5 ms·

A chromebook requires no modification to run linux. They all run linux out of the box by definition.

bqmjjx0kac 3y ago
Sure, technically true, but it's not the same experience as running Debian (for example) on bare metal. For one thing, ChromeOS refuses to pass through certain USB devices to the Linux container. So if you wanted to customize the settings in your gaming mouse or control a 3D printer, you're out of luck.
- jeffbee 3y ago
  I control a 2-axis plotter on a Chromebook without issue. What is the particular problem with 3D printers? As for the mouse thing, the inability to install persistent malware in your pointing device may be viewed as a feature, frankly.
  - bqmjjx0kac 3y ago
    Interesting! I just guessed that might be an issue. I had trouble using a Razer mouse configuration tool because it was unable to see the USB device.
westurner 3y ago
On Chromebooks, there is now a "Turn on Linux" button that's only for non-student, non-family accounts. Can the SecureBoot keys and Serial be overwritten, or are they e-waste after supported updates end and school districts are holding the bag for computers that the kids can't run `git --help` on?
- fragmede 3y ago
  If they can turn on developer mode, they can run sudo dev_install, which will bring up a gentoo environment on which ChromeOS is based on, and then they have access to portage, and git --help. Outside of that, GalliumOS runs pretty well on most of them.
  - westurner 3y ago
    > If they can turn on developer mode "Developer mode" (aka the ChromeOS 'Turn on Linux' mode) is not available for Google FamilyLink accounts and is optional on a per-student basis with Chromebooks for Education. We bought the students Chromebook "Linux" computers; and then Google locked them out of Linux and added a "Turn on Linux" button. Students are no longer able to run bash, git, or python on their Chromebooks. Students must only install approved apps from the "Play Store" which takes a 15-30% cut from paid apps and now must use GPay if they process payments. Students and FamilyLink accounts cannot "sideload an APKs" like they can "Install a package" on actual Linux, Mac, and Windows computers. The SecureBoot kernel and module signing keys can be easily changed on all coreboot machines FWIU. ChromiumOS was originally Gentoo, Gnome, and Chrome. Students can't run `git --help`, `python`, or even `adb` on Chromebooks*. (* Students can't run `git` on a Chromebook without transpiling to WASM (on a different machine) and running all apps as the same user account without SELinux or `ls -Z` on the host). Students can run `bash`, `git`, and `python` on Linux / Mac / or Windows computers. There should be a "Computers for STEM" spec. It is a bait-and-switch shame that we bought Chromebooks for all of the kids and then they were home due to COVID, and they couldn't learn to git, bash, or python with pytest.
- ForOldHack 3y ago
  I have been working on school locked cbooks for a few weeks. We decided to jtag them rather than wait for the unlocks..a. stock Linux rus poorly, and Zorin seems to be the best choice. Alpine is light as a feather. You cannot access anything ot change anything until you pill the write protect screw. I.e you have no access until you remove this screw. After you remove screw, a $17 jtag kit and a good image... ( First few images where 'cloud free' which I would rather consider it bricked .. ) then you can wipe the drive and start experimenting with Linux, and see just how awful the field is, of simply follow my recommendations. For these dell chrome books, Linux would be Zorin, windows would be win7 Mini, and now I can start with Mac os. I would start with lion or sierra. In our case, the school district was holding the bag, but also it's a low priority to help hackers vs educating the students for which I would have loved to show the students how to do all those stuff, and the school district would rather not. Be a great education. ) Just so you know, both Zorin and Win7 run git --help. Let's see if I can get MacOS...
yjftsjthsd-h 3y ago
Worse, ChromeOS is actually GNU/Linux, so it's hard to distinguish technically (unlike Android/Linux). I personally lean towards "user-controlled Linux" or such.
qbasic_forever 3y ago
You have to be able to put the device in developer mode to load non-google signed OS images. I'm not sure it's mandated that this be possible for every device so I would absolutely do some research to make sure the device I'm about to buy allows developer mode. On old/early chromebooks you had to physically open them (voiding the warranty) and remove a special screw to enable developer mode for example. Also even when you have developer mode enabled the stock chromebook firmware is a little annoying and won't boot until you press ctrl-d on the keyboard to confirm you agree to booting an unsigned image. There is no way to disable this behavior and it happens every single boot whether you want it or not. The Mr. Chromebox firmware this article mentions has to be flashed to a device to remove this annoyance and make the device boot like regular laptops.
- Aaron2222 3y ago
  I think you have developer mode confused with the firmware write-protect switch. As far as I'm aware, every Chromebook has allowed enabling developer mode without opening the device. Disabling the firmware write-protect (which does let you disable the ctrl-d requirement, and is what you need to do to install the UEFI firmware this guide refers to) used to require opening the device (to either remove a screw or flip a switch), but can now be done over CCD (closed case debugging) using the appropriate cable, as well as by opening the device.
- jacquesm 3y ago
  > On old/early chromebooks you had to physically open them (voiding the warranty) and remove a special screw to enable developer mode for example. Same for some chromeboxes, usually the screw is pretty easy to spot, look near the corners and near the ssd.
- Octoth0rpe 3y ago
  > You have to be able to put the device in developer mode to load non-google signed OS images. Yes, but what kernel is running before you do this? answer: linux.
PrimeMcFly 3y ago
That's a rather useless technicality you are pointing out. ChromeOS is technically Linux, but not what people are obviously referring to.

Sure, technically true, but it's not the same experience as running Debian (for example) on bare metal. For one thing, ChromeOS refuses to pass through certain USB devices to the Linux container. So if you wanted to customize the settings in your gaming mouse or control a 3D printer, you're out of luck.

jeffbee 3y ago
I control a 2-axis plotter on a Chromebook without issue. What is the particular problem with 3D printers? As for the mouse thing, the inability to install persistent malware in your pointing device may be viewed as a feature, frankly.
- bqmjjx0kac 3y ago
  Interesting! I just guessed that might be an issue. I had trouble using a Razer mouse configuration tool because it was unable to see the USB device.

westurner 3y ago

On Chromebooks, there is now a "Turn on Linux" button that's only for non-student, non-family accounts. Can the SecureBoot keys and Serial be overwritten, or are they e-waste after supported updates end and school districts are holding the bag for computers that the kids can't run `git --help` on?

fragmede 3y ago
If they can turn on developer mode, they can run sudo dev_install, which will bring up a gentoo environment on which ChromeOS is based on, and then they have access to portage, and git --help. Outside of that, GalliumOS runs pretty well on most of them.
- westurner 3y ago
  > If they can turn on developer mode "Developer mode" (aka the ChromeOS 'Turn on Linux' mode) is not available for Google FamilyLink accounts and is optional on a per-student basis with Chromebooks for Education. We bought the students Chromebook "Linux" computers; and then Google locked them out of Linux and added a "Turn on Linux" button. Students are no longer able to run bash, git, or python on their Chromebooks. Students must only install approved apps from the "Play Store" which takes a 15-30% cut from paid apps and now must use GPay if they process payments. Students and FamilyLink accounts cannot "sideload an APKs" like they can "Install a package" on actual Linux, Mac, and Windows computers. The SecureBoot kernel and module signing keys can be easily changed on all coreboot machines FWIU. ChromiumOS was originally Gentoo, Gnome, and Chrome. Students can't run `git --help`, `python`, or even `adb` on Chromebooks*. (* Students can't run `git` on a Chromebook without transpiling to WASM (on a different machine) and running all apps as the same user account without SELinux or `ls -Z` on the host). Students can run `bash`, `git`, and `python` on Linux / Mac / or Windows computers. There should be a "Computers for STEM" spec. It is a bait-and-switch shame that we bought Chromebooks for all of the kids and then they were home due to COVID, and they couldn't learn to git, bash, or python with pytest.
ForOldHack 3y ago
I have been working on school locked cbooks for a few weeks. We decided to jtag them rather than wait for the unlocks..a. stock Linux rus poorly, and Zorin seems to be the best choice. Alpine is light as a feather. You cannot access anything ot change anything until you pill the write protect screw. I.e you have no access until you remove this screw. After you remove screw, a $17 jtag kit and a good image... ( First few images where 'cloud free' which I would rather consider it bricked .. ) then you can wipe the drive and start experimenting with Linux, and see just how awful the field is, of simply follow my recommendations. For these dell chrome books, Linux would be Zorin, windows would be win7 Mini, and now I can start with Mac os. I would start with lion or sierra. In our case, the school district was holding the bag, but also it's a low priority to help hackers vs educating the students for which I would have loved to show the students how to do all those stuff, and the school district would rather not. Be a great education. ) Just so you know, both Zorin and Win7 run git --help. Let's see if I can get MacOS...

yjftsjthsd-h 3y ago

Worse, ChromeOS is actually GNU/Linux, so it's hard to distinguish technically (unlike Android/Linux). I personally lean towards "user-controlled Linux" or such.

qbasic_forever 3y ago

You have to be able to put the device in developer mode to load non-google signed OS images. I'm not sure it's mandated that this be possible for every device so I would absolutely do some research to make sure the device I'm about to buy allows developer mode. On old/early chromebooks you had to physically open them (voiding the warranty) and remove a special screw to enable developer mode for example. Also even when you have developer mode enabled the stock chromebook firmware is a little annoying and won't boot until you press ctrl-d on the keyboard to confirm you agree to booting an unsigned image. There is no way to disable this behavior and it happens every single boot whether you want it or not. The Mr. Chromebox firmware this article mentions has to be flashed to a device to remove this annoyance and make the device boot like regular laptops.

Aaron2222 3y ago
I think you have developer mode confused with the firmware write-protect switch. As far as I'm aware, every Chromebook has allowed enabling developer mode without opening the device. Disabling the firmware write-protect (which does let you disable the ctrl-d requirement, and is what you need to do to install the UEFI firmware this guide refers to) used to require opening the device (to either remove a screw or flip a switch), but can now be done over CCD (closed case debugging) using the appropriate cable, as well as by opening the device.
jacquesm 3y ago
> On old/early chromebooks you had to physically open them (voiding the warranty) and remove a special screw to enable developer mode for example. Same for some chromeboxes, usually the screw is pretty easy to spot, look near the corners and near the ssd.
Octoth0rpe 3y ago
> You have to be able to put the device in developer mode to load non-google signed OS images. Yes, but what kernel is running before you do this? answer: linux.

PrimeMcFly 3y ago

That's a rather useless technicality you are pointing out. ChromeOS is technically Linux, but not what people are obviously referring to.