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Nitropad os reinstall #567

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578a3c5
add tab sections
alexgithublab Mar 12, 2026
5795f2c
os re-installation changes for NitroPad and PC
alexgithublab Apr 15, 2026
0d8ee4e
Fix syntax
mmerklinger Jul 9, 2026
0273b7c
Update installation instructions for Qubes OS
alexgithublab Aug 14, 2026
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97 changes: 73 additions & 24 deletions source/components/nitropad-nitropc/os-reinstallation.rst
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Expand Up @@ -10,37 +10,86 @@ Operating System Reinstallation
drive on any computer which contains data you want to keep. Make sure
to format the USB drive after the intended use.

1. Download the latest Stable Release of the operating system images: `Ubuntu
Linux <https://www.nitrokey.com/files/ci/ubuntu/>`__, `Qubes OS <https://www.qubes-os.org/downloads/>`__
.. note::

2. Optional: Download hash sum and
`verify <https://proprivacy.com/guides/how-why-and-when-you-should-hash-check#how-to-hash-check>`__
the downloaded operating system image.
Due to a bug Linux Mint 21 is currently not supported. The latest supported version is Linux Mint 20.1

3. Write the operating system image to any USB drive. Possible
applications:
.. tabs::

- Windows: `Rufus <https://rufus.ie/>`__,
`balenaEtcher <https://www.balena.io/etcher/>`__;
- Linux: ``dd``, `balenaEtcher <https://www.balena.io/etcher/>`__;
- macOS: ``dd``, `balenaEtcher <https://www.balena.io/etcher/>`__.
.. tab:: Ubuntu

4. Connect the USB drive to your NitroPad and start it. In Heads menu
select Boot Options -> USB Boot.
1. Download the latest LTS image from the `official Ubuntu website <https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop>`__.

5. On Qubes use the "latest Kernel" version of the install options
2. `Verify <https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/how-to-verify-ubuntu#1-overview>`__ your downloaded image.

6. Depending on the operating system you may need to confirm its
reinstallation.
3. Flash a USB drive with the downloaded image with `balenaEtcher <https://www.balena.io/etcher/>`__.

7. `Sign the boot
partition <heads/system-update.html>`_ (Heads only).
4. Once the USB drive is flashed, plug it to your NitroPad or NitroPC and start it.

To avoid accidential overwriting of valuable data, format the USB drive afterwards.
.. tabs::

.. warning::
.. tab:: Heads

1. For Heads version >= 2.5.0 stop the automatic boot by pressing a key.

2. Go to the option menu and "boot option".

3. Select "USB boot" and "Try and install Ubuntu".

4. Once the installer started follow the instuctions and when asked choose to encrypt your drive with LVM.

5. Once Ubuntu is installed your computer will reboot and Heads will show errors, you will need to perform a `OEM facotry reset <./heads/factory-reset-heads2.html>`__.

6. When Ubuntu will be successfully installed and Heads reseted you will automatically boot on Ubuntu.

.. note::

@nestire nestire Jul 15, 2026

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this is is only true for heads release older then 3.0.0

@alexgithublab alexgithublab Aug 14, 2026

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what is the behavior with the version 3 now?

@daringer daringer Aug 20, 2026 •
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5 + 6 should be different for >= 3.0.0 from what I understand, so maybe keep it as it is and add 5+6 with a remark that these differ in v3.0.0+ ... those two could roughly look like this:

5. On the first boot after installation the integrity files for /boot are missing. Confirm to create them using your PIN.
6. Go to Options -> Boot Options -> Show OS boot menu, select OS and press d to make it the default. Confirm adding a TPM Disk Unlock Key and enter your disk encryption passphrase when asked.

also there is "facotry" instead of "factory"


With Ubuntu 24 you need to type your encryption password blindy as exaplained `here <./ubuntu/index.html#workaround-ubuntu-24-04>`__.

.. tab:: Tianocore

1. Interrupt the boot and access the UEFI menu by pressing "ESC".

2. Go to "one time boot" and select the USB key with the Ubuntu installer image.

3. Once the installer started follow the instuctions and when asked choose to encrypt your drive with LVM.

4. When Ubuntu will be successfully installed you will automatically boot on Ubuntu.

.. tab:: QubesOS

1. Download the latest image from the `official QubesOS website <https://www.qubes-os.org/downloads/>`__.

2. `Verify <https://doc.qubes-os.org/en/latest/project-security/verifying-signatures.html>`__ your downloaded image.

3. Flash a USB drive with the downloaded image with `balenaEtcher <https://www.balena.io/etcher/>`__.

4. Once the USB drive is flashed, plug it to your NitroPad or NitroPC and start it.

.. tabs::

.. tab:: Heads

1. For Heads version >= 2.5.0 stop the automatic boot by pressing a key.

2. Go to the option menu and "boot option".

3. Select "USB boot" and select "Install Qubes OS (latest kernel)".

4. Once the installer started follow the instuctions and when asked choose to encrypt your drive's data.

5. Once QubesOS is installed your computer will reboot and Heads will show errors, you will need to perform a `OEM facotry reset <./heads/factory-reset-heads2.html>`__.

6. When QubesOS will be successfully installed and Heads reseted you will automatically boot on QubesOS.


.. tab:: Tianocore

1. Interrupt the boot and access the UEFI menu by pressing "ESC".

2. Go to "one time boot" and select the USB key with the QubesOS installer image.

3. Once the installer started follow the instuctions and when asked choose to encrypt your drive's data.

4. When QubesOS will be successfully installed you will automatically boot on QubesOS.

Booting this USB drive entirely erases all data on the hard disk or
SSD of the NitroPad without further warning. Don't boot this USB
drive on any computer which contains data you want to keep. Make sure
to format the USB drive after the intended use.
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