Quickly Switch between ChromeOS and Ubuntu or Arch Linux

If you have a Chromebook and use it for a 'traditional' Linux rather than the default OS its really useful to be able to switch between your Linux OS (e.g. Ubuntu or Arch) and the Google ChromeOS. The easiest way I have found for this is to use aliases.

Ubuntu or Arch Linux

Use a text editor to update your ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_alias file e.g.

alias ChromeOSBoot='sudo cgpt add -i 6 -P 0 -S 1 /dev/sda && sync && sudo reboot'

Save the file. Reload .bashrc file with

# . .bashrc

Run the alias :

# ChromeOSBoot

This will then reboot the Chromebook into ChromeOS.

ChromeOS

To switch back to Ubuntu or Arch Linux do not login when prompted as the ChromeOS boots. At the login screen select 'Ctrl + ALT+ F2' then login as chronos user (no password).

Use vim to create a .bashrc file if it does not already exist e.g.

alias ArchOSBoot='sudo cgpt add -i 6 -P 5 -S 1 /dev/sda && sudo reboot'

Save the file. Reload .bashrc file with

# . .bashrc

Run the alias :

# ArchOSBoot

This will then reboot the Chromebook into Arch Linux (or Ubuntu if that's what you have installed).