Linux dual OS on ChromeOS via Crouton

Important

Crouton has been replaced by stock Crostini, if you are using that (and should be) then refer to this: https://github.com/andrewbrg/deb9-dev-machine

Otherwise;

Download latest version here: (open->right click->save as)

This is a handy script to automatically set up a Linux Debian dev machine on your chromebook. The disto will be installed in a chroot along with your current Chrome operating system (you can run two operating systems in parallel). The Crouton project is developed/maintained by David Schneider @ https://github.com/dnschneid

This script is made for AMD64 processors, if you have an ARM processor some packages will not function. Fully tested on Acer Chromebook 14 and Acer Spin 13.

Your Chromebook must be in developer mode in order to use this script.

It is also highly recommended that you install the crouton chrome extension for added functionality including a shared clipboard between operating systems. You may get the latest version directly from the chrome store

Resources to check out

What is a chroot?

A chroot is basically a special directory on your computer which prevents applications, if run from inside that directory, from accessing files outside the directory. In many ways, a chroot is like installing another operating system inside your existing operating system.

Technically-speaking, chroot temporarily changes the root directory (which is normally /) to the chroot directory (for example, /var/chroot). As the root directory is the top of the filesystem hierarchy, applications are unable to access directories higher up than the root directory, and so are isolated from the rest of the system. This prevents applications inside the chroot from interfering with files elsewhere on your computer.

Note that it is possible for software from outside the chroot to access files inside the chroot.

Ready? let's go!

After placing your Chromebook into developer mode, launch a crosh terminal by hitting CTRL+ALT+T then type in the following commands:

shell  
sudo sh ~/Downloads/c-auto.sh

After the installation is complete you can launch Debian by opening a crosh terminal CTRL+ALT+T and executing:

shell  
sudo startcinnamon

If you want to be able to close the crosh terminal without Debian un-mounting itself as a consequence use the following:

shell
sudo startcinnamon -b

To switch between operating systems hit CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+FORWARD or CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+BACKWARDS.

It's important to logout from linux once before powering down your system to avoid potential corruption to the mounted root.

Updating your chroot

I've updated ChromeOS and my distro is acting up

If you want to run a full update of the Debian installation in your chroot or you've updated ChromeOS and linux is not working properly anymore then run the following from crosh and choose the 'u' option:

shell
sudo sh ~/Downloads/c-auto