How to Download and Install the Google Chrome OS 1.0.628 RC

Google is much more than just a search engine. They are the masterminds behind the Google Chrome Internet browser, the Google Voice telephony service, the online Google Docs suite, the Android operating system and now they have unveiled a competitor to the popular desktop computer operating system market in the Google Chrome OS, officially called Chromium OS.

Chromium OS is an open-source project whose goal is to become a fast and simple yet secure operating system for those who spend the majority of their time on the Internet.

Chromium is based on Linux and can be run from either a Live CD or USB drive but also has the capability to be installed on a computer's hard drive. Its minimal hardware requirements give it the ability to provide new life to older computers that are incapable of running never versions of Windows or more mainstream versions of Linux.

Its hardware requirements are:
Processor: Intel Pentium, Xeon or newer; AMD Duron, Athlon, Opteron, Sempron or newer.
RAM: 256 MB or greater
Hard Drive: 1 GB or greater
Graphics cards: supports most modern graphics cards.

Google has a habit of long user trials before declaring something finished; as a result the Google Chrome (Chromium) OS is considered to be in the Release Candidate stage, or in beta release for lack of a better term.

If you have a spare computer available you can download and try the Google Chrome Operating system for yourself, or you can try it on your main computer by just running the Live CD version. This tutorial shows you not only how to locate a copy of Google Chromium OS 1.0.628 RC but how to install it upon the hard drive of a test computer.

Note: Back up any data that your test computer contains as this method will erase all of the data from your hard drive.

Things You Need:
Test computer
Computer with Internet connection
Blank CD

Step One:
Download the Google Chrome OS ISO by clicking the download link on this page. The download page is from EasyShare; wait the time they allot and press the "Regular Download" button to avoid paying for a premium account.

Step Two:
Enter the code on the captcha to verify that you are human and press the "Slow Download" button. The speed of the download will vary depending upon the speed of your internet connection so be patient while the file completely downloads.

Step Three:
Burn the ISO image to a blank CD using your favorite image burning program. If you are unfamiliar with burning disc images ImgBurn is an easy program that is also free.

Step Four:
Place the newly burned CD into the CD-ROM drive and press (CTRL)+(ALT)+(DEL) to restart the system.

Step Five:
Press the ENTER key to start the Google Chrome OS.

Step Six:
Double-click the Live Installer Icon on the desktop with the left mouse button.

Step Seven:
Type "root" without the quotes into the authentication window and press the "Continue" button.

Step Eight:
Choose your preferred language and the keyboard layout using the drop down menus provided.

Step Nine:
Read the license terms, place a check mark in the box beside the phrase "I agree to the license terms" and press the "Next" button.

Step Ten:
Select your region and time zones using the drop down menus and configure the time (if needed). If your computer's clock is set to UTC place a check in the box to indicate this. Press the "Next" button when finished.

Step Eleven:
Press "Next" to accept the suggested partitioning and click "Next."

Step Twelve:
Place your full name, your desired username, your password and the password confirmation in the spaces provided and then press the "Next" button.

Step Thirteen:
Verify the installation settings and then press the "Install" button.

Step Fourteen:
This next message is to warn you that the partitions on your computer are about to be modified and you could lose any data that is currently on the system. If you have backed up your data on the test computer press the "Install" button. If not, Turn the computer off and back up your data before proceeding. A progress window will tell you what the computer is doing, so grab a cup of your favorite libation. Chromium will tell you when it is done.

Step Fifteen:
Press the "Reboot Now" button on the window that appears to inform you that the installation is complete. The computer will restart in the Google Chrome OS.

Step Sixteen:
Press the down arrow key twice to select "Boot from hard disk." The installation will continue automatically. The process may download files needed for your system during this process. When it is completed, you will be taken to the Desktop.

Step Seventeen:
To navigate, press the "Computer" button at the bottom left of the screen. This is where you will find all of your installed applications and tools, as well as the shutdown command.

Step Eighteen:
Enjoy your new installation of Google's Chrome OS!

Resources:
Wikipedia: Google Chrome OS
Google Blog: Introducing Google Chrome OS