Software Install (Nova Totem)

Install order: python310.exe → OllamaSetup.exe → NovaTotemSetup.exe.

✅ Python 3.10 ✅ Ollama + 2 models ✅ All modules ✅ Desktop shortcut
Nova Totem installs in three quick steps: Python, Ollama, then Nova Totem. After that, you launch Nova from the desktop shortcut and you're good to go.

CUDA prerequisites Install First-run checklist Sanity checks Manual launch Screenshots Trouble?

Before you install anything: CUDA prerequisites (NVIDIA GPU)

Before installing python310.exe, make sure the following are installed on your PC:

1) NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit

Install CUDA Toolkit first (Windows x64):

Download CUDA Toolkit (13.1)

2) Matching cuDNN

Install the matching cuDNN for Windows x64:

Download cuDNN (Windows x64)

Once CUDA Toolkit + cuDNN are installed, you can start the normal install order below.

What the installer does for you

Installs all required Python modules for Nova Totem
Installs/sets up Ollama and downloads the two Nova models automatically
Offers Desktop and Start Menu shortcuts
Offers to install Microsoft Visual C++ x64 (recommended)

When it finishes: click Close and launch Nova using the desktop shortcut. No manual pip commands. No manual model setup.

1) Install (in this order)

Download these three files to your PC (Downloads folder is fine):

python310.exe
OllamaSetup.exe
NovaTotemSetup.exe

Run python310.exe
Run OllamaSetup.exe
Run NovaTotemSetup.exe

If it asks about installing VC++ Runtime (x64), tick the box only if you don’t already have it.

Once everything is complete, run Nova Totem.

If Windows blocks any installer, see the Trouble? section at the bottom (SmartScreen + antivirus notes).

If SmartScreen appears

Click More info
Click Run anyway

2) First-run checklist (so it “just works”)

Audio (Mic + Speakers)

Plug in your mic and speakers/headphones
Windows Settings → System → Sound: pick the correct Input device
If Whisper cuts out early: increase mic gain and speak closer to the mic

Camera (USB)

Plug in the USB camera before launching
Close other apps that might be using the camera (Discord/Teams/browser tabs)
If you get a black screen: try a different USB port + reboot

Servo board (UDP / Wi-Fi)

PC + ESP32 board must be on the same Wi-Fi
If the ESP32 is connected, the status LED flashes

Optional: quick sanity checks

You don’t need these to install — they’re just useful if you’re troubleshooting.

Check Ollama + models

ollama --version
ollama list

Print audio devices (mic debugging)

python -c "import sounddevice as sd; print(sd.query_devices())"

Run Nova (manual launch option)

If you ever want to run the launcher manually (without shortcuts), run it from the installed folder.

cd "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Nova Totem Software"
python nova_app_launcher.py

If your installer used a different install location, just open that folder and run nova_app_launcher.py from there.

Nova App Launcher screenshots

Nova App Launcher GUI — screenshot 1

Nova App Launcher — thumbnail 1

Nova App Launcher — thumbnail 2

Nova App Launcher — thumbnail 3

Click the big image or any thumbnail to expand (3 screenshots). (Add images here if you want.)

Trouble?

Windows SmartScreen / “protected your PC”

Click More info → Run anyway

Antivirus deleted/quarantined the installer

Temporarily allow/restore it in your antivirus
Re-download the installer(s) and run them again

App won’t start / DLL missing / crashes instantly

Re-run NovaTotemSetup.exe and make sure VC++ x64 is ticked ✅
Then reboot Windows and try again

Ollama errors / models missing

Make sure you’re online and retry
Check models exist with: ollama list
If needed, re-run NovaTotemSetup.exe (it will re-check Ollama + models)

Camera not detected / black feed

Close other apps using the camera (Discord/Teams/browser tabs)
Try another USB port
Reboot

Microphone not detected / no input

Windows Settings → Sound → Input: choose the correct mic
Windows Privacy settings: allow microphone access
Reboot (audio drivers can be fussy)

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