To get started, you will need to download the release corresponding to the platform
you are using. Visit the [GitHub releases page][releases] and find the image that
corresponds to your platform:
- Releases for the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 start with `ev3- `
- Releases for the Raspberry Pi 1 start with `rpi-`
- Releases for the Raspberry Pi 2 and 3 start with `rpi2-`
- Releases for the BeagleBone start with `evb-`
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## Step 2: Flash the SD card
{% include /style/icon.html type="danger" %}
This will erase everything on your SD card! Back up your files
if you do not want to lose them!
{: .alert .alert-danger }
Now it's time to write the image to the card.
1. Download and install Etcher from [their website](https://etcher.io).
2. Launch Etcher after it has finished installing.
{% include /util/screenshot.html source="/images/etcher/home.png" caption="Etcher home screen" width="600px" %}
3. Click the "Select image" button and browse to the folder where you
downloaded an ev3dev release. Select the file that you downloaded.
The release can be a `.img.zip` or `.img.xz`; whichever
you have will work with Etcher.
{% include /util/screenshot.html source="/images/etcher/image-selected.png" caption="Image chosen in Etcher" width="600px" %}
4. Plug the SD card into your PC (if your PC doesn't have a micro SD
slot, you can use an adapter or external reader). Etcher should
detect the new device and display its information under the "Select
drive" step. Confirm that the selected drive is correct.
{% include /util/screenshot.html source="/images/etcher/drive-selected.png" caption="Drive selected in Etcher" width="600px" %}
5. If you have multiple removable drives available, you may need to
use the "Change" button to select the proper device.
6. When you are confident that you have selected the correct drive,
click "Flash!" and wait for the operation to complete.
{% include /util/screenshot.html source="/images/etcher/flash-started.png" caption="Etcher flashing the SD card" width="600px" %}
7. If you arrive at this screen, you have successfully flashed your SD card and are ready to move on to the next step.
{% include /util/screenshot.html source="/images/etcher/success.png" caption="Etcher success screen" width="600px" %}
## Step 4: Boot ev3dev
Put the SD Card in your EV3 and power it on. At first, you will see the
MINDSTORMS boot splash and the red LEDs will be on. This is immediately
followed by the ev3dev boot splash and the LEDs changing to orange. The
LEDs indicate disk (SD card) activity.
After about one minute, the screen will go blank. This happens on the first boot
only. The first boot takes longer than subsequent boots because the EV3
has to create a unique SSH host ids and take care of a few other housekeeping
items. After another minute or two, you will see the *brickman loading...* screen.
If nothing has happened after five minutes, something is not right - check the
troubleshooting tips below.
You will notice the number in the battery in the upper right corner. This
displays the remaining voltage of the power supply. It is not possible to
calculate an accurate percent value of the remaining energy, so this value is
chosen. If the voltage drops below 5V the brick will turn off. All unsaved
data will be lost. Keep in mind, that it may take a much longer time from 8V to
6.5V than from 6.5V down to 5V!
**Note:** If you are using Raspberry Pi hardware without a screen, just wait for
the Activity LED to stop flashing, then go to the next step. If alternatively
you have connected the pi to a screen monitor via HDMI
press Ctrl+Alt+F6 at the end of the boot sequence.
This should take you to a login prompt. Login as 'robot' with password 'maker'.
{% include /util/screenshot.html source="/images/brickman/main-menu.png" caption="When the boot is complete, the LEDs will turn green and you will see something like this on the screen" %}
{% include /style/begin-panel.html type="info" heading="Troubleshooting tips if your EV3 won't boot" %}
* Make sure nothing is plugged into the EV3 (USB/sensors/motors/etc.)
* Try writing the image to the SD card again.
* You may have a bad/incompatible SD card - try a different SD card.
* Check the condition of the EV3 batteries.
{% include /style/end-panel.html %}
### Shutting down
You'll often want to turn off your EV3 while it isn't in use. When you are ready
to wish your EV3 good night, turn if off by pressing the *back* button from the
main menu in brickman or pressing _and holding_ the *back* button from any screen
in brickman. This will open a dialog where you can select *Power Off* to turn
off the EV3. _If you're using the command line, running `sudo poweroff` in a
terminal works too._
{% include /util/screenshot.html source="/images/brickman/shutdown-menu.png" caption="The 'Shutdown...' dialog in Brickman" %}
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## Step 5: Set up a network connection
Click on the button below to visit our networking page. There are lots of
choices here; choose the connection option that best suits you and your
available hardware.