Question Lenovo S330 - This is now a matter of principle

[Schreiber147]

Granted... It is not necessarily worth the time and effort, but at this point, I REALLY want to solve this. I have a "Lenovo Chromebook S330 Laptop, 14-Inch FHD Display, MediaTek MT8173C, 4GB RAM, 64GB Storage, Chrome OS". Two actually. One is working the other is stuck in in Developer Mode. When I insert a correctly formated USB recovery stick, the screen blanks out although the USD keeps blinking, indicating it is powered. I have let the USB stick inserted overnight, just to determine if the process is going slow. No dice.

I have also pulled the battery to try and set. I think I have tried every key combination the internet provides for both getting in to and out of Developer Mode.

Please, HBO (Help a brother out). I have now invested too many hours of my life in this, to just give up.

 

[COLGeek]

What were you trying to do with the Chromebook prior to it getting stuck in dev mode?

 

[Schreiber147]

It was stuck in that when I turned it on. When I asked my kids who and how, the classic "not me" was the answer. So to answer you - I have no idea. Sorry

 

[COLGeek]

It was stuck in that when I turned it on. When I asked my kids who and how, the classic "not me" was the answer. So to answer you - I have no idea. Sorry

I fully understand the kid response. Often, this happens when someone tries to reload the system (to bypass restrictions, like those set by schools who use a lot of Chromebooks....or possibly even <gasp> parents).

Have you tried anything like this?

https://support.google.com/chromebo...-mode-when-trying-to-recover-chromebook?hl=en

 

[Schreiber147]

Yes, I have tried that option. I have tried working through the Chromebook C330/S330Hardware Maintenance Manual as well. At first I thought the keyboard wasn't working because I wasn't able to get a response, but from the insert USB screen, the arrow keys are still working.

Other thoughts?

 

[COLGeek]

So this isn't working either, right (source Gemini AI response to Google query)?

To exit developer mode on a Lenovo Chromebook S330, restart the device and press the Spacebar when the "OS verification is OFF" warning screen appears, then press Enter to confirm. This action will re-enable OS verification, factory reset the device, and delete all local data.

 

[Schreiber147]

I wonder if the keyboard is broken... It still will not allow me off the USB page.

 

[COLGeek]

Connect an external keyboard and see if that allows you to interact with the system.

 

[Schreiber147]

Thanks for your ongoing patience with this. I wanted to give you an update.

This is all done while being plugged in to power.

1 - the external keyboard works the same way the internal keyboard does. Meaning up and down arrows scroll through languages, but all other keys appeared dead.

2 - If the USB drive is plugged in, the Chromebook will not boot from powered off state.

3 - If I put the USB drive in from the insert recovery USB, the system immediately goes black and there appears to be no power going to the USB. (this USB lights up)

4 - I can leave it sit in this state (#3) with no changes. I have left it in this state overnight to test if I was just being impatient. I have not seen the USB blink.

5 - If I get to the insert USB page, and continually hit the space bar while inserting the USB, the screen will blank, but the USB will blink some, until going dark.

6 - If the USB is receiving power and blinking, the Chromebook will eventually shut itself down meaning the power light will go off.

7 - I have used various USB sticks and tried creating the recovery USB from both a PC and another functioning Chromebook.

One other thing I don't believe I have noted, the Chrome book will not charge using the standard power cord, it will only run \/charge on a USB-C phone charging cord. Is it a power thing instead?

I'm about the call this a bust and move on, but wasn't sure if there was anything else you might recommend.

Thank you.

 

[Schreiber147]

It has to be a power issue. Even when having it hooked to a phone USB-C, the screen and power light only remain on for under a minute. If the cord stays plugged in, it will eventually go from red to orange, but that can take a day or more. Is it possible the battery is bad and therefore it can not hold enough power to engage the USB and cannot cycle through the necessary steps?

 

[COLGeek]

Agreed that this is a power/electrical issue. Closely inspect any ports for foreign debris.

It may simply be this Chromebook's time to go to the big tech recycling point in the sky.