Author Topic: Can eCS run on a Chromebook?  (Read 20708 times)

Martin Iturbide

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Can eCS run on a Chromebook?
« on: December 08, 2013, 01:15:33 am »
I really don't know much about the Chromebooks. Just today checking on Amazon's best selling laptops I found several Chromebooks.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/565108/ref=sr_bs_1

There is the Samsung one that has an ARM processor, so that's for sure that eCS can not run on that one.

But what about:
- Acer C720 Chromebook (11.6-Inch, Haswell micro-architecture, 2GB)  ($199)   - Processor 1.4 GHz Intel Celeron ?
or
- Acer C710-2834 11.6-Inch Chromebook (Iron Gray) ($199) - Processor 1.5 GHz Intel Celeron 1007U ?

Reading about it, it seem seems that you can not install Windows on Chromebook either. From what I read even the Chromebooks that has Intel processors has a non Windows-compatible BIOS, so this may means that there is no chance to run eCS on that ones too.

But it seems you can run eCS inside a virtual machine on a Chromebook, but it will be interesting to try it someday.

Any thoughts?

Regards
Martin Iturbide
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ivan

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Re: Can eCS run on a Chromebook?
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2013, 10:30:43 am »
Martin, there are a couple of things to consider.

1)  Can it run a standard linux distro?
2)  Are there drivers available for the accessories?

There has been several comments about running linux on the Acer models in the Register so point 1 is covered.  Point 2 is going to be the problem, specifically the wireless card, we don't have a very good record with that.

Martin Iturbide

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Re: Can eCS run on a Chromebook?
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2013, 01:46:04 pm »
My first concern will be, will it boot ?
Martin Iturbide
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ivan

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Re: Can eCS run on a Chromebook?
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2013, 07:37:59 pm »
In theory it should BUT you should read http://johnlewis.ie/pre-built-coreboot-firmware-for-chromebooks/ first to get some idea about what is going on and how to change things.

BigGoofyGuy

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Dual boot Chrome OS, Ubuntu on a Chromebook, Chromebox
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2013, 04:41:38 pm »
Here is an article on dual booting on a Chromebook.
http://liliputing.com/2012/07/dual-boot-chrome-os-ubuntu-on-a-chromebook-chromebox.html
It seems it could be done.
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BigGoofyGuy

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Install Windows On Chromebook
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2013, 04:44:57 pm »
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BigGoofyGuy
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Martin Iturbide

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Re: Can eCS run on a Chromebook?
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2013, 06:43:09 pm »
Thanks for the Link.

If they can install Win8, so eCS may also boot there. But the procedure is not for the weak hearted. Flashing the  BIOS with a custom one... ouch!!  :)

Martin Iturbide
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BigGoofyGuy

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Re: Can eCS run on a Chromebook?
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2013, 05:25:34 pm »
http://www.devhardware.com/c/a/Hardware-Guides/Why-and-How-to-Flash-Your-BIOS/
'Flashing the BIOS is one of the most feared topics related to computers.' - quote from the site.
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BigGoofyGuy

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10 common mistakes you should avoid when flashing your BIOS
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2013, 05:29:30 pm »
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-common-mistakes-you-should-avoid-when-flashing-your-bios/357/
'The decision to flash your BIOS should not be taken lightly. It is essential that you do it mistake free if you still want to be able to use your computer.' Makes me want to only try it if the computer is not my main computing device.  8)
'Disclaimer: Flashing the BIOS incorrectly can lead to an unusable system. Flash the BIOS at your own risk. '
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BigGoofyGuy
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BigGoofyGuy

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Acer C720 Chromebook tested with Ubuntu: Not bad for $200
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2013, 08:24:01 pm »
http://liliputing.com/2013/12/acer-c270-chromebook-tested-ubuntu-bad-200.html
Here is a site that shows Ubuntu being installed on a Chromebook.
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BigGoofyGuy
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BigGoofyGuy

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Re: Can eCS run on a Chromebox?
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2014, 06:24:48 pm »
http://liliputing.com/2014/02/asus-chromebox-tiny-chrome-os-desktop-179.html
If they can put a different operating system on a Chromebook, why not a ChromeBox?

Would it be any more difficult? At $179, it might be worth the attempt?  8)
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BigGoofyGuy
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BigGoofyGuy

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BigGoofyGuy

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LG Chromebase all-in-one Chrome desktop does America for $350
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2014, 03:37:58 pm »
http://liliputing.com/2014/05/lg-chromebase-one-chrome-desktop-america-350.html
I think this all-in-one is - IMO - really cool. It should not be any different when installing a different operating system?

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BigGoofyGuy
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BigGoofyGuy

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Asus C200 Chromebook: Enabling dev mode, installing Ubuntu
« Reply #13 on: June 18, 2014, 06:38:54 pm »
http://liliputing.com/2014/06/asus-c200-chromebook-enabling-dev-mode-installing-ubuntu.html
Information on installing an operating system onto a Chromebook/box? It indicates Ubuntu but perhaps one can use the information to install eCS?


 8)
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BigGoofyGuy

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HP Chromebook 11 G3 replaces ARM with Bay Trail
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2014, 04:06:12 pm »
http://liliputing.com/2014/08/hp-chromebook-11-g3-replaces-arm-bay-trail.html
Perhaps with an Intel chip instead of an ARM chip, it would be easier to install eCS 2.2 beta on it?

 8)
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