Just wanted to give update in this thread. I got my new NUC8i5BEK with NVME running using the latest official release (4.12) and not the dev 4.5. So now it seems the official one works. My steps have been listed above but if anyone wants a fresh step-by-step that worked, then here goes:
- Make sure bios is updated to latest on NUC, Use F2 upon boot to explore bios and see what version you are on. Go to Intel site for your NUC version and download latest bios. Extract the files to a clean usb root directory. Put USB in the NUC and press F7 in the boot up and follow instructions. Very important to wait until this is complete and the computer reboots itself. Afterwards go into bios again (F2). Do Factory default (F9) and then you must go into advanced --> boot secure --> disable secure boot. Press F10 to save and exit.
- Download latest official release (v 4.12).
- Unpack the .gz file to a clean usb so only the .img file is in the root (note usb had to be NTFS for me due to large size).
- Download Ubuntu Desktop (right now Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS). It will be a .iso file
- Make a bootable USB from this file (Windows: recommend Rufus and follow this guide https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#2-requirements if you’re on Mac follow this https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/create-a-usb-stick-on-macos#1-overview )
- Put the bootable ubuntu usb and the USB with the hassio in the NUC and fire it up. Ubuntu will load, choose Try Ubuntu option and you will get to the desktop.
- Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open up a terminal window. Type: gnome-disks press enter
- Click on your NVMe disk. Then click on the “settings” icon (looks like gears) and choose “Restore partition image”.
- I can’t remember exactly how it looked, but a new window will open and you will have to choose the source. Thus open the USB containing the hassio and choose the .img file and press ok. The image will be loaded onto the NVMe-drive.
- Shut down the NUC. Remove both USBs.
- Start the NUC again. Hassio should load. I let mine be for 30 mins to allow for everything to download/update. Note I use ethernet and not WIFI, there might be an additional step needed.
UPDATE: on my second install I had to disable WIFI within bios before it would start. - Go to http://homeassistant.local:8123 to see that it’s up and running.
Hope this helps someone as noob as me in regards to linux 