Install Androidx86 in a VMware Workstation VM
I was inspired to try a full install of the Androidx86 OS in a VMware Workstation VM after Eric Sloof created a video of the Androidx86 LiveCD running in a vSphere VM. I’ve documented building the VM and configuring it to run in this post. I also list some navigation tips for getting around inside Androidx86. Finally check out my video of the working VM.
Since most are probably wondering I’ll mention this now, once the VM is connected to the Internet you can download a very limited selection of Apps, but I had sporadic success with the various Apps I tried. For the few that I did get to install, I wasn’t able to get all of them running. So, use an Androidx86 VM as a way to get a feel for what an Android device is like. Maybe it will help you make a decision about buying a Tablet like the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Browsing the web worked great. I do not test email.
Download, Create New VM, and Install Androidx86 from .ISO
Download the latest revision of the Androidx86 .ISO here:
Build a new “typical” VMware Workstation VM (this should work just the same with the free VMware Player), and when you point the install wizard at the Androidx86 .iso the OS type FreeBSD is auto detected. I chose to install the operating system later as I did not want to invoke the auto download of the VMware Tools.
This choice forces you to manually specify FreeBSD from the next screen of the wizard.
I kept the default disk size of 8GB and to chose to store the virtual disk as a single file.
I customized the virtual hardware and did the following
Once your ready, boot your new VM and choose to install to harddisk when prompted by the Android Installer.
Keep all installation defaults. The only hands on part is creating the partition on the hard disk. The steps are:
I also want to point out I you do not have to install VMware Tools at all, and I never even tried.
Configure Networking
After my install was finished and the VM was running for the first time, I could not get an ip address from my DHCP server. When I went to troubleshoot I discovered that there wasn’t an ethernet interface the OS could use. Sloof ran into this problem with his vSphere VM too, and in his video he demonstrates changing the adapter type to “flexible”. Since VMware Workstation does not give you an option to change adapter types in it’s GUI, I had to shutdown the VM and follow these instructions:
- Boot the LiveAndroid VM
- Hit Alt-F1 to switch to the root console.
- mkdir /data/misc/dhcp
- Stop the VM, and "Close" the VM in VMware Workstation (or Exit VMware Workstation)
- Edit your VM’s .vmx file so the "ethernet0.virtualDev" line reads: ethernet0.virtualDev = "vlance"
- Open the .vmx file (launch the VM in VMware)
- Set the VM to have at least 384MB RAM
- Start the VM; you’re networked.
BTW, other than hard powering off the Android VM, you can do a “guest shutdown” (even though Tools are not installed) from the Workstation Menu. Androidx86 powers off quick, and I am not sure if it’s graceful or not.
Also, the /data/misc/dhcp directory already existed in my VM, so step 3 above was not necessary. That was all I need to get a working networking connection.
Here’s a quick video of the Android OS in action. Sorry, but I didn’t bother editing first.
I found some Tips for getting around inside the VM at http://code.google.com/p/live-android/wiki/howtouse, but I’m adding to these with my own recommendations:
