to type in ’sudo -su’ there’s a space between and ignore all and just type ‘passwd’ then enter your new password at the command. Again, it will be blank but it’s registering

     All the best

103. Michael Walsh wrote, on January 6th, 2009:

     

     Jean Pierre,

     Thank you. You’ve just given me the juice to keep going!

104. Bhagwant wrote, on January 8th, 2009:

     

     I had Skype working on my computer for about 10 days and now it just tries to start and stops with a new screen opening with a title “Help Browser”. If I leave is running the screens come up repeatedly, but the Skype does not run.

     What can or should I do?

105. John wrote, on January 15th, 2009:

     

     Ive been having problems trying to do a software update on the ACER aspire one. I get the error message shown below after it downloads the dependencies

     file /usr/share/desktop-directories/Internet.directory from install of gnome-menus-2.20.1-1.fc8 conflicts with file from package xfdesktop-acer-lp-1652.mcs_patched

     file /usr/share/desktop-directories/Settings.directory from install of gnome-menus-2.20.1-1.fc8 conflicts with file from package xfdesktop-acer-lp-1652.mcs_patched

     I was trying to do the update as I have been trying to install mplayer and VLC but it keeps on giving the error :
     Missing Dependency: libpulse.so.0(PULSE_0) is needed by package vlc

     I cannot get past this error any help is greatly appreciated

     Thanks

106. Ruby wrote, on January 17th, 2009:

     

     Help!

107. Ruby wrote, on January 17th, 2009:

     

     still having problems getting skype downloaded ubuntu7.04-8.04 said operation completed, then followed your instructions. “To do this go to Files > My Documents to open the File Manager. Then go to File > Terminal.comes up with this [user@localhost Documents]$
     so followed the next set of instructions i tried this The quick and easy way of getting to the xfce settings.

     Hit alt-f2 and type “xfce-settings-show” (alt-f2 is the equiv of windows “start->run” and got this, terminal box but blank go to desktop right click and nothing.It’s very frustrating and have wasted hours trying to figure this out very much regret buying this acer.
     please help, now what do i do?

108. Morris Lee wrote, on January 17th, 2009:

     

     @Ruby,

     you need the fedora version, NOT the ubuntu version

     go to

     http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_one_150.html

     and under the linpus linux section you should be able to locate the skype application (skype.sh) SHOULD work

109. Michael Walsh wrote, on January 17th, 2009:

     

     @Ruby,

     I’ve noticed that Skype has been added to the list of programs you can now download automatically for the Aspire One.

     You only need to jump through two hoops to get it too.

     First you have to go into advanced mode (instructions here).

     Then once you’re done, from the home page right click the mouse button and scroll down the menu to you come to “SYSTEM” and from there “ADD/REMOVE SOFTWARE”.

     A new window should open, wait for it to load (you should be connected to the web of course) and then click on SEARCH. Look for Skype and click on the version that appears and install it. Done!

110. Ruby wrote, on January 17th, 2009:

     

     Thanks, now have advanced mode on the desk top, followed the next set of instructions comes up with a query box saying You are attempting to run “pirut” which requires administrative privileges, but more information is needed in order to do so, authenticating as root password. Help now what? there is no search option just cancel or ok.
     lets get to the bottom of this i will be a very happy women.
     Ruby

111. Morris Lee wrote, on January 18th, 2009:

     

     @Ruby,

     have a look here http://www.theacerguy.com/2008/11/how-to-reset-the-root-password-on-an-aspire-one-linux/

     once you have reset the password, you should be able to continue

112. becca wrote, on January 22nd, 2009:

     

     hey @morris lee..
     thank you for the advice! ive made it to the end… well almost. i dont undersstand how to edit that file you told me about. i have no idea what that even is.. lol sorry if i sound a little “behind” help please!

113. Morris Lee wrote, on January 23rd, 2009:

     

     @becca,

     do you mean you got lost here :“Files” > “My Documents” to open the File Manager. Then go to “File” > “Terminal” ?

     open the file manager, then find the file there.

     however, you should be able to launch th Terminal by pressing Alt+F2 to open the run window, then enter terminal then press enter, the terminal window should now show

114. Ruby wrote, on January 23rd, 2009:

     

     Skype,
     ok i now have skype in the network menu. would like to get it on the connect desktop so i go to file manager and erase what’s in the location box and put /home/user/.config/xfce4/desktop/group-app.xml then it comes up with a box saying group -app.xml now what, or am i even putting this info in the right place at all? it’s really not clear at the beginning of this blog where to puit this information. Thanks for all the info getting there slowly.
     Ruby

115. Ruby wrote, on January 23rd, 2009:

     

     Ok reading info again i think i may have done that right but i don’t see anything re skype?
     Ruby

116. Ruby wrote, on January 23rd, 2009:

     

     Found this in group-app.xml then deleated ! mark and dashes /usr/share/applications/skype.desktop saved changes and restarted the computer nothing in connect desktop file, what am i doing wrong please?
     Ruby

117. Morris Lee wrote, on January 24th, 2009:

     

     @Ruby,

     probably because you didn’t change the number, why didn’t you install skype from the acer’s euro page? http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_one_110.html

118. Ruby wrote, on January 24th, 2009:

     

     Did look there but it was not easy to find link for download, anyway it’s now on my desktop i changed the number to 8, but it now over lapping can drag and drop but still over laps should i change the number to 10 or 11 will that move it on so it does not overlap.
     thanks
     Ruby

119. Ruby wrote, on January 24th, 2009:

     

     er, did download fedora 7 like you suggested earlier

120. Morris Lee wrote, on January 24th, 2009:

     

     @Ruby,

     Sorry, I thought I referred that linked to you too, probably I told someone else, but you should try that link if changing the number does not work, don’t use number 7( I recall this is a problem)

121. juan wrote, on January 25th, 2009:

     

     Hi Guys,..

     Looks grate, i have an Asprire one with windows XP, I don’t want to changed, but I installed Spype and I can’t use the webcam,..
     someone knows how to install the Skype in Windows Xp to work with the webcam?

     Thanks

122. Ruby wrote, on January 25th, 2009:

     

     Did that and changed it to 9 and now it does not overlap, thanks for all your help. Can i put itunes on linux do you know ?
     Ruby

123. Morris Lee wrote, on January 25th, 2009:

     

     @Ruby,

     I don’t think anyone took the time and effort to port itunes for ipods, there are many varieties of softwares for linux that supports ipods, I think Amarok being one of them, do a quick google search on how to install it on aspire one

124. dave edwards wrote, on February 10th, 2009:

     

     Used the acer site and folowed simple instructions and it all downloaded fine and even got an icon on the desktop.Voice and cam , everything works , am i missing something here , i have an acer ab150 with 120 gb and 512mps whatever that is and downloaded firefox 3 also to replace firefox 2 that came instaled a few weeks ago wen i bought it.

125. Kefvin Paul wrote, on February 15th, 2009:

     

     When trying to install Skype on my Acer Aspire One my computer locks on Retrieving Software Information so cannot install the program.
     Any idea as to how to work around this problem?

126. ian wrote, on February 16th, 2009:

     

     hi – i installed skype and everything was working fine. then my pc crashed one week later while skype was running. when i restarted it skype works ok but it no longer recognises the webcam.

     i’ve tried uninstalling and then reinstalling skype but it still doesn’t recognise the webcam.

     pls can someone help me with this – it’s driving me crazy.

     thanks

127. Øystein S wrote, on February 23rd, 2009:

     

     This Update page by Acer is superb: Here are the programs you like, including Skype. Download and install, and the icons will enter the main menu in a neat way.

     http://www.acer.com/aspireone/aspireone_8_9/support/files/connect.html

128. jd9730 wrote, on February 28th, 2009:

     

     Acerguy, you are awesome!! Without any knowledge of Linux and with the help from you and everyone I was able to reset my root password, download Skype by downloading livna first, and have the icon show up on my desktop (with help on how to edit while in the terminal mode). Thank you to all!

129. oarsman wrote, on March 4th, 2009:

     

     Thanks very much for the help on getting Skype up and running. It seems stupid that neither Skype or Acer give any clear instruction on how to do this, not even an indication of which Linux version to download, and we have to turn to people like you to make it work. I am new to Linux but is this par for the course from organisations who are more used to the support from the evil empire of Microsoft & Apple? (Remember when Apple were the good guys…it seems so long ago!)

130. Dave Bowen wrote, on March 17th, 2009:

     

     dear Ace,

     I downloaded skype just like you said and I got the icon and I can open it and make a test call.

     But.

     If I close skype and go back say ten minutes later it says that \login failed because another contact may exist\. If I shut down and reboot I can open it as normal.

     What am i doing wrong?

     Also I can hear the test message loud and clear but my voice when played back sounds muffled and faint even though I adjusted the mic booster values in the audio settings and even though I raised my voice load and spoke close to the mic.

     Any ideas on that problem too?

     many many thanks from a complete computer pleb.

     regards

     dave

131. niels wrote, on March 23rd, 2009:

     

     Hello, this might seem repetitive but I have a problem with the group-app.xml file and the skype icon. I followed the instructions as desribed above and everything worked fine (inluding the skype icon in the connect section of the desktop). After doing a Live Update the icon was gone but I could start skype with the advanced menu. I edited the group-app.xml file again, removed the comments (!–), rebooted, no icon this time. Looked in the group-app.xml and the comments were there again! It seems that the changed file gets replaced by the original one. Anyone? Thanks.

132. niels wrote, on March 26th, 2009:

     

     Hello, fixed the problem myself. Make sure you remove all the “-” in the line with skype in the group-app.xml file. Cheers, N.

133. kien wrote, on June 20th, 2009:

     

     hi, thanks for this blogs,i have encounter some problems in my aspire Zg5. one is may password,how can i change may password?i forgot may recent password,i dont know what to do,second is my messenger,i try to log in to yahoo but the meesenger has failure in name resolution, please help me,thanks

134. kien wrote, on June 20th, 2009:

     

     hi, i forgot my password,how can i change it?if i go to terminal and try to change it,they need my current password,but i forgot it,what should i do? thanks…

135. michael wrote, on June 21st, 2009:

     

     hey i had done every thing you said but when i get to the package manager it came up with a blank loading screen, what do i do next??

136. Joy wrote, on June 25th, 2009:

     

     hello! i have aspire one ZG5 run by Linpus lite and i installed skype on it…actually this time i was sucessful, BUT my internal microphone is not working, can you help me on this???is there anything i could do to make it work????im away with my family so i just really need it badly, if soon you could help, i will appreciate it very much……

     thank you

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