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Digidoc

Member

Registered: 2025-03-15

Posts: 65

Install Fail on Chromebook

I followed online instructions for booting and installing from a USB but could not make it work. I am using a Lenovo N23 Chromebook. Does anyone else have experience using this model?

I could never access the bios for the boot priority. My instructions said the image was not ChromeOS, so I had to revert to all the normal settings. Phooey.

q4osteam

Q4OS Team

Registered: 2015-12-06

Posts: 6,212

Website

Re: Install Fail on Chromebook

I could never access the bios for the boot priority.

So, you couldn't setup Chromebook to boot from USB stick ? So it's a hardware issue.

Digidoc

Member

Registered: 2025-03-15

Posts: 65

Re: Install Fail on Chromebook

I am convinced I do NOT have a hardware problem and instead it is configuration and software.

On reading further, it seems this Chromebook has reached EOL. It also will need a firmware update to allow full install of Windows or Linux. To do this, it needs a WP (write protect) screw removed. This is inside on the motherboard. The instructions to do this are at <https://docs.mrchromebox>

It MAY BE POSSIBLE to do a dual boot using the legacy firmware.

I know how to enter "developer mode". Once there, I have the following instructions:
    1. Enter terminal mode with Control-Alt-F2
    2. Login as chronos (no password needed)
    3. Load and run the script:
        cd; curl -LOf https://mrchromebox.tech/firmware-util.sh && sudo bash firmware-util.sh [ENTER]
    4. This machine has reached EOL status, so can no longer run RW_LEGACY firmware.
    5. To run UEFI Full ROM firmware, the BIOS Write Protect screw needs removed from the motherboard.
    6. This Write Protect screw is covered by a Lenovo paper seal and matches exactly the attached picture.
    7. Not mentioned anywhere, is once the screw is removed, there is a software write protect (and another reboot).
    8. Once the BIOS is flashed, you can no longer return to ChromOS.
    9. Once flashed, you can choose your boot device, boot order, etc.

Q4OS has now been installed! All seems to work. EXCEPT! This blamed laptop only has 16gb of storage!

This was my attempt to up-cycle a Chromebook for a friend. I learned a good deal.

Last edited by Digidoc (2026-05-22 01:17)

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Attachments:
Reks_wp_screw.png, Size: 91.54 KiB, Downloads: 20

q4osteam

Q4OS Team

Registered: 2015-12-06

Posts: 6,212

Website

Re: Install Fail on Chromebook

Are you able to boot any other OS from USB stick ?

Digidoc

Member

Registered: 2025-03-15

Posts: 65

Re: Install Fail on Chromebook

Not so far, no. I found this model has reached EOL status and so no longer supports RW_Legacy firmware. To install the firmware for UEFI Full ROM mode, I will need to open the case and remove the BIOS Write Protect screw. With this removed, I should be able to boot from Q4OS flash. Wish me luck. I will report more later.

Last edited by Digidoc (2026-05-21 22:23)