.. _initial-setup: ============= Initial Setup ============= Check out the video below for a guide on setting up your Start9 server! .. youtube:: HI9WDq0tWm4 :width: 60% .. raw:: html

.. contents:: :depth: 2 :local: Power On -------- #. Connect your server to power and Ethernet. .. caution:: If you built StartOS from `source `_, it may take up to 20 minutes to first initialize. #. Power the device on and select which mode you would like to continue in on the tab below: You can either boot your server as-is (headless mode) or add a monitor, mouse, and keyboard (kiosk mode). Server Lite (Raspberry Pi) is currently headless **only**. Headless is the default and recommended option. All control of your server can be done from your computer or mobile device. .. tabs:: .. group-tab:: Headless Mode Ensure the device you are using (desktop/laptop or mobile) is connected to the same network as your server. .. caution:: Sometimes a router will have a "guest WiFi network," which might be different than the network your server is placed on via ethernet. Visit ``http://start.local`` from your web browser. .. group-tab:: Kiosk Mode Once your server boots, if you've attached a monitor, keyboard and mouse, you can set it up using the graphical kiosk mode. A familiar browser interface will display the StartOS setup page. #. Select "Start Fresh." .. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen0-startfresh_or_recover.jpg :width: 60% :alt: Fresh Setup .. note:: The "Recover" button is used for :ref:`hardware upgrades `, :ref:`restoring from backup `, data migration, or disaster recovery. #. Select your storage drive .. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen4-select_storage.jpg :width: 60% :alt: Select Drive #. Create a master password for your server and click "Finish." .. warning:: Choose a strong master password. Write it down. Store it somewhere safe. DO NOT LOSE IT. .. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen5-set_password.jpg :width: 60% :alt: Create New Password #. StartOS will initialize. This can take up to a few minutes. .. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen6-storage_initialize.jpg :width: 60% :alt: SSD Initialization #. You are now hosting your own private server! .. tip:: If you are in headless mode, click "Download This Page" to save your server address and certificate info to your computer. .. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen7-startfresh_complete.jpg :width: 60% :alt: Setup Complete #. You may now log in. Continue to the section on :ref:`connecting` to learn more about using your server over Tor and LAN. .. figure:: /_static/images/setup/screen9-startfresh_complete-savedfile-go_to_start_login.jpg :width: 60% :alt: Setup Complete .. _setup-troubleshooting: Troubleshooting --------------- If you are experiencing issues with setup, try the following: #. Confirm that the server is plugged into both power and Ethernet - An ethernet network with DHCP server must be available at setup. Most routers provide this. #. Confirm your phone/computer is **not** connected to a "Guest" network #. Confirm your phone/computer is not using a VPN, or that if you are, that it allows LAN connections, such as the examples below: - Mullvad - Go to "Settings -> VPN Settings -> Local Network Sharing" - ProtonVPN - Go to "Preferences -> Connection -> Allow LAN Connections" #. Visit or refresh (ctrl+shift+R - Linux/Windows, cmd+shift+R - Mac) the start.local page in a web browser #. To avoid networking issues, it is recommended to use your `primary` router, not an extender or mesh router. #. Very rarely, your firewall settings may block mDNS. In this case: - From your browser, navigate to your router configuration settings. This is usually an IP address such as 192.168.1.1. A simple web search will usually reveal how to access the router configuration settings for a particular brand. - Once in the router config settings, find the section that lists the devices on your network. You should see a device labeled ``start``. Take note of the associated IP address and enter it into your browser's URL field to enter the setup. You can always to `reach out to support `_ if you need a hand. Server Models With Speakers --------------------------- .. _sounds-bepchime: Server Lite, Server Pure, and Server One (2022 and older) have an internal speaker and may provide the following audio feedback: .. raw:: HTML * "bep" - Starting up .. raw:: HTML * "chime" - Server is ready .. raw:: HTML * "flatline" - Server initialization failed / no network connection .. raw:: HTML * Beethoven's 5th - Something has gone wrong and Diagnostic Mode has been launched on ``http://start.local``, please check here for solutions. Raspberry Pi Lights ------------------- Server Lite has 2 status lights: - Red - Power. This will be on solid when powered up and running normally. - Green - SD Card. This will display when there is SD Card activity, such as during OS installation. It may be off, flashing, or on solid during normal operation. Server One (2022) has 2 additional lights: - Blue power button - Power. This will be on solid when powered up and running normally. - Blue drive light - SSD. This will display when there is SSD activity. It may be off, flashing, or on solid during normal operation.