How to install Visual Pinball X on a Chromebook

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In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing Visual Pinball X on your Chromebook. Visual Pinball X is a powerful and popular pinball simulation software that allows you to play and create virtual pinball tables. By following these steps, you'll be able to enjoy this fantastic software on your Chromebook, opening up a world of pinball excitement right at your fingertips.

Compatibility Check

Before we begin, it's important to note that this tutorial is specifically designed for Chromebooks with an Intel or AMD CPU that support Linux Apps. Unfortunately, this method won't work on Chromebooks with an ARM64 architecture CPU. If you're unsure about your Chromebook's specifications, you can check our comprehensive list of Chromebooks with Linux Apps (Crostini) support.

Video Tutorial

For a visual guide, we've included a video tutorial above. We recommend following along with both the video and the written instructions for the best results.

Installation Process

To install Visual Pinball X, we'll be using Wine, a compatibility layer that allows Windows applications to run on Linux systems. Here's a step-by-step guide to get everything set up:

1. Enable Linux Apps

If you haven't already enabled Linux apps on your Chromebook, you'll need to do so first. Go to your Chromebook's settings, click on the "Advanced" section, then "Developers," and finally turn on Linux apps.

2. Open the Terminal

Once Linux apps are enabled, open the Terminal application. This is where we'll enter the commands to install Wine and Visual Pinball X.

3. Run the Installation Commands

Copy and paste each of the following commands into your Terminal, pressing Enter after each one. Be patient, as some commands may take a while to complete:

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key && sudo apt-key add winehq.key
echo "deb https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/debian/ bookworm main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wine_chrome_os_made_simple.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable winbind
winecfg
ln -s  /home/$USER/.wine/drive_c /home/$USER/wine
wget https://github.com/vpinball/vpinball/releases/download/v10.8.0-1347-3d585e7/VPinballX_GL-10.8.0-1347-3d585e7-Release-win-x64.zip
unzip VPinballX_GL-10.8.0-1347-3d585e7-Release-win-x64.zip
wine VPinballX_GL64.exe

4. Configuration and First Run

After running these commands, Wine will be installed and configured, and Visual Pinball X will be downloaded and ready to run. The last command launches Visual Pinball X using Wine. You may need to wait a moment for it to start up the first time.

Understanding the Process

Let's break down what each step does:

  • The first command adds 32-bit architecture support, which is necessary for some Windows applications.
  • The next few commands add the Wine repository and install Wine, which is crucial for running Windows applications on Linux.
  • We then configure Wine and create a symbolic link for easier access to the Wine C: drive.
  • Finally, we download and extract Visual Pinball X, then launch it using Wine.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are a few things to try:

  • Ensure your Chromebook is up to date with the latest system updates.
  • If a command fails, try running it again. Sometimes temporary network issues can cause downloads to fail.
  • If Visual Pinball X doesn't launch, try restarting your Chromebook and running the last command again.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You should now have Visual Pinball X up and running on your Chromebook. This opens up a world of virtual pinball fun, allowing you to play classic tables and even design your own. Remember, you can always refer back to this guide or the video tutorial if you need to reinstall or if you're setting it up on another device.

For more information about Visual Pinball X and to join the community, visit the official Visual Pinball forums. You can also learn more about Wine, the software that makes this possible, at the Wine official website.

If you're interested in exploring more about Chromebooks and their capabilities, don't forget to check out our Chromebook comparison and Buyers Guide. It's a great resource for finding the perfect Chromebook for your needs.

Thank you for following along with this tutorial. We hope you enjoy your new pinball setup on your Chromebook!

Google Doc used in the tutorial

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