Installation Guide

Downloading and Preparing

1. Download Balena Etcher for your operating system.
2. Download a Batocera image file from the Batocera website that matches your computer's architecture (e.g., x86_64 for most PCs).

Note: Some browsers might automatically unzip downloaded files. If the file is larger than 1GB, it is likely already unzipped. If downloads fail, try a different browser.

Flashing the Image with Etcher

1. Install and run Balena Etcher.
2. Insert a USB key or SD card into your computer.
3. In Etcher, select the downloaded Batocera image file (e.g., batocera-(version)-(arch)-(date).img.gz) and then select your USB key/SD card as the target drive.
4. Click "Flash!". Etcher will handle unzipping the file. If verification fails, try unzipping the file manually and then flashing again.
5. Etcher may request administrator permissions; click "Yes".
6. Once flashing is complete, reinsert your USB key/SD card and verify that it contains a boot folder.

Visual Description: The Etcher interface shows two main sections: one for selecting the image file and another for selecting the target drive (USB/SD card). A "Flash!" button is prominently displayed.

Booting from the USB/SD Card

1. Shut down your computer and insert the prepared USB key/SD card into the machine you want to boot Batocera on.
2. Turn on the computer.
3. If prompted, enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings. Common keys to access BIOS are F2, F10, F11, F12, DEL, or END. Common keys for boot selection are F11, F10, F9, or DEL. Consult your motherboard manual if needed.
4. UEFI Systems: Select the UEFI boot option for your USB/SD card.
5. Legacy Systems: Select the appropriate boot option for your USB/SD card.
6. On some PCs, you may need to disable "Secure Boot" in the BIOS settings.
7. On Macs, hold the Option (Alt) key during boot to access the boot selection menu. Newer Macs may require disabling "Secure Boot" and enabling "Allow booting from external media" in recovery mode (CMD+R during boot).

   Visual Description: A screenshot shows a typical boot device selection menu with options like "UEFI: Built-in EFI Shell" and "UEFI: Generic STORAGE DEVICE".

   Visual Description: A screenshot of a Mac boot selection screen shows "EFI Boot" highlighted. Holding Ctrl changes the arrow to a circular one, indicating the default boot device.

8. Once booted into Batocera, press the START button to open the Main Menu.

BIOS Settings Troubleshooting

If Batocera fails to boot, check your BIOS settings. Key terms to look for include:

• Secure Boot: Often found under 'Security' or 'Authentication'. Disable or clear it to allow other operating systems to boot.
• Legacy Boot: Also known as 'Allow legacy ROM booting', 'EFI', 'MBR', or 'load legacy options'. This may be necessary if UEFI is not working correctly.
• Boot Order: Also known as 'boot priority' or 'boot options order'. Setting the Batocera drive as the default can simplify booting.

Refer to your motherboard manufacturer's documentation for specific instructions.

Installing Batocera to a Hard Drive (Advanced)

Warning: Installing Batocera directly to your computer's internal hard drive will overwrite all existing data and may render your computer unbootable. This method is not recommended for your primary computer. Using a USB/SD card is generally preferred for performance and safety.

1. Ensure you are connected to the internet and your USB stick has enough free space.
2. Boot into Batocera and press START to open the Main Menu.
3. Navigate to System Settings > Install Batocera on a New Disk.
4. Select the target drive for installation. Crucially, ensure this is NOT the drive you are currently booted from, as this can corrupt your boot drive.
5. Carefully verify the selected target device and architecture. These actions are irreversible.
6. Press INSTALL. The process may take time depending on your internet connection.

Note: Batocera does not install by copying system files like some other distributions. It downloads, extracts, and installs the entire image.

For a more efficient installation, consider flashing the image directly using Etcher on a separate computer, which avoids re-downloading the image.

Visual Description: The "Install Batocera" screen shows fields for "TARGET DEVICE", "TARGET ARCHITECTURE", and a confirmation prompt "ARE YOU SURE?". Buttons for "INSTALL" and "BACK" are present.

Additional Resources

• For adding BIOS files and ROMs: Check out how to add BIOS files and how to add ROMs.
• Troubleshooting boot issues: Refer to Batocera troubleshooting.
• Secure Boot on Windows 10: Guide.