How to Format a Clean Install of a Chrome OS

By Joshua Laud

To install the Google Chromium operating system (OS) on your computer, instead of booting it from an image or using an official Google Chrome OS netbook, you must compile the Chromium source. Compiling the Chromium source is a complex task that might be difficult for novice computer users. The first stage of the task requires preparing the hard drive for a new installation by formatting it. All commands entered to the kernel are Linux commands because Google Chromium is based on Linux.

Insert the Chromium installation disc in your computer. Restart the computer. When prompted, press any key to enter the boot disc. A kernel shell will flash while waiting for a command.

Type "fdisk /dev/hda" and press "Enter." Type "d" and press "Enter." Type "1" and press "Enter" again to delete the initial partition.

Type "n" and then "p." Type "1" and press "Enter." This creates a new partition. Press "1" and press "Enter," then press "Enter" again.

Type "mkfs.ext3 /dev/sdb1" and press "Enter" to create your new file system for the drive. Type "mkdir /disk1" and press "Enter." Type "mont /dev/sdb1 /disk" and press "Enter," then "df-H" and press "Enter." This partitions and formats your hard drive, which now is ready to work using the Chromium operating system.

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