Skip to content

Install an OS

To use the KNEO Pi, you’ll need an operating system. KNEO Pi checks for an operating system on any SD card inserted in the SD card slot. To install an operating system on a microSD card for KNEO Pi, you’ll need:

  • a computer you can use to image the microSD card into a boot device
  • a way to plug the microSD card into that computer

This document is used for starting up KNEO Pi via a defined image file with KNEO Pi OS

Prepare the microSD card

For Windows users, the following steps will guide you through the process using a tool called Win32DiskImager

1. Download the Image File

Visit Kneron Develop Center , under the KNEO Pi section, to download the predefinded OS image file. In this case, the file is named kneo_pi_rdk_12G_{version}.img.xz. release_notes.txt is maintained to document the history of changes. After the download is complete, locate the downloaded file on your computer. It should have the .xz extension, meaning it is compressed.

Internal Image Download

Download the latest version from the KNEO Pi share folder

  • find img files under rdk/
  • See Release_notes.txt

(Optional) To ensure the integrity of your downloaded file, follow these steps to verify it with the provided .md5 file:

  1. Place the downloaded image file and its corresponding .md5 file in the same directory.
  2. Run the following command in a terminal to compare the MD5 checksums. 
    md5sum -c kneo_pi_rdk_12G_{version}.img.xz

  3. Check the output:

    • If the download is valid, you’ll see a message like: kneo_pi_rdk_12G_{version}.img.xz: OK.
    • If there’s an issue, the output will indicate a checksum mismatch, meaning the download may be corrupted.

2. Extract the Image File

Before writing the image to the microSD card, you will need to extract the contents of the compressed file:
Right-click on the .xz file and select Extract from the context menu. After extraction, you should see a new file named xxx.img which is the uncompressed image file that we will use.

Tip

you may need to install a tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR if your decompress tool cannot handle .xz files.

3. Install and Open Win32DiskImager

(For Windows 10/11 user)
Now, we will use Win32DiskImager to write the extracted image file to the microSD card. If you haven't installed Win32DiskImager yet, follow these instructions:

  • Download Win32DiskImager:
    Go to the Win32DiskImager website and download the latest version of the software.

  • Install the Software:
    Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install Win32DiskImager on your computer.

  • Open Win32DiskImager:
    After installation, open the program by double-clicking its icon on the desktop or finding it in the Start Menu.

Alternates for Linux/Mac user

Other third-party utilities are available for writing images to SD cards. Tools like Raspberry Pi Imager and balenaEtcher , support multiple platforms, including Linux and macOS. These tools offer a user-friendly interface and are widely used for flashing operating system images onto SD cards.

When using these tools, select the Use custom or a similar option, choose your downloaded OS image. Then, specify the target SD card and proceed with writing the image. No need to specify the target board device.

4. Insert the microSD Card

Insert the microSD card into your computer's card reader. Ensure the card is properly connected and recognized by your system.

5. Write the Image to the microSD Card

In the Win32DiskImager window:

  • Select the image file:
    Click the folder icon next to the Image File field, navigate to the location where you extracted .img file, and select it.
  • Choose the device:
    In the Device dropdown menu, select the drive corresponding to your microSD card. Be very careful to select the correct drive, as writing the image will overwrite any data on that drive.
  • Double-check that the correct image file and microSD card are selected, then click the Write button.
  • A confirmation dialog will appear, warning that all data on the selected drive will be erased. Click Yes to proceed.
    The writing process will begin, and you will see a progress bar. This may take several minutes, depending on the size of the image and the speed of your microSD card. Once the process is complete, a message will appear saying "Write Successful." You can now safely eject the microSD card from your computer.

6. Safely Eject the microSD Card

  • In the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen), click the Safely Remove Hardware icon.
  • Select the microSD card and click Eject.
  • Once Windows confirms it is safe, remove the microSD card from the reader.
  • Your microSD card is now ready to boot your KNEO Pi.