Hardware Companion to the Bootable ISO

PC Checker
Dongle

Plug. Scan. Know.

An ESP32-S3 USB dongle that runs hardware diagnostics without rebooting. Plug it in, connect your phone, and get instant results.

Get the Firmware See How It Works

$15

Hardware Cost

Reboots Needed

60s

Full Scan

OS Supported

The Concept

What Is It?

ESP32-S3 USB DONGLE

WiFi AP + HID Keyboard
in a USB stick.

The PC Checker Dongle is a tiny USB device based on the LILYGO T-Dongle-S3. Plug it into any PC and it creates its own WiFi network. Connect your phone, select a test profile, and the dongle types diagnostic commands directly into the PC via USB HID — like an automated keyboard. No drivers. No installation. No reboot. Works alongside the running OS.

Acts as USB HID keyboard — types commands automatically

Creates "Nixosoft-Check" WiFi access point (no password)

Built-in 0.96" LCD shows QR code for phone connection

Serves mobile dashboard at 192.168.4.1

Windows, Linux, and macOS support

Export PDF diagnostic reports from your phone

QR CODE

LILYGO
T-Dongle-S3

ESP32-S3

~$15

Simple Process

How It Works

Six steps. No drivers. No installation. No reboot.

Plug Into USB

Insert the dongle into any available USB-A port on the target PC. It powers on instantly.

Scan the QR Code

Point your phone camera at the QR on the dongle's screen. It joins the open "Nixosoft-Check" WiFi and the control panel opens automatically (captive portal).

Select OS & Profile

Choose the target OS (Windows, Linux, or Mac) and pick from 8 specialized test profiles.

Run the Scan

Tap "Run Scan" — the dongle types a command into the PC via USB HID. On Windows it sends results back over the USB cable, so the PC needs NO WiFi. (On Linux/Mac, also join the PC to "Nixosoft-Check" so it can reach the dongle.)

View & Export

Results stream to your phone in real-time. Review scores, grades, and export a professional PDF report.

Hardware

Specs & Components

Board

LILYGO T-Dongle-S3

Processor

ESP32-S3 Dual-Core 240MHz

Display

0.96" ST7735 TFT LCD (80×160)

Flash

16MB

USB

Native USB OTG (HID + CDC)

WiFi

802.11 b/g/n Access Point

Form Factor

USB-A Dongle

Power

USB Bus Powered (no battery)

Where to Buy

Search for "LILYGO T-Dongle-S3" on any of these platforms. Typically $12–20 USD.

AliExpress Amazon LILYGO Official

Setup Guide

Firmware Installation

Flash the firmware once, then use the dongle on any PC. The easiest way is right in your browser — no tools to install.

RECOMMENDED · NO INSTALL

Flash in your browser

Pick your hardware, connect it via USB-C (hold BOOT while plugging in), and flash directly from desktop Chrome, Edge, or Opera.

Has a screen

LILYGO T-Dongle-S3

Shows a Wi-Fi QR on its 0.96" LCD — scan it with your phone to join, and the control panel opens automatically.

USB-C + hold BOOT, click Flash, pick the port. Writes the 16 MB build.

No screen

Generic ESP32-S3 dongle

No display needed — just join the Nixosoft-Check Wi-Fi and the dashboard opens by itself (captive portal). Requires an ESP32-S3 (native USB); a classic ESP32 can't act as a keyboard.

USB-C + hold BOOT, click Flash, pick the port. 4 MB build, fits any S3.

Prefer esptool?

Download the raw binaries and flash manually. The T-Dongle-S3 (16 MB) and the generic S3 (4 MB) use different SPIFFS offsets — use the matching set.

T-Dongle-S3 · manifest

esptool.py --chip esp32s3 write_flash \
  0x0 bootloader.bin 0x8000 partitions.bin \
  0xe000 boot_app0.bin 0x10000 firmware.bin \
  0xc90000 spiffs.bin

Generic ESP32-S3 · manifest

esptool.py --chip esp32s3 write_flash \
  0x0 bootloader-generic.bin 0x8000 partitions-generic.bin \
  0xe000 boot_app0.bin 0x10000 firmware-generic.bin \
  0x290000 spiffs-generic.bin

Or build from source (advanced)

⚡

Prerequisites

›Install PlatformIO — either as a VS Code extension (recommended) or the standalone CLI.
›No cable needed: the T-Dongle-S3 plugs its USB-A connector straight into your computer (the slot on the side is a microSD reader, not a port).
›Install Git if you don't have it already.

Clone the Repository

›The firmware lives in the open-claw-projects monorepo, under pc-checker-dongle/firmware:

git clone https://github.com/Nixosoft/open-claw-projects.git
cd open-claw-projects/pc-checker-dongle/firmware

Open in VS Code

›Open the pc-checker-dongle/firmware folder in VS Code with PlatformIO installed.
›PlatformIO will automatically detect platformio.ini and set up the build environment.
›Wait for PlatformIO to finish downloading the ESP32-S3 toolchain (first time only).

Connect the Dongle

›Plug the dongle's USB-A connector directly into a USB-A port (no cable — it has no USB-C).
›It appears as a serial device (COM port on Windows, /dev/ttyACM* on Linux).
›If not detected: hold the BOOT button while plugging in, then release — that forces download mode.

Flash the Firmware

›Build and upload the firmware to the dongle:

cd firmware
pio run --target upload

Upload Dashboard to SPIFFS

›Upload the web dashboard and diagnostic scripts to the dongle's flash filesystem:

pio run --target uploadfs

Done!

›Unplug the dongle, then plug it back in once — flashing over the built-in USB-serial doesn't always auto-boot the new firmware, so a quick re-seat starts it.
›Plug it into any target PC's USB-A port and the "Nixosoft-Check" WiFi network will appear; the LCD shows a Wi-Fi-join QR.
›Remember: the target PC must also join "Nixosoft-Check" Wi-Fi so results can flow back.

Troubleshooting

Dongle not detected

Hold the BOOT button while plugging the USB-A end straight into a USB-A port (not a hub). Release after ~2s. That forces ROM download mode, which always enumerates.

Flashed OK but the screen stays black / no Wi-Fi

Unplug and replug the dongle (no BOOT) — flashing over the built-in USB-serial often doesn't auto-boot the new firmware, so it needs one clean power-cycle.

No "Nixosoft-Check" Wi-Fi appears

Check from your phone (it scans live; Windows caches scans). If still nothing after a re-seat, the firmware isn't booting — re-flash with a full erase.

Scan "takes forever" / no progress

On Windows the scan runs over USB — make sure a PowerShell window opened on the PC (the dongle types into it) and the PC is at the desktop. On Linux/Mac the PC must also be joined to the "Nixosoft-Check" Wi-Fi. The dashboard shows a hint if no steps stream back.

Permission denied on Linux

Add your user to the dialout group: sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER — then log out and back in.

SPIFFS / filesystem upload fails

Flash the app first (pio run -t upload), then the filesystem (pio run -t uploadfs). The browser flasher writes everything in one go.

For Developers

API Endpoints

All endpoints are served by the dongle at http://192.168.4.1

Endpoint	Method	Description
/	GET	Mobile dashboard HTML
/scan.ps1	GET	Windows diagnostic script (PowerShell)
/scan.sh	GET	Linux/Mac diagnostic script (Bash)
/api/status	GET	Dongle state and connection info
/api/scan	POST	Trigger HID keyboard typing on target PC
/api/results	POST	Receive diagnostic data from the PC
/api/results	GET	Fetch results (phone polls this endpoint)
/api/reset	POST	Reset dongle state for a new scan
/api/info	GET	Firmware version and ESP32-S3 chip info

Specialized Testing

8 Test Profiles

Select from your phone. Each profile weights components differently via the dongle's scoring engine.

AI / ML

GPU VRAM, CPU threads, large RAM for model training

CPU 20% · GPU 40% · RAM 25% · Storage 10% · Thermal 5%

Gaming

GPU power, refresh rates, fast storage, thermals

CPU 25% · GPU 35% · RAM 15% · Storage 15% · Thermal 10%

Video / 3D

Multi-core CPU, GPU render, high-speed storage

CPU 30% · GPU 30% · RAM 15% · Storage 20% · Thermal 5%

Developer

Multi-core, RAM, fast SSD, multiple displays

CPU 30% · GPU 10% · RAM 25% · Storage 25% · Thermal 10%

Music Production

Audio interface, low-latency, CPU single-thread

CPU 35% · GPU 5% · RAM 25% · Storage 25% · Thermal 10%

Server

Reliability, ECC RAM, network, uptime thermals

CPU 25% · GPU 5% · RAM 25% · Storage 20% · Thermal 25%

Office

Balanced performance, storage, display quality

CPU 25% · GPU 15% · RAM 25% · Storage 25% · Thermal 10%

Mining

GPU compute, power efficiency, thermal endurance

CPU 10% · GPU 45% · RAM 10% · Storage 5% · Thermal 30%

Choose Your Tool

ISO vs Dongle

Two tools, one goal. Pick the right one for the job — or use both.

Bootable ISO

Free download

Dongle

~$15–20

Cost

Free

~$15–20 hardware

Requires Reboot

Yes

Works with Running OS

No (boots its own Linux)

Yes (Windows, Linux, Mac)

Hardware Access Depth

Deep (bare metal)

OS-level (via scripts)

Runs From

RAM (USB boot)

ESP32-S3 flash

Setup Time

Flash USB + reboot

Plug in, instant

Portability

USB drive

Tiny USB dongle

Phone Dashboard

Yes (via WiFi)

Yes (via dongle WiFi AP)

PDF Reports

Yes

Best For

Thorough diagnostics, dead PCs

Quick checks, running systems

Common Questions

FAQ

Completely safe. The dongle only types read-only diagnostic commands — the same ones you'd type manually. It reads system information but never modifies, installs, or writes anything to the target PC.

No. The diagnostic scripts only read hardware information. No files are created, no settings are changed, no software is installed. It's read-only.

Any PC with a USB-A port running Windows (10/11), Linux (any modern distro), or macOS. Desktop or laptop. The PC must be booted and at the desktop so the HID commands can open a terminal.

On Windows, no — the dongle talks to the PC over the USB cable itself (it shows up as a serial device), so results come back over USB with no WiFi setup at all. Only your phone joins "Nixosoft-Check", just to view the dashboard. On Linux/Mac the PC still joins "Nixosoft-Check" for now (USB-serial there is coming).

No. The dongle creates its own WiFi network. Your phone connects directly to the dongle. No internet required for the scan — only for optional firmware updates.

The ISO reboots the PC into its own Linux environment for deeper bare-metal diagnostics. The dongle works alongside the running OS — no reboot needed. The ISO is more thorough; the dongle is more convenient. Use both for maximum coverage.

The WiFi AP is open but short-range (a few meters). The dongle only executes scans when triggered from the dashboard. You can see exactly what commands are being typed. Reset the dongle at any time to stop.

Search for "LILYGO T-Dongle-S3" on AliExpress, Amazon, or the LILYGO official store. It typically costs $12–20 USD. You'll flash our firmware onto it.

No. Flash once, use forever. The firmware and dashboard persist on the dongle's 16MB flash. Just plug it into any PC's USB port and it's ready.

PC CheckerDongle

What Is It?

WiFi AP + HID Keyboardin a USB stick.

How It Works

Plug Into USB

Scan the QR Code

Select OS & Profile

Run the Scan

View & Export

Specs & Components

Where to Buy

Firmware Installation

Flash in your browser

LILYGO T-Dongle-S3

Generic ESP32-S3 dongle

Prefer esptool?

Prerequisites

Clone the Repository

Open in VS Code

Connect the Dongle

Flash the Firmware

Upload Dashboard to SPIFFS

Done!

Troubleshooting

API Endpoints

8 Test Profiles

AI / ML

Gaming

Video / 3D

Developer

Music Production

Server

Office

Mining

ISO vs Dongle

FAQ

PC Checker
Dongle

WiFi AP + HID Keyboard
in a USB stick.