Chromebox doesn't work right out of the... packaging
December 22, 2020 5:40 PM Subscribe
Just bought a brand new Acer Chromebox CXI3 to set up for use in the family room. Up until now, we had been using one of those tiny Chromebits (those candy-bar shaped computers) with the HDMI connected to the common-room television and a wireless keyboard/trackpad. I decided to replace it because the Chromebit will no longer get security updates after this month.
The Chromebox arrived today, and literally all I did was connect the HDMI and keyboard to the new device, plug it in, and let it download system updates. But once it was done and restarted, I am looking a white screen with no message other than a "Shut Down" button in the lower-left corner. Restarting doesn't change anything.
Most of the advice I can find on the Internet is useless right now, because it either assumes I'm dealing with a Chrome browser problem, or it says that the problem is with an LCD issue, but JUST TO REITERATE, this is NOT a Chromebook, not a laptop at all, and there is nothing wrong with the separate screen because my Chromebit was displaying perfectly up until I disconnected it. Nor is there a built in keyboard, only the wireless model we've been using up until now. (I could find a USB keyboard and mouse if that would help.)
So what to do? Is there a way to force this into a developer's mode and troubleshoot, or is this a return-and-replace?
The Chromebox arrived today, and literally all I did was connect the HDMI and keyboard to the new device, plug it in, and let it download system updates. But once it was done and restarted, I am looking a white screen with no message other than a "Shut Down" button in the lower-left corner. Restarting doesn't change anything.
Most of the advice I can find on the Internet is useless right now, because it either assumes I'm dealing with a Chrome browser problem, or it says that the problem is with an LCD issue, but JUST TO REITERATE, this is NOT a Chromebook, not a laptop at all, and there is nothing wrong with the separate screen because my Chromebit was displaying perfectly up until I disconnected it. Nor is there a built in keyboard, only the wireless model we've been using up until now. (I could find a USB keyboard and mouse if that would help.)
So what to do? Is there a way to force this into a developer's mode and troubleshoot, or is this a return-and-replace?
Glad you were able to get it working. It may have been possible to reset/powerwash your Chromebox by turning it on and holding the keys ctrl, shift, alt, and r and the same time. Google support page.
posted by mundo at 7:31 PM on December 22, 2020
posted by mundo at 7:31 PM on December 22, 2020
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1) Put it in recovery mode by pressing a small button on the back with a paperclip
2) Take a USB drive, wipe it and use Chrome on another computer to install Google Recovery Assistant and download the Chrome OS separately onto that USB drive
3) Stick the drive in the Chromebox and pray
4) It worked this time!
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 7:22 PM on December 22, 2020 [4 favorites]