Jordan Winslow
Villager
- Xy$
- -0.10
I am writing this article as a request by @RPGMaker_MV on Twitter.
A fast and lightweight Linux distro for ChromeOS devices.
Pictures speak a thousand words! Today we will be using GalliumOS, a custom Linux operating system for Chromebooks, to install and run Steam natively on a Chromebook and then install RPG Maker MV!
Keep in mind I am not going to be held liable for any accidents people have during this process. You are responsible for your system and you acknowledge that by not following these instructions perfectly, or through terrible luck you may somehow "brick" your system.
Let's keep it simple:
STEP 1: Determine if Your Chromebook is Compatible.
Go to the Hardware Compatibility Page, find your model number on the sticker on the bottom of your Chromebook and match it up with the table. In the far left column, you will see a Yes or a No for whether your model is compatible.
STEP 2: Download GalliumOS and Create a Bootable USB With it
Download the free program "Etcher" on a windows computer. For creating bootable USBs on ChromeOS or mac you'll have to google search "bootable USB on mac" for that one.
If my instructions confuse you, you can also read the install guide here: https://wiki.galliumos.org/Installing
Download the newest galliumOS image for your specific model here: https://galliumos.org/releases/nightly/ - If you are confused what "Baytrail" and all that means, just refer to the chart on the Hardware Compatibility Page linked above - That will also tell you which processor name you have!
Once downloaded, use Etcher's simple 3 click process to install the file you just downloaded onto the USB (This is called "Flashing" a "Disk Image" onto the USB drive.)
STEP 3: Enable Developer Mode & Install Custom Firmware on the Chromebook
WARNING: Enabling Developer Mode will erase all user data in ChromeOS. If you have locally-stored data, back it up first. Cloud data will not be lost.
If something messes up during this process there are people on the GalliumOS team who can help you but common sense dictates if you do not feel comfortable with any part of this process and fear you may damage your system, you probably should try to find someone else to do it for you.
These instructions are copied directly from the Gallium website since they are the most simple step by step instructions available.
Flash Firmware (if required or desired)
Here's where you'll need to know your Hardware ID and CPU Family.
Step 2a: Disable write-protection (if required)
Some types of firmware update (BOOT_STUB and Full ROM) require disabling firmware write-protection on your device. Be sure to read the Firmware page first! Write protection (WP) on ChromeOS devices is usually controlled by a screw on the motherboard, but some models also have conductive stickers, and a few older models have a jumper. The location and appearance of the WP screw/sticker/jumper vary between models, but in all cases you will need to open your device.
A web search for "<model or hardware id> chromebook disable write-protect" will often return detailed instructions, with photos, for your model. If not, feel free to ask for help in /r/GalliumOS or #galliumos.
Step 2b: Install/Update Firmware
You can install/update your firmware from the ChromeOS terminal, or from a running Linux system. These instructions describe the process from the ChromeOS terminal.
IF YOU SEE A RED [WP] SYMBOL - This means you have a write protect feature on your computer and you may have to unscrew the bottom panel and unscrew a tiny screw on the motherboard to disable it. This is very simple, does not void warranty (unless you remove stickers or break something haha) and there are pictures on how to do it on google.
STEP 4: Install GalliumOS, Steam & RPGM MV!
Plug the USB you made earlier into your chromebook and restart it. During boot choose the option to install galliumOS or run it live. There will be an icon on the desktop when it loads that when double clicked will install GalliumOS for you!
To install steam:
Click the little black window icon to open the "Terminal" (aka the command prompt, similar in windows) and type in each of these lines and press enter before moving to the next line
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steam-installer
Once you're done installing steam simply log in, download RPGM MV and get started!
If you found this guide helpful, please check out and share my Free Commercial Use Music Library which has hundreds of electronic music tracks I composed downloadable for free! And next time you need a composer for a project, you know who to call!
Electronic Music Producer
https://jordanwinslow.me
A fast and lightweight Linux distro for ChromeOS devices.
Pictures speak a thousand words! Today we will be using GalliumOS, a custom Linux operating system for Chromebooks, to install and run Steam natively on a Chromebook and then install RPG Maker MV!
Keep in mind I am not going to be held liable for any accidents people have during this process. You are responsible for your system and you acknowledge that by not following these instructions perfectly, or through terrible luck you may somehow "brick" your system.
Let's keep it simple:
STEP 1: Determine if Your Chromebook is Compatible.
Go to the Hardware Compatibility Page, find your model number on the sticker on the bottom of your Chromebook and match it up with the table. In the far left column, you will see a Yes or a No for whether your model is compatible.
STEP 2: Download GalliumOS and Create a Bootable USB With it
Download the free program "Etcher" on a windows computer. For creating bootable USBs on ChromeOS or mac you'll have to google search "bootable USB on mac" for that one.
If my instructions confuse you, you can also read the install guide here: https://wiki.galliumos.org/Installing
Download the newest galliumOS image for your specific model here: https://galliumos.org/releases/nightly/ - If you are confused what "Baytrail" and all that means, just refer to the chart on the Hardware Compatibility Page linked above - That will also tell you which processor name you have!
Once downloaded, use Etcher's simple 3 click process to install the file you just downloaded onto the USB (This is called "Flashing" a "Disk Image" onto the USB drive.)
STEP 3: Enable Developer Mode & Install Custom Firmware on the Chromebook
WARNING: Enabling Developer Mode will erase all user data in ChromeOS. If you have locally-stored data, back it up first. Cloud data will not be lost.
If something messes up during this process there are people on the GalliumOS team who can help you but common sense dictates if you do not feel comfortable with any part of this process and fear you may damage your system, you probably should try to find someone else to do it for you.
These instructions are copied directly from the Gallium website since they are the most simple step by step instructions available.
- With device shut down, press Esc+F3(refresh symbol on the keyboard)+Power to boot into Recovery Mode
- You will see the Recovery Mode boot screen, informing you that "ChromeOS is damaged or missing" (although it is not)
- Press [Ctrl+D] to enable Developer Mode, then follow confirmation steps (usually just pressing enter)
- Your machine will reboot to a white screen which says "OS verification is OFF". This is Developer Mode.
- Enable Legacy Mode booting (you can skip this step if updating firmware, since it will be done automatically for you)
- Press [Ctrl+D] to boot ChromeOS in Developer Mode
- Configure WiFi if necessary, and log in to Chrome (Guest account is fine)
- Press [Ctrl+Alt+T] to get a ChromeOS terminal ("crosh") window
- At the prompt, enter shell
- At the chronos@localhost / $ prompt, run the following:
- sudo crossystem dev_boot_legacy=1
Flash Firmware (if required or desired)
Here's where you'll need to know your Hardware ID and CPU Family.
- Sandy Bridge models require custom firmware (exception: LINK)
- Bay Trail and Braswell models require custom firmware
- Haswell, Broadwell, and Skylake models can benefit from custom firmware; some models require it depending on install type. See: Hardware_Compatibility
Step 2a: Disable write-protection (if required)
Some types of firmware update (BOOT_STUB and Full ROM) require disabling firmware write-protection on your device. Be sure to read the Firmware page first! Write protection (WP) on ChromeOS devices is usually controlled by a screw on the motherboard, but some models also have conductive stickers, and a few older models have a jumper. The location and appearance of the WP screw/sticker/jumper vary between models, but in all cases you will need to open your device.
A web search for "<model or hardware id> chromebook disable write-protect" will often return detailed instructions, with photos, for your model. If not, feel free to ask for help in /r/GalliumOS or #galliumos.
Step 2b: Install/Update Firmware
You can install/update your firmware from the ChromeOS terminal, or from a running Linux system. These instructions describe the process from the ChromeOS terminal.
- Boot into ChromeOS by pressing [Ctrl+D] at the "OS verification is OFF" Developer Mode boot screen
- Configure WiFi if necessary, and log in to Chrome (Guest account is fine)
- Press [Ctrl+Alt+T] to get a ChromeOS terminal ("crosh") window
- At the prompt, enter shell
- Decide which firmware you want to install. See Firmware.
- At the chronos@localhost / $ prompt, run the command to flash your firmware. These commands are current as of this writing, but be sure to check the developer's site for any changes.
- Run MrChromebox's Firmware Utility Script (developer's site)
- cd; curl -LO https://mrchromebox.tech/firmware-util.sh && sudo bash firmware-util.sh
- Then follow the on-screen instructions to install your chosen firmware type
IF YOU SEE A RED [WP] SYMBOL - This means you have a write protect feature on your computer and you may have to unscrew the bottom panel and unscrew a tiny screw on the motherboard to disable it. This is very simple, does not void warranty (unless you remove stickers or break something haha) and there are pictures on how to do it on google.
STEP 4: Install GalliumOS, Steam & RPGM MV!
Plug the USB you made earlier into your chromebook and restart it. During boot choose the option to install galliumOS or run it live. There will be an icon on the desktop when it loads that when double clicked will install GalliumOS for you!
To install steam:
Click the little black window icon to open the "Terminal" (aka the command prompt, similar in windows) and type in each of these lines and press enter before moving to the next line
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steam-installer
Once you're done installing steam simply log in, download RPGM MV and get started!
If you found this guide helpful, please check out and share my Free Commercial Use Music Library which has hundreds of electronic music tracks I composed downloadable for free! And next time you need a composer for a project, you know who to call!
Electronic Music Producer
https://jordanwinslow.me