Installing Linux on Asus Chromebook C302CA with TPM Error

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Hi all,

I’m seeking advice on installing a Linux distribution (Mint or Fedora) on my old Asus Chromebook C302CA. It has a TPM error preventing it from booting and recovery options are unavailable.

Before discarding the device, I’d like to explore installing Linux. Is this feasible despite the TPM issue? I’m aware I might need to remove the write-protect screw.

Could someone provide a summarized guide outlining the steps involved in this process? I have bootable USB drives for Mint, Fedora, and a Ventoy external drive.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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to bypass the ChromeOS TPM error, you will need to directly flash the firmware chip with the UEFI firmware, treating the device as if it were bricked. The C302 uses a WSON-8 flash chip, so it can’t be clipped like a SOIC-8 chip. That means you either need to solder wires to it, or use a WSON 6x5 pogo-pin probe and hold it very still for ~3 mins.

After you flash the firmware, you can install whatever OS you want.

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Thank you so much for the explanation. I think it’s a little about my pay grade that :slight_smile: but it’s good to know it’s possible. Maybe a little project for a rainy day in the future. I’ll keep it out of the landfill for now though.

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If you’re in the USA, this is something I can do for just the cost of return shipping. DM me if interested

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Thanks for the kind offer. Unfortunately I’m in the UK. I will attempt this myself at some point so I may be back with some questions

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Hi there,
I also have an ASUS C302CA Chromebook and I have Linux Mint Xia running on it. The script can be used to flash the firmware since the lock method is a screw. Lookup your Chromebook in the supported devices the WP method is a screw.
What I did is took off the back cover and found the locking screw. I took the screw off and I was able to flash the firmware. I used Ventoy with Mint and installed Linux.
Please note that the track pad does not work but the touch screen works great. Sound does not come from the speakers but headphones work fine. Linux mint is pretty good on this CHromebook.

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OP can’t flash with the script, their device doesn’t boot since it has a TPM error

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Exactly.

On a side note, following the great instructions on this site, I did manage to get ChromeOS Flex installed on a Chromebox that was locked. Did the screw unlock, ran the scripts and voila…

Thanks to everyone involved in this site.

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I think you are using the term “locked” here differently than is conventional. A locked device is one that is managed (EDU/Corp). Removing the firmware WP screw has no effect on that, outside of maybe some models from 10+ years ago

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Are sorry yes. Whatever the screw removing to Flash is called :slight_smile:

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