SD Card Flashing Guide
Complete guide for properly flashing Raspberry Pi OS onto your SD card
Requirements
Hardware
- MicroSD card (8GB minimum, Class 10 recommended)
- SD card reader/adapter
Software
- Raspberry Pi Imager
- Administrator/sudo privileges
1. Download and Install Raspberry Pi Imager
- Download Raspberry Pi Imager
- Install following your OS instructions
2. Select Your Raspberry Device
Select your raspberry device
3. Choose Operating System
To select the operating system, click "CHOOSE OS" and navigate through the available options:
- Click "Raspberry Pi OS (other)" from the main OS selection screen
- Look for "Raspberry Pi OS Lite (64-bit)" in the list
- Confirm it shows "no desktop environment" in the description
After selecting "Raspberry Pi OS (other)", you'll see the following screen where you can select the Lite version:
OS Selection
- • Requires less storage space (0.4 GB download)
- • Runs more efficiently without desktop overhead
- • Is optimized for headless operation
4. Choose Storage
Important
5. Configure OS Settings
Before writing the image, click the gear icon to configure essential settings for your Raspberry Pi. This will save you time by avoiding manual configuration later.
General Settings
Start by configuring the basic settings for your device. The hostname will be used to identify your Raspberry Pi on the network.
Set Device Hostname
Enter a unique hostname for your device. This will be used to access your Raspberry Pi on the network. For example: 'raspberrypi.local'
Configure Wireless Network
Connect your Raspberry Pi to your local network by entering your WiFi credentials:
- SSID: Enter your WiFi network name (case-sensitive)
- Password: Provide your WiFi network password
Once connected, you can access your Raspberry Pi using the hostname 'raspberrypi.local' from any device on the same network. This enables remote management without needing to connect a display or keyboard.
SSH Configuration
Enable SSH access to connect to your Raspberry Pi remotely. Choose between password authentication or public-key authentication based on your security requirements.
Security Best Practice
- • Use a strong password that's at least 12 characters long
- • Consider using public-key authentication for enhanced security
- • Never expose SSH to the internet without proper security measures
Required Settings Checklist
System Configuration
- Set hostname
Choose a unique name for network identification
- Enable SSH
Required for remote access
- Set username/password
Choose secure credentials
Network Setup
- Configure Wi-Fi
Set your network credentials
- Set locale/timezone
Important for proper time synchronization
6. Write to SD Card
- Double-check all settings
- Click "WRITE" to begin
- Wait for writing process (5-10 minutes)
- Wait for verification (optional but recommended)
Important Note
Common Issues
Write Failed
- • Check SD card is not write-protected
- • Try a different USB port
- • Verify SD card is not counterfeit
- • Run Imager as administrator
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