How to Install ChromeOS in a Virtual Machine
How to Install ChromeOS in a Virtual Machine
Have you wanted to experiment with ChomeOS without purchasing a Chromebook? Before I purchased my Chromebook, I used this operating system in a virtual machine, and found that I really liked it! I will explain how to download and install the Hexxeh Chromium OS Vanilla in a virtual machine.
Download ChromeOS
First, we will download the files necessary to run the operating system in a virtual machine. Go to chromeos.hexxeh.net. Scroll to the bottom of the screen, and click the appropriate button for the virtualization software you will use. Select the newest build. For me that is 4028. There are two options, VMWare and VirtualBox. Select the one you will be using. Tick "I have read the above: " and click Download. When it is finished downloading, move the file to the desired directory and extract it.
Change the Network Adapter Settings
You can setup the virtual machine, but do not run it. When you download it, the network adapter settings are wrong, and it will not completely install.
Go to the directory of the VM. Find the .vmx file and open it with a text editor, notepad will work. Add the following line to the bottom:
ethernet0.virtualDev = "e1000"
After you finish this, save the file and run the virtual machine.
Installing the Machine
When the operating system boots up, select your language and keyboard layout. The network should be: Ethernet. Leave that the way it is. Click continue. Sign into your Google account. If you do not have one, create one, you also may click browse as a guest, but if you do, nothing will be saved on the machine. Click sign in. Chose an account picture and click OK. And you are done! You should not be about to use ChromeOS with all of its features.