HP Pavilion Chromebook

Introduction

This page contains information about the HP Pavilion Chromebook that is interesting and/or useful to software developers. For general information about getting started with developing on ChromiumOS (the open-source version of the software on the Chrome Notebook), see the Chromium OS Developer Guide.

Developer Mode

Caution: Modifications you make to the system are not supported by Google, may cause hardware, software or security issues and may void warranty.

Details for working with developer mode can be found on this page.

Firmware

This device uses coreboot and Das U-Boot to boot the system. You can find the source in the ChromiumOS coreboot git tree and the ChromiumOS u-boot git tree in the firmware-butterfly-2788.B branches.

What's inside?

WARNING: Opening the case and fiddling with the stuff inside could easily brick your system and make it unrecoverable. DO NOT ATTEMPT if you are not familiar with this process.

Disassembly

Taking apart your laptop is not encouraged. If you have hardware troubles, please seek assistance first from an authorized center. Be advised that disassembly might void warranties or other obligations, so please consult any and all paperwork your received first. If you just want to see what the inside looks like, gaze upon this (click for a high res version):

However, we acknowledge that some people like to tinker. So here's a quick guide to taking it apart:

• First, acquire the necessary tools:

  • 1 phillips head screw driver (a PH0 should be able to handle everything)
  • 1 wide flat head screw driver, or a butter knife

• Shut the system down and close the lid

• Flip the laptop over so the bottom is facing up and the hinge is facing away from you

• Remove the battery

• Remove all screws on D-panel (see pic) w/phillips head (there are 10)

• Pry off keyboard using a flat instrument

  • The keyboard can bend inward and upward to dislodge the tabs which are all along the top and bottom of the keyboard

  • Start at the bottom left corner and work your way up the left side

  • With the left side popped, slide the screw driver along the middle underneath and wiggle/pop the tabs out as you go

  • There is a ribbon cable underneath the right shift key that needs to be disconnected from the motherboard

    

• Remove all screws on C-panel. Note location of servo connector (non-standard 2x25 connector), circled in blue.

  

• Disconnect the two ribbon cables and pry off C-panel

  • You can use the open holes in the metal plate to pull up until the edge along the hinge separates
  • Using the edge along the hinge, pull the top panel away from the bottom panel

• Unit is now disassembled. Note the location of the WP switch.