Fixed! Pixelbook Go was shutting down

Solution:

I did the hard reset. See below for how to do that.

Pixelbook Go Shuts Down: Troubleshooting and Prevention Tips

This formatted report combines your findings and explores potential causes for your Pixelbook Go shutting down unexpectedly.

Problem: Pixelbook Go randomly shuts down.

Possible Causes:

• Hardware Issues: While less likely, consider hardware issues if the troubleshooting steps below don't resolve the problem. The age of your device (purchased July 2020) might be a factor.
• Software Glitches: Temporary software issues can sometimes cause unexpected shutdowns.
• Battery Drain: Ensure the charger is firmly plugged into both the outlet and your Pixelbook. Try a different outlet or charger to rule out power supply problems.
• Overheating: Make sure your Pixelbook Go has proper ventilation and avoid using it on soft surfaces that can block airflow.
• Resource Overload: Running too many applications or processes simultaneously can overload the system.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Hard Reset: Hold the refresh key (circular arrow key) and the power button for 10 seconds. This can clear temporary glitches.
2. Software Updates: Outdated software can cause boot problems. Check for updates by going to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for updates.
3. Powerwash (Reset Chrome OS): If the above fail, consider resetting your Chromebook to factory settings. This erases all your data, so back up important files first. This can be done from the Chrome login screen.
4. Reduce Resource Strain: Avoid keeping too many tabs open or running highly demanding applications.

Additional Information:

• Purchase Details:
  • Model: Google Pixelbook Go (listed as black on Amazon page)
  • CPU: Core i5-8200Y (according to Amazon listing, but order details say i7)
  • RAM: 16GB
  • Storage: 128GB
  • Purchased: July 31, 2020, from Amazon (third-party seller Rapid Shop)
  • Warranty End Date: August 3, 2022

Resources:

• Hard Reset Instructions: https://support.google.com/pixelbook/answer/9134769?hl=en
• Pixelbook Troubleshooting: https://support.google.com/pixelbook/answer/7504070?hl=en

Next Steps:

If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider contacting Google Support or a professional repair service for further diagnosis.

Fixed ! Pixelbook Go Chromebook wouldn't boot

Go here first: https://gadgetmates.com/pixelbook-wont-turn-on

Mike's Pixelbook Pro Chromebook wouldn't boot. I was able to fix it right away.

My procedure which I found easily online by searching, said to hold down the refresh button, and at the same time, press the power button. I did this while it was plugged in, and it worked. But this has happened before, so I prompted four generative AI's to see what else can be done. (The refresh button is the circular arrow.)

My prompt

My Pixelbook wouldn't boot, so i used the refresh key and the power button to get it to boot, but this is the third time it has happened. What can I do to prevent it from happening again?

Gemini 

There are a few things you can try to prevent your Pixelbook from needing a hard reset to boot:

Ensure a good charge:  Make sure your charger is plugged in firmly to both the outlet and your Pixelbook. Try a different outlet or charger to rule out any power supply issues. Let it charge for at least 30 minutes before attempting to boot again.

Perform a full shutdown: Sometimes a full shutdown can clear temporary glitches.  Instead of just letting it sleep, completely power down your Pixelbook by holding the power button and selecting "Power" when the menu appears.  Wait for a minute and then power it on normally.

Look for Chrome OS updates: Outdated software can sometimes cause boot problems.  Check for updates by going to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for updates.  Install any updates that are available.

Reset ChromeOS (Powerwash): If none of the above work, you can try resetting your Chromebook to factory settings. This will erase all your local data so be sure to back up anything important. This can be done from the Chrome login screen. You'll see a small "Network" link in the bottom right corner. Click that and then look for the option to "Reset."

If the problem persists after trying these steps, there might be a hardware issue with your Pixelbook.  You can contact Google support for further diagnosis and repair options https://support.google.com/pixelbook/?hl=en.

Copilot

I’m sorry to hear that you’re experiencing issues with your Pixelbook not booting up properly. Let’s troubleshoot this together! Here are some steps you can take to prevent this from happening again:

1. Check Power and Charging:

   • Ensure that your Pixelbook is properly charged. Sometimes, insufficient battery power can cause booting problems.
   • Connect your Pixelbook to the charger and let it charge for a while before attempting to turn it on again.

2. Perform a Hard Reset:

   • You’ve already tried this, but let’s do it again just to be thorough:
     • Press and hold the Refresh key (the circular arrow key) and the Power button simultaneously for about 10 seconds.
     • Release the keys and wait for your Pixelbook to restart.
   • If this doesn’t work, proceed to the next steps.

3. Switch to a Different OS Channel:

   • Sometimes, using an experimental version of the operating system (OS) can cause issues.
   • Check which OS channel you’re using:
     • Go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Additional details.
     • Look for the Channel information.
   • If you’re on a beta or developer channel, consider switching back to the stable channel to avoid potential instability.

4. Check for System Updates:

   • Make sure your Pixelbook is running the latest Chrome OS version.
   • Go to Settings > About Chrome OS > Check for updates.
   • If an update is available, install it and see if the issue persists.

5. Contact Pixelbook Support:

   • If none of the above steps resolve the problem, reach out to Pixelbook support for further assistance.
   • They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific situation.

Remember, technology glitches happen, but with a little troubleshooting, we’ll get your Pixelbook back on track! 🤞📱💻

ChatGPT 

Experiencing repeated boot issues with your Pixelbook can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to prevent it from happening again:

Update Software: Make sure your Pixelbook's operating system and software are up-to-date. Sometimes, software bugs or compatibility issues can cause boot problems, and updates often include fixes for these issues.

Check for Hardware Issues: If the problem persists despite updating the software, there may be a hardware issue causing the boot problem. Check for any physical damage or defects on your Pixelbook, and consider contacting Google support for further assistance.

Backup Your Data: Regularly back up your important files and data to prevent loss in case of a boot failure or other issues. You can use Google Drive or other cloud storage services for this purpose.

Reset Your Pixelbook: Performing a factory reset on your Pixelbook can sometimes resolve persistent boot issues by restoring it to its default settings. However, keep in mind that this will erase all data on your device, so make sure to back up your files before proceeding.

Avoid Overloading Your Pixelbook: Running too many applications or processes simultaneously can sometimes overload your Pixelbook's system, leading to performance issues and potential boot problems. Try to avoid multitasking excessively or running resource-intensive programs if possible.

Monitor for Signs of Overheating: Overheating can also cause boot problems and other issues with electronic devices. Make sure your Pixelbook has proper ventilation and avoid using it on soft surfaces that can block airflow. You can also use monitoring software to check the temperature of your device and take steps to cool it down if necessary.

Consider Professional Repair: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be time to consider professional repair or replacement for your Pixelbook. Contact Google support or take your device to an authorized repair center for further assistance.

By following these steps, you can hopefully prevent future boot issues with your Pixelbook and ensure smoother operation overall.

Perplexity

Sources

https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/129n0b6/pixelbook_lights_up_but_will_not_boot_up_help/ favicon

https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/most-common-pixelbook-problems/ favicon

 

To prevent your Pixelbook from encountering boot issues in the future, you can take the following preventive measures based on the search results:

Perform a Hard Reset: If your Pixelbook powers on but the operating system doesn't boot, a hard reset can help resolve the issue

 

Refresh the System: Using the refresh key and power button to boot your Pixelbook is a useful troubleshooting step. However, if this issue persists, consider refreshing the system as it may help

Check for Software Updates: Keeping your Pixelbook's operating system up to date can prevent potential software-related boot problems

Contact Support: If the issue continues despite these steps, reaching out to Google support or seeking assistance from a professional technician may be necessary for a more in-depth diagnosis and solution 

By following these steps, you can reduce the likelihood of encountering boot problems with your Pixelbook in the future.

Specs and Details

Google Pixelbook Go i7 Chromebook 16GB/128GB Not Pink

Order Placed: July 31, 2020

Amazon.com order number: 112-4078596-6015428

Order Total: $1,239.74

ORDER PLACED

July 31, 2020

TOTAL

$1,239.74

SHIP TO

Linda E. Moran

ORDER # 112-4078596-6015428

View order details  View invoice

Brand Google

Model Name Pixelbook Go

Screen Size 13.3 Inches

Color Just Black but ours is a Not Pink

Hard Disk Size 128 GB

CPU Model Core i5-8200Y but I think ours is a i7-8500Y

Ram Memory Installed Size 16 GB

Operating System Chrome OS

Special Feature Backlit Keyboard

Graphics Card Description Integrated

Ordered on July 31, 2020

ASIN  B07YMM3R2F

Return window closed on Sep 2, 2020

Product support window closed on Aug 3, 2022

CPU Model Core i5-8200Y

 Reviews:

1. If you open a ton of TABs in chrome at the same time (i.e.. run down the notifications in Facebook and cntl+click), the machine craps out and many tabs will fail to open.
2. Thanks. I don't think we can find out any more than we now know. Here are my final thoughts and discoveries:
   
   
   1. When I look at this purchase we made on Amazon, the order details say:Google Pixelbook Go i7 Chromebook 16GB/128GB Not Pink
   2. But when I click through to the sales page on amazon, it shows as black, and the processor is I5 (not I7) and it shows as a different price than what we paid. It's no wonder I couldn't find this purchase in Amazon!  (And I was looking in Quicken which was stupid because this was a work purchase not a home purchase.)
   3. There is nothing on the amazon sale page about a model number. It lists the model as Pixelbook Go. So apparently, that's the model.
   4. The only other thing I learned about it shutting down was from one of the reviews which says that if you have too many tabs open, that can cause the machine to "crap out." 
   5. The product support window closed on Aug 3, 2022, so I'm guessing that was the warranty end date.
   6. The Pixelbook Go was first available in 2019, which means to me it's kinda old technology already.
   7. We bought it from a third party seller -- Rapid Shop
   8. Anyway, I think we're done with this project. We do now know the purchase date which was July 31, 2020. So it's almost four years old.

Thanks. I don't think we can find out any more than we now know. Here are my final thoughts and discoveries:

1. When I look at this purchase we made on Amazon, the order details say:Google Pixelbook Go i7 Chromebook 16GB/128GB Not Pink
2. But when I click through to the sales page on amazon, it shows as black, and the processor is I5 (not I7) and it shows as a different price than what we paid. It's no wonder I couldn't find this purchase in Amazon!  
3. And in my initial searching, I had been trying to find it in Quicken which was stupid because this was a work purchase not a home purchase. 
4. There is nothing on the amazon sales page about a model number. It lists the model as Pixelbook Go. So apparently, that's the model.
5. I learned that  pixelbooks do shut down due to a drained battery, or software glitches.
6. The only other thing I learned about it shutting down was from one of the reviews which says that if you have too many tabs open, that can cause the machine to "crap out." 
7. The product support window closed on Aug 3, 2022, so I'm guessing that was the warranty end date.
8. The Pixelbook Go was first available in 2019, which means to me it's kinda old technology already.
9. We bought it from a third party seller -- Rapid Shop
10. Anyway, I think we're done with this project. We do now know the purchase date which was July 31, 2020. So it's almost four years old.
11. And it's possible it can still last a good long time, because doing a  reset does seem to bring it back to life. I learned that the method I used to do a reset, is actually called a hard reset, not a soft reset. I hold the refresh key down, while pressing the power button
12. This link has more good suggestions: https://gadgetmates.com/pixelbook-wont-turn-on

Solved! Epson WF-2660 couldn't print black any more

 

Hubby's Epson WF 2660 wouldn't print black any more. He tried changing the black cartridge, and he did quite a bit of head cleaning.

Ultimately I found this video that solved it so well that I wanted to pay the guy. It's easy, it requires hot water and a syringe, and takes about ten minutes. I didn't have the type of syringe this guy had, but it worked well with an ear syringe!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISODadioIAA

Epson Ecotank refills

When Epson ET-3850 is running low on ink

This is an Ecotank printer. It sends messages, based on estimates, that you might want to add more ink. You can ignore those messages. I found them to come far too soon, and when I looked it up, I learned this is an early warning, and not based on your actual ink levels.


There are two other ways to know when it’s time to refill one or more of the ink tanks

Look at the front. If the ink level is down to the bottom line or almost to the bottom line, it’s time to add more ink.


I discovered before it got down quite that far that a message came up on the screen telling me it’s time to refill the black ink. You can follow the step by step instructions on the printer’s screen.


I bought this printer on Sept. 17, 2022 and its original ink lasted until February 29, 2024. That’s 17 months.


Don’t buy refills too soon. Buy them when you see you’re getting close to needing them. Buy genuine Epson only. See my past orders in Amazon if you’re not sure.

Reinstall Windows 10 without OneDrive and without Microsoft account

I did this on an HP laptop. My aim was to create a second Media server that would be ready in the event that my first media server, which is on a Lenovo laptop. Because they are different manufacturers, I couldn't do this by means of creating a system image of the Lenovo.

Instead I had to do it all the hard way. These are the steps I took for my second attempt. My first attempt created a mess because I couldn't get rid of the infestation which Microsoft calls OneDrive. 

Note that some of the steps can happen in a different order:

1. Start by having an ethernet connection because that's faster than a wireless. You need that because you're going to do a clean reset from the cloud.
2. Do a full reset in which you agree to have everything wiped out. To do that, choose "remove everything." 
3. When asked, select download Windows from the cloud
4. Be monitoring this very long process of wiping the disk and downloading Windows. The screen will say "preparing to reset." You want to be in the lookout for when it's not downloading anymore. Be ready to disconnect the Ethernet cable for the installation phase because you do not want Microsoft doing any cloud activities 
5. When it first starts installing, then disconnect the ethernet 
6. Let it run. Now it's safe because it will stop when it wants to know country and language
7. Answer country and language, and then it will ask you for an internet connection. Do not set that up. It will try to insist, and explain to you why it's better to have an internet connection but don't believe it.
8. You should see this page. Do not click bottom right. Instead, click bottom left, which says continue with limited setup
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. On the next screen click Accept for the Windows 10 License Agreement
10. The screen will ask you "Who's going to use this PC? What name do you want to use? Now you can name your account. This will be a local account name (I think it's what's called your PC name) instead of the one associated with your Microsoft ID. For my second server, I named it Plex-2. 
11. Next, it will request a password. It's possible to leave it blank if you want.
12. On the next page it will say Choose privacy settings for your device. I turned them all off. I can always change those later. Click Accept
13. Say "not now" to Cortana. I wasn't quick enough so it assumed "yes" but I'll fix it later.
14. Then Cortana will tell you it has a few other things to set up, so now just wait.
15. Once you see you the Windows screen, it's time to immediately check on the folders, so click on file explorer
16. For good measure, click on view and click show hidden items
17. Look in the left bar. You will see One Drive there. If you click on it, you will see it wants you to sign in. DON'T!
18. Instead, go into Add or Remove programs and find Microsoft OneDrive
19. Uninstall OneDrive. This should eliminate the OneDrive folders, but if it doesn't, I think you can delete them now.
20. Now do every kind of cleanup you can think of, including reading all the suggestions here but I didn't do any of them on this clean install: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/439113/removing-onedrive-traces-remaining-after-uninstall
21. I clicked on every folder to make sure that OneDrive is not in any folder structure.
22. This includes clicking on Windows (C:) and then your user folder which I named Plex-2. What I see here is This PC > WIndows (C:) > Users > Plex-2, which is good so far
23. But within Plex-2, I do see OneDrive. That might be okay because in the end I can probably hide it, but not yet
24. I did click on each folder starting with 3D Objects to make sure OneDrive isn't in their hierarchy
25. Now plug in the ethernet cable
26. Once you have ethernet, go into file explorer and click Network. Turn on Network discovery and click yes.
27. At some point you want to go into Windows Update Settings Advanced so you can tell it to restart immediately when there are updates. But you don't want to do that if you are already downloading saved files, because you'll have to start over with the download, I think.
28. For some reason in network, I can see Obi-wan but not Chidi.
29. This might be the time to unminimize the ribbon in File Explorer
30. Go into folder options and change Open File Explorer from "Quick Access" to "This PC." Also uncheck those privacy boxes. Click apply. Suddenly when I do that, I see chidi and obi-wan in the Computer section of Network. I dunno. Just do it.
31. Now you will see that the Recovery partition (D:) is pretty full. Mine says 2.60 GB free of 22.9 GB. I guess that's okay. I left it alone
32. Now might or might not be the time to download your files that were saved to Chidi or Obi-wan (they are both NAS devices and they both should have duplicates)
33. I discovered I can go ahead and copy over all my PLEX-HOME Media folders from Chidi my NAS device before mapping it.  Just click on network and look in the Computers section. Just click on CHidi --> Share in computers and copy from there. So I did that but could have done it after mapping instead. I copied all contents of Documents from Chidi to my Documents folder. I should see those documents in two places -- Documents under THis PC, and under users-->plex-2--> documents
34. Now for the mapping, In This PC, upper right, you will see a downward facing carat. Click on that, and you will see the ribbon which includes the very important "Map network drive."
35. Or at this time you can download Buffalo NasNavi. There's a way in that software to map a drive.
36. Use "Map network drive" to map Chidi as L drive, and map Obi-wan as M drive.
37. Change the taskbar settings so that it never combines taskbar buttons. That's just my preference.
38. Now it's safe to make other preference changes and to install all needed programs. I guess I can hide or even delete the onedrive folder but it doesn't matter. I don't want to over-muck either. So I'm going to leave it for now.

 

This is more stuff I can do now or soon as I think of it:

1. X I stop windows from rebooting until all my copying over is done from Chidi.
2. X Go into task manager and see if I can accelerate this
3. X Muck with taskbar settings and start menu
4. X Go into power settings and say never for plugged in

Stuff to do later:

1. Go into Windows update and change the setting to allow windows to do updates whenever it wants. 
2. Also allow Windows to reboot again after installing updates. To do this, go to Control Panel and select System and Security > System > Advanced system settings. In the Startup and Recovery section, choose Settings. Check the box next to Automatically restart.
3. Now make sure windows is up to date 
4. Install Chrome now and sign into my Google account from Chrome
5. On my Plex machines, I don't want everything synched. I can synch most but not all of my profile. Under Manage what you sync, I turned off settings and open tabs. This way, I get everything else including bookmarks
6. Now I can go into Chrome settings-->On startup, and add pages manually. 
7. Set up Chrome Remote connection so I can move the laptop 
8. From now on I can sign into the extra laptop remotely using Chrome remote, and don't need it on my desk any more.
9. Add wireless connection
10. See if there's a windows.old. If so, find out how to delete it.
11. Map the two NAS drives as Chidi L and Obi-wan M. To do this open This PC and in the upper right corner, click on the carat which opens a ribbon. Look for Map network drive.
12. Alternatively, you can download and install the Buffalo NasNavi software, and do it from there.
13. Set up plex
14. Install and set up: 
1. 4K Video Downloader
2. Argentum 
3. Buffalo NAS
4. Do the NAS mapping
5. Ccleaner
6. Chrome
7. Paint Shop Pro
8. Maybe Epson, Firefox, Opera
9. Plex
10. Plex Media Server
11. VLC player
12. Amazon Photos app
13. Quicken
15. When Plex-2 is all set up, I want to completely redo PLEX-HOME by following the above instructions and call it Plex-1. But I want to use Plex-2 for a while first
16. Fix power settings as desired
17. Always keep hidden files on
18. Turn on show filetypes
19. Mick with system restore points settings

More Observations

1. I think having an internet connection during the reset isn't what made the difference. What did make the difference is during setup, making sure to always say no to "signing in." 
2. If it takes more than a half hour for the percentage to budge, then do a hard reset and and a do-over

What Bard told me

While I cannot directly control OneDrive setup during the reset process, I can provide steps to prevent it after the reset is complete:

1. Disconnect from the internet:

• If possible, temporarily disconnect your internet connection before completing the reset process. This might minimize prompts for OneDrive setup.

2. Skip OneDrive setup during setup:

• When prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account, choose to create a local account instead. This will usually bypass OneDrive setup.

3. Unlink OneDrive after setup:

• If OneDrive does get set up, unlink it immediately:
  • Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar (cloud icon).
  • Select "Settings."
  • Go to the "Account" tab.
  • Click "Unlink this PC."

4. Disable OneDrive startup:

• Prevent OneDrive from starting automatically:
  • Press Windows + R, type "taskmgr," and press Enter.
  • Go to the "Startup" tab.
  • Find "Microsoft OneDrive" and click "Disable."

5. Uninstall OneDrive (optional):

• If you don't plan to use OneDrive at all, consider uninstalling it:
  • Go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Apps & features."
  • Find "Microsoft OneDrive" and click "Uninstall."

Remember:

• Resetting to factory settings might restore OneDrive if it was originally included in your system.
• You can always reinstall OneDrive later if needed from the Microsoft Store.

Notes from this dude on Youtube:

1. https://youtu.be/pIRNpDvGF4w?si=mXLsvr4Fclb-NK4y
2. You don't need your MS account for OneDrive and you don't need it for Office 365, Edge, Skype
3. You can use a local account for those things -- just log in when prompted
4. You also don't need it for Microsoft Store. Not true. You can just log in when using the store.
5. There's no up side to logging in to your Microsoft account in Windows. Instead, use a local account. Settings-->accounts--sign into a local account instead. Now create a new username. Now sign back in with your new username
6. Turn off immediate restart after Windows updates. It's in advanced options. Uncheck "get me up to date."
7. Always sign into chrome. But I can disallow some synching. See above
8. Disable Windows Fast Startup. This will give you a fully fresh functional windows. Power, then choose power plan, then choose what the power button does. See greyed out. Click change settings that are currently unavailable. Uncheck "turn on fast startup." 
9. There are enabled Privacy and security settings you don't know. Settings, then privacy and security, then privacy, then uncheck any box you're uncomfortable with. turn off anything you don't want.  
10. Remove any unnecessary windows startup items. Right click on task bar, task manager, go to startup. right click stuff to disable.
11. Turn on windows extensions so you can see them. Enable file extensions and show hidden files. 
12. System restore is disabled after windows updates. Enable it and create a restore point. To do that -- create, click configure, choose drive space, create a new restore point.  Now in restore, you will see a new restore point.