Attempting an Android guest

[MykRian]

First post, and new to the VM concept.
I have a Win 7 Host up and running with a Win XP guest. A few things to iron out, but it works well.

I have been trying to install an Android 4.2 or 4.3 guest, but have been running into the same problem with both.
I understand that it needs to be installed as a Linux guest according to https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic ... &t=57296&p and the instructions I have found elsewhere. As installation references I have followed the steps at:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048220/ ... ur-pc.html
and one or 2 other pages that are basically the same instructions.

I run into the same problem every time I try it. I will get to this screen, go to the installation, and run it.



It goes through some steps with text on the screen, which runs too fast for me to pause for a screen shot, and returns to the above screen.
This happens every time I try to install, or run without installation.
I know there is a file you would like to see for troubleshooting, so if someone would tell me the file I need, and where to find it, I'll post it.

Any help will be much appreciated.
Myk

[mpack]

Have you tried ejecting the installation CD? It's possible that Android is installed, but it will keep booting from the CD as long as it's there.

[jorgensen]

Haven't experienced that, and it might be related to the 'virtual' hardware.

Before fighting to get the package installed, you should check if it support wired LAN connection - most packages only support WiFi which Virtualbox doesn't.

Hint: http://www.kirsle.net/blog/kirsle/andro ... virtualbox

[MykRian]

The .iso I'm using is android-x86-4.3-20130725 and have tried the install from the HD and CD.
No matter how I try it, it does the same thing, which is returning to that screen.
Here is a log file attached.

[MykRian]

As referred to above, I will try this file. http://www.kirsle.net/projects/Android/ ... 120130.iso

EDIT: Ok. That one worked. Now to see what I can do with it, if anything at this point.

Thanks
Myk

[MykRian]

Well, here it is, but, the mouse disappears when moved to the window. Apparently it's setup for touch screen input, although using the tab key gets me around and I was able to access the settings. Now to get the mouse to work, if possible. Oh yeah. Ain't this fun... At least the browser works.

Screen2s.jpg (84.32 KiB) Viewed 10953 times

[MykRian]

And it never stops. I now have a lock screen upon startup, and no way to swipe it.
At least it's an easy manner to delete the guest and re-install it.
Going to walk away from it for now, and have another stab at it tomorrow.

[jorgensen]

You need to have "absolute pointing" disabled - or Disable Mouse Integration (Host-I)
Click inside the guest window will then capture the mouse, and the host key will release the mouse from the WM.
Host-H will shut down the guest.

[mpack]

Android is not a supported guest, so you may well have problems with the way it tries to access things like the mouse. If you Google for past experience then you may find workarounds. Presumably you knew that Android was unsupported before you started, so moans of exasperation ("it never stops") seem misplaced.

I was under the impression you were just trying to see how far you could get, just for the sake of it. I can tell you now that the end result will be rather pointless - there's no real app support out there for x86 Android.

[jorgensen]

there's no real app support out there for x86 Android.

Almost any App can be installed, and even Google Play can be installed and registered as long as there is internet connection.

[mpack]

Almost any App can be installed

Really? Try downloading Firefox for Android. Or try visiting eBay, Amazon, YouTube or any other complex website. The only thing you can use are pure Dalvik apps (toy apps), and I imagine that even some of those will perform poorly in a VM.

[MykRian]

Presumably you knew that Android was unsupported before you started, so moans of exasperation ("it never stops") seem misplaced.

Yes, I was aware of that, and 64 year olds do not come up with "moans of exasperation".

I was under the impression you were just trying to see how far you could get, just for the sake of it

That is correct. Just playin around.

[MykRian]

You need to have "absolute pointing" disabled - or Disable Mouse Integration (Host-I)
Click inside the guest window will then capture the mouse, and the host key will release the mouse from the WM.
Host-H will shut down the guest.

I will look into that. Thanks for the suggestions.

[jorgensen]

Really? Try downloading Firefox for Android. Or try visiting eBay, Amazon, YouTube or any other complex website. The only thing you can use are pure Dalvik apps (toy apps), and I imagine that even some of those will perform poorly in a VM.

I use the Dolphin browser and no problem with sites, except the ones that use flash like YouTube.
Google Play does not let me install Firefox, and I don't care because it drains the unit for resources.
Of course there is a problem with apps that use hardware acceleration which Virtualbox doesn't support.
There are several Android units on the market that use the x86 processor such as Asus Memo.

[MykRian]

I wonder if sideloading Flash ver.11 would work. It has on my Android phone, but not with the Chrome browser.