Android is possible on Toughbook CF 18 !!!

Hi all

Just wanted to post that I have installed Android on a CF 18 and it works..................... Some bugs but it will work!

Will post in next days on details and how to as best as I can..............................................

 

Android on a Toughbook...now that sounds interesting

 

Wow! Looking forward to reading your report!

 

Really interested why do you need it )
I'm using android on my Motorola Droid Ultra - it's convenient and works fine.
Tried to use a few android tablets - can't understand people who use it other than for games
Right now I have 8" Windows 8 tablet - super! Light and small full-featured PC.
But I can't explain why would I want android (OS that doesn't need a larger than phone screen) on my CF-19 )

 

It's not always about need... sometimes it's just something you want to do because you can.

 

Very true,I'm on a Lenovo tablet right now. Android is funny sometimes but I got used to using it thru work so its easy now.

This should be interesting.

 

hi all again.

well I got it running, but it is a little buggy. but it does work if you have patience.


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***************this is a rough guide on how to*********************************

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Go online and search and read up it does require some steps. There are plenty YouTube and webpages showing how to.

*****Some links below********

****** I am not a programmer or SDK developer, just a computer guy who wanted to try this*************
*******if you try and does not work I cant really help cause I really don't KNOW, just got lucky thru trail and error **********

As time goes by the versions get better and better, Intel has even started a free version of this for Intel processors.

Seem to have better luck with the Asus or eepc or generic desktop versions on toughbooks.


You can run it as a second system on dual boot, but I haven't had luck and when running no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth etc.

You have to understand right now it is mostly "beta" kind of stuff.

If you find a running version, get the one with the Ethernet patch. Here's why: most will not work with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth unless you can do the developers SDK stuff( read programmers)

First of you have to download Oracles Virtual Machine ware to run a VM in your machine, make sure you get the extension pack recommended and install. You will need the

Virtual Box host only Ethernet Adapter or usb driver. oracle has a help page explains it all. I restarted it all several times, while running it and MS windows seemed to recognized it and install the drivers especially for usb mouse on my CF 18. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will not work you will see Ethernet in corner , the VM will access Wi-Fi on tablet thru software

start up the virtual Box, then you see screen, click the blue new button

you will see a screen that has a blank field just give it name, then it will display OS and type, mine said win XP and version just leave at that unless you can handle other OSs like Linux etc.test

next screen is mem, I set mine to 512 MB as my TB only has 1.5 G mem

next is create virtual drive, click create

next pick VDI, first selection on list. ( just how I got it to work)

next Dynamically allotted, click next

next will show VD drive name you selected and a slider bar says size of VD. set at 10 GB, it will not sue it only that VD might grow to that size, like a page file.

next click create

underneath the blue button says new you will see your VD named, click green arrow start

now you will get a blank black screen with a white one in front asking where your iso Android 86 file is, (link below to one I used)
like in widows there is a little folder icon thingy, you click and next window is standard window file window select the location and click on
on iso file and select.

it will now show on outermost window and click start button

you will get blue screen with 4 options ( if using windows, ignore the Linux looking stuff) hit enter and it should get first one
***** the important stuff is use the option that says live cd****



****** important in a virtual box the mouse can be used in the box but it gets locked in and you only get it back when you shut down*****
*****later**** when you get it working you can configure the mouse in setting under usb devices, you will see mouse or MAC address click that, it is
usually the mouse, read the help page at Vb at oracle*************
on my laptop the TS screen works in this box use the pen stylus, the mouse will work but you can barely see in there

Ok now you have to make choice, Livecd (recommended) or install on hard drive( not recommended wouldn't work for me!!).

*****hint use Live cd firsts selection!!!!*******

black screen will turn white the black then some programming language this can take over 5 min, faster on newer tablets
the if it say "android" in large letters you're in !!!!


just follow instructions and set up just like new phone and sign in at Google!!!



******PS ps. when finally set up, go into setting and put sleep mode to never, sometime if android goes to sleep it will lock up ******

*****PS ps. go into settings and uncheck autorotate, mine rotated (surprise!!! :/) and I couldn't get it back and to delete and redo new VM****************



***********specific version I used and worked, may or may not work for you******** might have to delete and redo several times to get to work, good luck*******


the version I used (link below) works, the pen stylus is picky, you know that you selected something cause the button bar will glow blue. you might have to do several times.

if an option says to wait? the wait or it will lock up.

****** important in a virtual box the mouse can be used in the box but it gets locked in and you only get it back when you shut down*****
*****later**** when you get it working you can configure the mouse in setting under usb devices, you will see mouse or MAC address click that, it is
usually the mouse, read the help page at Vb at oracle*************














*****website that show how to, you can Google others*****

How to Install Android in VirtualBox

*****website where they make android 86, lots different versions*******

Download - Android-x86 - Porting Android to x86


*****specific version I used and worked, may or may not work for you********

android-x86-desktop-generic.zip - android-x86-project - android-x86-desktop-generic - Android x86 Project - Google Project Hosting







How to Install Android in VirtualBox

Download - Android-x86 - Porting Android to x86

android-x86-desktop-generic.zip - android-x86-project - android-x86-desktop-generic - Android x86 Project - Google Project Hosting

 

I never did the CF-18 but ran Android X86 project version 2.?? on a T5 before. With their ISO's you can also dual boot. Also a program called bluestacks emulates android inside of windows. I haven't had time to mess with it yet. On my way back to work. I did bring two of my M34 Mk7 units with me for further testing. May go ahead and try it out.

 

the Vbox Vm works better, dual boot is picky and usually the build version do not support Wi-Fi. making it useless. Vm uses the tablets Wi-Fi thru software even though it says Wi-Fi off

the build version I used had the Ethernet patch built in search for that. You really have to fiddle with it, took me like 8 try's before I got a stable running one, just delete the VM you are not using.

I am running this on win 7 pro, might try win 8 in near future?

support for Intel cpu and graphics is getting better. Intel atom and powerVR graphics are a pain. also the arm tablets are also bad to get running on android 86 iso.
linux is doable but requires some knowledge of OS

 

Android-x86 Just Might Make a Good Linux Desktop Alternative | Reviews | LinuxInsider

android-x86 - Browse /Release 4.4 at SourceForge.net

Android is Linux based and these links are for the "Android" distro of Linux

Can we talk Jeff into testing/ tweaking it?

Is your cf18 digitizer or touchscreen or dual?

 

I upgraded my tablet to win 7 pro to get more use out of it, my other one is vista business. I did win 8 once on a cf 18 but it was picky about some software or feature that I vaguely remember, but it did run. didn't keep that install.

I have the pen stylus not touch by finger,

one my cf 30 series "f" is dual, this cf 18 is "n" series bare bones, mk5 I think?

 

Have you ever tried Android KITKAT on a CF-19??

 

Hi I have tried many versions, some work, some do not. right now they are in kind of experimental with patches, such as Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Really more of test mode then regular everyday use. I have yet to see a fully functioning port. Intel has started a version of Android, for their processors,
I expect in the near future some one will release a FULL version that will work over a Intel chip structure, they are still working out the kinks.

A quicker way to get life out of tablet that is non windows is Linux, though I have and am running Win 8, Win 7 and Vista so my tablets will get a better life cycle.