Installing TableOS

Before you can host your desired software, you must first install TableOS onto your computer of choice to convert it into a server. This process is almost entirely automated and largely consists of you clicking "Continue" a few times.

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1: Plug in and boot from your Easy-Install USB

The exact process of booting from USB varies depending on your device. Some may do it automatically, while others require you to press a shortcut while the device is turning on. If you need help, we have detailed instructions on this process linked below:

GUIDE: How to create and boot from an Easy-Install USB

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2: Confirm you're ready to begin

Once the installer loads, you'll be prompted with a warning that all existing data will be lost. Make absolutely sure any important data has been backed up. You will have until the final step to decide to cancel. Press enter while "Install TableOS" is highlighted to continue.

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3: Set a system password

This is the password you will have to enter to perform manual administrative operations on your server through the terminal. If you don't intend to do this, you can simply write it down somewhere safe and likely never have to use it. Note that this is NOT the same as your TableOS account password, although you can choose to re-use the same password for both for convenience. However, if maximum security is of priority to you, it's recommended that you keep these separate and make a new one.

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4: Choose the partitioning method

Unless you know what you're doing and have something specific in mind, choose the default: "Guided - use entire disk".

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5: Choose which drive to install TableOS on

Note that if your computer only has one internal drive, this step will be automatically skipped for you. If your computer has both an SSD (solid state drive) and standard mechanical hard drive(s), choose the SSD. It will be significantly faster and will make your server more responsive. If you don't know the specifics of your drives, you can check in the existing operating system assuming one was previously installed, or by physically opening the computer. If you're not comfortable doing this, choose the one listed with the largest capacity.

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6: Final confirmation before writing changes to disk

Please double check that you selected the correct drive. The size listed to the right of "primary" should match the size of the drive you picked in the previous step. There's nothing extra you have to configure on this screen, as TableOS will automatically set up the proper partition scheme for you. Once again, be absolutely sure nothing important is still on this computer. Once you click "Continue" on this screen, the drive will be formatted and there will be no going back. Sit back and relax while TableOS installs itself. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending heavily on how fast your computer is. Once installtion is complete, your computer will reboot automatically.