ubuntu-on-acer-c7-chromebook.rst

Installing Ubuntu on an Acer C7 Chromebook

These are step-to-step instructions for upgrading an Asus C7 Chromebook with an 8 GB RAM module, a SSD drive, and Ubuntu 12.04.

You'll need:

• One 4 GB USB thumb drive (or larger) for ChromeOS recovery.
• One Philips screwdriver for opening the Chromebook.

Verify ChromeOS is working properly

Test everything: HDMI and VGA outputs, USB ports, WiFi, Ethernet ...

Back up

Create first a rescue USB thumb drive. You will need a 4 GB (or larger) USB thumb drive.

• Go to chrome://imageburner and follow the instructions there.
• Alternative instructions: http://acer--uk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27636/~/create-a-usb-recovery-flash-drive-for-your-chromebook
• Reinstallation of ChromeOS: http://acer--uk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27648/related/1/~/create-a-usb-recovery-flash-drive-for-your-chromebook

Installing an extra 8 GB RAM module

Follow this instructions: http://normcf.net/~john/chromebook/Acer/acerChromebookUpgrade.html.

Verification: chrome://system

Replacing the HD with an SDD

Follow this instructions: http://normcf.net/~john/chromebook/Acer/acerChromebookUpgrade.html.

Verification: chrome://system

Installing Chrubuntu

Jay Lee's ChrUbuntu blog: http://chromeos-cr48.blogspot.co.uk/ (In particular: http://chromeos-cr48.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/chrubuntu-1204-now-with-double-bits.html)

More instructions: http://fineoils.blogspot.co.uk/

ArsTechnica: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/12/how-to-install-ubuntu-on-acers-199-c7-chromebook/

URLs:

• x86 installer: http://goo.gl/tnyga (27 December 2012)
• ARM installer: http://goo.gl/34v87 (27 December 2012)

1. Make sure the Chromebook is in developer mode, and has a developer BIOS installed (http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-for-chrome-os-devices/acer-ac700-chromebook). According to ArsTechnica, the same should be achieved by holding ESC-Refresh while powering on (see step 2 bellow).

2. Boot into developer mode (Hold ESC-Refresh while powering on, then Ctrl-D, then Enter)

3. Configure WiFi. Do not log in at a Google account.

4. Press Ctrl-Alt-=> (not Ctrl-Alt-T) to get a console.

5. Log in as user chronos (no password).

6. Do the wget http://goo.gl/tnyga ; sudo bash http://goo.gl/tnyga dance, and follow the instructions.

7. Reboot. Follow the ChromeOS setup process. Then repeat steps 1-5.

8. Reboot into ChrUbuntu, log in (user user, password user). Make ChrUbuntu the default os:

   sudo cgpt add -i 6 -P 5 -S 1 /dev/sda
   

Fixes for Ubuntu 12.04

Available DEBs from kevyn's http://www.cisgendered.com/:

• VirtualBox modules
• ACPID fixes