READ ALSO: Buy a Google ChromeBook laptop As seen in another article, you can try it on your computer by installing Chrome OS on a virtual PC with software such as Virtual Box or VMWare.
However, there is an even easier way to test this innovative system by installing it on a USB stick .
I remember that Chrome OS is proposed as an operating system that works only on computers connected to the internet, that stores files online and that uses only web applications, without the possibility of installing programs on them.
The judgment of many is negative only because it comes close to Windows but, thinking about it a bit, I understood that this type of system, if used well, could really revolutionize the use of any electronic device.
In fact, I was thinking that, for example, modern, highly technological televisions do not have network outlets or, if they have them, they do not have adequate software to surf the internet.
I imagine how such a light and free operating system could be exploited on future televisions to enable them to go on the internet and maybe to watch movies and streaming TV.
More realistically, such a light system could be perfect for an old computer, to be permanently connected to the TV so you can watch streaming, mail, photos, youtube, flash games and much more on the big screen.
But beyond these dissertations, the most curious have the opportunity to immediately try Google Chrome OS on their computer using a USB stick .
As seen in a more updated guide, the Google OS system can be used on any PC and Mac without difficulty and even without installation.
To install Chrome OS the requirement is to have an 8 GB USB stick .
The installation procedure deletes all the files on the stick so be sure to save them on your computer if they are important.
Clearly the computer must support booting from the USB port .
Sometimes this setting is in the bios this boot option must be present (almost everyone has it, if there is no use Plop to boot the computer from usb without bios).
To access the PC boot menu, if it exists, you generally have to press the F8 or F12 key when starting the computer, while to access the bios, refer to the linked page.
A semi-official version of ChromeOS of the Chromebook was ChromeOS Vanilla (no longer updated since 2015).
Better you can download a more recent and complete ChromeOS version from the Getchrome.eu website, as a Live CD or as an installation file to put on a USB stick.
After downloading it, it must be copied to the USB stick using another program called Image Writer which is used to write disk images.
This software is inside the .zip package so there is no need to download it separately.
So, the steps to do, very simple for everyone are:
1) Unzip the Chrome_os_usb.zip file with Winzip, winrar, Isarc or 7Zip;
2) Start Image Writer (ignore floppy absence warning).
3) Click on the icon of the folder on Image Writer and select the file chrome_os.img that was extracted from the .zip file.
4) Connect the USB stick to the PC
5) click on Image Writer on the "device" menu and choose the letter relating to the USB stick (you can find out which one is from My Computer).
6) Click on Write and wait until completion.
Google Chrome OS is now installed so now you have to restart the pc by setting the boot from usb pen .
After about 10 seconds or so, you should see the Chrome OS login screen.
To access you must write the name " chronos " as the login and the password " password ". You will immediately notice that the operating system is nothing but a browser.
By clicking on the Chrome sphere at the top left you can, if everything went well and if the computer is connected to the internet correctly, access the Google Account login page.
All the applications you see after logging in to Google Accounts are online and everything takes place inside the browser.
From the test you will notice that there is everything you need to use a computer on the internet: the calculator, the notepad, the music and video player, Office with Word Excel Powerpoint, the Google Talk chat, the calendar, the address book, Gmail mail and many other things.
Not only Google, of course, you can also access Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, Twitter, Facebook and other applications.
If you have nothing to do this weekend, it can be a geek pastime to try this new operating system and, if you do, leave me a few comments to tell me if it works and how you find yourself!
Let's be clear, Google Chrome OS was not born as an alternative to Windows ; many comments complain about this fact but it is not really the stated purpose.
This system will be fine for netbooks, small laptops and other electronics that need a small, light and adaptable operating system.
When it comes out I am sure that everyone will install it on Windows and will carry it on a USB stick always ready for use.
