Mini PC (USB stick)

Pixlova provides a ready-to-write USB stick image for x86-64 mini PCs and PCs (Intel or AMD). It contains a complete Linux system and the Pixlova Player: nothing else to install. The stick runs the Player, or installs it on the PC’s internal disk. One stick installs as many PCs as you like.

Once installed, the PC works like a Pixlova Raspberry Pi: one pairing code per screen, local interface, fallback network, settings from Pixlova and automatic updates.

HardwareCopy Anchor Link

• An x86-64 (64-bit) mini PC or PC with an internal disk of at least 8 GB (NVMe or SATA SSD, eMMC). Intel and AMD graphics decode videos in hardware; NVIDIA cards are not supported.
• A USB stick of 8 GB or more. Its content is entirely replaced.
• For the installation: a keyboard. The PC no longer needs it afterwards.
• One or more screens (HDMI, DisplayPort or USB-C).
• Preferably an Ethernet cable; Wi-Fi is set up later from the local interface.

Prepare the USB stickCopy Anchor Link

The image is the file pixlova-pc-<version>.img.xz, with a .sha256 file. Download them from the download page.

Write the image to the stick with balenaEtcher, Raspberry Pi Imager (Use custom) or Rufus (DD image mode), without unpacking it.

Install on the internal diskCopy Anchor Link

1. Plug in the USB stick, the screen, the keyboard and, if possible, the Ethernet cable.
2. Turn on the PC and open its boot menu (depending on the manufacturer: F7, F8, F10, F11, F12 or Esc), then choose the USB stick. Secure Boot can stay enabled.
3. In the Pixlova menu shown for 5 seconds, choose Installer Pixlova sur le disque interne (efface ce disque) with the arrow keys, then Enter.
4. The disks are listed with their size and model. Type the disk number, then OUI to confirm. Everything on this disk is erased.
5. Copying takes a few minutes, then the PC turns off. Remove the USB stick and turn the PC on again.

Choose the installation the first time the stick starts. A stick that has already run the Player refuses to install, because it would copy its pairing and credentials: write the image to it again.

First startCopy Anchor Link

A Pixlova animation is shown while starting, then each screen shows its pairing code in the XXXX-XXXX format, with the device name (pixlova-xxxx), its IP address and the initial password of the local interface.

In Pixlova, open Screens › All screens, click + Add a screen, then type the code (see Screens). With several screens, each video output has its own code and plays its own schedule.

Use the stick without installingCopy Anchor Link

To try it, or on a PC without an internal disk, let the default menu entry start: the Player runs directly from the stick. A USB stick wears out faster than a disk: for a permanent display, prefer the installation.

Network, local interface and settingsCopy Anchor Link

Everything works as on the Raspberry Pi:

• Connect to the network: Ethernet, Pixlova-XXXX Wi-Fi access point, fallback address;
• Player local interface: https://pixlova-xxxx.local, user admin and the initial password shown under the code;
• Configure from Pixlova and reset.

The pixlova-admin.json file (forgotten password) goes on the PIXLOVA partition of the stick or disk, readable from any computer.

UpdatesCopy Anchor Link

The Player updates itself, as on other computers: no need to reinstall. The image’s Linux system does not update automatically.

TroubleshootingCopy Anchor Link

• The PC does not start from the stick: check the boot order in the firmware (UEFI) settings and write the stick again.
• The installation shows an error: write it down, restart from the stick and try again. See also Troubleshooting.