The reasons for the decision to install Android on a netbook are numerous. Android for a netbook is a chance for a second life, it will allow you to use old equipment for current tasks. Here we will tell you How To Install Android On Netbook?.
How To Install Android On Netbook?
Before starting the installation of the system, make sure that the netbook meets the recommended system requirements.
Types Of Platforms And Where To Download Them
Android x86
Android x86 is a free platform designed to run Android OS on systems with x86 processor architecture. Differs in high performance on any computers.
The latest version has the following features:
- support for the native resolution of the netbook;
- Wi-Fi support with the graphical interface;
- battery charge;
- software mouse cursor;
- support for an external keyboard;
- Bluetooth;
- audio (ALSA);
- G-sensor;
- mirror mode on external monitors.
You can download Android x86 on the official website by entering “Android x86” in the search.
Remix os
This Android operating system, in which the design of the graphical interface, the launcher and the control system for settings and applications, as well as the Reset, Power, Sleep buttons are completely redesigned.
Installation is done directly to your hard drive.
System requirements for the hardware on which the Android OS can be installed
- processor: frequency over 2 GHz and at least two cores;
- 2 gb RAM;
- 8 gb memory;
- stable internet.
The OS is aimed at not very productive netbooks, where modern versions of Windows are slow. “Remix” allows you to use programs and services from the Google playmarket, download and install any applications for Android.
Phoenix OS
This OS is a modified Android 5.1 Lolipop with a design reminiscent of Ubuntu . There is an analogue of “Start”, multi-window is supported. Apps are installed through the built-in store or through the Google store.
Preparing bootable USB drive
By connecting the Internet via a network cable, if such a possibility is provided by the hardware and the BIOS, you can install the system over the network, but this is a rare occurrence. The OS is most often installed using a USB flash drive, which is pre-prepared by installing a boot image. Rufus recording software is recommended, LinuxLive USB Creator or UltraISO are also suitable.
Create boot image from iso file in 3 steps:
- Insert the USB stick into the computer. Right-click to bring up the context menu, then “format” quickly, in the fat32 file system type it is better not to select, instead “NTSF” will do. Click “Start”.
- Download the utility for mounting an iso image from the above. Specify iso image file.
- In the list of media, select the USB flash drive prepared earlier for recording (Disk F). Click OK.
At the end of the download, select “Exit” and take out the finished bootable USB flash drive.
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Launch in Android live cd mode
Android in Live CD mode works slower; installation of the system on a netbook is not required. To start, go to the BIOS settings, change the order of the media, select the priority of booting from a flash drive. After that, you need to reboot the netbook with the new parameters. In the menu, select Live CD, Run Android-x86 without installation, use the arrows on the keyboard, then press Enter.
The download takes a few minutes. The system will work from a flash drive, so we cannot remove it. Live CD is used when you do not need to constantly use Android and if there is no space on the netbook hard drive.
Direct Android OS installation
If you want to constantly use the Android environment, install it on your hard drive. The installed system works more efficiently, the speed of opening applications is higher.
If space permits and there is a need, you can install multiple systems by dividing the hard drive into partitions as needed. If you need to install from scratch, formatting will destroy all data in memory, you must first save them if necessary ..
The disk will be automatically divided into logical partitions: Bootloader, Recovery, Boot, System, Data, and the User sdcard user partition. All data on the hard drive or its partition will be destroyed. If the installation program asks for the type – Primary, bootable (Bootable), and the best type of filesystem is ext3, select and confirm the actions, waiting for the end of the program. The installer will most likely recommend installing the GRUB bootloader, agree. If there is a proposal to install grub in c nst with a replacement, we agree.
System folder checkbox – “make it writable”. We choose to modify the system ourselves. Then we wait until the end of the installation and start the OS. After installation, select your preferred language and other Android settings.
The bootloader allows you to select the operating system that you must first start when you turn on the netbook, if multiple systems are installed on one hard disk. Instead of the GRUB boot installer, run easybcd if we want to keep Windows.
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Android OS setting
After installing Android, the initial configuration is always performed. You need to choose a connection method, for example, wi-fi, specify a login and password in Google, then allow (or not) geographic location, set a date, a personal password-key, and allow updates to be installed automatically. It is recommended to check the operation of the main devices (sound playback / recording, network operation, touchpad and keyboard), check the drivers.
Possible problems and their elimination during installation
There are permanent problematic moments in the installation and use of Android. Look for a solution on the forums, knowing the netbook model and the exact Android OS installed.
Common problems and how you can fix them:
- Rotate Screen: Fast Android Rotation Control app.
- The problem with quiet or loud sound – Solves the Volume + app, full control of the sound volume.
- There is no picture and sound of the video – Dolphin-player, popular in the android environment, will help.
Alternative options for Android OS
If your hardware allows you to use an emulator, for example, BlueStacks is downloadable software for Windows and macOS that virtualizes the operating system.
Android system.
The main functions of the software are free to download and use. This is one of the most popular software systems, you can take games from the built-in catalog or Play from Google.
In BlueStack, you can open many tabs, you can install your own downloaded third-party applications. The program has an additional built-in webcam control application useful for running BlueStacks on a netbook, as well as a file management application.
In addition to this software, there are options such as Nox App Player or Andy Android, the pros and cons can be found out by installing and using on the selected device.
Installing android on a virtual machine
If you want to test the Android system without uninstalling the main operating system, then it is worth using a virtual machine such as VirtualBox.
This requires:
- VirtualBox distribution kit can be officially downloaded from the publisher’s website.
- Android virtual ISO image.
- Free space on the hard drive from 8 GB.
Before starting work, it is recommended to make sure that the virtualization options are activated in the computer BIOS so that an error does not appear when starting the virtual machine.
You need to install and run Virtual Box, create a new virtual machine, specify the type of operating system (it is recommended to select Linux, kernel 2.6 / 3.x / 4.x 32 bits), select the recommended amount of memory, and create a new virtual hard drive, select its type (VirtualBox Disk Image) and click Next. Specify the file name and size and wait for the virtual machine to be created.
After installing and configuring the virtual machine, click the “Start” button on the initial screen. After this machine starts booting, specify the path to the Android ISO and click Continue. If you closed the wizard, select the virtual machine in the list on the left, then in the main menu, click on Devices – Optical disks – Select image. Then reboot the machine using Machine Reboot.
Further installation is done in the same way as on a personal computer.
