Update 32GB Chromebooks via USB
Update the Desktop on 32GB Chromebooks with a USB drive. These devices require extra steps to free up space before updating.
1. Prepare the USB Drive
First, you need to copy the correct update files to a USB drive. This is done on a computer that already has the updates.
Verify Update Exists Locally
Verify the standard desktop component is available locally.
# Check for the standard desktop component
tl-comp-latest desktopIf the component is not there, pull it from the bastion first.
Transfer Files to USB
Mount your USB and copy the desktop and admin components to it.
# Mount the 4th partition of your USB drive
sudo mount /dev/sdx4 /mnt
# Create the destination directories
mkdir -p /mnt/desktop /mnt/admin
# Transfer the standard desktop and the admin component
rsync -avP /srv/desktop/vX.X.X* /mnt/desktop/
rsync -avP /srv/admin/vX.X.X* /mnt/admin/Note
Replace vX.X.X with the actual version number you found.
Unmount the drive when done:
# Unmount the drive safely
sudo umount /mnt 2. Prepare the Chromebook
On the 32GB Chromebook you intend to update, you must free up space before proceeding.
- Open the application menu and launch the Manage Components tool.
- Use the tool to delete all existing desktop versions and snapshots. This is a critical step.
3. Install the Update
Boot from the USB Drive
Restart the Chromebook and boot from the prepared USB drive. For most Chromebooks, you can do this by pressing ESC during startup to get the boot menu.
Execute the Update
From the USB environment, run the update command, targeting the Chromebook’s internal drive (e.g., /dev/mmcblk0).
# Update an existing TechLit system
tl-hw-update-desktop /dev/mmcblk0 Tip
If the above command fails or you want to do a completely fresh installation, you can use tl-hw-prepare instead. See the device provisioning guide for more details.
Complete the Update
After the command finishes, reboot the Chromebook.
reboot