Chromium OS Special Builds are an enhancement to the default vanilla builds of Chromium OS to allow support for as many devices as possible.
All downloads are located at http://chromium.arnoldthebat.co.uk/index.php?dir=special and will be updated as new functionality is brought into the build as well as regular maintenance releases to keep the UI up to date.
Two deployments are currently supported, x86 (32 bit) and amd64 (64 bit).They are based on the x86-generic and amd64-generic overlays but have the following additional support:
- Google Drive support
- Enterprise Enrolment
- Spelling API support
- Broadcom STA wireless drivers
- Full Linux firmware deployment
- 4.4 kernel
- Better Webcam support
- Enhanced Radeon/Intel Graphics Support
- Additional Wireless device support. See the posts per release for details.
The builds also allow Over The Air (OTA) updates from dev servers. From the browser, just go to Settings > About > Check for and apply updates and magic will happen. Updates will be automatic for builds after R46-7323 and will allow for development tools update with a single shell command:
sudo stateful_update
Install is exactly the same as http://arnoldthebat.co.uk/wordpress/chromium-os/
Have fun testing and using it. Feel free to feedback with whatever isn’t working as expected and I’ll try to build in to the next release!
Known Issues/Bugs: https://github.com/arnoldthebat/chromiumos/issues
In addition to the Special Builds, there are now enhanced Vanilla builds. These allow Google Drive integration and certain enhanced media codecs. This should allow the users with working daily builds more functionality and usability.
These Vanilla builds will also update automatically as and when I get the Update Server ready.
Please do not log issues with the Vanilla build since they are a courtesy build and will only work on devices with Freon supported graphics and CMT supported touch pads. WiFi and Ethernet will also have reduced support.
Hi anrold !
I’m running your latest enhanced vanilla build it’s awsome :p
I might be dumb but, in order to update, all I have to do is:
about chromium os -> Check for and apply updates ?
I’m not sure that I understood you right on this point…
So i tried running “sudo stateful_update” and that’s what I get:
”
gzip: stdin: unexpected end of file
tar: Child returned status 1
tar: Errir is not recoverable: exiting now
Downloading cammand returns code 2.
Dowload failed, retrying.
*same error*
”
So in the end 3 questions:
– Can I blelieve it when it says that it is up to date through about chromium os -> Check for and apply updates ?
– Can I update by this process ?
– Why do i get this error with sudo stateful_update ? (if the answer to both of the above question is yes, don’t bother answering this one x)
Thanks for your work arnold, love it !
Hi
Yes, thats all you need to do, check for and apply updates. Since the vanilla enhanced builds are new, there isn’t an update at the moment!
Thank you very much for the answer =)
Keep it up !
I use the special build in order to get wifi to work. Should I also use the update button? If so, beta or release?
Also, did you have a chance to look at the bluetooth question?
First i tried the normal 64 bit build i come to the install menu where it asks language and so on but i cant use mouse or tastatur so i cant install chromium then i tried the special build it shows first booting to kernel then the white screen with chromium after this it goes back to booting to kernel screen so also not working any advice i am a total noob at chromium and linux just trying and playing arround still happy about any advice u can give me thnx
Hi It says that the special build supports enterprise enrolment, however when i go Ctrl+Alt+E nothing happens?
Sorry disregard this, i missed a step
Steven – I’m having the same issue – which step did you miss out?
I can guess that the special builds are more bug free?
since they are not updated as regularly as the daily and weekly builds
Should be! They have additional driver support as well
I installed latest special version and it is missing flash or I get a message saying my site need at least flash 15. How do I update flash?
Google the problem. Plenty of solutions around if you really really need flash
HI Arnold, Thanks for the Build to start off with.
I have a generic StarTech USB wireless Driver I am trying to get working with your latest Special Build.
https://www.startech.com/Networking-IO/Wireless/usb-2-ac1200-wireless-network-adapter~USB433WACDB#dnlds
The USB dongle doesn’t have Linux drivers that I can find on its site.
I am ordering a device that supports linux but we have huge box of these older USB AC dongles and it would be nice to try to use them.
Any Thoughts?
Side Note:
Everything Worked initially except for when I tried to enroll I had to remove a few folders but I was able to get past that piece.
6) $ sudo rm -rf /var/lib/whitelist
7) $ sudo rm -rf /var/lib/tpm
8) $ sudo rm -rf /var/lib/.tpm*
9) $ sudo rm -rf /home/.shadow/*
10 $ sudo rm /root/.forget_usernames
11) $ sudo rm /home/chronos/.oobe_completed
12) $ sudo rm /home/chronos/Local \Host; sudo reboot
I found a a sweet low price WiFi Adapter if anyone is looking for one.
https://www.adafruit.com/products/814?gclid=Cj0KEQjwsO6-BRDRy8bsxfiV2bkBEiQAF8EzKNjfN6XdQnj4nf2UfO8mSoU75jFX7-YYPdqoJi7edPcaArzi8P8HAQ
Works like a charm with the Special Builds.
Hey there, I have been trying all day to get Chromium OS to work but there is always something not working right.
When using the vanilla build, everything works except my trackpad, so the device is unusable, I have tried every fix I can think of but it just won’t work.
And the Special builds just hang on the white Chromium boot screen, and after a while goes to black and reboots.
Can anyone provide me with some help.
Thanks
What is the laptop/desktop model? Can you post a build spec?
if you were booting from USB 3.0 then try from USB 2.0
chromeos-install –dst /dev/sda
I use the special build in order to get wifi to work. Should I also use the update button? If so, beta or release?
Also, did you have a chance to look at the bluetooth question? Keep unlocked when connected to an Android 6+ device…
And it is probably a no but will your builds support Android apps?
thank you!!
Any plans to support the Atheros AR8152 ethernet controller?
Yes, logged at https://github.com/arnoldthebat/chromiumos/issues/96
Hi Arnold,
I’m using the 9/25 special image. I can’t log in to Chronos with ‘password’. Is it different on this image
Nope. Should still be password
My internal hard disk got corrupted. Instead buying a new hard disk im running Chromium on usb 32gb.
Works perfect. Thank you Bob the bulilder!
Except with one thing. It says device is low on disk space. Even though i have flashed your biuld in a 32gb usb stick.
Help me!!
On the list of things to fix!
Thanks for making this available. I have tried QEMU/KVM the special image and it freezes after “Booting Kernel”
QEMU emulator version 2.5.0 (Debian 1:2.5+dfsg-5ubuntu10.4), Copyright (c) 2003-2008 Fabrice Bellard
Linux serebryanya 4.4.0-38-generic #57-Ubuntu SMP Tue Sep 6 15:42:33 UTC 2016 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Hi
Only the vanilla builds (both daily and enhanced) are likely to work with QEMU.
Hi,
Sorry for the dumb question but none of the passwords listed on this website work on the chrome os 7z files?
Do i have to extract using sudo commands?
Is there a trick?
Thanks people.
There are no passwords on the 7z files themselves. You just need to extract the image.
Sorry for asking again. I am surprised nobody else asks.
There is a feature that allows your ChromiumOS is stay unlocked when your Bluetooth device is connected. Which means, I can let laptop go to sleep and all but I never have to enter anything when it is me. Yes, if you have flatmates, this may not be a great idea but otherwise this would be awesome. It does not work. Have you tried it? Anyone tried it? It does zero on my setup…
And I am still uncertain, as a special build user (otherwise no wifi…), can I set it to auto update and if so, to what channel? I fear if I go daily it goes to daily builds and poof… all special is gone…
I have a dell 1545…will vanilla work with wifi access??
Loading it on brand new 60gb ssd
Try it and see!
Hi Arnold,
My Question is regarding the update Process.
I have installed Camd64OS R54-8659.0-Special (Latest Special Build as per now)
I am on UEFI Boot, GPT Partition Scheme and I am multibooting with other OS and using Grub to load Chrome OS.
I am not using all Partitions. I just cloned the State Partition and Root-A Partition, updated the location of State Partition in Chrome OS Startup script, and everything is working perfectly. and I am using Chromium OS for a couple of days now without any bugs.
After the new Special Build is released, can I update it from Settings > About > Update or may be from sudo stateful_update ?
Do I need to have all other partitions such as KERNEL A, ROOT B etc etc for the update process to be successful, or will it successfully update with just 2 partitions (in my case). I read somewhere that the update is installed on the alternate Root B Partition ?
Settings > About > Update should allow the update.
Could you share how you are multibooting? Im sure lots of others would like to take advantage.
I am following this Guide
http://blog.championswimmer.in/2016/01/multibooting-chrome-os-on-your-laptop
Arnold, the work you have done is a true blessing. Thank you.
I have a question. I’m using the broadcom build and when I browse I get the message that “This version of Chrome is not supported. Please upgrade to a newer version” Installing your build on the hard drive and downloading a flash player was new territory for me, so specific instructions would be appreciated. Thanks.
There are a good few scripts around for using flash. Try google and let us kn ow how you get on.
Sorry if the comment was confusing. I have flash working. I’m trying to find an updated version of the Chromium Browser; I keep getting friendly reminders that my browser is out of date.
What version are you running?
Version 33.0.1738.0 (240793)
Platform 5111.0.2013_12_16_1210 (Developer Build – tonyd) developer-build x86-generic
Thats ancient! You need to update to a more recent special build really.
I’d love to. Can anyone point me to one that will support a Broadcom ETHERNET adapter?
Woo Hoo!! I tried “Cx86OS_R54-8659.0-Special” and it works on a Dell Optiplex 380! I thought these were 64 bit machines but they are 32. Running script “curl -L tkinson.net/cb/flash | bash” installs flash player.
Now to find a way to play HTML5 video….
Hi first of all thank you for this work and leavit for every one, wel I’m trying to bring back to life a Acer aspire 5535, with an AMD processor, seems the screen controller is not working well, this turns on and of the illumination, you can see the screen but the lights is flashing constantly, is not posible to work with it, second thing , does not detect the track pad, however it works but with a lot of problems, I’m not a programer or a IT tech, I tryed to install the latest vanilla and special built and still the same, can you tell me wich build could work with these Laptop
Thank you very much
Sounds like graphics aren’t playing very well. If both special and Vanilla dont work, not a lot I can do right now…
Is there a way to create an .ISO or .CDR from this .IMG? Virtual Box only allows the former and deos not support the latter to create a guest OS.
Using the latest special build, generally works great! I have problems loading some web pages, for example amazon.co.uk. I get net::ERR_INSECURE_RESPONSE on most of the resources, I guess it has something to do with mixed content, but cannot find a way to allow this for specific websites. I also had problems opening pdf:s from the hard drive where it just terminated the request whenever I tried to load. Using Chrome on windows I do not have the same problems. Searching the web just says that default behaviour should allow this.
Hi,
I downloaded R46-7323 build.
1. The Chrome logo is coming.
2. Then it stays on the black screen.
3. Pressing Ctrl + Alt + f2 brings up the terminal.
4. I am installing with the command “chromeos-install –dst /dev/sda”.
5. Installation is complete and restarting.
Final –> It is beginning to be installed without installation.
I see another comment for an Atheros card. I have a asus flip book that is currently running ubuntu gnome on it using the ath10k_core wireless module.
I found this :
https://chromium-review.googlesource.com/#/c/262165/
but it looks like it was abandoned …
any suggestions? would this work here?
Not working acer aspire v5-122p with radeon hd 8210 graphics. Get logo screen, then blank and restart. I have tried Xorg – configure and it is setting up 3 displays for some reason. Manually editing and using the radeon driver I can get a glitchy mouse cursor, but nothing else. I have used your builds to get dozens of older laptops/netbooks working to use in our classrooms, so I really appreciate the work you’ve done. I’m trying to revitalize my sons laptop, and ran into these issues.
As root certs are stored in /usr/share/ca-certificates/, does anybody know why apparently only I am getting cert transparency errors to Amazon and half the rest of the web in recent versions? Thanks.
You are not alone in this. Something about symantec certificates expiring after 10 weeks and triggering the error.
Hi Arnold,
Can you download and use programs such as email clients, Libra Office, Audacity, Picasa and Sketchup using enhanced Chromium OS, or is it simply only good for online applications?
Thanks,
Paul
Hi, my Advent 4211 no longer has wifi, was fine on a previous build. My chip is a realtex 8187, I found this info if it helps?:
https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/third_party/kernel-next/+/master/drivers/staging/rtl8187se/
Arnold, my school district just received over 1,000 donated HP Probook mt41 Laptops. These have AMD A4-4300M CPU’s and AMD Radeon HD 7420G Graphics chipsets. Have you ever created a build that would work with this chipset? These come with Windows 7 Embedded on them, but I would love to put Chromium OS on them. I tried your latest Special Build with both x86 and x64 and in both cases, they would load past the Chromium screen and I could get a mouse cursor, but nothing else. I could hit Ctrl-Alt-F2 to get to the terminal and even copied to the hard drive, but still after restarting, it’s just a black screen with a mouse cursor. Appears the graphics are not loading correctly. It appears wifi may be ok though as I can see the wifi light go amber and then come back to the white light color. I also tried the regular build and it wouldn’t get past the Chromium splash screen. Any thoughts?
Hi Ryan
Lack of graphics support most likely. Which special builds have you tried to use? Did you the Vanilla builds as well?
Its possible I can do a build specially for these laptops but I would need to borrow one from you in order to turn this around quickly.
I can send you one. Can you email me your instructions on where to send one? That would be great. We did try Vanilla builds and nothing has been truly successful. The most success I’ve had with any build is the free version of Neverware Cloudready. It worked with video, but I couldn’t play Youtube videos or pretty much any interactive/streaming video and although it said it had sound, no sound came from the device. I would be more than willing to send you one though. Thank you.
Hi Ryan
Check your email – message sent!
Hi Arnold, did you ever get this working? We just got a large number of mt41s and would be great to know!
Thanks
Working on it. Its turning into a bit of a monster to sort!
hey, I tried one of the special builds on hp dreamscreen 400…the screen on which chromium os boot logo appears, it covers only 3/4 of the screen. then it shows a blank green colour screen…and that’s it. it hangs there. however it worked almost perfectly on my dad’s laptop. is it a problem of extra wide screen on the desktop computer? or the builds are designed for laptop only?
No, they should work on desktops as well. Can you post the output of dmesg. lspci and xorg.log please?
what do you mean
I’d like to embed our organisation’s a root CA into Chromium so that I can implement HTTPS filtering. The command I can’t get working is ‘update-ca-certificates’. To install this I would also need to run ‘apt-get install -y ca-certificates’. ‘apt-get’ is not available, any thoughts on how I can add the cert? Thanks!
What spec of laptops are you using? If you have access to BIOS, switching on TPM will allow for this..
Thanks for getting back to me. I have TPM turned on, but the issue is that when using a public session in chromium, you can’t push the cert via enrolment policies. I was trying to somehow embed the cert in the OS alongside the existing root certs. Hence my idea of using ‘update-ca-certificates’. Any further thoughts on how I could achieve this?
You would need to potentially make the device read/write and then copy the cert to the trusted store.
If you did that on the image prior to rollout, you would then have it on all devices. Updates ‘might’ overwrite this but worth a shot…
Any luck with this? We’re at a school and also need to install CAs as trusted authorities (ideally customizing the ‘guest’ account. Have you had any success?
wow, I’ve just installed the latest special build on my aspire one (kav10) 120gb ssd with 2gb ram running from an sd card as I have windows7 & Linux mint on the hdd.
I had tried a few versions of chromeOS in the past and this is the only one I’ve actually had boot & run without any major issues. Arnold – you are a star sir!!
Glad its working for you!
Arnold,
Thank you for all of the work you put into make these builds available.
I was wondering if you could help me with a problem. We have roughly 120 Dell Latitude 2120 netbooks running the latest special Chromium OS build and are having some trouble with some sites loading properly.
It appears to be some sort of SSL / CA cert issue. We are getting some resources not loading on valid sites with the error “net::ERR_INSECURE_RESPONSE” these resources are from a valid SSL server and the same site doesn’t have the problem with Chrome on Windows or a Chromebook.
Hi Andy
Odd behaviour. I wonder whether its to do with supported ciphers in the browser (and the server isnt loading them). Do you have a list so I can test it?
I installed the latest 64 bit Special Build and am seeing the same issue. cnet.com, which I imagine would be on top of certificate issues, is a prevalent one I’m getting for Chrome saying Not Secure. Don’t recall if I got it on the daily build yesterday – I was running it off a USB key but moved to the Special after leaving Ethernet and finding my wireless card wouldn’t work.
Hi,
just curious, is a new build coming soon? My biggest issue is that tons of websites do not work (the dreaded certificate issue). I hope it is not a setting I have messed up. Amazon is a prime example, I cannot even view the site (some allow you to manually accept the certificate, Amazon does not).
thanks,
chris
Vanilla Builds (with added drivers) will be soon. The main special builds are proving a tad complex at the moment since I need to port in X. This is taking some time to sort due to conflicts with Freon/Ozone (the Google replacement for X)
Hi arnold, thank you for ur superb efforts, im using the latesr special builds on surface pro 3 one issue that im facing is the detachable keyboard is not recognised, any solutions..thank u
Yes, amazon.com flags as not secure for me today. It loads, but the css is not rendering correctly at all and makes the page unusable.
I have unsuccessfully tried to bot via USB using “Camd64OS_R55-8777.0-Special” on a Dell Latitude D830 it stops at “booting the kernel” after the screen has flickered a few times.
any ideas?