[Sticky] Making sure you get your computer back running after a system failure, and some best practices when you receive your new Pantera Pico PC.

Making sure you get your computer back running after a system failure, and some best practices when you receive your new Pantera Pico PC.

Following reports of some users having issues when upgrading to Windows 11, we suggest to hold off on upgrading at the moment. while the Pantera devs figure out a fix that will allow switching to the newer version of Windows without hiccups.

In the meantime, here are some best practices after buying or receiving your new computer.

Make sure you power your unit off properly through the menu options. 

Please make sure you turn your Pico PC off or put it to sleep/hibernate mode, from the Window's menu option. Don't just unplug the unit to turn it off. Despite this being small, you should treat this like a normal desktop PC or laptop.

Make a backup clone of the whole drive and save the clone file.

There’s a quick tutorial on how to clone your drive using an open-source software called Clonezilla, on TechRadar.com’s page “Best Disk Cloning Software” written by Brian Turner. Head over there now, just go down the bottom of the article to find the tutorial. It’s a must-do.


What is this for? It makes a complete copy of your drive that you can use in the event that yours gets into some trouble that may be difficult to fix.
In the event that that happens, you can get your system back running again by using the clone to return everything to the  way it is. Just note that this does not return your data back, it is meant to get your system to run again like the day you got it. 

Create a USB recovery drive (Microsoft tutorial).

Much like the cloning method previously mentioned, Microsoft offers their own approach. This works great for those situations where the OS installation irreparably fails. Link: Create a USB recovery drive.

Backup and restore.
Did you know that you can revert your system AND your data back to an earlier state? This is particularly useful when you need to get your computer running, complete with all your important stuff, the same way after a malicious software has crippled it.
Just go to Start, then Settings, then Update & Security, then Backup, then Add a drive.
You can then choose a location, preferably a different drive, to where your backups will be kept.
You can go back to them at any point you wish. 
Microsoft full instructions here: Backup and Restore

Make sure all fans are working.

Look into the vents to see if there are any obstructions that may cause the unit to heat up.
Over time, dust will accumulate inside your computer and may need to be periodically cleaned.
For the Pantera, you may have to open up the housing to do this.
Email vicky@xdo.ai for video link on how to disassemble/reassemble your PC, after your warranty runs out (or if you’re brave and willing enough to lose it early).

So there you have it, the most basic “pre-flight” things to ensure that your system goes back to being usable, if something fails on you. 

Want to add more to these? Feel free to use the discussion thread below for suggestions and we’ll see if they can be added here.