Trying to turn an old MacBook into a Chromebook (or similar)

[Fluke]

Following on from this post from Infrasonic on the Chrome OS thread:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5symRnhRFxU

Chrome OS Flex : Turn Old Computers into Chromebooks and Chromeboxes! How to Install It
VIDEO INDEX:
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - System Requirements
02:15 - Certified List
02:49 - How to Install
06:31 - Booting from USB Drive
07:55 - CloudReady vs Chrome OS Flex
08:24 - Try vs. Install
09:54 - Old Mac Test
10:48 - No Android Apps on Flex
11:12 - Linux on Flex
12:03 - Installing to Hard Drive
15:24 - Windows Laptop Test
16:45 - Note: Trial Mode Not Completely Portable
17:29 - Conclusion

I gave it a try on my old 2010 MacBook Pro and got as far as testing it out on the USB (up to minute 12 on the video) and ran into problems that the presenter didn't. It all looked a bit unstable on my machine with the screen breaking up with nearly every move of the cursor or click the trackpad, and I kept getting kicked out of my google account.

Infrasonic pointed me to some alternatives and, to my inexperienced and untechnical mind, Lubuntu seemed the most appealing. There's a good review of it here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvg3wnAzru0

Beyond that I haven't ventured e.g downloaded and testing it out before committing it fully to the machine.

Has anyone tried doing anything like this?

[Fluke]

Sorry, meant to add that this is specifically a Mac-based thread, I know similar questions apply for people doing the same with old Windows PCs, but they seem to have less/different problems than the Mac users.

[Infrasonic]

Fluke - if you can, post the details of your Macbook, year, model number, specs (CPU/RAM) firmware version et al.

That way if there are any issues with Linux installations that are specific to your machine (rather than Macs in general) they can be picked up and possibly save you wasting a load of time trying things that aren't going to work.

[Infrasonic]

This is a pretty comprehensive USB/Dual Boot/Install guide using Ubuntu (the full fat version of Lubuntu so easily adaptable) with most of the gotchas and caveats covered...https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-l ... cbook-pro/

[Fluke]

Fluke - if you can, post the details of your Macbook, year, model number, specs (CPU/RAM) firmware version et al.

That way if there are any issues with Linux installations that are specific to your machine (rather than Macs in general) they can be picked up and possibly save you wasting a load of time trying things that aren't going to work.

Thanks yes it was still in Chromebook mode and I couldn't figure out how to shut it down! Here we go.

MacBook Pro 13 inch, Mid 2010

Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Memory: 4 GB 1067 Mhz DDR3

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256 MB

Software: OSX 10.9.5

[Fluke]

This is a pretty comprehensive USB/Dual Boot/Install guide using Ubuntu (the full fat version of Lubuntu so easily adaptable) with most of the gotchas and caveats covered...https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-l ... cbook-pro/

This is a really good set of instructions, I've got as far as creating the UBUNTU and SWAP partitions but can't go any further until I can beg, borrow or steal an ethernet cable and adaptor. Kicking myself now for chucking out a load of cables and adaptors last year that I thought I wouldn't need again.

Anyway I'll keep you posted.

[Infrasonic]

Cool.

There's a Linux thread here that has been running for quite some time too - worth a read to get up to speed on using Linux and all the options (alot...) around various hardware platforms/distros +/- et al...viewtopic.php?f=39&t=237

[Fluke]

This is a pretty comprehensive USB/Dual Boot/Install guide using Ubuntu (the full fat version of Lubuntu so easily adaptable) with most of the gotchas and caveats covered...https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-l ... cbook-pro/

This is a really good set of instructions, I've got as far as creating the UBUNTU and SWAP partitions but can't go any further until I can beg, borrow or steal an ethernet cable and adaptor. Kicking myself now for chucking out a load of cables and adaptors last year that I thought I wouldn't need again.

Anyway I'll keep you posted.

I’m stuck on step 4 - Boot Ubuntu from USB installer

I don’t get a “boot EFI” option as per the instructions, I get “Boot Linux (Legacy) from whole disk volume” - whatever that means.

When I select it, instead of going into the Ubuntu desktop as I’m expecting, I get a menu of 4 options:

Try or Install Ubuntu
Ubuntu (safe graphics)
OEM install (for manufacturers)
Test memory

When I select the first option I get a flashing curser followed by

Invalid magic number - you need to load the kernel first

As per the instructions in step 3 I created the usb installer from file which I downloaded from here

https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

[servodude]

This is a pretty comprehensive USB/Dual Boot/Install guide using Ubuntu (the full fat version of Lubuntu so easily adaptable) with most of the gotchas and caveats covered...https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-l ... cbook-pro/

This is a really good set of instructions, I've got as far as creating the UBUNTU and SWAP partitions but can't go any further until I can beg, borrow or steal an ethernet cable and adaptor. Kicking myself now for chucking out a load of cables and adaptors last year that I thought I wouldn't need again.

Anyway I'll keep you posted.

I’m stuck on step 4 - Boot Ubuntu from USB installer

I don’t get a “boot EFI” option as per the instructions, I get “Boot Linux (Legacy) from whole disk volume” - whatever that means.

When I select it, instead of going into the Ubuntu desktop as I’m expecting, I get a menu of 4 options:

Try or Install Ubuntu
Ubuntu (safe graphics)
OEM install (for manufacturers)
Test memory

When I select the first option I get a flashing curser followed by

Invalid magic number - you need to load the kernel first

As per the instructions in step 3 I created the usb installer from file which I downloaded from here

https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

Google suggests trying a different USB drive
https://www.linux.org/threads/solved-invalid-magic-number-need-to-load-kernel-first.30204/

..on the brightside you're on the right path and very nearly there!

Good luck
-sd

[Fluke]

This is a pretty comprehensive USB/Dual Boot/Install guide using Ubuntu (the full fat version of Lubuntu so easily adaptable) with most of the gotchas and caveats covered...https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-l ... cbook-pro/

This is a really good set of instructions, I've got as far as creating the UBUNTU and SWAP partitions but can't go any further until I can beg, borrow or steal an ethernet cable and adaptor. Kicking myself now for chucking out a load of cables and adaptors last year that I thought I wouldn't need again.

Anyway I'll keep you posted.

I’m stuck on step 4 - Boot Ubuntu from USB installer

I don’t get a “boot EFI” option as per the instructions, I get “Boot Linux (Legacy) from whole disk volume” - whatever that means.

When I select it, instead of going into the Ubuntu desktop as I’m expecting, I get a menu of 4 options:

Try or Install Ubuntu
Ubuntu (safe graphics)
OEM install (for manufacturers)
Test memory

When I select the first option I get a flashing curser followed by

Invalid magic number - you need to load the kernel first

As per the instructions in step 3 I created the usb installer from file which I downloaded from here

https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

Google suggests trying a different USB drive
https://www.linux.org/threads/solved-invalid-magic-number-need-to-load-kernel-first.30204/

..on the brightside you're on the right path and very nearly there!

Good luck
-sd

Thanks sd good suggestion, I created another usb installer using a different stick but to no avail, I'm still getting the same problem. The instructions say to navigate to the "Boot EFI" option on the boot loader, but as I say above the only option available is “Boot Linux (Legacy) from whole disk volume”. When I select it it goes through to a GRUB screen then after a few seconds it flashes up an error message some like "can't find......command.....platform". Then I get the menu described above.

One other small thing is that at the end of step 3, once the installation has completed it says that MacOS will prompt you to eject the flash drive, it didn't on either occasion.

Anyway, thanks for the link I'll see what else I can find out.

[Infrasonic]

You've run into the same issue with ChromeOS Flex and Ubuntu both failing at the USB (live) boot stage?

I'm guessing here but it would seem to me there is something blocking at a lower level like the BIOS (EFI). Have you checked to see what is going on there? Macs have all sorts of security in place, make sure anything related to boot security is turned off if possible until you get everything working.

This link refers to T2 chips on recent Macs but I'd check to make sure earlier models don't have something similar in the EFI
...https://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Off-Secure-Boot-on-Mac

(I run my W10 desktop with secure boot switched off so I can multiboot multiple OS' - even though theoretically major Linux distros like Ubuntu should boot with it switched on as they have signed UEFI 'shims'.)

Good luck!

[servodude]

You've run into the same issue with ChromeOS Flex and Ubuntu both failing at the USB (live) boot stage?

I'm guessing here but it would seem to me there is something blocking at a lower level like the BIOS (EFI). Have you checked to see what is going on there? Macs have all sorts of security in place, make sure anything related to boot security is turned off if possible until you get everything working.

This link refers to T2 chips on recent Macs but I'd check to make sure earlier models don't have something similar in the EFI
...https://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Off-Secure-Boot-on-Mac

(I run my W10 desktop with secure boot switched off so I can multiboot multiple OS' - even though theoretically major Linux distros like Ubuntu should boot with it switched on as they have signed UEFI 'shims'.)

Good luck!

If grub is starting would that suggest it's not a "secure boot" issue or is the keying done on the kernel image?

[Fluke]

You've run into the same issue with ChromeOS Flex and Ubuntu both failing at the USB (live) boot stage?

I'm guessing here but it would seem to me there is something blocking at a lower level like the BIOS (EFI). Have you checked to see what is going on there? Macs have all sorts of security in place, make sure anything related to boot security is turned off if possible until you get everything working.

This link refers to T2 chips on recent Macs but I'd check to make sure earlier models don't have something similar in the EFI
...https://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Off-Secure-Boot-on-Mac

(I run my W10 desktop with secure boot switched off so I can multiboot multiple OS' - even though theoretically major Linux distros like Ubuntu should boot with it switched on as they have signed UEFI 'shims'.)

Good luck!

Actually no it wasn’t the same issue in that I was able to launch chrome from the usb, i ran into problems when I started to navigate around the desktop. With Ubuntu it’s failing to launch in the first place. Maybe they’re linked, I don’t know but its bloody annoying.

[Infrasonic]

... I don’t know but its bloody annoying.

Yep! - been there a few times over the years.

This is why I cautioned upthread about hardware specs and firmware and checking for issues in advance - when it comes to Linux getting it to boot/install/run well can be very dependent on the host machines motherboard/chipset/drivers and its quirks.
Linux compatibility is not a major concern for most OEM's who optimise their proprietary firmware (BIOS) for one OS. In Apples case they have a very custom optimised hardware/firmware/OS/apps stack.

Even within brands that are mostly Linux compatible across their model ranges there's always a few that have say a model specific BIOS (EFI/UEFI) issue that hasn't been addressed with an update.

As I mentioned in the ChromeOS thread there are alternative firmwares out there that might work better but you'd risk bricking the machine if it didn't reflash correctly. Chromebooks use open source Coreboot for example, not (U)EFI... https://coreboot.org/users.html

Linux being an open source OS means the community can come up with workarounds for issues.
BIOS' tend to be closed source and largely black box - developed by third party specialists on behalf of the OEM's.

There are lists on the web of Linux compatible PC's with real world working installs - so I'd imagine there's also lists of specific Macs that work with Linux without too many issues. There will be variation across Linux distros as well.

Things can also work fine one minute and then get broken by updates to firmware or OS'. There are loads of threads on rEFInd needing reinstalling after updates for instance and/or GRUB being broken on dual boot setups.

Here's the rEFInd developers website. Macs get discussed - as do many of the general Linux boot issues.
https://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/linux.html
https://www.rodsbooks.com/refind/secureboot.html

Sometimes trying an older Linux distro version number can work with older hardware/BIOS'. Again you'd need to research it first to make sure it works well enough with your specific hardware/firmware to avoid lots of potential frustration.

[Fluke]

You've run into the same issue with ChromeOS Flex and Ubuntu both failing at the USB (live) boot stage?

I'm guessing here but it would seem to me there is something blocking at a lower level like the BIOS (EFI). Have you checked to see what is going on there? Macs have all sorts of security in place, make sure anything related to boot security is turned off if possible until you get everything working.

This link refers to T2 chips on recent Macs but I'd check to make sure earlier models don't have something similar in the EFI
...https://www.wikihow.com/Turn-Off-Secure-Boot-on-Mac

(I run my W10 desktop with secure boot switched off so I can multiboot multiple OS' - even though theoretically major Linux distros like Ubuntu should boot with it switched on as they have signed UEFI 'shims'.)

Good luck!

I've looked on the old Mac for variations on security, startup and boot and the nearest thing I can find is something called 'Boot Camp Assistant' in utilities.

Boot Camp is a utility that comes with your Mac and lets you switch between macOS and Windows. Download your copy of Windows, then let Boot Camp Assistant walk you through the installation steps for Intel-based Macs.

It's no help but I never knew that.

[Fluke]

Thanks Infrasonic for all your help and advice but I think I'm going to have to abandon project resurrect old MacBook.

Something that occurred to me earlier while I was at the gym was that the latest version of Balena Etcher was not compatible with my (out of date) version of OS X (10.9.5). Via their website I found an earlier version that was so used that instead. Could that be something to do with it? I dunno and I don't know how to find out but I think I've used enough of you time and patience

Back to the drawing board.

[Infrasonic]

...Something that occurred to me earlier while I was at the gym was that the latest version of Balena Etcher was not compatible with my (out of date) version of OS X (10.9.5). Via their website I found an earlier version that was so used that instead. Could that be something to do with it?...

Possibly -- there are other options out there that might work, but as you're discovering it requires a bit of research and planning!

https://alternativeto.net/software/unet ... atform=mac

https://alternativeto.net/software/refind/

[Fluke]

Got it working!!

I reformatted the usb stick this time choosing MS-DOS (FAT) as the format, then recreated the installer and this time when I rebooted I got the 'boot EFI' option in the rEFInd window. That small detail was missing from the instructions.

I'm now testing out from the USB, everything seems to work fine, I can navigate around, opening Firefox, Mail, docs etc. Think I might just go ahead and install it. Only thing I'm thinking now is should I make the partition bigger before I start, I gave it 60gb, not sure how easy it would be to resize later.

[Infrasonic]

Excellent!

Most USB flash drives come pre-formatted exFAT these days and you're right they should have mentioned it in the tutorial that it needed to be FAT (although they did mention FAT for the Mac drives partition / formatting...).

It's worth understanding the file system differences and which OS' will work fully read/write with multiple file systems. The Linux kernel actually has recent exFAT and NTFS support now as Microsoft dropped the licensing requirements ($$$) - Linux natively uses EXT 3/4 typically for consumer PC use.

If you need multiple file system support for multi OS file compatibility on smartphones and PC's/Macs then you can get free/paid apps from companies like Paragon..https://www.paragon-software.com/home/

You can multi partition external USB flash/SSD's if needed with different file systems on each. There's free apps that will do it although you might need to pay to get the full range of file system options.
On Windows I use the free...https://www.partitionwizard.com/free-pa ... nager.html
Have a search for Mac/Linux equivalents.

If you get any operational issues with Linux like display/sound et al on the Mac it might be driver related - have a search for more optimised drivers via the official Linux distro website forums. https://ubuntuforums.org/forum.php
Avoid random search engine links to 'drivers' as it's a good way of potentially getting malware installed.

It's also possible to make Linux on a USB drive 'persistent' (as if it was installed to the internal drive) - but on a really old machine with slow USB ports it will probably be better to install it (dual boot if you want to keep OSX working). If you can, stick an SSD in the Mac as that will make a lot of difference to the performance if it is currently HDD.

[Bminusrob]

Sorry, meant to add that this is specifically a Mac-based thread, I know similar questions apply for people doing the same with old Windows PCs, but they seem to have less/different problems than the Mac users.

Some years ago (ten or so, looking at the history of the device), I bought a netbook. This was a Packard Bell Dot S running Windows 7. It was a very neat very small laptop, and the idea was that when we were on holiday, my wife and I would back up and catalogue our digital photos, to save all the "where was that" after we got home. It was based on an Intel Atom N570 and had 1Gb of RAM.

It didn't get used very much, and after about a year, when we tried to use it, its performance fell off a cliff. It was almost unusable. It would take minutes to open a web browser, or an application like Word or Excel, and even file explorer was painfully slow, and don't even think about opening a digital photo.

The netbook sat in a cupboard for quite a few years, but in an idle moment, I remembered the device, and rememberd that it was really quite a neat piece of hardware, and I wondered if I could ressurect it in some usable form. Without too much effort, I was able to install Lubuntu on the device, and I now still take it away as a handy mini-laptop when we go away for a short break. The only think I have struggled with is Bluetooth. Lubuntu doesn't want to know about the built-in Bluetooth. I did get Bluetooth working with a dongle, but then carelessly broke the dongle, and haven't managed to get another one which I can make work.

If you want to try Lubuntu, you should be aware that you will probably need to use an old version rather than the latest. After, i think, 18.04, it was made 64 bit only, so if you are trying to install on a 32 bit processor, you need 18.04 or earlier.