How to backup your ISS-Above SD Card (Windows)

iss-above-on-SD-cardBacking up your SD card image is the SMARTEST thing you can ever do.  

This will allow you to quickly restore the setup to your SD Card if it ever gets corrupted.  This will only take 10 minutes and is HIGHLY recommended (otherwise tears and upset might be in your future).

You will need 8GB of space for the backup – although you can Zip (compress) the backup file for safekeeping and the file will be about 800Mb in size).

If you have a windows based computer follow these instructions.

Cloning the SD card is simple. Just follow these steps.

    1. Download and Install Win32DiskImager (If you’re on OS X or Linux, you’ll have to use the dd command as described here instead of these steps).
    1. In the “Image File” box, enter the path of your soon-to-be image file. For example, I put mine in C:\Users\Liam\images\issabove.img
    1. Under the “Device” box, select the drive letter for your SD card.
    1. Click the “Read” button to create the image file from your card.
    1. The program will begin reading the card.
  1. When it’s done creating the image file (it may take as long as 10 minutes), you can eject your SD card and put it back in your ISS-Above/Raspberry Pi. Keep that IMG file in a safe place.

Now, if anything ever goes wrong with the ISS-Above code image you can restore your fully-set-up image using the reverse instructions:P

    1. Insert the SD card back into your computer.
    1. Open Win32DiskImager again and browse for your image file you saved previously. Select your device from the Device dropdown just as you did before.
    1. This time, click “Write” to write the image to the SD card.
  1. When it finishes, eject the SD card and re-insert it into your ISS-Above. When you boot it up, it should be in the exact same state it was in when you first cloned the SD card.

Just think of this as the BIGGEST gift you can give your future self. To help you more, read about the best micro sd card from Gadget Reviews, read more reviews to enhance your knowledge.

(note:  these instructions modified from this original article)

6 thoughts on “How to backup your ISS-Above SD Card (Windows)

  1. First, I received the ISS Above package yesterday. I downloaded/installed/utilized Win32DiskImager per your instructions above. When I used your example and put my call sign in place of your first name. I hit “READ” and get an “error 3: The system can not find the path specified.” My computer can read/see the contend you placed on the card when you loaded same. I have screen shots if that will help.

    1. John – the example was just an example. You need to enter a physical location/folder that is specific to your computer. You can use the “browse” button just to the right of the place for the filename to select an actual folder on your computer. Then just add on the filename you want to use (my example is issabove.img).

      1. ooops, I guess I know why that I’m not allowed access to launch codes. i reviewed my error and got the image to back up. Thank you.

  2. if you see a large mushroom cloud above London, you ‘ll know I just cocked up the launch codes, from Andy, G1EGZ..lol

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