Chromebooks End Of Life

[zarg2]

Gallium is optimized for the weird chrome book keyboard. I got lucky and got my c720p in bulk from a school lease sale. But that model can be found on Groupon for 79 to 99. Mx ran great on an old Toshiba netbook so I'm sure it will run on a chromebook

[Yeri]

Ok so it's Gallium that works better on the system.
If I get one I will try antix as someone posted on here they were able to get it to work.

[rokytnji.1]

Ok so it's Gallium that works better on the system.
If I get one I will try antix as someone posted on here they were able to get it to work.

That was me

https://www.antixforum.com/forums/topic ... -antix-19/

[zarg2]

antix or mx should work well on a chromebook; not sure how either will handle the weird keyboard layout. I used gallium largely because it is tailored to chromebooks with different releases depending on processor. i also flashed the bios IAW the instructions on GalliumOs site to be able to boot from USB in order to install. My chromebook boots in seconds like it did when new. I thinks an light linux should work but just like the approach of Gallium. As you can see by my sig; everything else is now MX19

[mxer]

I've had MX running on mine, but it now has AntiX on it, both start up extremely quickly, just like ChromeOS did, but I now have a 'real' Linux on it.

[Yeri]

That was me

https://www.antixforum.com/forums/topic ... -antix-19/

Sorry, I read the post, did I miss the instructions for the install? I looked and it's just upgrade of antix.

i also flashed the bios IAW the instructions on GalliumOs site to be able to boot from USB in order to install.

Thanks for the instructions site, just not sure how comfortable I am in the hardware, (screws etc). I'm leaning towards a cheap laptop.

I've had MX running on mine, but it now has AntiX on it, both start up extremely quickly, just like ChromeOS did, but I now have a 'real' Linux on it.

Did you have instructions for how you did it online somewhere? Did you have to go into the computer hardware to install it or just software?
Thanks

[mxer]

I used online instruction for my make of chromebook about removing the write protect screw.

It was quite easy, just take off the bottom of the case, about 6 screws, locate the metal cover, obvious in my case, take it off, scratch off a bit of plastic washer like material, put a tiny bit of insulation tape over a corner of the cover, replace it & the bottom.

Download & install the new UEFI boot system, install your Linux distro.

[zarg2]

No matter what if you want a full Linux install on a chromebook you have to:

-remove the write protect(almost always a screw inside the unit).

-Flash a new bios in order to boot from usb.

- install new Linux of choice from USB.


There are "work arounds" to use Linux but as far as I know their is no other path to a full install than that I listed.


It is of course possible to brick a system doing the above but if one reads through all steps precautions I think the margin of failure is small.

My cutoff for making it worth BUYING a chromebook to do this is $60 USD or less(and it needs to have a 32GB SSD or EEmc storage. If one already owns a chromebook that is end of support then it depends on comfort level.

[Yeri]

Hey thanks for both for the update.
I am going to take a second look at a cheap Chromebook.

@zarg2
I agree about the cost, in case it doesn't work out but practically if I find a good resource on line it should be ok.

@mxer
Good to know the actual Chromebook has it's own set of instructions.
I will check online before buying.

Thanks again.

[zarg2]

Core i3 laptop 4gb 500gb hdd for 45.68 shipped if you just want to install Linux from usb with no fuss.:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thinkpa ... D&LH_BIN=1


Nevermind- has charger issues,, grrrr