P99 on a Chromebook, guide!

[Tann]

I recently picked up a C720 Chromebook for the purposes of having a highly portable laptop that I could learn python on and play the occasional game with. While ChromeOS isn't good for either of those reasons these chromebooks can easily be dual booted with Ubuntu and/or the OS entirely replaced with Ubuntu.

Firstly, why a C720? While it's an older 2013 model it is also the most compatible with Ubuntu and has by far the most support over at http://www.reddit.com/r/chrubuntu/ and its typically $150-200 USD.

Turns out amongst other games (http://www.reddit.com/r/chrubuntu/comments/2zowot/info_games_confirmed_to_work_on_acer_c720_2gb/) this beast of a calculator can run it can handle P99's Everquest just fine (probably EQlive as well), figured I'd ninja/copy/paste from other threads on how you too can get pixels in the bathroom!


Step 1, prepare the Chromebook.
(credit https://www.distroshare.com/top/# (choice between HugeGreenBug's Ubuntu, Xubuntu, and Lubuntu))

- Start with a freshly recovered/factory reset Chromebook, upon intial load up hold Escape and Refresh and tap the Power button. Device will reboot into recovery mode, press Ctrl+D, after warning prompt press Enter. Device will reboot again, press Ctrl+D to load ChromeOS.
- Once prompted to, select network but don't login, instead press Ctrl+alt+ → (not the right cursor key, but the key where the standard F2 key would be).
- Terminal will load asking for login, type chronos and hit Enter (no password is needed).
- Type sudo crossystem dev_boot_usb=1 dev_boot_legacy=1, hit Enter.

Step 2, prepare the USB/SD Card with your flavor of Ubuntu.
(credit https://www.distroshare.com/top/# (choice between HugeGreenBug's Ubuntu, Xubuntu, and Lubuntu))

- For windows DL http://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
- Run program and install .iso of your choice from the above distroshare link to said USB/SD Card.

Step 3, Install Ubuntu on sie Chromebook.
(same credit to HugeGreenBug)

- Insert USB and reboot/open/power on chromebook
- At the developer mode screen hit Ctrl+L
- Note if you instead want to dual boot (https://www.distroshare.com/distros/get/14/#comment-1803627619), Ctrl+D will load ChromeOS, and Ctrl+L will load Ubuntu.
- Follow install instructions, etc..

Step 4, Install Wine and EQ.
(credit https://www.project1999.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14125)

- On Windows PC copy already installed EQ directory to a USB/SD Card, around 4gb required for full Titanium install.
- In Ubuntu load terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) type sudo apt-get install wine
- Copy/paste EQ directory from the USB to /home/<user>/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/Sony/Everquest/

Step 5, Desktop icon (if desired).
(credit https://www.project1999.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14125)

- Load terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type Run Gedit
- Copy paste below script and save file wherever you like:

#!/bin/sh
# if you don't have the script's cwd set, you get XML errors
export WINEPREFIX=$HOME/.wine/
cd ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/Sony/EverQuest

# Bind to one core of the processor and launch.
# The client will spew a lot of errors, especially every time
# you target a mob, hence the stdout/stderr redirect.
# You probably want to leave off the 2>/dev/null until you're satisfied
# everything is working.
taskset -c 0 padsp wine eqgame.exe patchme 2>/dev/null

- Load terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends gnome-panel
- Then type gnome-desktop-item-edit --create-new ~/Desktop
- Point/browse to the above created script file and name accordingly.

Done and Done! You now have a light weight P99 machine you can impress your friends with at Starbucks, Macy's, and/or live a poop sock free life on the crapper.

:mad::mad::mad:

One issue of note that I ran into was there being no character models when I got into the game, or on char select. To fix this:
(credit to https://www.project1999.com/forums/showthread.php?t=132253)

- edit eqclient.ini, where VertexShaders=TRUE change to VertexShaders=FALSE

:D:D:D

Cheers~

[citizen1080]

Very nice sir! Where there is a EQ addiction there is a way.

[Madbad]

might actually consider a chromebook now

This needs a sticky

[blondeattk]

`C720 Chromebook `

looks like a rather low powered laptop. Assume the only advantage is weight? battery time seems poor.

is there some other advantage?

[Tann]

`C720 Chromebook `

looks like a rather low powered laptop. Assume the only advantage is weight? battery time seems poor.

is there some other advantage?

light weight, dirt cheap, can actually handle some pretty demanding games, or at home could just stream from main pc to it via steams in-home streaming.

for someone like me with a mortgage, new baby, bills, etc.. much easier to fit in a budget then upgrading my tower, though i'd rather upgrade the tower =\

[blondeattk]

yes ok, but theres plenty of cheap laptops on ebay. However i realise laptops arent the easiest to fiddle with hardware wise. I will accept the 2nd hand laptop market is a minefield, especially when ordering from a distance.

do you think that gram to $ the chromebook is more powerefficient than many laptops?

[Thulack]

Just scour Ebay for a month and you can find a decent laptop for sale. I got a i5 4gb gtx 640m acer aspire for 220 bucks after looking on ebay for a few weeks. Always a deal to be had.

[Tann]

do you think that gram to $ the chromebook is more powerefficient than many laptops?

depends on what you want to do with it i spose, my main purpose was running a form of Linux and through that learning to code. the extra bit about being able to game on it also is a nice plus.

Linux laptops are not cheap as hardware compatibility is an issue, right out the box these chromebooks work because chromeOS is built off of linux.

it's for sure not as power efficient as an actual gaming laptop, but the fact that it CAN do a lot more then it was intended for appeals to me.

[Tann]

Just scour Ebay for a month and you can find a decent laptop for sale. I got a i5 4gb gtx 640m acer aspire for 220 bucks after looking on ebay for a few weeks. Always a deal to be had.

but then you're stuck with Windows, if you want to run Linux you'll be spending more then 220.

Now I don't hate Windows, been using it since 3.1 (I think) with its 30 some odd 3.4" floppies, but I wanted to find lightweight both in OS and device way to work on coding and gaming and this is what I found.

[JackFlash]

but then you're stuck with Windows, if you want to run Linux you'll be spending more then 220.

This can't be true.....

[Tann]

This can't be true.....

Well yes I can't back up that statement 100%, best deal for the price/capabilities I found though.

The price fluctuates but I paid $160 off amazon, no taxes and free shipping. With the amount of games it can handle its a win in my book

[Grimjaw]

you could put Linux on a bran muffin...
http://www.bbspot.com/news/2008/12/linux-on-a-potato.html

[Tann]

boomp

[Tann]

*edit*

was working on figuring out how to run p99 on an SD Card since the storage space on the chromebook is a smidgling 16gb, USB stick isn't an option as the only 2 slots are being used by tether and mouse. Finally got it to work with the usual help from google.

Step 1, prepare the SD Card
- Install Gparted via Ubuntu Software Center or in the terminal type: sudo apt-get update, then sudo apt-get install gparted
- Load up Gparted and reformat the card from FAT32 to Ext4.

*Optional Step* if you have read/write permissions like I did (this was the only method I got to work):
- Install Nautilus via Ubuntu Software Center or from terminal type: sudo apt-get install Nautilus then sudo nautilus
- Right click on the sd card in the Devices section and select properties, nautilus looks just like File Manager.
- Select the permissions tab, select your username from the Group drop down menu (default should be Root), and select Create and delete Files from the Access drop down.

Step 2, install p99 and run!
(Still being new to Linux I've not figured out how to redirect the script in OP to the sd card :mad:)
Pretty self explanatory, copy/paste the EQ directory onto the card then:
- Right click on EQ directory and click open up a terminal
- Copy/paste the last line from the script mentioned in OP: taskset -c 0 padsp wine eqgame.exe patchme 2>/dev/null

~

[Lojik]

Bump. Would this work OK on this?
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-11-6-Inch-CB3-111-C670-Celeron/dp/B00MMLV7VQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1450800119&sr=1-1&keywords=chromebook

Chromebook that could run EQ seems awesome, but I don't know jack about compatibility etc.

[Thulack]

Bump. Would this work OK on this?
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-11-6-Inch-CB3-111-C670-Celeron/dp/B00MMLV7VQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1450800119&sr=1-1&keywords=chromebook

Chromebook that could run EQ seems awesome, but I don't know jack about compatibility etc.

I bought one of these personally. Hell it plays modern games. http://slickdeals.net/f/8329849-lenovo-thinkpad-11e-notebook-amd-a4-6210-500gb-hdd-11-6-display-4gb-ddr3l-windows-7-pro-195-free-shipping?v=1

[Tann]

Bump. Would this work OK on this?
http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-11-6-Inch-CB3-111-C670-Celeron/dp/B00MMLV7VQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1450800119&sr=1-1&keywords=chromebook

Chromebook that could run EQ seems awesome, but I don't know jack about compatibility etc.

a bit late on the reply but yes it should work, though you'd have to find the right linux distro for it as the ones I linked in OP are mostly tailored for the C720,

I seem to recall issues with going linux and the CB3 back when I was trying to find the right chromebook, tis why I ended up going with the C720.

[Tann]

Update (wtb edit function)

I'd highly recommend dual booting and just running EQ off a microSD card or USB, if you let the battery drain completely (as I did) it will default the "legacy boot" setting in the BIOS and will not load Linux via CTRL+L. Which then requires a complete wipe and restore to factory settings using the chrome recovery tool.

I had the dual boot instructions linked in the OP, the only thing to add would be to connect to wifi prior to entering the chromeOS shell as you need to download a script. I've done this twice now on my chromebook, starting after the below from "Step 1":

- Type sudo crossystem dev_boot_usb=1 dev_boot_legacy=1, hit Enter.

follow all this stuffs:
https://www.distroshare.com/distros/get/14/#comment-1803627619

[Tann]

Update #17 - Each time I reload Ubuntu I find something I missed in the OP. Couple things:

The <Alt> key is by default (at least on my installs) the key that lets you alt+left click and drag windows around.. which obviously doesn't jive with EQ.

to disable this install dconf-tools
sudo apt-get install dconf-tools

load up the program and navigate to
org → gnome → desktop → wm → preferences

as shown below select mouse-button-modifier and change it from <Alt> to something else, though don't leave it blank otherwise your mouse clicks will drag everything and you'll need to tab over to the Set to Default button. I changed mine to the windows key <Super> which I had to manually type in cause this keyboard is wonky.

http://i.stack.imgur.com/C1rU8.png

I ran into a few issues with the script in OP as well

cd ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/Sony/EverQuest

make sure the above line is actually where you have EQ located or change it accordingly, mine is just ~/.wine/drive_c/Everquest

The bit after the script which shows how to make a desktop icon is missing something crucial

- Load terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends gnome-panel
- Then type gnome-desktop-item-edit --create-new ~/Desktop
- Point/browse to the above created script file and name accordingly.

The desktop icon created will NOT work if you don't right click on the script file, nav to the permissions tab and check "allow to run as executable"



Vote now for "guide with the most errors on it" now!!!1

[Tann]

double post.. why... @_@

Vote now for "guide with the most errors on it" now!!!1

^^^

[gierkep]

So i just got a new chromebook. Is this still the best way to go about getting a everquest running on it or would just installing it on a USB 3.0 be a better way to go. 32GB SSD and 4GB Memory Intel CPU.

[BlazedCat]

show a video of you playing eq99 on a chromebook

[Tann]

So i just got a new chromebook. Is this still the best way to go about getting a everquest running on it or would just installing it on a USB 3.0 be a better way to go. 32GB SSD and 4GB Memory Intel CPU.

can't update the OP but the xubuntu stuff is no longer supported or developed, the new linux option for chromebooks is GalliumOS (https://www.reddit.com/r/GalliumOS/) which I just got up and running recently.

show a video of you playing eq99 on a chromebook

sure, not sure why you need that considering you could run p99 on a potato but i'll work on getting a vid.

[brknglss]

I've been looking into doing just this, to get eq on the acer c740 running gallium. Ideally the EQ lite version that FatMagic put together. I'll report my progress in the coming weeks as I get started, shouldn't be too difficult.

[gierkep]

Got GalliumOS up and running with a dualboot (using chrx and mrchromebook.tech), got exFat installed (via sudo) so i moved the EQ files over, but now Im at a dead end as to what to do next.

[brknglss]

I actually ordered the acer r11 and it's supposed to be arriving tomorrow. I'll see if I can get it working and let you know... though right now I can't get the game working on my mac after this patch.

I imagine you checked out this thread ?
https://www.project1999.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14125

[Tann]

Got GalliumOS up and running with a dualboot (using chrx and mrchromebook.tech), got exFat installed (via sudo) so i moved the EQ files over, but now Im at a dead end as to what to do next.

once you got the OS up and running its pretty straight forward, install wine, run wine config (so it creates a virtual drive ), move EQ to the virtual drive it creates, and either follow the more updated linux guide or do what I did in the OP (which was copied from said linux guide anyway):

Step 5, Desktop icon (if desired).
(credit https://www.project1999.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14125)

- Load terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type Run Gedit
- Copy paste below script and save file wherever you like:

#!/bin/sh
# if you don't have the script's cwd set, you get XML errors
export WINEPREFIX=$HOME/.wine/
cd ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/Sony/EverQuest

# Bind to one core of the processor and launch.
# The client will spew a lot of errors, especially every time
# you target a mob, hence the stdout/stderr redirect.
# You probably want to leave off the 2>/dev/null until you're satisfied
# everything is working.
taskset -c 0 padsp wine eqgame.exe patchme 2>/dev/null

- Load terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends gnome-panel
- Then type gnome-desktop-item-edit --create-new ~/Desktop
- Point/browse to the above created script file and name accordingly.

Probably need to disable vertex shaders in the client file (otherwise get floating weapons with no character models):
edit eqclient.ini, where VertexShaders=TRUE change to VertexShaders=FALSE

I imagine you checked out this thread ?
https://www.project1999.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14125

yessir, tis where I got the script/icon stuffs and I did give credit and link to it in OP!

[brknglss]

Hm. Ok pardon my complete nubness, first time linux user. I've been running EQ on a mac via wineskin but seems slightly more complicated with linux as I'm not at all familiar with command prompts, amazing I got gallium up and running.

So I've managed to get a virtual drive using playonlinux which seems to just be GUI for wine. Now I've copied over my entire Sony/Everquest folder from my mac install into the program files on the virtual drive so the path is

/home/chrx/PlayOnLinuxs_virtual_drives/EQ/drive_c_Program Files/sony/EverQuest

(forgot change the user from chrx)

I'm now trying to run it, and not exactly sure what to do. Run Gedit is an unknown command but it looks like that bit of code you pasted is creating a script to launch to launch the game?

Instead I've used the creat shortcut with PlayOnLinux it points to the exe. though it's trying to run the patcher when I launch...

Mostly used this thread for reference getting this far

https://www.project1999.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212710



Any ideas?

** edit I tried this
"The way I do the "patchme" for the shortcut is I go to PlayOnLinux Config, select the shortcut I made under the Wine instance, and just put "patchme" without quotes in the Arguments field."

But no luck, still trying to patch

[Tann]

hmm i've never used playonlinux for p99, other games like hearthstone yea. The guide you linked has a lot of unnecessary steps, if installing PoL you don't need to do step 1, steps 5/6/8 are all unnecessary as well.

for just running eq or wow elysium the stock wine you get via terminal works fine with 0 modifications to .dll's and nothing required from winetricks.

IMO:

1. open terminal, type: sudo apt-get install wine
2. in terminal, type: winecfg (exit after it creates drive)
3. copy EQ directory somewhere on the drive_c
5. if you want a desktop icon, in terminal type: sudo apt-get install gedit
6. followed by what I posted above (https://www.project1999.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2435456&postcount=27), just make sure to fix the path in the "cd ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/Sony/EverQuest" bit.
7. if you don't want to use said icon just open a terminal in the EQ directory and copy/paste: taskset -c 0 padsp wine eqgame.exe patchme 2>/dev/null

that works for me on both a chromebook (galliumOS) and my intel nuc (ubuntu 16.04), results may vary depending on specs but the PoL route is kinda overkill for p99 imo

[brknglss]

Thanks for responding...

Run Gedit command output:

bash: Run: Command not found


I did install gedit (sudo apt-get install gedit)

[Tann]

ooh another error i found in my OP nice, its just gedit dont need the run.

Opening gedit

gedit incorporates a graphical user interface (GUI) and is opened by going to Applications → Accessories → Text Editor or by pressing Alt+F2 and typing gedit

[brknglss]

Gedit just a text editor so trying this with the stock Mousepad text editor on Gallium. so moving to this step

- Load terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and type sudo apt-get install --no-install-recommends gnome-panel
- Then type gnome-desktop-item-edit --create-new ~/Desktop
- Point/browse to the above created script file and name accordingly.

_________
Done, creates shortcut on the desktop but I get a launch error:

Failed to run "eqp99.desktop"
Failed to execute child process "home/chrx/Playonlinuxs_virtual_drives/EQ/launchscript" (Permission denied)

[brknglss]

Started from the top with your instructions and I'm getting the same error as listed above.

[Zaela]

You need to make the script executable.


chmod +x /home/chrx/Playonlinuxs_virtual_drives/EQ/launchscript

[brknglss]

bingo! Thank you.

Except, now I log in and at server select it's empty ? =X

Also really need to change the resolution

[brknglss]

Didn't have the energy to keep at it last night, seems the empty server list is a known issue. After logging out then in a number of times the serve list appeared and was able to get in game, then I went to sleep.

Success!
I logged into a toon in an empty zone and the performance was meh, then logged in a toon in EC and performance was pretty bad. Not expecting anything amazing but frames were pretty awful, need to work on optimizing for this machine I suppose. Multi core issues maybe? I'll start there tonight and tinker a bit.

[vanix]

So i just wanted to add that facebookmarketplace is a nice place to find good deals on laptops i just recently got a fully VR ready razer blade 17 for $500 from some dude who drove a $100,000 car to meet me and was like i used it like 5 times... I mean the thing retails at $3,000 dollars s... I also routinely fence my thievevery goods here its a great online yard sale type of thing with facebook requiring zero money to use said service. Cheers