Introduction
One of the most popular articles on this site shows how to install Ubuntu and Minecraft on the HP Chromebook.
Some people have found the guide difficult to follow and so I have decided to rework it and I also retested all the steps to make sure they work correctly.
This guide shows how to install Ubuntu with the Unity desktop on a HP Chromebook using Crouton.
I have cut out any waffle and I have left out all of the other switches that you can use with Crouton so that this is a basic streamlined approach to installing Ubuntu and Unity.
Feel free to read the original guide if you would prefer to try out different desktop environments or Debian.
Create Recovery Media
Before you begin make sure that you have created recovery media in case everything goes wrong.
Switch To Developer Mode
Bookmark this page (CTRL + D) or send a link to your email as the next step will place your Chromebook into developer mode.
To enter developer mode press the following key combination:
Esc + Refresh + Power Button
(The refresh button is the 4th button from the left at the top and looks like a curly arrow).
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| Enter Recovery Mode On HP Chromebook |
Don't panic when the screen above appears. This is part of the process. Simply enter the following key combination to enter developer mode:
CTRL + DA message will appear stating that you are about to enter developer mode and that this voids your warranty. This is why you need to create a recovery drive first.
If you are happy to continue press the enter key.
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| Enter Developer Mode On HP Chromebook |
The computer will now enter developer mode and it can take quite a while to do so. (Approximately 30 - 40 minutes).
When the process is complete you will see the following screen.
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| Developer Mode |
Every time you start your Chromebook using the power button the above screen will appear.
NOTE: Always press CTRL + D to get past this screen.
NOTE ALSO: You will be required to set up your internet connection and enter your user details the first time you use the Chromebook in developer mode.
Download Crouton
To install Ubuntu on the HP Chromebook you will need to download a script called Crouton.
Install Ubuntu Using Crouton
Open the Chrome browser and press the following key combination:
CTRL + ALT + T
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| Crosh Shell |
A terminal window will open.
Now enter the following command into the window to switch to a command shell:
shell
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| Command Shell |
To install Ubuntu with the Unity desktop enter the following command:
sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton -r trusty -t unity -e
I am not going to go into too much detail about the command.
Please read the original guide to installing Ubuntu on the HP Chromebook to find out about all the switches.
All you really need to know is that the above command installs Ubuntu 14.04, which is the LTS version, with the Unity desktop.
How long this process takes depends on your internet connection speed. It took about 45 minutes on my Chromebook.
When the script is near the end you will be asked to enter the name of a user to be associated with Ubuntu and a password. This will be your login information for Ubuntu.
NOTE: To get back to Chrome after Ubuntu starts press CTRL + ALT + LEFT ARROW
(The left arrow is the one next to the ESC button at the top).
When the installation is complete you will be back at the command prompt. To start Ubuntu enter the following command:
sudo startunity
Setting Up Ubuntu
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| Ubuntu On The HP Chromebook |
This is the section that really improves on the previous guide as it shows how to get Ubuntu to be just like the Ubuntu you would install on a normal laptop.
As you can see from the screenshot above, this is a barebones Ubuntu and Unity install. There are no applications installed.
To set up Ubuntu properly open up a terminal window by using the following key combination:
CTRL + ALT + TA terminal window will open.
Now enter the following command into the window:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktopEnter your password when asked to do so.
All of the files required for Ubuntu will now be downloaded, extracted and installed. Again this can take some time depending on your internet connection.
Restart Ubuntu to see the changes.
Starting Ubuntu On Subsequent Boots Of The Chromebook
Whenever you start the Chromebook from a powered off position you will find yourself at the following screen. |
| HP Chromebook In Developer Mode |
Press CTRL + D to enter ChromeOS.
From ChromeOS open a Chrome browser window and press CTRL + ALT + T to open a terminal.
Enter shell into the terminal window to reach a command shell.
Finally type sudo startunity to start Ubuntu.
Important Key Commands
Press CTRL + ALT + LEFT to get back to ChromeOS from within Ubuntu.
Press CTRL + ALT + RIGHT followed by CTRL + ALT + REFRESH to switch back to Ubuntu from ChromeOS.
NOTE: The left arrow is the one next to the escape key on the top row of keys and the right arrow key is the one next to it.
Summary
Hopefully this guide will make it easier for people to install Ubuntu on the HP Chromebook.
As usual, feel free to use the comments section below if you need further guidance.
Installing Minecraft On The HP Chromebook
I have rewritten the part showing how to install Minecraft on the HP Chromebook as well.
