# 1. First time setup guide

### 1.1 Setting up hardware

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1. Connect NOVA to a computer with Ethernet cable.
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2\. Plug Wi-Fi dongle into NOVA’s USB port.
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3\. Plug in power adapter.
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4\. Power on NOVA.
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5\. Proceed to the next step: [1.2 Connecting to software.](#id-1.2-connecting-to-software)
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### 1.2 Connecting to software

1. Make sure your laptop has a stable Wi-Fi connection.
2. Open your browser and navigate to <https://www.myvoltera.io/>.
3. Follow the instructions to create a Voltera account.
4. Your device should be available in the **Wired devices** section. Click on the device and follow the instructions to connect NOVA to Wi-Fi.

<figure><img src="/files/wTvH7QcWBoMUwC5XKGJZ" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When connecting your computer to NOVA with an Ethernet cable, your computer will typically view the machine as a router and try to connect to the Internet through NOVA.

If NOVA does not have a stable connection, this can cause your computer to lose Internet connection, and your browser may indicate an interrupted connection (see below, for an example on Chrome).

<figure><img src="/files/AjZsvL5pUkySPIB3O11p" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If your computer’s Internet connection is interrupted, proceed to step [1.2.1 Troubleshooting for interrupted Internet connection (Windows systems)](#id-1.2.1-troubleshooting-for-interrupted-internet-connection-windows-systems) or step [1.2.2 Troubleshooting for interrupted Internet connection (MacOS).](#id-1.2.2-troubleshooting-for-interrupted-internet-connection-macos)

#### 1.2.1 Troubleshooting for interrupted Internet connection (Windows systems)

1. Wait for the system to recover\
   In the majority of cases, Windows computers will restore their Internet connection in two to three minutes. If the connection doesn’t recover, continue to the following steps.
2. Refresh your Wi-Fi connection
   1. Refresh your Wi-Fi connection by disabling your Wi-Fi adapter, wait 10 seconds, then re-enable your adapter. If necessary, reconnect to your preferred Wi-Fi network. Your Wi-Fi icon should now show a connected state.<br>

      <figure><img src="/files/YBWNDB0dGYqTHXVVXV65" alt="" width="248"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
   2. Open a new browser window and try to access the Internet (for example, <https://www.google.com>). If you are still not able to connect to the Internet, contact Support at <support@voltera.io>.

#### 1.2.2 Troubleshooting for interrupted Internet connection (MacOS)

Unlike Windows, computers running MacOS will not typically recover their Internet connection on their own. When your computer connects to NOVA over an Ethernet cable, it will automatically configure NOVA as a new Ethernet connection, which has a higher priority than Wi-Fi by default. When this happens, your browser will give an error — for example, in Safari:

<figure><img src="/files/EtrOBw53Tj7oZtITGWTB" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Follow the steps below to give priority to your computer’s stable Internet connection.

#### Change port priority

To re-establish an Internet connection, you have to manually give your Wi-Fi network or another stable Internet connection top priority. A guide for changing port priority can be found on the Apple support website, but instructions are also included below:

1. Ensure that a USB Wi-Fi dongle is plugged into NOVA.
2. Power off NOVA.
3. Connect your computer to NOVA with an Ethernet cable.
4. On your Mac, choose **Apple menu** > **System Preferences**, then click **Network**.
5. Power on NOVA; when it boots up, confirm that a new network connection is available in the **Network** panel options.
6. Click the three dots in the bottom left of the **Network** panel to open the action pop-up menu, and select **Set Service Order**.

<figure><img src="/files/qVtceo7NffwdmAQky1rh" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. Drag your stable Internet connection (typically Wi-Fi) to the top of the list, and drag NOVA’s connection to the bottom.

<figure><img src="/files/fikr6YSQRbWpyHw09WuJ" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

8. Click **OK**, then click **Apply** to make the new settings active.

Your computer should now have Internet access, you can proceed with setup.

If you are still not able to access the Internet, contact Voltera Support at <support@voltera.io>. If you’re trying to connect to the Internet at an institution that has a dedicated IT Department, refer to [3. Getting NOVA online (for IT department involvement)](/docs/nova/getting-started/nova-user-manual/3.-getting-nova-online-for-it-department-involvement.md).


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