# First startup ***Copyright © Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved.*** --- # Safety Instructions (Must Read) > 💡 - **Hardware Usage Guidelines (Preventing Damage)** - Please use the included **USB-A** power cable (**5A**). Do not use power supplies below **3A** current (such as phone chargers), as this may cause the smart single-board computer to be underpowered and crash frequently. If external high-power modules (e.g., motors) are needed, power them separately. Do not draw power from the smart single-board computer **USB** port or **GPIO** port (to avoid overloading and damaging the board). - Always disconnect power before plugging or unplugging accessories (such as camera FPC cables or Ethernet cables). Hot-plugging may damage interface chips. The **USB-C** port is for firmware flashing and host mode communication only — do not use it to power the board. - Operating temperature:**-20 ~ +70 °C**. Do not use the device in high-temperature (e.g., direct sunlight), high-humidity (humidity >**80%**), or dusty environments. Before handling, touch a metal object to discharge static electricity; avoid touching chip pins on the board with bare hands. - **System and Software Precautions** - Only official system images provided by Quectel are supported. Do not flash images intended for other boards (e.g., Raspberry Pi), as this will cause driver incompatibility and boot failures. - When installing software, use the **apt** command to download from official repositories. Avoid installing packages from unknown sources to prevent system compromise or crashes. # What You Need to Prepare Depending on your use case, there are two configuration options: **external monitor** and **ADB connection**. √ indicates required, ○ indicates optional. | **Accessory** | **Specification** | **External Monitor** | **ADB Connection** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quectel Pi M2 smart single-board computer | — | √ | √ | | Power Adapter | 5V/5A or 9V/3A PD | √ | √ | | Ethernet Cable | Connect to router or use Wi-Fi | ○ | ○ | | Monitor | PC / Laptop / MIPI Display | √ | ○ | | HDMI Type-A Male Cable | Connect to monitor | ○ | ○ | | Keyboard/Mouse | USB Wired/Wireless | √ | √ | | PC / Laptop | For running terminal software | ○ | √ | | USB Type-C to USB Type-A Data Cable | Connect development board to PC | ○ | √ | # Pre-Power-On Preparation **DIP switch status description:** |

DIP Switch 1
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Operating Mode / Purpose
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ON
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System starts automatically on boot
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OFF
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The system needs to be manually started by pressing and holding the PWRKEY button
| # **Choose Your Use Case** The Quectel Pi M2 smart single-board computer comes pre-loaded with a Debian 13 system image — no additional image flashing is required. Please choose the corresponding boot method based on your available equipment: | **Scenario** | **Applicable Conditions** | **Jump To** | | --- | --- | --- | | **With External Monitor** | Has HDMI/USB-C DP/MIPI monitor, keyboard and mouse | [Boot with External Monitor](#scenario-1-boot-with-external-monitor) | | **Without External Monitor** | No monitor available, has a USB-C data cable and a computer | [Boot without Monitor](#scenario-2-boot-without-monitor) | ## Scenario 1: Boot with External Monitor ### Hardware Connection > ⚠️ **Warning: Disconnect all power before making connections to avoid hardware damage from hot-plugging!** ```{image} images/image_L7qdbP0EUoWnNExz4P4crJ3Rn1e.webp :width: 629px :height: 437px :align: center ``` 1. **Display Connection:** Choose the connection method based on your monitor's interface. Here we use Option 2: connect one end of the Micro HDMI cable to the main board's Micro HDMI port and the other end to the monitor's HDMI port. - Option 1 (High Definition): Connect one end of the **FPC** ribbon cable to the **MIPI** port on the **Quectel Pi M2**, and the other end to the monitor's **MIPI** port. For details, refer to the [MIPI](<../../User guide/Display/MIPI/MIPI.md>). - Option 2 (Compatible): Connect one end of the **HDMI** cable to the **HDMI** port on the **Quectel Pi M2**, and the other end to the monitor's **HDMI** port. 2. **Network Connection**: Connect the **Quectel Pi M2** Ethernet port to the router's **LAN** port using an Ethernet cable. 3. **Peripheral Connection**: Plug a **USB** keyboard and mouse into the two **USB-A** ports on the **Quectel Pi M2**. For wireless keyboard/mouse, simply plug the receiver into a **USB** port. 4. **Power Connection**: Finally, connect the **USB-A** end of the power cable to the power adapter, and the **USB-C** end to the power port of the **Quectel Pi M2**. ### System Boot > ⚠️ After connecting power, press and hold the **PWRKEY** button on the left side of the **Quectel Pi M2** for 3-5 seconds until the system starts. ```{image} images/image_CR9cbpuBDovMJjxd4Yxca9vcnlh.webp :width: 607px :height: 388px ``` - Turn on the monitor and confirm that the input source is switched to the corresponding interface (e.g., **USB-C** or **HDMI**). - Quectel Pi M2 smart single-board computer boot behavior : When you turn on the power for the Quectel Pi M2 (with the power cable plugged in), the power indicator on the Quectel Pi M2 (usually blue) will light up, showing that the system is starting up. - Wait approximately **1** minute, and the monitor will display the system desktop. ### **Quectel Pi M2 smart single-board computer System Login** For login username and password settings, please refer to the [System login](<../../Operating system/Debian(Gnome)/System login/System login.md>) chapter. ```{note} 1. The ***root*** account has no password by default and must be set manually. 2. If you accidentally enter the **Enterprise Login** interface and cannot exit when creating a user, click **Enterprise Login** again to switch back to the user creation interface. ``` The M1's Debian system uses the GNOME desktop by default. ```{image} images/image_UuqQbnc0loxqMZxC1DDcGoHjnfh.webp :width: 1920px :height: 1080px :align: center ``` #### Language Settings Navigate to **System > Region & Language > Language > Select Language**, and the changes will take effect after re-login. ```{note} If you switch the system language to Chinese, please keep the old folder names after re-login. Otherwise, you will not be able to access paths like `Desktop` in the terminal. ``` ```{image} images/image_Q5rpbmiUnoCBkkxvChhcVW8in5e.webp :width: 1280px :height: 800px ``` #### Network Settings Connect to Wi-Fi by entering the password for the desired network in **Settings**. ```{image} images/image_EjIVbwJ4eo1vWdxoZ69cO4ronxc.webp :width: 1280px :height: 800px ``` #### Opening the Terminal Command Line ```{image} images/image_Qdi8borS0ote7Vx6gf5cgCOvnge.webp :width: 1677px :height: 938px :align: center ``` ## Scenario 2: Boot without Monitor If you do not have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to the Quectel Pi M2 smart single-board computer, you can remotely control it from another computer. To remotely control the Quectel Pi M2, you need to connect it to a network and then access it through a client on another device. Use **SSH** for remote command-line terminal access; use **RDP** for remote graphical desktop access. If the device is not yet connected to the network, you can use **ADB** to complete the initial network configuration. For more remote access methods, please refer to the [Device connection](<../../User guide/Device connection/Device connection.md>). | **Method** | **Description** | **Prerequisites** | **Tutorial Link** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | RDP | Remote graphical desktop access | Device is connected to network | [RDP remote desktop](<../../User guide/Device connection/RDP remote desktop/RDP remote desktop.md>) | | SSH | Remote command-line terminal access | Device is connected to network | [SSH remote terminal](<../../User guide/Device connection/SSH remote terminal/SSH remote terminal.md>) | ```{note} For the first boot, it is recommended to complete Wi-Fi configuration via ADB first, then you can use RDP or SSH for daily operations. ``` ### ADB Boot #### Hardware Connection Prepare a **USB Type-A extension cable**. Connect one end to the **USB** port on the **Quectel Pi M2** and the other end to the host computer. ```{image} images/image_HV9cbQHwgoEvGoxYNYfcmM4Xn5b.webp :width: 622px :height: 411px ``` #### ADB Installation Download the ADB tool: [platform-tools](). Extract the downloaded platform-tools to a folder on your computer. Open the folder where the **platform-tools** are located, type **cmd** in the address bar at the top, and press Enter to open the **ADB** terminal, then execute the command: ```{image} images/image_EkQkbob55onnQTxYkFdcqTwKnIe.webp :width: 841px :height: 609px :align: center ``` ```bash adb devices ``` Example output: ``` List of devices attached 790c2fb9 device ``` #### Create a Regular User The default system only has the root user. It is recommended to create a regular user for daily operations. **Create User** Here we use `pi` as an example username; you can change the username as needed. ```bash # Here pi is the username being created adduser pi ``` The system will interactively prompt you to set a password. Enter the password twice as prompted. ```{image} images/image_HDXbblRRoo2WgHxf8cMcW7gLnBc.webp :width: 437px :height: 208px ``` After user creation is complete, the system will automatically generate `/home/username` as the user's home directory. You can store personal files, project code, etc. in this directory. **Grant sudo Privileges** ```bash usermod -aG sudo pi ``` **Switch User** ```bash # Verify user id pi # Switch user su - pi # Test privileges whoami sudo whoami # Should output root, verifying sudo privileges ``` #### Connect to Wi-Fi The development board has a built-in **`qpi-config`** tool for quick Wi-Fi connection management. **Scan for Nearby Wi-Fi Networks** ```bash qpi-config wifi scan ``` ```{image} images/image_PmpCb8Hh5oKaCoxBbBAcwCBonZb.webp :width: 457px :height: 82px ``` **Connect to Wi-Fi** ```bash # Connect to WiFi qpi-config wifi connect "Your_WiFi_Name" "Your_WiFi_Password" # View saved WiFi connections qpi-config wifi show # Remove a saved WiFi connection qpi-config wifi remove ``` ```{image} images/image_SFpsbnC0GoRpkcxFXhqc5sNxnMe.webp :width: 686px :height: 179px :align: center ``` **Verify Network Connectivity** ``` ping www.baidu.com ``` #### Purpose **Android Debug Bridge** (**ADB**) is a set of command-line tools provided by the **Android SDK**, used to establish communication between a computer and Android devices (physical devices / emulators), enabling device debugging, management, and development testing capabilities. ### Serial Console #### Hardware Connection > ⚠️ When using a USB serial cable to log in to the smart single-board computer via serial port, make sure the pin connections are correct. Incorrect pin connections may cause hardware damage to the smart single-board computer.
image
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- Connection Method - Connect the **GND** pin of the **Quectel Pi M2** smart single-board computer to the **GND** pin of the **USB** serial cable - Connect the **TXD** pin of the **Quectel Pi M2** smart single-board computer to the **RXD** pin of the **USB** serial cable - Connect the **RXD** pin of the **Quectel Pi M2** smart single-board computer to the **TXD** pin of the **USB** serial cable #### Serial Login ```{note} The CH340 driver must be installed on the system first, otherwise the serial port will not be recognized. ``` It is recommended to [**download the QPiTerminal tool**]() for serial connection. 1. Open Device Manager to view the serial port. 2. Double-click to open **QPiTerminal**, select the **USB** serial port and set the baud rate to **115200**, then click **Connect**. ```{image} images/image_ZkQYbedrEoq1UhxQDo5c2S5BnSi.webp :width: 1578px :height: 885px ``` 3. After entering the terminal, the default user is root. Enter ls to test. If the input is successful, it means that the serial port has been logged in normally. You can then view the logs and run commands through the serial port for debugging. ```{image} images/image_OM1EbWSTyouPtMxsZwJcJBEnnPe.webp :width: 812px :height: 241px :align: center ``` #### Purpose The **Serial Console** is primarily used for viewing system logs, running commands for debugging via serial connection, and as a backup method for system access when the graphical interface is unavailable. It is an important tool for embedded system development and maintenance, particularly suitable for low-level debugging and troubleshooting. ### SSH Connection to smart single-board computer **View Device IP Address** Execute the `sudo ifconfig` command in the smart single-board computer terminal to obtain the device's IP address. In this example, the device IP is `10.55.44.50`. ```{image} images/image_YoevbgLpvoEjcCxqwifcjdzjnlo.webp :width: 633px :height: 147px ``` **Use QPiTerminal to SSH Connect to smart single-board computer** Open a new SSH session, enter the smart single-board computer's IP address, username, and password, then click **Connect**. ```{image} images/image_T5Ldb3pDIo3trOxwkzLc7raXnwc.webp :width: 1498px :height: 811px ``` # System Health Check After the system boots, use the **qpi-config** command in the terminal to quickly check the system status: ## Check System Module Temperatures ```c sudo qpi-config dump temperature ``` ```{image} images/image_ILysbhOVloflkZxJrRhcbMaHnqe.webp :width: 600px :height: 145px :align: center ``` ## Check System CPU, Memory, and Storage Status ```bash sudo qpi-config dump systemusage ``` ```{image} images/image_IMGPbA2ISogSnoxRfXZc8tYdnsh.webp :width: 610px :height: 438px :align: center ``` ## Network Status Check After connecting the device to the network via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, use the `ping` command to confirm the device can access external networks. ``` ping www.baidu.com ``` **Normal connectivity output example:** ``` PING www.a.shifen.com (183.2.172.177) 56(84) bytes of data. 64 bytes from 183.2.172.177: icmp_seq=1 ttl=51 time=18.5 ms 64 bytes from 183.2.172.177: icmp_seq=2 ttl=51 time=18.2 ms 64 bytes from 183.2.172.177: icmp_seq=3 ttl=51 time=18.3 ms 64 bytes from 183.2.172.177: icmp_seq=4 ttl=51 time=18.8 ms 64 bytes from 183.2.172.177: icmp_seq=5 ttl=51 time=18.2 ms 64 bytes from 183.2.172.177: icmp_seq=6 ttl=51 time=18.5 ms 64 bytes from 183.2.172.177: icmp_seq=7 ttl=51 time=18.9 ms --- www.a.shifen.com ping statistics --- 7 packets transmitted, 7 received, 0% packet loss, time 6011ms rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 18.199/18.482/18.901/0.249 ms ``` > **Field Descriptions:** - `64 bytes from ...` — Received ICMP reply, indicating normal network connectivity - `icmp_seq` — Sequence number; incrementing values indicate continuous responses - `ttl` — Time to live; normal values are typically between 30~128 - `time` — Round-trip delay; lower values indicate better network quality - `0% packet loss` — Packet loss rate is 0%, network is stable ```{image} images/image_RZBEbreXJo00JBxbURBc6impnPd.webp :width: 478px :height: 248px ``` # Your First Hello World ## Setting Up the Development Environment After entering the Quectel Pi M2 smart single-board computer system, open a terminal window, enter the following command and press Enter to install the necessary development tools: ```bash sudo apt update && sudo apt install gcc make ``` ## Compile and Run Hello World (C Version) 1. Open the system terminal and enter the command to create a **hello.c** file. ```shell touch hello.c ``` 1. Enter the following command to open the **hello.c** file with the **vim** editor. ```shell sudo vim hello.c ``` 1. Copy the following code into the **hello.c** file, press "**ESC + Shift + :**", then type **"wq"** to save the code and exit the vim terminal. ```c #include int main(void) { printf("hello world\r\n"); return 0; } ``` 1. Execute the following command to compile the code: ```shell gcc hello.c -o hello ``` 1. Execute the following command to run the hello program: ```shell ./hello ``` 1. Program output: ```shell ./hello hello world ``` ## Compile and Run Hello World (Python Version) In addition to C, you can also use Python to quickly implement a Hello World program. The system comes pre-installed with a Python environment — no additional interpreter installation is needed. 1. Open the system terminal and enter the command to create a **hello.py** file. ```shell touch hello.py ``` 1. Enter the following command to open the **hello.py** file with the **vim** editor. (On M1, you can also use the **Files** manager in the desktop environment to edit code.) ```shell sudo vim hello.py ``` 1. Copy the following code into the **hello.py** file, press "**ESC + Shift + :**", then type **"wq"** to save the code and exit the vim terminal. ```shell def main(): print("Hello, World!") if __name__ == "__main__": main() ``` 1. Python is an interpreted language — no compilation needed, just run it directly: ```shell python3 hello.py ``` 1. Program output: ```shell python3 hello.py Hello, World! ``` ## Purpose The **Hello World program** is primarily used to verify that the development environment has been set up successfully. By writing, compiling, and running a simple C/Python program, it tests the system's basic functionality, including whether the compiler, runtime environment, etc. are working properly. It is a fundamental practice for getting started with embedded development. # Safe Shutdown and Restart Quectel Pi M2 supports shutdown and restart via both the desktop and command line. ## Shutdown via Desktop GUI If you are using an external monitor and are in the desktop environment: 1. Click the top-right corner of the desktop. 2. Select **Power Off** or **Restart**. ```{image} images/image_FbrmbAgvwol5umxjYaacgBBgn2g.webp :width: 1920px :height: 1080px :align: center ``` ## Shutdown via Command Line On the Quectel Pi M2, you can execute the following commands in the terminal (local terminal, SSH, or ADB shell): **Shutdown** ```bash sudo poweroff ``` **Restart** ```bash sudo reboot ``` ## Shutdown via Physical Button Press and hold the **PWRKEY** button on the right side of the Quectel Pi M2 (approximately 3~5 seconds), and the system will perform a safe shutdown procedure. # What's Next? After completing the introductory experience, you can continue to explore more features: - [Supported accessories](<../../Supported accessories/Supported accessories.md>) - [User guide](<../../User guide/User guide.md>) - [Operating system](<../../Operating system/Operating system.md>) - [Application development](<../../Application development/Application development.md>) - [Edge computing](<../../Edge computing/Edge computing.md>) - [Development tools](<../../Development tools/Development tools.md>) - [Supported features](<../../Supported features/Supported features.md>) - [FAQ](<../../FAQ/FAQ.md>)