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Step 2 for x86: Getting a Device Ready for Foundation

This guide explains how to install a generic system image (GSI) on an x86 device. 

In this article: 

Required Steps

  1. Contact your device manufacturer for instructions about entering the device’s BIOS or UEFI menu and disabling secure boot mode. 
  2. Share the full device model number with your Esper account manager. 
  3. Request the Foundation test image from your Esper account manager. This image will be watermarked. 
  4. You’ll need a USB drive. We recommend at least 4 - 8GB of data. 

Flashing the Device

Create a bootable USB drive

Download the Foundation test image provided by your account manager. It will download as an ISO file. 

Create a bootable drive by downloading and installing Rufus (for Windows) or Balena (for Mac). 

Plug a USB drive into your computer. 

Open the Rufus or Balena app and select the Foundation ISO. Use the program to save the file to the USB. Use all other default values. Then click Start. 

After the program finishes, you will have bootable USB that is ready to be plugged into your x86 device. This USB will install Foundation on the device. 

Installing Foundation 

Before adding the device to Esper, you will need to install Foundation on it. 

  1. Plug the USB into your x86 device. 
  2. Boot the device and enter the BIOS or UEFI menu. 
  3. Ensure that secure boot mode is disabled. 
  4. Edit the boot order of your machine and select your bootable drive as the first option. 
  5. Save the changes and then reboot.
  6. After a reboot, the device should boot into the Foundation installer.
  7. Select the device hard drive as the target installation drive. Then, wait for the installation to complete.
  8. Once the installation is complete, be sure to remove the USB drive from the device quickly. The device may reboot to the same screen as step 6 if the USB is not removed.  If you observe this behavior, remove the USB and reboot it. 
  9. The device will now load with Foundation. You’ll see a Foundation animation. You may be prompted to connect the device to the internet. Afterward, provision the device to Esper.
  10. We also recommend completing the test suite. 

Troubleshooting the installation 

If the screen shows an error or is blank, do any of the following: 

  • Check if you can toggle between UEFI and Legacy mode in your device BIOS or UEFI menu. Then, try installing it once again.
  • If the device installs Foundation but fails to show the animation, contact Esper. Be sure to note the steps you took and the screens you observed. 

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