CloudReady Devices - Education/Enterprise ISO?

[CHiLL]

We received a fair few ChromeOS devices last year, as part of the DfE scheme. They were all distributed to students, but some have been return as they're no longer needed. I want to factory reset them before handing them out to another student, but can't figure out how.

 

I've contacted Neverware, to see if I can get an ISO, but they say that we need to pay for licenses to use anything more than the Home Edition (which doesn't let you log on with Google Education accounts). I'm not sure how the licensing works, because we didn't purchase them - these devices came with it.

 

How can I factory reset these accounts, or remove the old student accounts from them before re-issuing them?

[TechMonkey]

Powerwash? https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/183084?hl=en-GB

[robk]

I think theres an option on a chrome book to do that, something like "power wash" from memory.

 

The neverware iso is to convert a old laptop into a chrome book.

 

Sorry not a chromebook expert but hopefully there will be one along in a min!

[robk]

See above...!

[CHiLL]

That doesn't seem to work. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+Alt+R on the login screen does nothing.

 

Turns out Neverware have disabled this in CloudReadyOS. They only recommend following their install guide.

[TechMonkey]

Seems odd that the DfE kit is Neverware rather than actual ChromeOS native kit. I guess you either need to contact DfE to find out about the license or upgrade the license direct with Neverware.

 

Have just found these instructions:

https://neverware.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/239646428-Resetting-everything-back-to-factory-setting-s-essentially-powerwash-

I don't understand them but I've never had to deal with Neverware.

[FN-GM]

Are you 100% sure they are running CloudReady and not native ChromeOS?

[CHiLL]

Are you 100% sure they are running CloudReady and not native ChromeOS?

I'm only going off the BGInfo type data on the background:

 

Client ID: CloudReady-40:a8:f0:a5:51:48

OS Version: 85.4.1

License Type: 2021-06-09

Site ID: 24747

 

In the Settings, there is an 'About CloudReady' option, which says that CloudReady is copyright Neverware and Chromium.

Edited February 2, 2021 by CHiLL

[FN-GM]

You’re right. I’m surprised they have done that.

 

I’m assuming these systems are on the DFE management system?

[j224]

I agree with TechMonkey. Seems odd that they would give you CloudReady devices. We got given Chromebooks.

 

You'll need to contact whoever supplied them to you to find out about the CloudReady licensing. They must have the admin details for you to login to Neverware and download a fresh copy of CloudReady onto USB.

[CHiLL]

Ah, OK. Just had some clarification. These are 'donated devices' that have been provided by BEP (Birmingham Education Partnership). I will contact them and see what they say.

[aicrd]

Also are you sure these are running the licenced version and not home edition? The only difference between the 2 is the licenced one allows Enterprise Enrolment. You can login with edu accounts on the free one just fine. You just wont be able to enrol the devices.

 

Try pressing Ctrl+Alt+E on the login screen if they are not enroled. If it doesnt let you then you have the home version.

[CHiLL]

Also are you sure these are running the licenced version and not home edition? The only difference between the 2 is the licenced one allows Enterprise Enrolment. You can login with edu accounts on the free one just fine. You just wont be able to enrol the devices.

 

Try pressing Ctrl+Alt+E on the login screen if they are not enroled. If it doesnt let you then you have the home version.

Yeah. I've tried reimaging one with the Home Edition and it won't let you log in with an enterprise account.

 

These devices aren't managed by our Google Admin, only the users are synced. Neverware support have just got back to me and only the license holder (with the my.neverware.com account) can install the OS and manage the devices.

Edited February 2, 2021 by CHiLL

[aicrd]

Hmm interesting. I have the VM image of the home edition and I can login normally with my edu account. Unless the 2 are different somehow?

[CHiLL]

Hmm interesting. I have the VM image of the home edition and I can login normally with my edu account. Unless the 2 are different somehow?

We've imported all of our AD users into Google Admin Centre and I used one of those accounts. When I was on the first setup stage of CloudReady, I joined the WiFi and tried to log in with one of those synced accounts, which is when it said I couldn't use an enterprise account.

[dhicks]

When I was on the first setup stage of CloudReady, I joined the WiFi and tried to log in with one of those synced accounts, which is when it said I couldn't use an enterprise account.

 

I've used my Google domain on a home-edition CloudReady device with no problem before - I don't know if the latest version imposes different limitations, though (they did just get bought by Google, some licensing might have changed). Check your Google domain settings (if you're the admin), see if there's a setting to disallow domain accounts from logging on to non-domain devices. Actually, thinking about it, I think the first logon to a home-licensed device actually assignes the device to that user, which might be a subtly different limitation - you could try doing the initial logon with a non-domain account and then seeing if it'l let you log on with a domain account after that.

[FN-GM]

Hmm interesting. I have the VM image of the home edition and I can login normally with my edu account. Unless the 2 are different somehow?

 

They do not have an Education account

 

it won't let you log in with an enterprise account.