Google Chromebook update/powerwash or not?

[Lobster]

Not really a Puppy problem but my internet friend Federica is NOT going to use Puppy. I don't use a chromebook BUT Puppy Users know everything. Can you advise?
Below is her stalemate ...

Many thanks in advance ...



—-

Ok guys. Many, if not all of you, will know that while I'm pretty ok with most techno-stuff, other things leave me like a rabbit in headlights.

Message just popped up on my screen. "Your Chromebook has updates. Restart for full update. Learn more"

So I clicked 'Learn more' and apparently the update also entails a full powerwash.

"Powerwash for added security
This upgrade resets your Chromebook and removes current user data. "

Wait... whut...?! Hang on... another 'Learn more' link later and...

Update your Chromebook’s security

You can install a firmware update to give your Chromebook stronger security protections.

The update is optional, but you should install the update if:

You’ve set up hardware-backed certificates or verified access. Learn what these are.

You want to keep your Chromebook settings, apps, files and other info as secure as possible.

Important: This update will erase your Chromebook and reset it to factory settings. Everything will be deleted from your Chromebook, including your files, apps and data. Make sure that you back up your files and sync your account settings before you install this update.

What -
The -
Actual -
F....?!

I have no idea how to go about doing this, what it entails, what I am meant to do, or how to make sure that when chromebook re-starts, everything will be just as it is now...(only, obviously, better, apparently!)

As it's optional, I need do nothing, right? Even if the message persists in popping up...

—-

[Burn_IT]

I don't and never would use a powerbook, but read this article:
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/what-does-i ... hromebook/

It may help.

[peterw]

I do use and have used Chromebooks. By doing a Powerwash you will destroy any locally stored data on the Chromebook. Remember, that with Chromebooks everything is stored in the Cloud unless you are working offline. After the Powerwash you sign in again and you should get everything restored.

Having said the above, I have never seen messages such as those written.

As asides Chromebooks are great machines but they have a limited life. See: https://support.google.com/chrome/a/ans ... 0366?hl=en. So if her Chromebook is near its EOL then maybe she needs to think about loading Linux on it. See: https://mrchromebox.tech/ and load up the UEFI BIOS programme that you access there and after that you can load any Linux (although on mine only Fatdog has the drivers for the trackpad).

[oldaolgeezer]

We have had several Chromebooks over several years, some with an ARM cpu and others with an INTEL cpu.

Your Chromebook can let the user either save their data files in a local "download" set of directories
within the laptop or they can store their files in directories in Google's cloud.

Google offers Chromebook software updates about every two or so weeks for about five years.
These software updates take only a few minutes to complete and require the owner to log back on.

In the past, doing a "powerwash" was a seperate step from an update,
and if chosen by the user, erased the local directories within
the laptop but not the files in the user's cloud directories.
(I only did a powerwash once when buying a used Chromebook.)

I can say, as peterw said, "I have never seen messages such as those written"

Google Chrome OS
Nearly up to date! Restart your device to finish updating.
Version XX.X.XXXX.XXX (Official Build) (XX-bit)

Restart

Powerwash for added security
This upgrade resets your Chromebook and removes current user data. Learn more

So when clicked to learn more:

Update your Chromebook’s security
You can install a firmware update to give your Chromebook stronger security protections.
The update is optional, but you should install the update if:

You’ve set up hardware-backed certificates or verified access. Learn what these are.
You want to keep your Chromebook settings, apps, files, and other info as secure as possible.

Important: This update will erase your Chromebook and reset it to factory settings.
Everything will be deleted from your Chromebook, including your files, apps, and data.
Make sure to back up your files and sync your account settings before you install this update.

===

Also read: https://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org ... are_update

this shows: "Affected devices" and "Things to know about the update process" and "Deciding whether to install the update"

also have your friend also read: https://lauren.vortex.com/2017/10/11/ex ... dont-panic

===

Hope this is some help.

[Lobster]

Thanks guys.
Appreciate your input.

Some people (believe it or not) or so not geeky, the idea of transferring data onto a USB or SD card and then having a pristine computer - scary

If you can put up with a Buddhist forum you can contact Federica here:
https://newbuddhist.com/discussion/2637 ... ook#latest