Remote OS Install¶
System crashed? Want to switch OS? Setting up a new machine? No need to haul a monitor and keyboard over there. This workflow covers the full process from start to finish — each step tells you what to expect, with known pitfalls flagged.
The whole process takes about 30–60 minutes, depending on ISO size and install speed.
Before You Begin¶
| You need | Notes |
|---|---|
| FlexKVM online with working remote display | Not set up yet? → Quick Start |
| TF card (MicroSD), recommend ≥ 16GB | For storing the system ISO image |
| Card reader | To copy the ISO from your computer to the TF card |
| ATX controller connected | For remotely rebooting the target host into BIOS. If not connected — manually press the target host's power button instead, rest of the steps are the same |
| System ISO image | The OS installer image you want to install |
Step 1: Put the ISO Image on the TF Card¶
💡 This is a simplified guide. For full TF card management, partition mounting, and file upload details → Storage Management
1.1 Format the TF Card¶
Insert the TF card into your computer's card reader and format it as exFAT.
| Filesystem | When to use |
|---|---|
| exFAT | Recommended. Required if ISO is over 4GB |
| FAT32 | Only if ISO is under 4GB |
1.2 Copy the ISO File¶
Drag your downloaded system ISO image onto the TF card.
1.3 Insert into FlexKVM¶
Insert the TF card into FlexKVM's side slot (metal contacts facing up toward the power LED, push until you feel a click).
Verify: In the Web interface, click the disk image icon in the top bar — the popup menu should show the TF card's partition info. Don't see it? → Make sure the TF card is formatted as exFAT or FAT32 (NTFS is read-only).
Step 2: Mount the ISO as a Virtual CD-ROM¶
💡 This is a simplified guide. For full disk sharing, partition sharing, and safe TF card removal → Storage Management
2.1 Mount the Partition¶
In the disk image menu, select the TF card partition → click Mount.
Verify: A file list appears on the right, with total and used capacity shown at the top. You should see the ISO file you just placed there.
2.2 Share as CD-ROM¶
Check the ISO file → click Share File.
Verify: The target host will recognize it as a USB CD-ROM. In the BIOS boot menu, you should see a USB CD-ROM device.
If there are leftover entries in the share list, cancel them first, then re-share.
Step 3: Reboot and Enter BIOS¶
3.1 Reboot the Target Host¶
In FlexKVM's top bar, click the power icon → short-press the reset button. The target host begins rebooting.
3.2 Press the BIOS Hotkey¶
The remote display has a 1–2 second delay — don't wait for the screen to update. Start pressing the BIOS hotkey immediately after clicking reset, and keep pressing until you see the BIOS screen:
| Brand | Hotkey |
|---|---|
| Dell | F2 |
| HP | F10 or Esc |
| Lenovo | F1 or F2 |
| ASUS / Gigabyte / MSI (DIY boards) | Delete |
| Servers (Supermicro, etc.) | Delete or F2 |
Hotkey not working? Check two things: 1. Is the target OS set correctly in keyboard settings (Windows / Linux / macOS)? 2. In fullscreen mode, Esc gets intercepted by the browser — exit fullscreen first, or use the mapped Esc key (default: Right Ctrl)
Missed the BIOS prompt (black screen)? Short-press the reset button again, and start pressing the hotkey before the display lights up this time.
Step 4: Set Boot from CD-ROM¶
Once in BIOS:
- Find the Boot tab
- Move USB CD-ROM or USB Device to the first boot entry
- Save and exit (usually F10)
Different motherboards have different BIOS layouts, but the goal is the same: make the system boot from the virtual CD-ROM, not the hard drive.
Step 5: Install the System¶
After saving BIOS settings, the target host boots from the virtual CD-ROM and enters the OS installer. From here:
- Operate directly in your browser — mouse and keyboard work throughout
- When you need to enter a username or password, use Paste Text in the keyboard menu (ASCII and numbers only)
The system will auto-reboot several times during installation: - If it boots back into the installer → normal, the BIOS boot order hasn't changed, continue installing - After installation finishes → go back into BIOS and set boot back to the hard drive (yes, you need to enter BIOS again), otherwise every reboot goes back to the installer. Then, in the disk image menu, unshare the ISO file.
FAQ¶
Don't see the virtual CD-ROM in BIOS?
→ The ISO file wasn't shared successfully. Go to the disk image menu, confirm the file status is Shared, and confirm the TF card format is compatible.
Network dropped mid-install?
→ The installation happens between FlexKVM and the target host — FlexKVM doesn't need internet access during install. As long as FlexKVM stays powered and the USB and HDMI cables stay connected, the install continues. Reconnect to the Web interface once the network is back.
⚠️ Do not toggle mouse, keyboard, or audio during installation. These actions cause a brief USB disconnect — the virtual CD-ROM drops with it, and the install will fail.
Next Steps¶
- After installing, harden security → Security Hardening
- For future firmware upgrades → Daily Operations
- To do the entire install from outside → Remote Access