Tag: Chromebook

The Chromebook experience and the White Screen of Death!

Paul

White Screen of Death!

From: [ Version 32.0.1700.95 (Platform version: 4920.71.0)]

The latest update : [ Version 32.0.1700.103 (Platform version: 4920.82.0)]

Had a really strange effect on my system.   Whenever I started booting up the system right after the update, I would just go into a cycle of white screens or I would see the default background for a few minutes and then it would just turn all white!  It got so annoying, I started calling Acer Laptops about it and requesting a Chrome OS Ninja for help on this issue.   They said  I would have to send in my laptop and wait 7 to 10 business days for it to be resolved.   I didn’t have that time or luxury to not be without a laptop so I went back on my resolve to figure this little issue out.   The only thing I could come up with is to go download a new version of Chrome OS for my Acer Laptop by using Windows Recovery Option.   Strange Google should have a way for me to download an ISO of the latest version without having to having to do these steps.

Recovery Options

By Pressing Esc+Refresh then hold down the Power button.  I was able to bring up the “Chrome OS is missing or damaged” message and then after I made a new usb card for my device it booted without a problem.   I do not know what actually happened but it was quite frustrating and Google needs to start providing more ways to recover the system without having to go through so many hoops.   

Has anyone else had this type of problem?  I’d like to know!

Microsoft did WHAT to Google?

Paul

Microsoft smears Chrome OS!

In the lastest attempt by the Microsoft, who seems content to throw mud and some fud over the Chrome OS.   Microsoft got a hold of the Scroogle Domain in late 2012 and has been holding onto it eversince.   Scroogle was an attempt to keep advertising and secured search going through Google but was not sponsored by Google.  It Ended in early 2012 due to throttling and DDOS attacks.   I don’t know this sounds suspciously like Microsoft wanted that domain, it wouldn’t surprised me if that was the case.  Some of the things that I just are not happy about this little campaign of theirs is these facts.

No easy way to print!

This one was an obviously no brainer for me, when I bought this Acer Chrome book because I really don’t have any reason to print anything and if I did, I can go to a library or to Kinkos to print what is needed to print.   I am not going to go into detail because when I did m FAQ section about the Chrome OS.   I was pretty much thinking Microsoft is worried because they will loose so much profit from Windows.   A Small fact for those who think Windows 8 can print, not without some jumping through some hoops will you be able to print.

NPD and that elusive 21% figure!

NPD published an article about how Chrome Books have a 21% sales in 2013.   I tend to think this may be a little low but that is probably because people don’t really advertise they bought the Chrome OS and thus it will grow in the coming years, I am sure of it.   You see, the reason I bought this laptop was a really serious question for me.   One of money, one of Security and Battery life, each of these were a value for me and I did like any person who buys a laptop.   I reasearched it long and hard, and new what i would be facing and what my limitations were going to be.   So I didn’t not walk into this half handed.

No windows 8!

I only had two options one with Windows 8 or Chrome OS.   I only had around 300$ to use to buy a new laptop with my other laptop breaking down.  Don’t get me Wrong, I had no problems with Windows 7 but from the way I was reading it with Windows 8.   I just didn’t want to have to worry about all those major problems associated with the release of the that operating system.  I am sure I am not alone in this venture because this had many features of Windows 7 and how to approach the problem.   

Resolution for Microsoft!

Hey Microsoft, if your really worried about loosing the sales and money from your consumers, then you should come up with an easy way to dual boot a Chrome OS and Windows 8 into one cheap laptop like this one and thus we can have access to everything we may ever need.   A Good browser when we need it and ways ways to print and download movies when we want to!  Hey now there is a concept that would make everyone happy.   Also, it shouldn’t cost an arm or leg to buy a Windows machine because you will still make money in other areas besides licensing!  

So I tell you this right now, Microsoft you are no long the Alpha dog in my life and you will just have to learn your new place in this changing world!   Until you learn you will always be on the sidelines!

 

Note to Self: Keep a Backup with you at all times!

Paul2 Replies

Chrome OS Back ups!

The story was a simple one, I went to friends house to use their wifi with my Acer Chromebook and I got an update reminder on my system for a update to the Chrome OS.   It seems that it was a beta version of the software that was the problem.  I’m a tinkerer at heart and you can change it from three different versions:

  • Stable
  • Beta
  • Developer — Unstable

 

You can change to anyone of these simply by going to chrome://help/ and then clicking more info.  

Use it at your own risk!

As you can see you have a choice to try out the ones that aren’t very stable and might cause problems.   This is where I must grab my foot and stick it in my mouth.   I was trying the beta version of the Chrome OS to see what might be coming out in a few months.   I usually don’t have problems with a beta version of any Operating system but this last update for the Chrome OS Beta just made my computer boot and then just got to a white screen and it would just hang there for several minutes and then it would reboot.   Well I didn’t have my backup restore flash drive with me and was trying everything  I could come up with to get it running.   Finally I broke down and borrowed my friends 4gb flash drive to create a restore of the my Parrot CoffinFish E3181 ISO (Use at your own risk) that I made back a few weeks ago, just in case!  I used that to create a restore flash drive on my friends Windows system.  If you are looking for the tool to make one for your system, you can check out Google Page on that!

Restore Switch on the Acer!

I was searching long and hard to find this elusive restore switch to boot into the restore option of the Chrome OS.   Apparently after looking hard and long the simple way to do this is just hit the ESC-F3-POWER button at the same time.   There is no actual button you have to push to get into the restore mode.   At least that is how I got into the restore mode on my Acer Chrome Book!   

Truth Be Told!

I should of had my USB drive with me at all times but I didn’t have a good way to keep it with me at times.   I am now in search for a way to have a key chain USB to do just that.   Be able to put it on my key chain to take with me every place  I go and thus won’t have to worry about this next time around!   I am sure this won’t be the last time since I am always going to be a beta tester.

The FAQ’s about the Acer C710-2856 and what you should know!

Paul

The Story so Far!

After buying this Acer C710-2856 and Reviewing it, people have started to ask questions about it.   I thought this would be a good time to discuss these questions and help understand what this computer can be used for.  I’m sure some of you have asked these sorts of questions in the past and thus you will want to verify this with other website but I am going to tell you what I can do on mine and hopefully I will answer some of your questions about the hardware!

Can you download files with it?

You can download anything on the web as long as you can right click on thel ink and hit save to file!  It doesn’t really have the right click moust button but if your use two fingers on the touchpad you can easily learn to do it this.  

Can I download MP3 Files and listen to them!

You can download music and listen to them offline, but you can also listen to Pandora and Spotify online without much problems!   I have had no problems listening to MP3’s that are not copy protected from Amazon US.   So if your looking to download music and listen offline it shouldn’t be a problem!

What about Video Files?

Again you can do it as long as it isn’t copy protected and does not require authorization to view the video.   I am hoping Google Play does that with the chrome book soon with regards to watching shows offline but I am sure that is a ways away!

Can I write Papers and HTML documents?

You can do this simply and easily offline as much as online.   Google has brought programs that will help you use these offline as well as online so you don’t have to be online all the time to do these.   You can open and save files to a SD card or a USB Stick easily and save them in ODT (OpenDocument Format), DOCX (Microsoft Word), PDF, TXT, RTF (Rich Text Format), and HTML or Zip files!

Can I print?

Yes and easily and safely.   You can print to other devices such as a Android Device or even a Phone.   You can also print to a PDF and save it online for later to print.   You can also use Google Cloud Print and they have several printers you can buy that will allow you to print with your Chromebook!

Can I use a VPN?

Yes you can, after looking hard and trying to find that will work for your situation.   I have found three or that will work, so far.   VPN4ALL, PureVPN, and WiTopia.   Each one of them have there benifits.  Just like VPN4ALL only gives you 5 Gigs because of it being consider a Mobile Device.   Witopia  only has 3 servers you can use but seems to work really well!  I should know I used them with the Chrome OS in the past and right now!

Playing Games on the Chromebook?

If they are online and you can access them, you should have no problems with the Chromebook.   It is only games that are Online that you can actually play using the Chromebook.   I have yet to find a Facebook game that I can’t play on it.   

Should I backup my Chrome OS?

This is a Definate yes.   The instant you buy your Chromebook, you should use a 4 gb USB drive or a 4 Gb SD card and go on your Chromebook to:

chrome://imageburner/

What are some other Chrome URLS that I could use?

I thought it would be fun to at least show you a few good Chrome URLS that you might need to know or at least enjoy playing around with on your Chrome OS:

 

  • chrome://predictors/  (Great fun see which links you go to alot and see how Google predicts which ones are most likely going to be put in)
  • chrome://settings/  (This is for your system settings and can be great resource for those who might need to change something in your Chrome OS!)
  • chrome://system/  (Everything you need to know about your system at your figure tips!)
  • chrome://downloads/ (If you decide to download anything, this is the URL to go to find those downloads)
  • chrome://bookmarks/ (This is where your bookmarks are kept and stored.   So if you need to get to them easily this is the place to go)
  • chrome://chrome-urls/ (This is where you find these a some other ones you might need to know down the road.   So keep learn these and you have a better chance at using the Chrome OS to the fullest!)

As you can see I have had a few weeks to play around with this little OS and actually starting to get a hang of it.   If you have a question that I didn’t answer let me know and I’ll try answering it on the blog or by email.   I hope this helps those who had questions.   This isn’t a bad little system once you figure out what you can and can’t do with it!