Flash Image

NanoKVM Go is usually shipped with an image already flashed. If the device boots normally, you can skip this step at first.

Preparation

Before flashing, prepare the following items:

  • NanoKVM Go;
  • a SIM eject pin or another tool that can press and hold the flashing-mode button;
  • a USB data cable;
  • a computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux;
  • the NanoKVM Go image file;
  • the flashing tool for your operating system:
    • Windows: balenaEtcher 2.1.6 or ImageUSB;
    • macOS: balenaEtcher 2.1.6;
    • Linux: balenaEtcher 2.1.6.

Download the Image

Download the latest NanoKVM Go image from GitHub.

Image download link: NanoKVM-Go Releases

NanoKVM Go and NanoKVM Go+ use the same image. There is no separate image for Go+, so download the same file for either model.

Download the Flashing Tool

balenaEtcher runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, so prefer it; ImageUSB runs on Windows only and is the fallback there.

balenaEtcher 2.1.6 (Windows / macOS / Linux)

Stay on balenaEtcher 2.1.6:

Download link: balenaEtcher v2.1.6

In the Assets section of that release, pick the installer for your operating system:

  • Windows: balenaEtcher-2.1.6.Setup.exe;
  • macOS: balenaEtcher-2.1.6-arm64.dmg (Apple silicon) or balenaEtcher-2.1.6-x64.dmg (Intel);
  • Linux: balena-etcher_2.1.6_amd64.deb (Debian / Ubuntu) or balena-etcher-2.1.6-1.x86_64.rpm (Fedora / RHEL).

The official download page lists installers by operating system and architecture but does not let you choose a version, so use the release link above to get 2.1.6.

balenaEtcher download options by operating system and architecture

ImageUSB (Windows)

ImageUSB runs on Windows only. Download the zip from the official site, unzip it, and run imageUSB.exe; no installation is required.

Download link: ImageUSB

ImageUSB download page

Enter Flashing Mode

  1. Disconnect the USB cable from NanoKVM Go to power off the device.

  2. Insert the SIM eject pin through the opening and press and hold the flashing-mode button on NanoKVM Go.

Press and hold the NanoKVM Go flashing-mode button with a SIM eject pin

  1. Keep holding the flashing-mode button, insert the USB data cable connected to the computer into the NanoKVM Go data port (Data Port).

Hold the flashing-mode button and connect the NanoKVM Go data port

Flash the Image with balenaEtcher (Windows / macOS / Linux)

  1. In balenaEtcher, click Flash from file and select the downloaded NanoKVM Go image.

Click Flash from file in balenaEtcher

  1. When the Missing partition table warning appears, click Continue.

Missing partition table warning in balenaEtcher

  1. Click Select target.

Click Select target in balenaEtcher

  1. Select the drive that corresponds to NanoKVM Go (listed as Compute Module) and click Select 1.

Select the NanoKVM Go drive in balenaEtcher

  1. Click Flash! and wait for the flashing to finish.

balenaEtcher starting the flash

  1. balenaEtcher reports Flash Completed! once the image has been written.

balenaEtcher reports Flash Completed

Flash the Image with ImageUSB (Windows)

  1. Open ImageUSB and click Refresh Drives. The NanoKVM Go device (Linux File-Stor Gadget) should appear in the list.

Click Refresh Drives in ImageUSB

  1. In Step 1, select the USB drive that corresponds to NanoKVM Go.

Select NanoKVM Go in ImageUSB

  1. In Step 2, select Write image to USB drive.

Select write image mode in ImageUSB

  1. In Step 3, click Browse and select the downloaded NanoKVM Go image file.

Select the NanoKVM Go image in ImageUSB

  1. In Step 4, click Write to start flashing.

Click the ImageUSB write button

  1. Click Yes in the confirmation dialog to confirm the write.

Confirm the ImageUSB write operation

  1. Wait for flashing to complete.

ImageUSB writing the image

  1. Imaging Completed! appears once the image has been written.

ImageUSB flashing complete

After flashing is complete, safely eject the USB device, disconnect the USB cable, reconnect NanoKVM Go, and wait for the system to boot.

Do not disconnect USB or close the flashing tool during flashing. Otherwise, the image may fail to write correctly.