Running Google Chrome OS under Parallels

Friday 20 November 2009  –  Filed under: Software  –  42 Comments

Google Chrome OS logoToday, Google released their Chrome OS. This “harddisk-less” approach of an operating system totally relies on storing your data “in the cloud”. Email, documents, pictures, movies: everything you create or participate in essentially lives online. Chrome OS is just a “window” to this cloud of information and applications, as is your mobile phone. And because all data and applications are stored online, they will always be up-to-date and accessible from everywhere where there’s internet.

Google released the OS in the form of Linux code. As I am not a Linux geek, I was happy to learn that the good folks over at gdgt.com compiled the raw code into a VMware virtual machine image. That’s cool, because if you own VMWare, you can now experience Chrome OS very easily.

However, I own Parallels Desktop for Mac. So I decided to try and see if I could convert the VMWare image into a working Parallels image. Guess what, you can. And it’s real easy too.

Follow these steps to reproduce:

Download the GDGT VMWare image (you’ll need to create an account at gdgt.com first)


Next, convert the VMWare image to a Parallels one with Parallels Transporter:
Converting the VMWare image

Next, open Parallels Desktop (I have only tested with version 5.0), choose “File” > “New…”. Skip the “Automatic OS Detection” and manually select Ubuntu Linux instead:
Choose Ubuntu

Select “Custom” virtual machine type:
Select custom VM

Select number of CPU’s and RAM:
Select CPU's and RAM

Choose “Existing image file”:
Choose the converted image file

Select the converted VMWare harddisk image:
Select the harddisk image

Set name and location and you’re done:
Set name and location and you're done

Chrome OS is now listed among the existing virtual machines:
Chrome OS is now listed among the existing virtual machines

Chrome OS booting under Parallels:
Chrome OS booting under Parallels

Success! Chrome OS login screen appears. Login with your Google.com account user “chronos” and leave the password field blank. Next, fill out your Google account credentials (click the white Chrome logo, top-left) and you’re all set.

By the way, there is no way to shut down the OS from inside Chrome. To turn off the VM nicely, just click the Parallels power button at the bottom left of the window and choose “Shut Down”.

Success! Chrome OS login screen appears

This entry was posted on Friday 20 November 2009 at 16:03 and is filed under Software. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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42 Responses

  1. Pete Hopkins says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 18:34

    Thanks for posting these instructions! I’m looking forward to giving them a try.
  2. Rob Cameron says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 18:58

    I got this far but I’m unable to log in. I keep getting the “Network not connected and offline login fail” message…I’ve switched to every available networking type but still no go. I’m in Parallels 4, which I’ve read that a couple people have got it working, but no one talks about the networking part.
  3. Kirk says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 19:58

    Thank you very much for your post, it was very helpful.

    FYI, I am using Parallels 4.0. When I created the new virtual machine, the default network connection was set to “Shared Network”. This setting would not allow my virtual machine to connect to my network. However, switching to “Bridged Ethernet (Default Adapter)” did work.

    Thanks again.
  4. elldove says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 20:55

    I tried it already… great, a virtual machine that uses over a 1gb of my mac’s memory… to run a browser. If you want to run Chrome (the browser) on a mac there’s a developer preview. Chrome OS is essentially the same thing.

    I can see ChromeOS being useful as a lightweight browser OS for tablets and netbooks… And it will be cool to see them running just a browser. But its just silly running it in a virtual machine.
  5. asim says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 21:01

    works great! thanks for the step-by-step instructions
  6. Cem Turan says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 21:13

    Hi! I have tried the exact same thing but i can’t get past the boot screen… The second last screenshot you have. Do you have any ideas why and could you upload a parallels image of Chrome OS? Thanks!
  7. Cem Turan says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 21:18

    Nevermind. I found out why it didn’t work… i mixed up the vmware image file with the virtualbox… Apparently only vmware works
  8. John says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 22:06

    Hey,

    I’m using VMWare for Chrome, but can’t get past the ‘Network not connected’ message on the login screen!!! I’ve set the network settings to bridged, but no luck :( What could be the problem?

    Thanks
  9. Justin Barkhuff says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 22:07

    Thank Martin! I got Chrome OS working using Parallels 3.0 (build 5638). Occasionally I get the “Network not connected and offline login fail” error, but that usually goes away after trying to login again. FYI, my Mac is connected to wifi and my Chrome OS virtual machine network adapter is set to “Shared Networking”.
  10. Heinz Gomez says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 22:26

    Hi martijn.

    I am not a luser, but i am unable to do the first step “Parallels Transporter”. I am using parallels 5. Where can i find the “transporter” option. Thankx a lot & saludis
  11. paul dougan says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 22:47

    worked like a dream with Parallels 4
  12. Wim says:
    Friday 20 November 2009 at 23:04

    Thx 4 the info!
  13. awmyhr says:
    Saturday 21 November 2009 at 00:59

    The process works fine under Parallels 4, but the default screen resolution is too big to be useful, and I am unable to determine how to change it…
  14. scott says:
    Saturday 21 November 2009 at 02:50

    @elldove,

    The purpose for running it in a virtual machine is for OS developers so they don’t need to deploy to other hardware for testing. Obviously if you just want the Chrome browser, go ahead and run the browser.
  15. PaulB says:
    Saturday 21 November 2009 at 11:48

    The “Network not connected and offline login fail” problem seems to affect all platforms (VMWare & VirtualBox)and looks like a random fault. Sometimes changing the network adapter fixes it and sometimes it doesn’t. You can logon with the cached password “chronos” with the password “password” (or a blank password), then logon with your gmail account.
  16. Wesley says:
    Saturday 21 November 2009 at 18:31

    I finally fixed the “network not connected” issue by using a bridged network adapter and NOT signing with my Gmail credentials.

    You have to log in using the user chronos and no password. After that it just prompted me to enter my google account credentials.
  17. H S Lee says:
    Saturday 21 November 2009 at 19:19

    HI,

    If anyone could help it would be great. I don’t seem to get past the boot screen at all…

    It says “No boot filename received” which is followed by “No boot device is available”

    I’m running Parallels 4, with all the same configs, Linux Ubuntu, and tried all possible network configs…I seem to have a different error altogether anyone knows what this means???
  18. Bluemint says:
    Saturday 21 November 2009 at 23:41

    This tutorial works!

    However, it would be better if I could install Parallels Tools just so my mouse doesn’t get trapped inside the VM. :D

  19. Ron Hoskins says:
    Sunday 22 November 2009 at 01:46

    Much appreciated, worked for me; am very excited to give this a try!
  20. Google Chrome OS VMware and Parallels 5 virtual machines | Aleph Naught & the Null Set says:
    Sunday 22 November 2009 at 04:36

    [...] VMware virtual machine at gdgt (you will need to register to download it). I followed the excellent instructions at Martijn de Visser’s website to create a Parallels 5 VM running Google OS which you can [...]
  21. Bill says:
    Sunday 22 November 2009 at 10:49

    I’ve downloaded the .vmdk (both a torrent and the one from gdgt).
    I’ve run Parallels Transporter, which complains that the image isn’t bootable
    I’ve tried booting with the converted image, but Parallels hangs.

    What am I doing wrong?
  22. SuperComputerGeek says:
    Sunday 22 November 2009 at 14:37

    Works like a dream for me. For anyone who is having trouble logging in read this:

    instead of entering your google account at the blue login screen enter
    chronos@gmail.com
    [no password]

    then login in with your gmail account.

    if you still can’t get on, make sure that your connection is set to “Bridged [Network Card that You Use Here]“

    Thanks!
  23. Shellback3 says:
    Sunday 22 November 2009 at 17:26

    I installed it yesterday on Virtual Box on my iMac under Snow Leopard. It took just a few minutes under Parallels 5. Kind of a curiosity for now. Wonder if gWave will install in Chrome?
  24. Gregory Floro says:
    Monday 23 November 2009 at 17:28

    Awesome tip. Got it running using Parallels Desktop v4.
  25. Max says:
    Monday 23 November 2009 at 17:45

    Chrome OS installed with Parallels Desktop 5 on a late 2008 MacBook 4,1 -
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTVcliu_oKY
  26. Bill says:
    Tuesday 24 November 2009 at 00:35

    Chrome OS installed alright on my Parallels 5 but I can’ seem to get the Parallels Tools to install. I choose the Install from the Configuration menu then press Continue in the dialog box but nothing appears to happen.
  27. Martijn says:
    Tuesday 24 November 2009 at 23:38

    @Bill – Parallels tools are not available for Chrome OS, you’ll have to do without for now.
  28. cory says:
    Friday 27 November 2009 at 06:07

    Nice! this looks awesome. I’ve been searching for a way to run Chrome OS on parallels. Cant wait to give it a try.
  29. cory says:
    Saturday 28 November 2009 at 03:57

    ok, i’m am trying it now but when using the transporter @ the virtual machine location part, I select my .vmdk file and it says “unable to detect virtual machine type” and wont continue. Using Parallels 3. Any ideas?
  30. cory says:
    Saturday 28 November 2009 at 04:02

    sorry, nevermind. you have to choose “virtual disk” (not “entire virtual machine”) at the Migration Object window.
  31. Caje says:
    Saturday 28 November 2009 at 04:47

    Worked like a champ on Parallels 4.0 for those who haven’t upgraded yet.
  32. Bill says:
    Saturday 28 November 2009 at 22:59

    Worked great in Parallels 5. I logged in directly with my Google account rather than chronos.
  33. Dana says:
    Monday 30 November 2009 at 07:25

    Your instructions did work with Parallels 5, it did not work with Parallels 4 so I had a reason to upgrade to 5!
    Everything worked as written and I take it that the OS is like an Alpha as it does not work very well. Then again my Mac Mini is not that fast. Anyway its all fun.

    Dana
  34. http://www.martijndevisser.com/blog/2009… « mcometa says:
    Friday 4 December 2009 at 14:49

    [...] http://www.martijndevisser.com/blog/2009/running-google-chrome-os-under-parallels/ [...]
  35. Labs Zsrv Net » [OS]Chrome OSγ‚’ParallelsδΈŠγ§ε‹•γ‹γ—γ¦γΏγŸ says:
    Sunday 6 December 2009 at 10:37

    [...] http://www.martijndevisser.com/blog/2009/running-google-chrome-os-under-parallels/ [...]
  36. KOen Peters says:
    Sunday 13 December 2009 at 18:29

    Works perfectly for me. Great job, Thanks
  37. Matt says:
    Tuesday 15 December 2009 at 03:04

    It worked great for me on my Mac with PD 4. Just changed network setting to shared! also I used “chronos” as username and blank password.
    Thanks for instruction.
  38. SeanReichle says:
    Wednesday 23 December 2009 at 23:11

    I’ve installed with Parallels v5.0.9308
    Worked like a charm. I did the transport, created the new VM, and started it up. I had network issues until I switched to a bridged connection rather then a shared. Once that was done I was able to login via my gmail account and do everything including play chess.

    At first glance, this is a very limited OS. Thought it provides fantastic access to the internet and it’s browser interface being chrome, feels familiar and is fast. Ideal for NetBooks, as it’s fairly light in size but I couldn’t speak on it’s hardware support just yet.
  39. Mike says:
    Tuesday 29 December 2009 at 04:17

    Chrome OS is just another rebranded Linux GUI, it would be much better if Google came up with an OS that would directly compete with Windows.
    -
  40. Google Chrome OS を試す « γ‚„γ£γ±γ‚Šγƒžγƒƒγ‚―γ§γ—γ‚‡οΌ says:
    Monday 18 January 2010 at 15:55

    [...] Google Chrome OS を試そうと思い、仮想環境で動かすのが一番簡単ということで VMware体験版をドウンロードしインストールしましたが、 Parallels でも動くじゃないの…。 [...]
  41. Robert says:
    Wednesday 20 January 2010 at 23:33

    Got it loaded and ran it through its functions. I found that is does not come with Java. A real problem for web browsing. Any idea if that is to be included?
  42. x-men says:
    Friday 5 February 2010 at 14:59

    try this

    select network as bridged

    username: mark

    pw: chronos

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