HowToReplaceYourChromebookBIOSWithSeaBIOS

Replacing your Chromebook's BIOS with SeaBIOS allows you to install alternative operating systems, such as Linux or Windows, and gives you more control over your device. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Is My Device Supported?

Before you start, it's crucial to check if your Chromebook is supported by the SeaBIOS modification. You can find a list of supported devices on specific pages, such as those linked by Mr. Chromebox Tech. Even if your device isn't listed, it may still work, but proceed with caution.

Enable Developer Mode

To modify the BIOS, you need to enable Developer Mode on your Chromebook. Here’s how:

1. Turn off your Chromebook.
2. Restart your Chromebook and hold the Esc, Refresh, and Power buttons at the same time. This will open the Recovery Mode screen.
3. Press Ctrl + D to enable Developer Mode. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Enable Read/Write on Your Chrome Device

You need to disable the read-only mode and remove any hardware read-only switch:

1. Check for a Write Protect Screw: Some Chromebooks have a physical screw that prevents writing to the BIOS. You may need to remove this screw to proceed.
2. Enable Read/Write in Developer Mode: Once in Developer Mode, you can enable read/write access to the BIOS.

Install Modified BIOS

Installing the modified BIOS is relatively straightforward:

1. Open a Terminal Window: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a terminal window.

2. Run the Installation Script:

   cd; rm -f flash_chromebook_rom.sh; curl -L -O https://johnlewis.ie/flash_chromebook_rom.sh; sudo -E bash flash_chromebook_rom.sh
   

   This script will download and run the BIOS modification utility.

3. Reboot Your System: After the script completes, reboot your Chromebook. You should see a black screen with the SeaBIOS logo instead of the Chrome logo, indicating a successful installation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues during the process, here are some troubleshooting steps:

• Chromebook Not Turning On: If your Chromebook fails to turn on after modifying the BIOS, check if the Write Protect Screw is still in place or if there are other hardware issues.
• Black Screen Issues: If you get a black screen and cannot boot from external media, ensure that the external media is bootable by SeaBIOS and try different USB drives or SD cards.

Installing Alternative Operating Systems

With SeaBIOS installed, you can now install other operating systems:

1. Prepare a Bootable USB Drive: Create a bootable USB drive with the desired operating system.
2. Boot from USB: Insert the USB drive and restart your Chromebook. SeaBIOS will automatically boot from the USB drive.

Restore Chrome BIOS to Factory Settings

If you want to revert back to the original Chrome BIOS, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Write Protect Screw is Removed: If the Write Protect Screw is still in place, remove it before proceeding.
2. Create a Bootable Ubuntu Drive: Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable Ubuntu drive.
3. Boot from Ubuntu Drive: Boot your Chromebook from the Ubuntu drive and open a terminal window.
4. Run the Revert Script:

   cd ~; curl -L -O http://mrchromebox.tech/firmware-util.sh; sudo bash firmware-util.sh
   

   Select the revert option to restore the original Chrome BIOS.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if My Device is Not Listed? Even if your device is not listed as supported, it may still work. However, proceed with caution and ensure you have a backup of your original BIOS.
• Can I Dual Boot? Yes, you can dual boot Chrome OS and another operating system using the RW_LEGACY option.
• How Do I Ensure the Process is Safe? Always back up your original BIOS before making any changes, and ensure you understand the process thoroughly to avoid damaging your device.