Q&A for How to Enable USB Booting on Chromebook

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Doesn't that wipe the Chromebook?

Community Answer

It is possible to do a clean install of the Chrome operating system using Chromebook Recovery Utility, available in the Chrome Web Store.

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Question

I am using an Acer C733, and the chronos localhost login isn't working for me.

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

Press Ctrl+Alt+Forward Arrow (or Ctrl+Alt+F2 on some machines). If your machine doesn’t have an F2 key, try the key two spaces to the right of Esc (typically an arrow facing right). You should reach a Developer Console prompt where the last line of text ends with localhost login:.

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Question

Can Developer Mode be disabled after enabling USB booting, or will disabling it also disable USB booting?

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

Once USB booting is enabled, you can return to Chrome OS by disconnecting the USB device and rebooting your Chromebook. Disabling Developer Mode won't automatically disable USB booting, so you can manage these settings independently.

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I tried the code "sudo crossystem dev_boot_usb=1" on a Lenovo Chromebook, but got a "command not found" error. Is there another way to enable USB booting?

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

Back up your Chromebook first, as entering Developer Mode will reset it to factory settings. Hold down Esc and Refresh keys simultaneously, then press the Power button to enter Developer Mode. On some models, use Esc + Maximize (which looks like four right-angle brackets arranged into a square).

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How can I boot Windows 10 from a USB on my Chromebook?

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

Plug in the bootable USB flash drive. Open the Settings app, go to Update & Security, and select Recovery. Scroll down and click Restart now under Advanced startup. Choose Use a device and select the USB flash drive.

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Question

Can I disable USB booting after enabling it?

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

To disable USB booting, reboot your computer and press the key indicated during the boot-up sequence to open the BIOS (often "Delete" or "F2"). Navigate to the "Startup Options" section, deselect or disable the "USB Boot" option, then save the settings and exit the BIOS.

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Question

My Chromebook doesn't boot and makes a weird "bleep" sound. How do I fix this?

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

Unplug any external devices like USB drives or printers from your computer, as faulty peripherals can cause booting issues. In Device Manager, check for any devices with yellow warning icons and update their drivers or troubleshoot them if necessary.

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Question

Will this allow me to install a different OS on my Chromebook?

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

First, check if your specific Chromebook model supports running other operating systems. Some Chromebooks allow full Linux distributions. Then, put your Chromebook into developer mode, keeping in mind that this will erase all data on your hard drive, so proceed with caution.

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Question

How can I boot back into Chrome OS?

jessica jasper

Community Answer

To boot back into Chrome OS, turn off your device and then turn it on again. As it starts, press and hold the "Esc" key, then press and hold the "Refresh" key. Release both keys when you see the "Chrome OS is missing or damaged" message. Your device should restart and boot into Chrome OS. If this doesn't work, create a recovery USB drive to reinstall Chrome OS.

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Question

It doesn't work; when I press Ctrl + U, it gives a loud beep even though I followed all the instructions.

Ben

Community Answer

If you hear a beep when pressing Ctrl + U, it usually means that USB booting hasn't been enabled properly or the USB device isn't recognized as a boot device. Here are a couple of troubleshooting steps you can take: 1. Developer Mode: Ensure your Chromebook is in Developer Mode, as this is necessary to enable USB booting. 2. USB Drive: Check that the USB drive you're using is capable of booting. You might want to consider creating the USB using a reliable tool or software.

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Question

If I boot an OS, will I have the option to dual boot?

Used Store

Community Answer

When installing multiple operating systems, you may have the option to set up a dual-boot configuration. This allows you to choose which OS to boot into each time you start your computer. The steps can vary depending on the operating systems and installation process, so follow the instructions carefully.

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Question

How do I access the terminal if pressing Ctrl + Alt + F2 results in beeps and a "Welcome to your Chromebook" page?

Quoc Bao Nguyen

Community Answer

To access the terminal, press Ctrl + Alt + T to open crosh on your Chromebook.

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Question

After I rebooted my Chromebook a second time, it just beeped and went back to the default ChromeOS. What should I do?

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

Try performing a hard refresh by closing all apps and browser windows, then pressing Ctrl + Shift + R. If the issue persists, consider uninstalling any recently added apps or extensions.

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Question

How can I install Windows on my Asus C523N Chromebook?

Official Amani

Community Answer

To install Windows on your Chromebook, plug a Windows installation USB flash drive into the Chromebook. It should boot directly from the USB device. Connect a USB keyboard and mouse, select your language and region, and then click "Next" followed by "Install now."

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Question

Isn't the backup option specifically for the Linux Virtual Machine environment, not the entire system?

sipho mashabela

Community Answer

The backup option typically applies to specific virtual machines (VMs) or instances within a cloud environment, not the entire system.

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Question

Why does my HP Spectre Chromebook convertible fail during USB recovery, even with different flash drives and memory cards?

Sajidhandi

Community Answer

If your HP Spectre Chromebook convertible fails during USB recovery, ensure your USB devices are compatible and meet the necessary specifications. Additionally, check that the recovery image is not corrupted and is suitable for your specific Chromebook model.

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Question

Can I return to Chrome OS?

Kingsley Odume

Community Answer

Yes, you can return to Chrome OS after installing another OS, but the process may vary depending on the modifications made during the installation.

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Question

Ctrl+D doesn't put me in developer mode. The splash screen says "ChromeOS is missing or damaged," and the only thing that works is rebooting. Is there another way to force developer mode?

Tgb11

Community Answer

This may be because the battery is loose. I suggest getting the battery checked and ensuring all connections are secure. This happened to one of my old laptops, and addressing the battery issue solved the problem.

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Question

Is there a way to boot from a live USB on a Chromebook if USB booting is disabled?

Mahmudul Hasan Rifat

Community Answer

If USB booting is disabled, you cannot boot from a live USB without accessing the BIOS. If you don't have the BIOS password, contact the laptop manufacturer's support for assistance. You may need to provide proof of ownership.

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Question

Could my Linux version be causing the issue? `sudo su -` isn't working for me.

Weedx

Community Answer

The problem with `sudo su -` not working may not be directly related to your Linux version. It could be due to permissions, sudo configuration in the `/etc/sudoers` file, incorrect environment variables, or issues with password authentication or shell access.

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Question

Is there a way to boot Ubuntu on a Chromebook that doesn't have an OS?

Community Answer

To enable USB booting on a Chromebook for Ubuntu, first enter Recovery Mode by turning off the Chromebook and pressing Esc + Refresh + Power. Enable Developer Mode with Ctrl + D at the recovery screen. Then enable USB Booting by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T, typing "shell," and executing "sudo crossystem dev_boot_usb=1 dev_boot_legacy=1." Prepare a bootable Ubuntu USB on another PC, insert it, reboot the Chromebook, and press Ctrl + L. Follow the installation instructions. Note that this might void warranties and not all Chromebooks support it.

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Question

This doesnt work in Acer Chromebook spin 514. Stuck at SUDO SU - part

Siddharth Harish

Community Answer

You could attempt just typing in "su", and if that succeeds, then you will be running as root user

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Question

How would one force a cyan OS Chromebook to boot from a live Kali USB? As it stands, Chrome doesn't want to allow anything except Chrome.

Alisha Singh

Community Answer

Unfortunately, it is not possible to force a Chrome OS Chromebook to boot from a live Kali USB as Chrome OS is designed to only run Chrome OS and does not allow booting from external media.

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Question

Then, can I boot to an Ubuntu install USB stick?

Madhuri Barad

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Just use a Windows OS and Rufus software to do it and don't forget that you must have a 32 GB or more pendrive and select the device for installing.

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