Is there still a ‘place’ for an old Libretto?
Posted by Andrew on Jul 12, 2008
The recent launch of the latest iphone, the Asus EEE and new PDA’s… is there still a place for an older Libretto such as a 100CT in today’s computer landscape? I am not going to beat about the bush. For many an old Libretto is not right, never will be. It is not brand new, contains the latest in technologies and pushing innovation. There will always be a camp of people who can’t bear to use older hardware. If that is you, stop reading now please, this article won’t be worth the read.
Too many Libretto’s I fear are gathering dust or even worse have been disposed off, however with a bit of time it is amazing what the Libretto can still achieve. Qwerty keyboard, good size screen, upgradeable hard drive, multi-os and pcmcia providing the ability to increase functionality further. Sounds like a device that can cater to somebodies requirements to me.
Now you might be thinking CPU and available software. True the CPU can be a factor, but there still is software that is very usable on an old libretto and there are things you can do to overcome some barriers.
Comparison time. The Libretto isn’t a fit in your pocket social connectivity tool. So lets knock the head on those comparisons, there is no point. The Asus EEE is larger, higher spec, but there are many requirements that your older Libretto’s can provide that the Asus can also, but alas there is as many an old Libretto can’t. In fact lets stop the comparisons. No point!
So what does it come down to? It was obvious from the beginning really wasn’t it. There are some of us who refuse to give up on older technologies just because they are not slick and sexy enough in today’s computing landscape. If the product provides functionality that you are happy with and is the right device for a specific requirement fantastic, if your requirements change then so be it. Also there are many who want to see how far they can push their Libretto’s, the old school techs used to pushing their hardware. Why? It’s fun.
So the answer to the question? Yes
Watching video on an old Libretto
Posted by Andrew on Jul 6, 2008
Usually if you try and play back video on an old libretto it will pause, have issues with syncing… basically a waste of time!
The problem is usually audio and all you need to do is re-encode your video file’s audio to use wav instead of say mp3. I know, I know wav files are huge! However by reducing the bit rate of your video, and in some cases the video screen size, you will probably actually only end up with a video file not that much larger than the original. The quality of the video file will be reduced, but the viewing experiencing is actually quite good and plays smoothly.
So what software do we recommend? Well there is always the ’super’ software. That allows you to select the container, codecs and settings, drag the file and et voila. The encoding might take a while on larger video files. So for instance mp4 (container), xvid (codec), 500 kbps (bit rate) etc.
Now this tip isn’t so you can watch illegal content on your libretto! It is so you can convert home movies or free content instead to watch on your old libretto.
link: http://www.erightsoft.com/SUPER.html
The U100 Bios key
Posted by Bob on Jun 7, 2008
Just a short note on ‘How to get into the Libret; to U100 bios’. This day it took me about half an hour before I remembered how to enter the bios of the U100: press [esc]!
How-to replace the U100 harddisk?
Posted by Bob on May 24, 2008
From the moment I got myself the Libretto U100 I wondered how to replace the slow harddisk. Within the first week I opened the Libretto as far as possible and I had a short look inside the little machine. The harddisk was nowhere to be found, although I knew it had to be somewhere at the bottom.
After a day or to on Google, I found myself the original replacement manual! In that manual there are step-by-step instructions how to disassemble my Libretto u100 completely and finally (that chapter is located almost at the end of the instructions) locate the harddisk and remove it!
As soon as I have the time and guts, I’ll start to replace my standard 60GB HDD for a (faster and) bigger 120 GB 7200 rpm harddisk. I certainly hope the U100 motherbord will support the bigger drive!
Linux on the Libretto 50/70
Posted by Bob on May 13, 2008
In my neverending search for usefull links and other info about installing a Linux distro or other OS on your Libretto I found these 2 interesting links:
FreeBSD 4.10 & Xfree86 4.3.0 on Toshiba Libretto
Linux on the Toshiba Libretto 70
Both websites are very usefull for People like me: interested in installing exotic operating systems om exoctic hardware, but do not have the knowlegde to figure it out all by yourself.
On both pages you’ll find all the information you need about installing Red Hat Linux and FreeBSD on your own LIbretto 40 or 70.
Toys Wiki: Libretto L1
Posted by Bob on Apr 30, 2008
The Toys Wiki is about installing Linux on a Libretto L1 series. This page contains lots of info, details and links about the installation of linux on a Libretto L1 model. As I’ve never seen a L1 model before, I cannot test the how-to’s on these pages, but I know for sure that the Toys Wiki s one of the most useful website on the net about installing Linux on your L1.
Ottaky.com
Posted by Bob on Apr 30, 2008
Always wanted toinstall Linux on your Libretto 70CT? Visit Ottokay.com and learn how to use another Toshiba notebook to install Suse linux on you little friend. Very comprehensive page of theinstallation and configuration of of Suse on your Libretto. Should be usefull for your 100 or 110 CT also.
Solid State Libretto - Results
Posted by Joseph on Apr 18, 2008
I received my Lexar 4GB 133x Compact Flash card today and installed it. I then cloned it from a disk image I had previously taken of my Libretto, and when it had finished, I was amazed. The boot time is now half of what it was, and programs launch just as fast or even faster than they did when I had 64MB in my Libretto. Also, it has taken a lot longer for the battery to run out, and the Libretto runs silently, I am very happy in my £30 investment. We shall see how well the wear levelling on the CF card stands up to the Windows pagefile, hopefully the card will not wear out in a week.