Interesting timing on Google's part. Microsoft is telling us to just dump our old computers because they won't run there latest and greatest OS even though most of those same computers work just fine. Goggle is, in effect, telling us to give new life to all our old machines by trying Chrome instead of that other OS that's bloated and wants to leave you in the dust! Perfect! I've viewed a couple of other similar videos on installing Flex. As always, yours is the best.

@MandoMTL

2 жыл бұрын

I wonder how many people will dump perfectly good hardware because they don't know how to enable TPM.

@Bloxxness

2 жыл бұрын

But at the same time google isn’t helping with their end of life thing. They should give updates forever just how they are now for chrome os flex. I hope google changes their ways and stop committing to e waste.

@Ignacio.Romero

2 жыл бұрын

@@Bloxxness Google is helping with eol. They're separating Chrome OS and the Chrome browser, so even 8+ yo chromebooks that no longer have support can still run the latest version of the Chrome browser

@KevinJhonson

2 жыл бұрын

@@Ignacio.Romero Do you know how to do this? I have an EOL chromebook running version 76, so I'm stuck with Chrome 76 and it won't run some sites that require a newer version of chrome (for example, Chrome 85.)

@Ignacio.Romero

2 жыл бұрын

@@KevinJhonson It's still a WIP, I think it's only available in the dev channel. This will eventually come as an OS update, meaning that sadly only newer chromebooks (or any chromebook that is still supported) will get standalone browser updates

Thanks, Lon. This is awesome. I was able to install Chrome OS Flex on an underpowered Lenovo laptop designed for school students, and turn it into a usable device.

This is a very good episode: I've been using Flex on multiple laptops with the same USB stick, so when you clarify what happens when you do that, it's very nice to know. Good job.

Thanks for this AWESOME tutorial, Lon: clear, concise, comprehensive information presented in a straightforward way that's easy to follow (even for those of us who are technologically challenged). Your students at the University of Hartford must love your classes, Mr. Seidman...!

@jbiwer2

Жыл бұрын

Nice

Lon, thanks for the excellent review from installation to performance. I installed Chrome OS Flex on an older Intel NUC6CAYS (Celeron J3455, 8GB RAM - 120GB Sandisk SSD). Amazing. All mini-PC components are recognized including the internal Intel Wifi card. Boots in 10 seconds or less. Very responsive web browsing including full HD video support on an old 24-inch Viewsonic monitor (VGA + mini plug audio cable), even recognized the internal speakers. Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime and KZread play flawlessly. Immediately recognized an old Logitech Orb webcam which did not work properly under Windows 10 until I found an old Logitech driver. The Intel NUC6CAYS had been mothballed but it is now out and being used by grandkids. Wish Chrome OS Flex had been available during 2020 when we were homeschooling three grandkids on school provided Chromebooks. The NUC is faster than the school Chromebooks.

@LonSeidman

2 жыл бұрын

That is awesome!!

@pennimf

2 жыл бұрын

@@LonSeidman UPDATE. Turned on Linux in Chrome OS Flex after the lastest Google update - Version 101.0.4937.0 (Official Build) dev (64-bit). Linux apps run right from the Chrome OS Flex desktop so no need for a Linux GUI. LibreOffice Linux version runs with ease. Microsoft Edge Linux installed after the ppa was installed. Edge works just like in Windows 11. Think I could use the old Intel NUC as a daily driver now.

Ha! I discovered CloudReady a few months ago and installed it on an old Lenovo laptop from ~2012. This was a machine that was about to be scrapped but has found new life as a Chromebook for my kids to use ... something they are very familiar with from using Chromebooks at school. Glad to hear that Google is not scuttling the project.

thanks LON for uploading this, I really didnt know about google buying cloudready, a step forward in a good direction 👍🏻

Awesome video, Lon. Keep up the great work

I had Cloud Ready working on a Core2 Duo Mac Mini a year or two ago. Great software to revive old computers.

Thanks Lon for this one! I am able to run CloudReady then the dev version of Chrome OS Flex on a HP Pavilion DV7 I purchased in 2011. Windows 10 slowed it down so much it no longer functioned. Nice to see new life in this laptop again.

@LonSeidman

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome and thank you for the support!!

Great videos about reusing old tech! I was thinking of you could use the same idea to repurpose another machine as a DIY NAS? Using TrueNAS for instance? Cheers

Excellent review! I think this is the best review on the Chrome OS Flex yet.

Welcome to the party, pal! (John McClane, 1988). You're a little late out of the gate, but your videos are always straight to the point.

Best video on installing Flex.

FYI. My Dell inspire 1525 worked on the usb but not on the HDD (hard disk Drive) I changed out the HDD for a SSD 120 gig that I had laying around and that worked…..except during the set up. Chrome couldn’t identify the right display settings. So logging into Wi-Fi was a challenge. Once I blindly logged in, it now works great. Great video keep up the good work.

@garzaoutdoorsproductions

2 жыл бұрын

This is a follow up on the dell inspire 1525. Chrome did an update on the software and now the splash screen initialize correctly. My HP also had the problem with Chrome not working on the HHD. But I switched it to another 240 gig SSD and it now works fantastic.

Great video Lon. I'm hoping it can work on the majority of Chromebooks that have reached their end of life. I heard it might work on some. I'm sure someone will find a way to make it portable, probably using Rufus or something. Thanks a million.

@funnyfortniteclips520

2 жыл бұрын

There is a way! I used Rufus because the normal way wouldn’t work. If you like I can send you the ISO

i enjoy your voice and the way you explain everything.

I'm hoping that Google adds the Android app functionality to Chrome OS Flex soon.

@samlazar574

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@smgsngon5804

2 жыл бұрын

without android apps is like coffee without cream and sugar

@_defined

2 жыл бұрын

I dont think, because old PC's doesn't support virtualization. But it support linux apps, because its build on linux. But if you have linux, you can add play market.

Very helpful video. Used it to guide me installing Chromecast OS Flex on a Samsung 700Z Chronos (with Intel core i7). Did have some problems. The boot manager key is F10. But at first didn't give me the option of booting up from a memory stick. Eventually discovered that you need to disable booting up in secure mode (which is the default mode). To achieve this, you need to open Boot Manager, switch to apps tab, where you will find the page to disable secure mode. Now with Flex installed, it's like having a new Chromebook.

Picked up an HP T630 thin client device cheaply and have successfully installed Chrome OS Flex. Runs like a dream with full Wi-Fi and bluetooth support

This is so awesome thanks for the video as well I just convert my old mac book air 2011 into a chrome book OS with flex and so far it running very well and the software has all my drivers tooo which is amazing

Nice detailed review Lon.

Excellent Video... One of the best on this amazing process. THANKS👍

Thanks for all the Info - sure Helps

Great video thanks Lon

I'm about to do this to my MacBook air and this was exactly what I needed

Great video (as usual). I appreciate the independent review. I have seen other content creators put URLs in a pinned comment. That's appreciated with KZread app for Android. Links in the description open in a browser within the app, then I have to manually open externally, then go back to the browser within the app to close that browser to get back to the KZread app. Links in a comment open in an external browser, then I just switch app to get back to KZread.

Ohhh wow I didn't even know I could do that. I have a NUC that will work perfectly for that! Thanks

Definitely test things, but as an indicator for how well, Chrome OS Flex MAY run on older hardware, I ran CloudReady on my Asus Transformer Book t100 (from 2015), and that Atom processor was able to keep up PERFECTLY! It even smoothly played 720p KZread videos, and loaded said pages, QUICKLY!

Something to be wary of - when you are installing to the hard drive, be sure your computer only has 1 hard drive installed or connected, as it does not give you an option of what drive to install to.

@CommodoreFan64

2 жыл бұрын

As a long time Neverware Cloud Ready OS Home Edition(It's what Chrome OS Flex is based on) user(aunt, mother, and a backup thinkpad) this has been true for a very long time, the installer will find the largest HDD/SSD in the system, and wipe it clean no matter how it's formatted, and yes I've used both Cloudy Ready, and Chrome OS Flex. Also to note once it's installed any optical drives in the system become useless, other than the physical eject button, and it does not like Nvidia graphics very well, only AMD, and Intel, and on some Macbooks keyboard back lights don't work, nor does full WiFi 5Ghz support along with bluetooth being flakey, nor will the system fan spin correctly unless you go into Crosh shell, and input a pain in the ass command every time you turn on the system, or it wakes from sleep (I have a mid-20121 3in Unibody Macbook Pro, so I can verify this). Lastly if you have the ZIP file of the ISO(leave it as a ZIP file) you can burn it to an 8GB USB 2.0 drive(don't ask me why but USB 3.0 drives don't always work) using Etcher on Windows, Mac, or Linux, and it's not hard to find a ZIP file of Chrome OS Flex to download with a Google search.

@TheOperatingSystemWorld

2 жыл бұрын

It install on the PRIMARY Hard Drive.

Awesome! How did you get Libre Office installed? Thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much for this video. In my openion the best os for old mac lsptops is MX 19.2 Linux, I have instslled this os in different old macbooks and it was a great choice.

Lovely video.. I'm glad I subscribed!

At 4:23 made me think about one time I was reinstalling Windows (maybe 20 years ago). I backed up all documents an stuff I wanted to keep to a USB-drive. Then I started the installation CD. At the point where Windows Installation asked me to select partition, I wanted to change from many partitions, to one pne partition on my hard-drive. I selected delete for all partitions,.... then I realized Windows Installer had discovered my USB drive, and it ended up without a partition table on it. Luckily, I was able to recover all files with some tool, because no data were overwritten, except the main partition table.

Keep up the great work. Also is this basically Linux but made to look like Chrome OS or is it different somehow?

@kostaspetropoulos5213

2 жыл бұрын

Chrome OS is based on gentoo Linux with Google stuff baked in , hence the compatibility with desktop Linux apps. This version is essentially Neverwere's Cloudready , the open source version of chrome OS , based on Chromium . Hope this helps Best Regards

Great video Lon. I can see this is going to be helpful for a lot of people in the months and years ahead. By the way, do you plan to review the mini pc Aerofara 2 Pro?

@LonSeidman

2 жыл бұрын

Probably won't get to that one. Sorry!

@ObsidianMercian

2 жыл бұрын

@@LonSeidman Thanks for letting me know.

I don’t have chrome on my main laptop I was able to do this in Brave. But very happy it saved an old laptop with Windows 10 that was super slow now I can at least browse the web and do things

I'd love this if it had the Google Play Store. No point without it.

@Kirby5588

2 жыл бұрын

Try brunch os instead.

I already instal it on my celeron laptop, its run great. Really wait for the stable version with playstore

On the Mac, you could try to setup a Windows Boot Camp partition and install ChromeOS Flex on that.

Lon, great presentation. I'm one of the neanderthals that prefers to work with a mouse rather than a touchpad, but the touchpad always seems to be activated inadvertently even while working with the mouse. Is there a way in CloudReady/ChromeOS Flex to disable the touchpad when the mouse is plugged in? There is such a method on Windows, Linux, and the Chromebook itself, but on the Chromebook it requires the use of the Search key, which would not be present on a laptop on which ChromeOS Flex has been installed. Just thought I would ask.

Thanks for sharing this, Lon, it's neat! It seems contradictory for Google to buy this company and simultaneously end auto-updates for the official products as they age. Neverware: "Installing CloudReady on an AUE ("auto update end" - also known sometimes as "end of life" or EOL) Chrome OS device is not supported by Neverware, nor is it in our product roadmap."

@LonSeidman

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I need to see if I can get this working on my Mom's out of date Chromebook!

@jcb5388

2 жыл бұрын

I bought my daughter a Chromebook 2yrs ago and I just got a notice that in June 2022 no longer supported. This would be cool if you can install this OS on it.

Just did this today on my acer swift 1 with a pentium and 4gb ram after tring three differnet linux instalations. Honestly chrome os flex isdoing everything i need a laptop for anyway and it's helped me not need to buy a new laptop because it's running really well

I think this will be a good OS for those thin client PCs if you want to repurpose it as a lightweight browsing machine

great video thank you

thanks, great video. how to install the drivers? also will other softwares like audacity, shotcut run? how to? please make one video for that too. thanks again

I have an HP Stream that I turned into a Chromebook, using Brunch to boot. It currently runs the relm image. I used to run Cloudready until I heard about Brunch. Now I get everting including android app support. Should've probably chosen a newer image, but the computer that image was made for almost identically matched my HP, so that's what I went with.

If this was a thing at the start of the pandemic, it would have blew up. There was such a large need for this early on. Everyone has chromebooks now. I hope they iron out of the kinks because it’s something different to run. Sometimes Ubuntu gets old. It also seems to be getting worse as time goes on. It just does not like the low end hardware I install it on. I’ve recently been using mint or other light weight distros. Can’t wait to check this out!

I am using it it's fantastic

I see audio is working for you,n wasnt there some kind of driver issue that many people were dealing with? Has that been solved or is your device one of the ones that are supported?

I played around with Cloudready back about 4 or 5 years ago. Worked on some devices fine, some not so much. Seems like the same experience with Linux. Some fine, some not so much.

@smgsngon5804

2 жыл бұрын

I remember that cloudready stuff, never really much cared for it.

Good video! :) While I was watching, I was wondering if this can be a solution to Chromebooks that have reached their endlife and don't have support anymore. With this Flex, maybe they will still receive updates, as long as it's x86 based, of course.

Thank you!!!! The coolest!!!!!

How did you get it to work on that MacBook? What Wi-Fi drivers do you have? I have a MacBook Pro only slightly older, 2009, but Wi-Fi doesn't work neither on Chrome OS Flex (just tried it) nor on Linux distributions; I can only use distros that come with proprietary drivers built in.

Hii !! Great video!! I did install Chrome OS flex ,model Compaq cq60,wifi network is not showing up ,wifi is on but theres no network showing up :( what to do? Any recommendations ?

I'm just curious is it really better to use the Chrome OS instead of just using a regular lightweight distro to it since that will give you more freedom?

can you sync 2 chromebooks to one profile? meaning 1 chromebook at home, 1 chromebook in the office and they seamlessly sync and you have all files on the cloud. you can use all files on both books when you need to, correct?

I just wanted to say I really enjoy your videos. Very educational thank you for putting all the information out here. I have some old blackberry playbooks two or three of them. I was wondering if this would work on one of those? If it doesn't work do you have any ideas on how to make something useful out of them?

@LonSeidman

2 жыл бұрын

Won't work on those unfortunately as they are running with ARM processors. Maybe somebody hacked Android onto them? I've seen that before with a few other abandoned ARM based devices.

flex is cool to use on a old pc slow but it works and saves the planet.

i installed it on an old laptop ( old dell 54xx) boots from usb fine , as soon as you try and install it .. the mbr wont load ... i think this is an error with the laptop rather than flex.. ill try some more pc's and laptops, i have now subscribed as it was a very good review

is chrome os flex the same as chrome? im asking because my chromebook wont get any more software updates in june. and will i get software updates after i install chrome os flex?

Could have been a faulty hard drive was the issue with the MacBook rather than Chrome OS not being able to run from it? Or maybe a hardware driver was missing?

For your macbook just upgrade it to 8gb ram and an ssd and patch macOS catalina, big sur, or monterey and it runs fine.

Hi Lon! I tried this on both a HP 600 g3 and a HP 800 g3, i7 6700, and I have a blank black screen, but if I hit escape I'll get audio from chrome. Could it be because I have an Nvidia GPU? (both desktops are on the approved list)

Does this os supports windows apps? Or is there a way to emulate them? I want to install mswlogo software for my kid to learn, is that possible? I have a old Acer tablet..

Hi Lon, Can you turn an old out of date chromebox/chromebook into a Chrome OS Flex?

so i have a dell studio 1555 or 1550 i dont exactly know to be honest but the processor i use is Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6600 so will flex work or not?

Can Flex run on a VM? and if so, which VM software?

I just found and old Toshiba laptop. Need to try this. Now I need to find the power adapter. Back to the basement archives. Hopefully the spiders don’t attack.

Lon, can you take out the usb drive after it boots or do you need to keep it plugged in while the laptop is powered on? Does putting the machine into sleep/standby change that? Thanks for taking a look at this new option for older hardware.

@LonSeidman

2 жыл бұрын

I haven't tried removing it but my guess is that it'll have to stay in as I'm sure the browser cache, cookies, etc are getting written back to disk.

@LtCdrRoyFokker

2 жыл бұрын

@@LonSeidman Thanks. I figured I'd ask as I'm always afraid that I'll knock the usb hanging out the side loose and damage the port when moving a laptop.

@LS22153

2 жыл бұрын

@@LtCdrRoyFokker I use the very small thumb drives ( Samsung's and SanDisk's) in my Chromebook and PC's for a few years and have never had any issues. Rarely do I pull them out when I need to transfer files

@LtCdrRoyFokker

2 жыл бұрын

@@LS22153 Thanks. Mine are all pretty old and/or cheap so I should probably invest in at least a single good one with a size that won't worry me too! :)

Hi...I see you have installed the chromeOS on your MacBook Pro an 2010 like mine but I cannot install it on MacBook Pro..I only have the logo of chromeOS flex I have changed the USB port but it seems it doesn't work ...the only thing is that I have opencore legacy patcher that I have Sonoma installed..have you any idea to help me?..I would appreciate it.. Thanks

I have a Flash Drive with Linux and Windows OS's, I wish I can just download Chrome Flex, and just add it to my list and now do all of these extra steps.

Would it also work on unsupported Acer tablets from 2014? I can not upgrade Android etc

Wish the Playstore and ability to install Android apps was available.

It runs fine on my 2009 white MacBook (late fall).

Some reason mines just announces the installation of CloudReady and my Mac stays on the select boot option from the beginning. Any ideas?

I had an old Dell laptop, and I installed Linux Mint onto it instead. It now works almost identical to that of an old-school Windows-XP computer, which is way better than any Chromebook could ever be. I now run the video converting program 'Handbrake' on it, something you can't do with a Chromebook. I recommend that people should first try Linux Mint (Linux OS) before they go all the way and install ChromeOS.

@smgsngon5804

2 жыл бұрын

true. I run Ubuntu on an old hp. run everything in my browser including Netflix. but if flex can be as stable as Linux i don't see much of a difference. I mean besides the word processor and few utilities, linux is a pretty much a digital desert.

I was planning to install Chrome OS to my old Macbook but your video proved too be not possible due to some hardware issues. Have you got a fix for it?

Tried to install the latest Flex build on a Lenovo Miix 320, a sort of 2-in-1 Windows 10 tablet that didn't really have enough juice to run Windows properly. Couldn't get it to boot from USB no matter what I tried. Very frustrating.

i have an old laptop that i want to try installing chrome OS. unfortunately i don't have any chrome laptop so i can download it. where can i purchase ready to install chrome OS USB stick?

Please!!! upload a video on installing Chrome Flex OS on i386 cpu. It's really important for OLD Laptops

I did on my 2010 MacBook but it just gets stuck in the chrome book flex boot screen when I turn it on. I haven’t fully installed the OS yet

Chrome OS is cool. I use Linux on several older Macbooks. These are laptops that I would have to use a special patcher to run current versions of MacOS but they all run Linux and Cloud Ready or Chrome OS without issue. Don't dump your older Macbook or Windows machine. Sadly companies like MFST and Apple don't want us to use older systems. Notice that Windows 11 won't run on older machines. (yes you can use Rufus to create a USB drive that removes TPM)

@dansanger5340

2 жыл бұрын

Ironically, Microsoft and Apple do a better job of supporting old Windows and MacOS machines than Google does supporting old Chromebooks.

Can you uninstall Chrome browser? Does Linux applications install native or is it through an emulator like the normal Chromebooks?

do i need to format the usb drive first? mine succeeds up to the "writing" point, then stops

Hi Lon, how much RAM in there on the EZ-Book? Thinking about trying Flex on an Lenovo Ideapad with the N4000 CPU and 2 GB memory.

@CommodoreFan64

2 жыл бұрын

I would be upping that memory to 4GB, or even 8GB if possible, as 4GB is the bare minimum for a usable experience on Chrome OS, and and even an OS like Solus Linux which is fairly resource friendly.

@j1mc00per8

2 жыл бұрын

@@CommodoreFan64 Thanks, C64fan. Unfortunately, this little Ultrabook has CPU, RAM and 32 GB EMMC storage soldered to the motherboard, with no provision for expansion. I've had various lightweight Linux distros on it, (Zorin Lite, Lubuntu, Linux Lite, Bunsen Labs, AntiX, etc.). I had installed CloudReady on other machines prior to Google's acquisition of NeverWare; thought I'd give Flex a try. I'm all for more RAM btw; my primary laptop is a ThinkPad T460s that I've maxed out at 20GB (4+16). Peace.

If I load this onto my Chromebook that's 7 years old, will my security updates return?

I'm running Chrome OS Flex on my MacBook Air 7,2 early 2015. Works great from thumb drive! That said I'm not installing it anytime soon! Not on the Certified models list.

@tylerkuite

Жыл бұрын

a 2015 air should support mac os monterrey, look up open core legacy patcher

I have revived several old laptops using Linux Mint. Google is ok, but I prefer Linux .I may try it as an experiment. Thanks for the video.

Sounds simple enough, but when I attempted, yesterday, to download the installer file to my USB stick, I wound up with nothing found on my USB stick or in my Downloads folder. I ran through this entire process three or four times. Still, no installer file was ever downloaded, so my 11-year old Lenovo 11e laptop, which is on the list of computers "certified" by Google to be compatible with installing Chrome OS Flex, remains Chrome OS-free. Now, one thing, though: I did see something, during all this, that said there have been "issues" with using SanDisk USB sticks, and mine is a SanDisk Cruzer, so....maybe that's the problem? Am I going to have to buy a new non-ScanDisk brand USB stick just to get this done?

I installed it on an old small form factor Lenovo 7220 RY8, I think core 2 duo (I didn't think to look at it before installing OS Flex and now there is no way to look that stuff up on the computer). It was manufactured in 2008 and everything installed fine and works great but the install of Linux failed so it is just a very large phone that right now can't load Android apps and can only make a phone call because I have Google Voice on my Chrome Browser. So if someone only uses their browser for everything then this is fine but less than useful for me

So what about getting google updates for Chrome os and chrome browser? Most important problem is Google's update policy that ends on older Chrome laptops.

How much space on the USB Drive is needed?

Do you know if it will work from an SD card?

Did you try to add RAM to the mac? 2GB is kinda small.

What size of USB stick are using?

Seems like Flex might be a good choice for an older HP Stream machine?

@CommodoreFan64

2 жыл бұрын

Only if the HP BIOS will let you boot with UEFI secure boot, as I have an HP slimline Desktop, and despite it being released in late 2011/early 2012 with a 64bit dual core pentium CPU that can support UEFI, the HP bios only boots in legacy GRUB mode, which is a no go for Chrome OS Flex.

Will it be possible to make a Google Play Store

Ooooor... you can install linux. Though I suspect flex will be attractive for educational enviroments or volunteer groups making use of off lease machines where the ywant the sandbox chrome provides. Kepe in mind I was one of the beta testers. I loved my cr48 (though I would have loved it more with a core duo, a decoder chip for codecs, and four gigs of ram, but eh.) So don't take my 'but linux' too personally. My biggest complaint mostly is that you can't install android apps to this (yet.) Adding android capability to chromeOS really helped shore up it's native weaknesses.

I have a unique problem while attempting to install OS Flex on my HP Notebook - 15-af006ax, after the Chrome OS flex logo my screen start flickering like a damaged one and nothing i can see in it to allow any operations. I tried 20+ reboots but still same. Has anyone else experienced a similar problem, and is there a solution to it? It's worth noting that my screen works perfectly with Windows, but only flickers when I try to install Chrome OS Flex.