x86 PC setup guide
No operating system to install. No software to configure. Flash one image file, boot the machine, and you're live in under 10 minutes.
Download strofa-display-latest.img.xz — a complete Ubuntu 24.04 system with Chromium kiosk, Strofa Display software and all dependencies pre-installed. Around 1.2 GB compressed.
You don't need to install Ubuntu, configure anything or know Linux. Everything is already inside the image.
⬇ strofa-display-latest.img.xz · ~1.2 GBOpen Balena Etcher (free, Mac / Windows / Linux). Click Flash from file, select the downloaded .img.xz, then select your USB stick as the target. Etcher decompresses and writes in one step — no need to unzip anything first.
Plug the USB into the PC, connect HDMI to your TV or monitor, then power on. Most PCs boot from the internal drive by default — you need to tell it to boot from USB instead by pressing a key immediately when the machine starts.
Tip: Watch for a brief message at the bottom of the screen during startup — it often says something like "Press F12 for Boot Menu". You have about 2 seconds to press it.
| Manufacturer | Boot menu key | BIOS/UEFI key |
|---|---|---|
| Lenovo (ThinkPad / IdeaPad) | F12 | F2 or Fn+F2 |
| HP (EliteBook / ProBook / Pavilion) | F9 or F12 | F10 |
| Dell (Latitude / Inspiron / XPS) | F12 | F2 |
| Asus | F8 or Esc | Del or F2 |
| Acer | F12 | Del or F2 |
| MSI | F11 | Del |
| Gigabyte | F12 or F8 | Del |
| Samsung | F10 | F2 |
| Toshiba / Dynabook | F12 | F2 |
| Microsoft Surface | Vol ↓ hold while powering on | Vol ↑ hold |
| Intel NUC / mini PC | F10 or F12 | F2 |
In the boot menu, look for your USB stick — it usually shows up as the brand name of the stick or as "USB HDD" / "USB Storage Device". Select it and press Enter.
The machine boots straight into Strofa Display — no login, no desktop. First boot takes about 60 seconds; subsequent boots 20–30 seconds.
Machine keeps booting Windows? Try a different F-key from the table above — some models vary by year. If none work, enter the BIOS/UEFI settings and find the Boot Order section, then move USB to the top.
Secure Boot blocking the image? In BIOS/UEFI settings, find Secure Boot and set it to Disabled. Save and restart.
On first boot, a setup screen asks how you want to connect to WiFi. Choose the option that suits your situation:
If you prefer a wired connection, plug in an Ethernet cable before powering on — the display skips WiFi setup and connects automatically.
After connecting to WiFi, the display asks whether you want to install Strofa Display permanently onto the machine's internal drive. This is optional — you can keep running from the USB stick indefinitely.
Installing to the internal drive means faster boot times, no USB stick to lose or forget, and the machine is completely self-contained. The installer clones the USB image to the internal drive — all settings, pairings and configuration carry over automatically.
The installer shows a list of available internal disks, asks you to select the target, warns you that all data on that disk will be deleted, and requires you to type the disk name to confirm. Then it copies the system and reboots. Remove the USB stick when prompted.
⏱ Installation takes 3–8 minutesOnce online, the display shows a 6-digit pairing code. The code is valid for 10 minutes; a new one is generated automatically if it expires.
In the Strofa app: Apps → Strofa Display → + → type the 6-digit code. Give the display a name, choose whether it belongs to your private library or a band, and tap Confirm.
The screen updates immediately and is now live. From this point the display is fully managed from the app — layout, features and content — without ever touching the machine again.
✓ Total time from unboxing to live: under 10 minutesTroubleshooting
Most issues on x86 PCs come down to boot order or Secure Boot. Here are the common ones.
The USB stick isn't being picked first. Try a different F-key from the table — some models vary by year. If none work, enter the BIOS/UEFI settings, find Boot Order or Boot Priority, and move your USB stick to the top. Save and restart.
Enter the BIOS/UEFI settings and find the Secure Boot option (usually under Security or Boot). Set it to Disabled. Save changes and restart. Secure Boot is a Windows feature and isn't needed for Strofa Display.
Wait up to 60 seconds — the display needs to reach the internet and generate a pairing code. If nothing happens, check that the WiFi password was entered correctly. Restart the machine to retry WiFi setup.
The machine's built-in WiFi adapter may not be supported. Most adapters from 2015 onwards work. Alternatively, use a wired Ethernet cable — plug it in before powering on and the display connects automatically.
The installer only lists internal disks at least as large as the USB image (12 GB). If the machine has no internal storage, or the internal drive is too small, the install option won't appear. You can run Strofa Display from the USB stick indefinitely with no functional difference.
Remove the USB stick and restart. If the machine still boots incorrectly, enter the BIOS/UEFI settings and move the internal drive above USB in the boot order.
A new code is generated automatically every 10 minutes. Wait for the screen to refresh with the new code, then try again in the Strofa app.