NEC Compute Module Provisioning

NEC Compute Module 4

Prerequisites:

• Compute Module-compatible display (IMH and IML line up)
• NEC Interface Board for Compute Module 4
• NEC Compute Module 4
• Short micro-USB to USB-B cable
• Installed flashing tool - Balena Etcher (we recommend using this software according to tests in our Lab it is the best tool for flashing NEC Compute Module) or official application RPi USB Boot

Download a signageOS system image

The latest system image can be found here:

DOWNLOAD THE IMAGE AT https://o.signageos.io/rpi4

Writing an image to the CM 4

1. Completely turn off the display (disconnect power)
2. Flip the switch on the CM 4 module down
3. Connect your PC to the CM 4 flash port (micro USB)
4. Start Balena Etcher tool
5. Turn the display on
6. Flash via Balena Etcher, wait until the flashing is done
7. Turn the display off
8. Unplug your PC
9. Flip the switch on the CM 4 module up
10. Turn the display on

Initial Boot

After the initial boot, you will see standard signageOS initial page with the Verification hash. From this point on, you can either assign an Applet to this device from Box or via REST API, or continue with installing a pre-built Open application.

Prerequisites:

• Compute Module-compatible display
• NEC Interface Board for Compute Module 3
• NEC Compute Module 3
• Short USB-A to USB-B cable

Download a signageOS system image

The latest system image can be found here:

DOWNLOAD THE IMAGE AT https://o.signageos.io/rpi

Writing an image to the CM

Etcher is a graphical SD card writing tool that works on Mac OS, Linux and Windows, and is the easiest option for most users. Etcher also supports writing images directly from the zip file, without any unzipping required. To write your image with Etcher:

1. Download Etcher and install it. This will be used to write the OS .img file to the Compute Module

2. Download and install the Compute Module boot installer. This will install Windows drivers for accessing the Compute Module.
   https://github.com/raspberrypi/usbboot/raw/master/win32/rpiboot_setup.exe

3. Power up the Compute Module in USB boot mode:

   1. Make sure the USB cable is directly connected between the host PC and the display. Do not use a USB extender cable or hub between the host PC and the display. Use as short a USB cable as possible.
   2. On the NEC display select the COMPUTE MODULE video input.
   3. Navigate to the COMPUTE MODULE menu on the OSD.
      
   4. Select POWER.
   5. If POWER SUPPLY is currently ON then change it to OFF and confirm
   6. [f] Select SERVICE MENU.
      
   7. [g] Select SETTING LOCK and then select OFF.
   8. [h] Enter the passcode. The default is 0 0 0 0.
   9. [i] Select USB BOOT MODE and then select ENABLE.
   10. [j] It is also recommended setting SHUTDOWN SIGNAL to DISABLE and WDT to DISABLE during programming.
   11. [k] Exit two levels and navigate to the POWER item on the COMPUTE MODULE menu.
       
   12. [l] Select POWER SUPPLY and then select ON.
       Important: If the display goes into standby mode or Compute Module is powered off and on, it will automatically cancel USB BOOT MODE. Be sure to check that the boot mode is as intended if the process needs to be restarted.

4. Run the Etcher tool and select the downloaded OS .img file.

   1. Launch the Etcher application.
   2. Select the downloaded OS .img file as the source image.
   3. The Compute Module should automatically appear as the destination drive.
   4. Click “Flash!” to begin writing and verifying the image. This process should take approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
   5. When finished, the drive should contain the boot files for the OS.

   If the display or Compute Module is powered off and on, it will automatically cancel USB BOOT MODE. Make sure the boot mode is as intended if the process needs to be restarted.

5. The Compute Module in the display can now be restarted in normal mode to boot the device. (Example screens for navigating through the OSD controls are in step 4 above):

   1. On the NEC display select the COMPUTE MODULE video input.
   2. Navigate to the COMPUTE MODULE menu on the OSD.
   3. Navigate to the SERVICE MENU item on the COMPUTE MODULE menu.
   4. If the USB BOOT MODE setting is still set to ENABLE change it to DISABLE.
   5. Navigate to the POWER item on the COMPUTE MODULE menu.
   6. Select POWER SUPPLY to OFF.
   7. Wait for power to the Compute Module to be shutdown. When navigating back to the same menu item it should now show POWER SUPPLY OFF.
   8. Select POWER SUPPLY to ON.

The boot-up sequence for the Compute Module should be seen on the screen.

Initial Boot

After the initial boot, you will see standard signageOS initial page with the Verification hash. From this point on, you can either assign an Applet to this device from Box or via REST API, or continue with installing a pre-built Open application.

Installing the Open application

Prerequisite

• you have developed, build and generated your Open app, more about the topic here
• you have uploaded the generated zip file to your server accessible from the network where the RPi is connected to

Steps

1. Connect the keyboard to the RPi
2. Access the RPi OSD Menu by entering device PIN + ENTER
   (when you are entering the code, you won't see anything on the display)
   Tip: the PIN is available under the Device detail in Box
   
3. In the OSD, fill in your Open Application URL e.g.: https://link-to-your-image.your-cms.com/app.zip and click Install App
   Tip: Move in OSD with ARROWS, to access the input field press ENTER, to exit the input field press ESC

System will download the application, verify its integrity and install it.