🧭 PowerShell vs. Linux Terminal (and why you’ll want both)

PowerShell vs. Linux Terminal (and why you’ll want both)

PowerShell: Windows’ control room​

PowerShell is Microsoft’s native command shell. It talks directly to Windows through cmdlets (small command-lets) and the Windows API. It’s ideal for:

• Managing files and folders on C:\
• Running system utilities (e.g., Get-Process, Get-Service)
• Admin tasks such as wsl --install, diskpart, or chkdsk

Tip: PowerShell uses different shortcuts than Linux.
If you can’t paste, right-click once inside the PowerShell window and choose “Properties → QuickEdit Mode.”
Once enabled, you can:

• Right-click → Paste
• Select text with your mouse to copy automatically

Exit PowerShell: just type exit or close the window.

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Linux Terminal (Ubuntu under WSL): your development environment​

When you type wsl or launch Ubuntu from the Start menu, you drop into a real Linux shell—a sandbox inside Windows that runs native Linux binaries. It’s perfect for:

• Running Linux tools (sudo apt, ls, grep, nano, python3)
• Mounting drives under /mnt/c, /mnt/d, etc.
• Managing code and automation scripts without leaving Windows

Unlike PowerShell, Linux commands are case-sensitive and rely on text streams, not objects.
You can copy/paste with the normal Ctrl + Shift +C / Ctrl + Shift + V.


Exit the Linux shell: exit
Shut down all WSL sessions: wsl --shutdown from PowerShell.

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Quality-of-life trick: pin it to your taskbar​

Right-click the Ubuntu app in the Start menu → Pin to taskbar.
Now it’s one click away, just like any other Windows program.
You can also right-click the icon again while it’s running and choose “Pin to taskbar” so your preferred WSL distro stays fixed for quick access.

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In short:
PowerShell is your Windows command hub; Ubuntu in WSL is your Linux workshop.
Together they give you the full toolchain—Windows management, Linux development, and Jetson flashing—all from one desktop.

 

[Flynn]

WSL stands for Windows Subsystem for Linux.

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In simple terms:​

It’s a compatibility layer built by Microsoft that lets you run a full Linux environment inside Windows, without needing a virtual machine or dual-boot setup.
You can open a Linux terminal (like Ubuntu) directly inside Windows — run commands, install software, and even develop or compile Linux applications — all while using your normal Windows desktop and files.

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Breakdown of the Name​

Part	Meaning
Windows	The host operating system
Subsystem	A low-level system component that enables another OS or runtime to work inside Windows
for Linux	Indicates it’s specifically designed to run Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, etc.

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What It Does​

WSL creates a lightweight Linux environment that:

• Runs Linux binaries (.elf) natively on Windows kernel integration.
• Lets you use bash, apt, python, gcc, etc.
• Provides file system interop (you can access your Windows files under /mnt/c/Users/...).
• Requires no separate dual boot or virtual machine — it’s instant and integrated.

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Versions​

Version	Key Difference
WSL 1	Translates Linux system calls into Windows calls (slower, older).
WSL 2	Uses a real Linux kernel running in a lightweight VM (faster, full compatibility).

You can check your version anytime with:

wsl -l -v

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In short:​

WSL = Windows Subsystem for Linux — your Linux inside Windows.
It lets you run Ubuntu, Debian, or other Linux tools natively while staying in the Windows world.

 

[Flynn]

Windows cannot handle large Micro SD cards...so we use a tool.

IMPORTANT... After flashing your Micro SD card you will not see the NVidia files.
Windows cannot directly read it.
Right click the start menu and use the Disk Management tool.

About Balena Etcher​

What It Is​

Balena Etcher (often just called Etcher) is a cross-platform disk-flashing utility developed by Balena Inc.
It’s designed to safely write image files — such as .img, .iso, or compressed .zip/.xz archives — to removable storage devices like microSD cards and USB drives.

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Why It’s Used​

When working with devices like the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano or Raspberry Pi, you need to transfer the operating-system image (Jetson Linux or Ubuntu Server) onto a microSD card so the board can boot from it.
Etcher performs this task sector-by-sector, ensuring an exact, verified copy of the source image is written to the card — no manual partitioning, no command-line risk.

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Key Features​

Feature	Description
Cross-Platform	Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Graphical Interface	Simple three-step workflow: Select Image → Select Target → Flash → Validate.
Write Verification	Automatically re-reads the card to confirm a perfect flash.
Safe Device Detection	Lists removable drives only, helping prevent accidental system-disk erasure.
Supports Compressed Images	Can flash .zip and .xz archives directly without extracting.
Open Source	Built on the Electron framework; free to use and audited.

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Typical Workflow (for Jetson)​

1. Download the official Jetson image from NVIDIA’s site.
2. Open Balena Etcher (right-click and Run as Administrator if prompted).
3. Select Image → point to your downloaded .img or .zip.
4. Select Target → choose the microSD card (confirm capacity to avoid overwriting your main drive).
5. Flash! → Etcher writes and verifies automatically.
6. Safely Eject the card after completion.

Tip: If Windows later asks to format the card, cancel — that happens because the Jetson image uses a Linux ext4 partition Windows can’t read.

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How It Fits with WSL + Windows​

Etcher operates entirely in Windows space, writing the raw image before the card is ever mounted in WSL.
After flashing:

• WSL / Linux can view the device only through Windows mount points like /mnt/d or /mnt/e.
• Inside WSL these may appear empty — because the ext4 filesystem is invisible to Windows and thus to WSL’s Windows-mounted view.
• You can still confirm success by opening Disk Management (Right-click Start → Disk Management), where you’ll see a small “Healthy (Primary Partition)” and a large “Unallocated” section — that’s the correct Jetson layout.

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Summary​

Balena Etcher is the safest, most beginner-friendly way to flash embedded-device OS images.
Combined with WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), it lets you prepare Jetson or Raspberry Pi systems directly from your Windows workstation — no extra Linux computer or complex command-line tools required.