What's new

Android Bootable USB

gabe406

Member
Has anyone had success in creating and booting into an Android OS from a USB stick?

I have tried and it seems as if the SP2 will not boot to the USB OS. I have tried it on a standard PC and it works fine. I have used these two methods:

http://www.keyables.com/2011/12/install-and-boot-android-x86-40-ice.html

and this:

https://01.org/android-ia/guides/quick-start

I did not install it on the SP2 but tried the live boot and it froze at bootup.

Would love to know how anyone has done this and had it work.

Thanks
 

GreyFox7

Super Moderator
Staff member
Has anyone had success in creating and booting into an Android OS from a USB stick?

I have tried and it seems as if the SP2 will not boot to the USB OS. I have tried it on a standard PC and it works fine. I have used these two methods:

http://www.keyables.com/2011/12/install-and-boot-android-x86-40-ice.html

and this:

https://01.org/android-ia/guides/quick-start

I did not install it on the SP2 but tried the live boot and it froze at bootup.

Would love to know how anyone has done this and had it work.

Thanks
Never tried it but id say just one word... Drivers.
 
Last edited:

leeshor

Well-Known Member
I totally agree. I can think of a dozen reasons why that would not work starting with the UEFI bios and ending with a protected boot loader.
 
OP
gabe406

gabe406

Member
I totally agree. I can think of a dozen reasons why that would not work starting with the UEFI bios and ending with a protected boot loader.

Yes, the UEFI is a big problem. And from a link from the last link I provided, Intel has Android UEFI img files which address the UEFI. I also tried that but I was not ready to create a dual boot SP2 without a backup. I definitely agree that drivers would be a nightmare. I will keep trying for a little bit more before giving up.

Sorry, here is the link to the img files:

https://01.org/android-ia/downloads
 
Your best bet is to either continue to run Android through a VM which is what I do with Andy (ues about 40% CPU to emulate Android hardware and runs at a level on par with a Galaxy S3) or wait and hope that Console OS gets the backing they requested to support porting to surface devices.
I was hoping to test out the lastest Android x86 build to see if I could get it running of a USB3 drive but it looks like you've already answered that question and saved me the effort.
 
OP
gabe406

gabe406

Member
Your best bet is to either continue to run Android through a VM which is what I do with Andy (ues about 40% CPU to emulate Android hardware and runs at a level on par with a Galaxy S3) or wait and hope that Console OS gets the backing they requested to support porting to surface devices.
I was hoping to test out the lastest Android x86 build to see if I could get it running of a USB3 drive but it looks like you've already answered that question and saved me the effort.

Well...hope is not all lost. I went to the Intel Android files and downloaded the Haswell 4.2.2 img, used the image writer to port onto USB key, turned off the TPM and Secure Boot and was able to load the live version on the SP2. Only one problem for me was (as expected) no wireless drivers. These images are definitely not for the Surface Pros. I did find this interesting...

 
Top