Install Windows on my Chromebook

Mohamed_Konate Posted messages 8 Status Membre -  
Mohamed_Konate Posted messages 8 Status Membre -
Hello, I'm trying to install Windows on my Asus C423N Chromebook.
I have my USB drive booted with Windows on it and I put my computer in developer mode, but I can't set the USB drive as the default boot option. Apparently, I need to select the USB drive in the BIOS setup, but it seems like access to it is blocked.
Does anyone know how to unblock it? I tried unscrewing the infamous blocker on my graphics card but I can't identify the responsible screw.
Or if worse comes to worst, do you have any other means for me to install Windows on my Chromebook?

3 réponses

jns55
 
Hello,
So why buy a Chromebook then?
The Chromebook is not designed for an OS change. A bootable USB key will not be enough.
Moreover, Windows on a machine with a Celeron N4200 processor at 1.1 GHz and only 4 GB of RAM... it's going to lag seriously. You might as well buy a netbook for €200 at the supermarket!

Chromebooks are specifically designed for Chrome OS, which is a much lighter OS compared to Windows.

If you still want to give it a try, check here:
https://www.phhsnews.com/how-to-install-windows-on-chromebook3041
But I think you will have a better chance of destroying your Chromebook than having a functional Windows (think about the drivers if you miraculously manage to install Windows).
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Mohamed_Konate
 
Hello,
My Chromebook has 8GB of RAM but I agree, ideally it wouldn't have been a Chromebook. Thanks for the link, I'll try it out without delay!
Have a good evening or a good day. I'll keep you updated with updates on the maneuvers!
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jns55
 
Start by creating a recovery USB stick in case something goes wrong.
https://mychromebook.fr/comment-creer-une-cle-usb-system-recovery-pour-votre-chromebook/
And also look for how to back up/restore the BIOS because once it's modified, it will be too late.
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Mohamed_Konate Posted messages 8 Status Membre
 
Thank you, it's already done! The only issue is the write protection screw; it’s not visible on my model. For some, it is replaced by a write protection switch. But now, I'm desperately searching online for what this switch looks like????
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jns55 > Mohamed_Konate Posted messages 8 Status Membre
 
Methodology :
https://dbtechreviews.com/2019/08/how-to-install-windows-10-on-a-chromebook-in-2019/#step1

For the write protection of the bios :
https://mrchromebox.tech/#devices
Apparently it wouldn't be a screw if the C423 and the C423N have the same specifications, it would be a CR50 circuit :

CR50 Models (2017+): on all Chromebook models equipped with the CR50 / Google security chip (all Kabylake / Apollolake models and newer), the WP pin is controlled by the CR50. In factory configuration, the CR50 sets the WP state to follow the battery detection line, so disconnecting the battery will disable hardware write protection. It is also possible to modify the WP state using the CR50's Closed Case Debugging (CCD) features, as well as a special USB-C debugging cable. See the CCD section below.

So disconnecting the battery would seem sufficient (which surprises me).
But what do we mean by battery? the bios battery or the Chromebook battery? I would tend to lean towards the bios battery... It should be fairly easy to spot. Be careful as soon as the bios battery is disconnected, the bios is erased, remember to back it up beforehand.

This page is a real goldmine of information!

I still insist that this is a very high-risk maneuver.

Good luck and remember to keep us updated.
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Mohamed_Konate Posted messages 8 Status Membre > jns55
 
Wow, thank you very much. Well, I was still looking for the possible protection screw in writing or the switch. Thank you so much! (That's why I haven't been in touch) But I don't understand, do I need to change the boot software with the battery disconnected?! That seems... unfeasible if I need to turn on the PC anyway. I'll check out this site for more information. The battle continues!
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jns55 > Mohamed_Konate Posted messages 8 Status Membre
 
It's true that it's not clear. It's intended for an informed audience.
That's also why I think that by battery, we should understand the BIOS battery.
Does simply turning off for a few seconds suffice to permanently disable the protection, or does the BIOS need to be powered off during the installation of the new BIOS? I don't have the answer.
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Mohamed_Konate Posted messages 8 Status Membre > jns55
 
Yes! That’s the problem, but I also need to know how to identify the BIOS ????????. Do you have any idea?
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