How to Install ChromeOS on Legacy BIOS: A Guide to the MBR Support Patch
If you have an old laptop lying around that doesn’t support modern UEFI, you might think its days of running a fast, modern OS are over. However, the Brunch framework has made it possible to turn almost any x86_64 PC into a Chromebook. The catch? Legacy BIOS systems usually require a specific patch: mbr_support.tar.gz.
Here is a look at what this file does and how to use it to revive your old hardware. What is mbr_support.tar.gz?
By default, ChromeOS is designed to boot from UEFI systems using a GPT partition table. Many older machines use the Legacy BIOS (Master Boot Record) standard, which ChromeOS does not natively support.
The mbr_support.tar.gz file is a specialized patch for the Brunch framework. It contains the necessary files to allow your legacy machine to recognize and boot the ChromeOS image from an MBR-partitioned drive. Where to Download
You can typically find the latest version of this patch on the official Brunch GitHub repository.
Source: Look in the master branch of the repo for the mbr_support.tar.gz archive.
Compatibility: Ensure your CPU is at least an Intel 1st Gen Nehalem or later; very old chips like the Core 2 Duo are generally not supported by this method. Quick Installation Steps
Installing ChromeOS on an MBR device requires a few extra steps compared to a standard UEFI install:
Prepare your environment: Use a tool like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive with a Linux distro (like Linux Mint). Download and Extract:
Download your chosen ChromeOS recovery image and the Brunch release. Download mbr_support.tar.gz.
Extract the Brunch files first, then extract mbr_support.tar.gz into the same folder, choosing to overwrite any existing files when prompted.
Run the Installer: Boot into your Linux Live USB, open a terminal in your installation folder, and run the install script (e.g., sudo chromeos-install.sh -src ).
Fixing Boot Issues: If the system doesn't boot immediately, you may need to use GParted to manually set the legacy_boot flag on the 12th partition of your drive. Potential Roadblocks
Storage Space: Ensure your USB drive has enough space; users have reported errors even on 8GB sticks if the recovery image and framework files are large.
Dual Booting: Dual-booting Windows and ChromeOS on a Legacy BIOS system is notoriously difficult and often requires installing ChromeOS on the entire disk rather than a single partition.
Reviving an old laptop with ChromeOS is a great way to reduce e-waste and get a snappy browsing machine for free. Just make sure you have that MBR patch ready!
Inside the extracted directory, run:
sudo ./install-mbr /dev/sda
Or, if using the classic mbr package:
sudo /usr/sbin/install-mbr /dev/sda
This writes generic boot code that looks for an active partition.
The .tar.gz extension indicates a compressed archive (similar to a .zip file). Contents usually include:
grub-mkimage -o mbr.img -p /boot/grub -O i386-pc biosdisk part_msdos
sudo dd if=mbr.img of=/dev/sda bs=512 count=1