[Discuss] Linux on laptops

[Shirley Márquez Dúlcey]

If you want to run Linux on a Chromebook, Crouton is usually an easier
solution than Chrubuntu. Crouton runs a Linux user space in parallel
with Chrome OS using the Chrome OS kernel, so there are usually no
problems with hardware compatibility. You can switch back and forth
between the two user spaces with a hot key.

On Thu, Nov 12, 2015 at 9:03 AM, Edward Ned Harvey (blu)
<blu at nedharvey.com> wrote:
>> From: Discuss [mailto:discuss-bounces+blu=nedharvey.com at blu.org] On
>> Behalf Of Kent Borg
>>
>> Something that has intrigued me recently is the idea of running a fairly
>> standard Linux on a Chromebook. They are small and cheap, and have long
>> battery life.
>
> The issue that leads me here today is as follows:
>
> I have an Acer Chromebook C710. Dual core Celeron 1.1GHz, 2GB ram (one slot populated, one slot available), 320GB hard drive, multitouch pad. It's pretty nice. So I looked up how to install linux on it. The answer is Chrubuntu,
> http://chromeos-cr48.blogspot.com/2013/05/chrubuntu-one-script-to-rule-them-all_31.html
>
> This got ubuntu 12.04 installed (quite painfully I might add). So the first thing I did was apply updates, and suddenly there's no graphics anymore. Text only login.
>
> Needless to say, that's not acceptable.
>
> The root cause is the Chromebook BIOS can't boot a standard bootloader. Linux is assuming grub, which is not correct, so weird things happen loading the wrong kernel or the wrong initrd. You can't boot from a USB into rescue mode to fix it. You have to restore to factory from a Chromebook USB recovery fob, and start all over.
>
> I strongly discourage getting a chromebook with the intent of using it for anything other than a chromebook. But if you already have one - Sure, give it a try. Worst case, you have to download a Chromebook recovery fob in order to get back to a supported chrome OS.
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