How to Install Android x86 4.x on Intel Classmate PC

In this document:

1. Introduction
2. Requirements
3. Pre-Installation Steps
4. Installing Android x86
5. Post-Installation Steps
6. Installing other Software
7. Known Issues

1. Introduction

Already own an Intel Classmate with Windows 7 Professional installed but the school requires Android tablets, specifically "Intel Flag Hill" running Android. This article is meant to make use of the hardware already owned and not to purchase a new hardware.

In order not to lose the Windows installation, it is recommended to create a new partition for Android and make the machine dual boot, so you can boot to Windows or Android when the machine starts. 

2. Requirements

Hardware:

- Intel Classmate

- Two USB memory sticks (least 500MB each)

Software:

As a Hard disk partitioning tool, GParted (an open source tool) is used. Will also be using a utility called Rufus to create bootable USB's with ISO files. Last, the lasted release of Android x86 ISO need to be downloaded. Here are the details and links to the latest versions as per the date of writing this article (September 25th 2014).

Rufus

Rufus is a utility that helps format and create bootable USB flash drives

Website: http://rufus.akeo.ie/

Latest is Rufus 1.4.10 (616 KB) 

Downloadable file: http://rufus.akeo.ie/downloads/rufus-1.4.10.exe

GParted

GParted is a free partition editor for graphically managing your disk partitions.

Website: http://gparted.org/

Latest: gparted 0.19.1-4-i486 (194 MB)

Downloadable file: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/gparted/gparted-live-0.19.1-4-i486.iso

Android x86

Website: http://www.android-x86.org/

latest is Android 4.4 (343 MB) 

Downloadable file: http://sourceforge.net/projects/android-x86/files/Release%204.4/android-x86-4.4-r1.iso/download

3. Pre-Installation Steps

• Use Rufus to write "gparted-live-0.19.1-4-i486.iso" to a USB flash memory.
• Use Rufus to write "android-x86-4.4-r1.iso" to a USB flash memory.
• Using Machine BIOS setup, change the boot order to start with USB.
• Plug GParted USB and boot the machine:

- Re-size the 2nd logical partition to create a 10 GB or 20 GB of free partition at the end.
- Create a new partition at the end with EXT3 format.
- Apply changes.

4. Installing Android x86

Plug Android USB and boot the machine:

- Select the Install option

5. Post-Installation Steps

Boot the machine from Android partition and setup user account.

6. Installing other Software

Install the following application from Google Play (Market):

Classroom Management Service

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mythware.classroom.systemservice

Classroom Management Student

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mythware.classroom.client

Foxit E-reader

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.foxit.mobile.pdf.lite

SPARKvue

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.isbx.pasco.Spark

Kno Textbooks

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kno.textbooks

McAfee Mobile Security

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wsandroid.suite

x Adobe AIR

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adobe.air

Ayat

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=sa.edu.ksu.Ayat

Additional Applications:

AndrOpen Office

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andropenoffice

Duolingo: Learn Languages Free

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duolingo

x Chrome Browser - Google

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome

Starfall FREE

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.starfall.more

Install the following applications by downloading the files in the URL:

MyScript Notes

File: MyScript Notes Mobile v1.3.1.1080.apk

http://www31.zippyshare.com/v/86358645/file.html

7. Known Issues

Problem: Machine cannot wake up once gone into sleep mode.

Solution: Setup machine not to sleep (Settings - Display - Sleep -  select: "Never time out")

Problem: Camera is not working.

Solution: Install a different camera application other than the stock app.

Problem: The following applications are required as per Flag Hill specifications:

- Intel® Education Software: Intel® Education Runtime for Android

- Intel® Education Lab Camera

- Intel® Education Media Camera

- Intel® Education Software: Intel® Education Media Camera by Intellisense for Android

- ArtRage

Solution: They are not available for download, but can be extracted from a Flag Hill machine.