Introduction: How to Install a Linux OS on Your Chromebook
Hello, everyone. My name is Insector. No, really. That's my honest Linux username. Don't mock. Anyway, I have seen some good Instructables on how to install Linux on your Chromebook, but each one was missing something helpful. So, since I have high ambitions, I decided that my first Instructable would be on how to install Linux on your Chromebook, if the title or earlier parts of this introduction didn't give that away. So, without further ado, let's get to it.
Step 1: Opening Your ChromeOS Developer Shell
Before you do anything, you will have to put your Chromebook into Developer Mode *cue pretentious music*. Don't worry, because this is incredibly simple. Simply press and hold the esc and refresh keys, and tap the power button. After it turns off and reboots (this should happen near instantly), you will be met by a screen saying something along the lines of, "ChromeOS is missing or damaged." Don't fret, your computer is fine. When you get this screen, press ctrl+d. You will then be greeted with a screen saying something like, "To turn OS Verification off press enter." At this point, press enter. Eventually your computer will reboot, and you will be asked to go through the initial setup process. After you do this, say hello to Developer Mode.
Now it is time to open Crosh. Simply press ctrl+alt+t. Crosh will open and greet you. Now, type in shell and press enter. You should now see the words chronos@localhost / $. Congratulations, you have reached the shell.
**IMPORTANT NOTICE**
From now on, whenever you turn your Chromebook on, a warning screen will pop up. Just press ctrl+d.
Step 2: Getting Crouton on Your Chromebook
* Edit: It has come to my attention that most people will need to get Scribe from the Chrome Web Store in order for this to work. *
You are now ready to install Crouton. No, this is not a little piece of deliciously stale bread. Crouton is an extension thingamajig that was developed by a Google employee, and it is the reason that we can use Linux on our Chromebooks. Just click this link: crouton. After you click on it, Crouton should automatically download. You are now ready for the next step.
Step 3: Find Your Target
Now it is time to choose a desktop environment. This is simple; just type:
sh ~/Downloads/crouton -t help
This will give a list of desktops, among other things. Just choose one and remember it; you are going to need this. Personally, I like KDE.
Step 4: Choose Your Distro
It is now time to choose the Linux distro that you want to use. Type:
sh ~/Downloads/crouton -r list
You will be greeted by a list of Linux releases that you can choose. I was given the choice between a bunch of the Debian distros, a bunch of Ubuntu distros, or Kali. Choose the distro that you want, and remember it. Personally, I'm partial to Debian Wheezy, but I know a lot of people prefer the Ubuntu distros.
Step 5: Install Your Distro and Desktop
The time has come; you are finally installing Linux. Type in:
sh ~/Downloads/crouton -r (distro) -t (desktop) -n (distro)
where (distro) is replaced by the distro that you want and (desktop) is replaced by the desktop you want. For example, if I wanted Debian Wheezy with the KDE desktop, I would type:
sh ~/Downloads/crouton -r wheezy -t kde -n wheezy
Your Chromebook will now start printing out hundreds of lines of code and it will take about an hour to complete. Sit back and watch those pretty lines fly by.
Step 6: Username and Password
After a long time of anxious waiting, you will finally be asked to give a username and password. After doing this, you should be provided with some tips and the startup command, which should look like:
sudo start(distro)
Step 7: You Did It!
Congratulations. You now have Linux on your Chromebook. Your training is now complete. Go forth and Linux your heart out. Remember though, you must be in your shell to run the start command. I showed you how to do that earlier.
Thank you for being patient with me on this my first Instructable. Hopefully, it won't be my last. See you guys!
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50 Discussions
Question 5 weeks ago on Step 7
It worked nicely for me, but I how can I change the desktop after installation ? And also, how can I uninstall the whole thing ?
4 years ago
I've done everything exactly like everyone has been telling me to but it wont work, i put shell and then
chronos@localhost / $ sudo sh -e ~Downloads/crouton -t xfce
And then this message pops up
sh: Can't open ~Downloads/crouton
Reply 4 years ago
You seem to have left out a slash. Try
sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton
Reply 4 years ago
Well... that worked amazingly! Buuut it crashed and so i restarted it and it promted me with this
/usr/local/chroots/precise already has stuff in it!
Either delete it, specify a different name (-n), or specify -u to update it.
Reply 4 years ago
That may have something to do with the -e command that you put in. Honestly, I have no idea what -e does, so try running the command without it and tell me what happens.
Reply 4 years ago
I tried that and it said the same thing
Reply 4 years ago
Are you certain you have crouton in your downloads folder?
Reply 4 years ago
Yes I am
Reply 4 years ago
Ok so you got it working?
Reply 4 years ago
almost done
I tried to use the comand sudo startxfce4 and it said server error and more
what do i do
Reply 4 years ago
Instead of
sudo startxfce4
try
sudo startxfce
Reply 4 years ago
said comand not found
Reply 4 years ago
Send me some screenshots of the commands and the output.
Reply 4 years ago
this is the screenshot, but i don't know what the output is.
Reply 4 years ago
Ok so I tried it out on my machine.
Run
sudo delete-chroot precise
Then run
sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -r precise -t xfce
Then the command to start it is
sudo startxfce4
Reply 4 years ago
All the coding works till sudo startxfce4
Reply 4 years ago
*Wilt*
I know this is probably a bit frustrating, but thank you so much for being patient. We'll get it working!
Ok, I have 2 possible fixes. Cross your fingers!
First, try running
sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -u -n precise -t xiwi
And then see if you can start it.
If that doesn't work for you, try
sudo rm /dev/dri/card0
and then
sudo mv /dev/dri/card1 /dev/dri/card0
Tell me how that does for you!
Note: If you copy and paste what I have typed, it will help make sure you don't accidentally mistype.
Reply 4 years ago
when i typed
sudo sh ~/Downloads/crouton -u -n precise -t ximi
it said un able to correct problems, you have held broken packages
then when i tried
sudo mv /dev/dri/card1 /dev/dri/card0
it said cannot stat ' /dev/dri/card1' : No such file or directory
then i tried
sudo mv /dev/dri/card1 /dev/dri/card0
cannot stat ‘/dev/dri/card1’: No such file or directory
PS: Thank you for helping me all the way through
Reply 4 years ago
Alright, well then.
Held broken packages?
Seems it's time to nuke it.
Restart your computer, and when it says something like
"ChromeOS is missing or damaged"
hit the spacebar, and it should take your computer out of Developer Mode. This will destroy the broken packages keeping stuff from working. Then, retry this entire Instructible. It may not work, in which case you should retry my previous suggestions.
Reply 4 years ago
I was going over it and it said the samething
then i did developer mode and now it's saying
chronos@localhost / $ sudo startxfce4
sudo: startxfce4: command not found
Idk