Android: Faster alternative (Virtual Android x86)

Community Forums/Monkey Talk/Android: Faster alternative (Virtual Android x86)

EOF(Posted 2011) [#1]
I have installed Android x86 as a VM on my desktop (rather than using the slow emulator) by following a great post by DruggedBunny in the Monkey Android forums:

http://www.monkeycoder.co.nz/Community/posts.php?topic=1394


What I have also done is set up a 'portrait' display which I want to share with anyone else who is using x86 Android


Following on from the above guide ...

HOW TO CREATE A PORTRAIT SCREEN
=====================================
This one is quite involving but here is how I managed to get a portrait screen set up (as 480x800):

1) Close any virtual Android that may be running. It must be powered off instead of using the snapshot option
2) Open Windows command prompt (Start > Run > CMD)
3) Navigate to where VirtualBox is installed
4) Type VBoxManage setextradata "NameOfYourAndroidVM" "CustomVideoMode1" "480x800x16"

* The NameOfYourAndroidVM is as shown in the VirtualBox list. For example, I called mine "Android x86 2.2"



5) Run your VM Android from the VirtualBox
6) Move cursor to Live CD - VESA mode then press TAB
7) Edit the line and change the vga=788 to vga=999
8) You should get an error message. Press ENTER to see a list of display options
9) Enter the code for your 'portrait' screen setting. Mine came up under mode value 360:




The boot sequence should now kick off. If all goes to plan you get a nice portrait layout
TIP: Press MENU key (Windows Menu key) to quickly unlock the screen



Last edited 2011