How get Ubuntu/Linux on a Chromebook
I've always wondered myself if it was possible to run sites/games that require java on a chromebook. During the time that I have been playing around with my chromebook, I found a way to do just that!
Below are the steps that you need to take in order to run java sites.
The first step of enabling java sites (Via. Ubuntu/Linux with OpenJDK)is to enable developers mode and install Ubuntu or any other of the kind on your chromebook.
(The method we will be using is the croutun method that allows you to switch between Linux or any other related kinds and Chrome OS)
(Be aware that this also deletes any local data)
This is done by following the steps below.
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For the first step, you must put your device into recovery mode. This is done by holding the escape key with the F3(more commonly known as the refresh button) then tapping the power button once. When your done, you should see a screen just like the one in the picture shown below.
2. When you see the screen above, hit CTRL+D to turn off OS verification and enable your device to enter developers mode. After about 30 seconds, you will hear two beeps then the chromebook will reboot then reboot again. You should then see anthor screen like the once shown below.
3. You can either wait 30 seconds or hit CTRL+D to skip the screen above.
4. Your device should now reboot like t normally does, but will be in developers mode. Take you time to reconfigure your account then move on to the next step.
5. Now, it is time to download you crouton file. You can do this by going to this link
-> http://goo.gl/fd3zc or you can choose to do it manually by opening the terminal by hitting CTRL + ALT + T and then typing shell then sudo bash to drop into root user.After you have done that, type but the only way to do this is through cd /home/user/*/Downloads to change current root location to your downloads folder. The type wget http://goo.gl/fd3zc -O crouton.
6. Now that that is out of the way, you can finally start to download Ubuntu/Linux on your Chromebook. In developers mode, hit CTRL+ALT+T to open up the terminal. Type shell then type sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton -r (version) -t (desktop environment). Remember to replace (version) with your wanted version and (desktop environment) with you wanted desktop environment.
The versions are as listed :
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Trusty = 14.04
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Saucy = 13.10
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Raring = 13.04
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Quantal = 12.10
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Precise = 12.04 (LTS)
Some desktop environment are as listed (the most popular being unity and xfce):
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Cinnamon
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e17
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gnome
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kde
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lxde
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unity
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xfce
QUICK TIP : You can also type in sudo sh -e ~/Downloads/crouton --help to list all of the desktop environment available.
NOTE : If you do not specify what version of the desktop environment you want, it will install precise as default version.
7. You'll then be prompted to make a username and password.
8. Once it is done, type in sudo startunity. If you used a different desktop environment other than Unity, replace unity with whichever environment you chose.
NOTE : For xfce those who chose xfce. You'll need to type sudo startxfce4.
Finally, when inside of the ubuntu environment, it is always good to open up terminal ad type in *apt-get update* and *apt-get upgrade* to perform a quick update.
10. While your in your ubuntu environment, open up the terminal again and type in
*sudo apt-get install software-center*
11. After the ubuntu software centre has finished installing, open it up and type in openjdk then install version 6 & 7 (This may be different for you, this was just from personal experience)
12. To switch back into Chrome OS, hit CTRL+ALT+Back Arrow and to switch back into ubuntu, hit CTR+ALT+Forward Arrow.
And there you have it. You have now enables developers mode on a chromebook and you can now use games/sites that require java with Openjdk. E.g. Minecraft, Skyrim, etc.
P.S. There will be a link to instructions on how to use OpenJDK below (soon).