Part 1: How to Make a Linux/Server Box with Raspberry Pi (OS Flashing)
The full build video for this setup — the steps below follow it in the same order.
What you need before starting
- Single Board Computer: Raspberry Pi (e.g., Raspberry Pi 3B+)
- Storage & Reader: MicroSD Card (16GB or larger) and MicroSD-to-USB Card Reader
- Host PC: Windows 7/8/10/11, macOS, or Linux computer with an active internet connection
- Software: Raspberry Pi Imager software (downloaded from raspberrypi.com)
The full build video for this setup — the steps below follow it in the same order.
Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager
Go to the official Raspberry Pi website, download the Raspberry Pi Imager installer for Windows, run the setup executable, and launch the application.
Format the MicroSD Card to FAT32
Insert the microSD card into your USB card reader and plug it into your computer. In Raspberry Pi Imager, click Choose OS, scroll down to select Erase (Format as FAT32), pick your microSD card under Choose Storage, click Write, and confirm to erase all existing data.
Select the Raspberry Pi OS image
Click Choose OS again and select Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit) with desktop and recommended software. Select your microSD card drive under Choose Storage.
Configure advanced OS settings (SSH & Wi-Fi)
Click the settings gear icon to configure headless network options. Enable SSH, set a username and password (or keep default pi and raspberry), check Configure wireless LAN, and enter your Wi-Fi network SSID, password, and country code.
Flash the OS to the MicroSD Card
Save the advanced settings, click Write, and select Yes to begin downloading the Raspberry Pi OS image and flashing it directly onto the microSD card.
Verify write and prepare for boot
Wait for the software to finish downloading, writing, and verifying the image. Once the completion message appears, safely remove the microSD card from your PC reader and insert it into the card slot on your Raspberry Pi.
If something does not work
Format or write fails in Imager: Run Raspberry Pi Imager as an Administrator and check that the microSD card reader write-protect switch is unlocked.
Pi fails to connect to Wi-Fi: Verify your SSID and Wi-Fi password in the Imager settings gear icon before re-flashing, or use an Ethernet cable instead.
Cannot log in via SSH: Ensure the SSH option was enabled in the advanced settings menu before writing the card.
Card appears smaller or unreadable on Windows: This is normal after flashing because Windows cannot read Linux ext4 partitions created on the card.