install os on a Raspberry Pi

How to install an operating system on a Raspberry PI.

August 25, 2015

This is a short description of how to install an operating system (OS) onto a Raspberry Pi (R-pi).

This how to assumes you have the following hardware:

R-pi hardware: Linksys Raspberry Pi model B, 512 Mb RAM

SD card: SanDisk 4 Gb microdisk

video adapter: HDMI to VGA (this may cause problems for the first boot up)

power connector: 5 V, 1 A, USB A-port, power supply, with
USB cable: A to micro B

(there seems to be several ways to install an OS onto the R-pi,
but here we list what appears to be the simplest method).

Assemble and attach all of the parts necessary to get the R-pi up and running, but without plugging in the power cord.

Format the SD memory card.
One method is to use the SD formatter:

SDFormatter v 4.0 (only versions for ms-windows and mac exist)

WindowsXP will require an update to utilize
the exFAT file system:

Update for Windows XP (KB955704)

Download and save a copy of NOOBS (New Out Of Box Software).

      (This software will help the user install the OS. The OS's are not
      contained within NOOBS {except for maybe Raspian} instead,
      NOOBS will install files for the OS by downloading them from the net.
      So, the R-pi will need to be connected via ethernet to a router
      with DHCP turned on.)

(Either NOOBS, or NOOBS lite will work fine)

useful NOOBS links:

NOOBS setup help

Raspberry Pi downloads page

NOOBS download page

After downloading the NOOBS zipped file, decompress it, and copy all of the files directly to the SD card.

Remove the card from the PC.

With the R-pi powered off, insert the SD card, and then reconnect the power cord to turn it on.

Allow NOOBS to boot up.

Possible errors encountered:

After installing, or upgrading to the latest version of the tomato firmware, reset the old settings in NVRAM:

Administration >> Configuration >> Restore Default Configuration >>
Select: Erase all data in NVRAM

The new login settings will become:

user name: root
password: admin

Set the router name and hostname to whatever you wish:

  Basic >> Identification >>
                            Router Name:   Zeus
                      Hostname:        Jupiter

Then hit Save at the bottom of the page.

More basic setting changes:

Basic >> Network >>

Type: DHCP

disable: DHCP Server

disable: Wireless

... hit Save.

Basic >> Time >> set the time zone

... hit Save.

Then modify various settings in Admin Access:

Administration >> Admin Access >>

can change the following:

>> Color Scheme

disable the following:

                     >> remote access
                     >> wireless access
                     >> ssh daemon
                     >> telnet daemon

change the password:

>> Password

... hit Save.

To modify the color of the starup LED, we need to add a short command to the startup scripts:

Administration >> scripts >> init

add the following line:

led white on

We can also add, among others, the following commands:

led white off

led amber on

led amber off

led aoss on