.. _flashing-pi:

=======================
Flashing (Raspberry Pi)
=======================
This guide is for flashing StartOS to a micro SD card in order to install it on a Raspberry Pi with an external SSD.  Please `contact support <https://start9.com/contact>`_ if you need to re-install your OS on a Server Lite (SD card storage).

.. warning:: DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE AN EXTERNAL SSD.  If you are running in a "Lite" configuration (everything on an SD card), then flashing in the manner proscribed below WILL ERASE ALL YOUR DATA!  Contact support for assistance instead.

Getting StartOS
---------------
Visit the `Github release page <https://github.com/Start9Labs/start-os/releases/latest>`_ to find the latest StartOS release.

At the bottom of the page, under "Assets," download the ``startos-..._raspberrypi.img.gz`` file.

    .. figure:: /_static/images/flashing/raspi-asset.png
      :width: 60%
      :alt: Raspberry Pi Asset

Select your OS to continue:

.. tabs::

    .. group-tab:: Linux

        (Optional, but recommended) Verify the checksum against the one listed on GitHub (SHA256):
        
            .. code-block::
            
                sha256sum startos-0.3.4.2-efc56c0-20230525_raspberrypi.img.gz
        
    .. group-tab:: Mac
            
        (Optional, but recommended) Verify the checksum against the one listed on GitHub by opening a terminal and entering:

            .. code-block::

                openssl dgst -sha256 startos-0.3.4.2-efc56c0-20230525_raspberrypi.img.gz

    .. group-tab:: Windows
        
        (Optional, but recommended) Verify the checksum against the one listed on GitHub by opening Windows PowerShell, changing your directory to where you downloaded the .img.gz file, and running `Get-FileHash`:

            .. code-block::

                cd Downloads
                Get-FileHash startos-0.3.4.2-efc56c0-20230525_raspberrypi.img.gz

Installing StartOS
------------------
Once you have the StartOS ``.img.gz`` file, you will need to flash it onto a microSD card.

#. Download and install `balenaEtcher <https://www.balena.io/etcher/>`_ onto your Linux, Mac, or Windows computer.

#. Insert the microSD card into your computer, either directly or using an adapter.

#. Open balenaEtcher.

    .. figure:: /_static/images/diy/balena.png
      :width: 60%
      :alt: Balena Etcher Dashboard

#. Click "Select Image" and select the ``.img.gz`` file.

#. Click "Select Target" and select your microSD card.

    .. warning:: BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN you have selected the correct target microSD card. Whatever drive you select will be **COMPLETELY ERASED**!!

#. Click "Flash!". You may be asked to approve the unusually large disk target and/or enter your password. Both are normal.

#. After the flash completes, you may remove the newly flashed micro SD card from any adapter, and insert it into your server's SD card slot.

#. Finally, continue to the :ref:`Initial Setup <initial-setup>`, :ref:`Manual Update <manual-update>`, or :ref:`Reset Password <reset-password>` instructions - depending on your need.