Chromebook Coreboot Installation

Notice that there are three different generations of Chromebooks. Most of the newer ones support Coreboot, but not all of them support SeaBIOS. Also, the earliest Chromebooks don't use Coreboot, so watch out.

Crouton

All Chromebooks support a direct cooperative chroot between Chrome OS and Linux: Crouton. This script creates and installs a Linux chroot within Chrome OS, with a full X Server that you can use and view. It is also easy to delete the chroot when things go wrong, or you don't want it anymore, which beats repartitioning the system again.

So, if you still want Chrome OS at hand, you don't need a typical BIOS with Coreboot's SeaBIOS, are OK with Debian and Ubuntu, just install Crouton. (Not to mention that not every laptop supports SeaBIOS).

• Installing Crouton

Note: It is important to understand that unlike Android chroots (if you have experience with those), Linux is not a second class citizen. Crouton opens a full X Server and you can switch between Chrome OS and a Linux Display with a keyboard shortcut, which runs at full performance.

Second Generation

This guide utilizes John Lewis's Installation Script for All Models. Buy him a cup of coffee via PayPal if you enjoy his script.

Note that installing these ROMs completely converts your Chromebook into an ordinary PC laptop, which runs any form of Linux (or even Windows if your laptop supports it).

You will not be able to use typical Chrome OS, with all it's security features (though you can install Chromium OS and hack in Chrome OS features). However, this operation is reversible, especially in case you need to send the Chromebook in for warranty service.

John Lewis's Installation Script

Supported Models

Most of these are the 2nd-gen Chromebooks. The newer ones already have a SeaBIOS option built in.

• Samsung Series 5 550 Chromebook AKA Lumpy
• HP Pavilion Chromebook AKA Butterfly
• Samsung Series 3 Chromebox (both Celeron and i3) AKA Stumpy
• Acer C710 Chromebook (both Celeron 847 and 1007u) AKA Parrot
• Lenovo X131e Chromebook AKA Stout
• Google Pixel Chromebook AKA Link
• Acer C720 Chromebook (both Celeron and i3) AKA Peppy
• HP Chromebook 14 AKA Falco
• ASUS Chromebox (both Celeron and i3) AKA Panther
• HP Chromebox (both Celeron and i3) AKA Zako
• Dell Chromebook 11 AKA Wolf
• Toshiba Chromebook AKA Leon
• LG ChromeBase 22CV241-W AKA Monroe

Installation Script

John Lewis has a handy Installation Script which grabs his latest Coreboot ROMs, detects which Chromebook laptop you are using, and installs the BIOS.

Warning: This script will flash a new BIOS to your laptop. Make sure your battery is fully charged and the AC Adapter is plugged in. Although the scripts have been well tested, you use it at your own risk.

1. Put your Chromebook into Developer Mode.

• This will wipe all your files! Make sure your data is backed up to the Cloud or Google Drive.

2. Set up your Chromebook again. Then press Ctrl-Alt-T, and type in shell to start the Crosh Shell.

3. Get a blank USB drive or SDCard, and insert it into the Chromebook.

4. Run the following command to download and start John Lewis' Installation Script.

    cd; rm -f getnflash_johnlewis_rom.sh; curl -k -L -O https://johnlewis.ie/getnflash_johnlewis_rom.sh; sudo bash getnflash_johnlewis_rom.sh
   

First Generation

The first generation of Chromebooks do not use Coreboot, they use a different UEFI BIOS. Special BIOS installation instructions are required...

• Samsung Series 5 500 - Chrubuntu
  • Chrubuntu installs Ubuntu in a Chroot with Chrome OS. It's not full blown Coreboot, but it's decent.
• CR-48 - Install Innotech Stock BIOS

It might be possible to install the Samsung Series 5 550 (lumpy) Coreboot BIOS on the Series 5 500 (Alex), but nobody has dared to test this.