Can't boot into Android VM in VMWare Fusion on Mac

[insightdesign]

I've installed android-x86-8.1-r3.iso into a FreeBSD shell.

I receive the following during bootup debug:

I followed the same process with android-x86-9.0-rc1.iso, and receive the same error.

Help appreciated.

Steve

[insightdesign]

I followed the instructions @ https://www.itsmdaily.com/install-android-on-vmware-fusion-osx/

I installed Android on the VMWare disk partition fine.

After install completed, I shutdown the machine, and deactivated the CD, then started the VM, but it fails at the screenshot above.

[wila]

Hi,

It's been a while since I last tried it, so not sure why it isn't working for you.

Can you share a vmware.log file?
Perhaps there's a hint in there.

The screenshot isn't helping I'm afraid.

--

Wil

[insightdesign]

Where can I grab the log file for VM Ware Fusion on a Mac, Wila?

[wila]

Hi,

In Virtual Machine Library, select your VM, then right-click (Control+click) to get the context menu, from that select "Show in Finder".

This will open up Finder with your VM selected.

If that VM is a VMBundle, then right click "Show Package Contents" and there's a few vmware.log files down there.

If the VM is a folder then open the folder and locate the vmware log files.

Attach these vmware.log files via the attach button at the bottom right of this forums reply window.

--

Wil

[RDPetruska]

Just FYI, I tried this on Workstation 15.5.1 on Windows 10 host and got the same result.

[wila]

Hello Steve,

OK.. figured I could try to see if it was possible to get this going myself.

Like you I bumped into the same issue.

It did not take me long to realize that it is the video adapter that is the culprit here.

The VMware video adapter is slightly older than what most phones and tablets offer nowadays.

This is what I did, I think not everything is relevant, but I'm listing what I used as "happy path"

- I used the x86 version of the android 9 iso

- Dragged the iso onto the New VM wizard

- used BIOS instead of UEFI

- kept default disk size

- Customized the VM to have 2048 MB RAM and 2 vCPU cores

- Customized the display to have 3D enabled and 1024 MB

- booted from the CD and followed the steps from your link, used MBR instead of GPT and used ext4 for the file system, also installed grub

- rebooted into debug mode

that's the standard stuff

...

then followed the steps from here:

https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/144535/android-x86-marshmallow-not-booting-on-virtualbox...

and in particular the steps from ajira on editing the grub.lst file with vi for adding a few boot parameters (vga= and xforcevesa )

rebooted and was welcomed by the "Android" boot logo this time.

That's it.

--

Wil

[insightdesign]

Thanks for your reply RDPetruska.

Wila, I can do everything you described except set BIOS instead of UEFI.

I can't see a screen where to set this.

Can you show me a screenshot of where you set this please?

Thanks,

Steve

[wila]

Hi,

It's like the 2nd step in the new VM wizard.

While I was experimenting I ran this one a lot (delete VM and start over again)

I'm not sure this matters though.

AFAICT the real issue is having to set the graphics adapter as a boot parameter.

--

Wil

[RDPetruska]

Awesome, Wila!  I got it to work that was as well.

Can't connect, but I think that's due to my work laptop and how things are locked down.  I'll have to try at home.  Got it to boot into the GUI and start the whole Android welcome process at least. 

[wila]

Robert,

I had not tried that with this one either. I know it was a problem a few years back and you had to fall back on the vlance NIC.

Now it no longer is required and works out of the box. You select "Virtual WiFi" and that's sufficient.

Android is well aware that you are running it as a VMware virtual machine.

Very nice.

--

Wil

[insightdesign]

I don't have that option in VMWare Fusion Version 8.5.10 (7527438)
(Legacy BIOS v UEFI)

[wila]

Hi,

No problem, on Fusion 8.x it is always BIOS.

IOW, you can skip that step there.

--

Wil

[insightdesign]

I've adjusted the RAM, CPU & GPU parameters, and I receive the same error, except presented quite a bit faster:

[wila · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I finally found some time to write all steps out in a much more detailed blog post.

See here:

https://www.vimalin.com/blog/install-android-x86-in-vmware-fusion/

Hope this helps,

--

Wil

[insightdesign]

Perfect, thanks Wila, working now!

[Aluf-Medina]

Hi

I solved that problem installing android step by step using your explanation. Thank you it was great. Now that it is installed Graphic games are not running they are crashing immediately. Any ideas?

[wila]

Sorry, no idea.

--
Wil