diff --git a/src/freedombone-prep b/src/freedombone-prep
index 41a39792..c3cdb994 100755
--- a/src/freedombone-prep
+++ b/src/freedombone-prep
@@ -145,6 +145,37 @@ sudo sed -i '/iface usb0 inet static/,/    gateway 192.168.7.1/ s/^/#/' $MICROSD
 sudo sed -i 's/nameserver.*/nameserver 213.73.91.35/g' $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/resolv.conf
 sudo sed -i '/nameserver 213.73.91.35/a\nameserver 85.214.20.141' $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/resolv.conf
 
+# change the motd to show further install instructions
+echo 'Become the root user by typing:' > $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    su' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo 'Using the password "root". Change the root user password by typing:' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    passwd' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo 'Then create a user for the system with:' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    adduser [username]' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo 'Enter the command "exit" a couple of times to get back to your main system' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo 'then log back in as the user you just created with:' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    ssh [username]@$BBB_FIXED_IP_ADDRESS' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo 'and use the "su" command to become the root user again. You can then load' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo 'the freedombone main installation script with:' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    apt-get update' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    apt-get -y install git dialog build-essential' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    git clone https://github.com/bashrc/freedombone.git' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    cd freedombone' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    make install' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo 'Finally you can use the freedombone command to install a server configuration:' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+echo '    freedombone menuconfig' >> $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
+
 clear
 echo '*** Initial microSD card setup is complete ***'
 echo ''
@@ -153,39 +184,6 @@ echo 'Once the Beaglebone has booted then you can log in with:'
 echo ''
 echo "    ssh debian@$BBB_FIXED_IP_ADDRESS"
 echo ''
-echo 'The password is "temppwd". You can then become the root user by typing:'
-echo ''
-echo '    su'
-echo ''
-echo 'Using the password "root". Change the root user password by typing:'
-echo ''
-echo '    passwd'
-echo ''
-echo "If you can't log in as root then try typing 'exit' and then:"
-echo ''
-echo "    ssh root@$BBB_FIXED_IP_ADDRESS"
-echo ''
-echo 'Then create a user for the system with:'
-echo ''
-echo '    adduser [username]'
-echo ''
-echo 'Enter the command "exit" a couple of times to get back to your main system'
-echo 'then log back in as the user you just created with:'
-echo ''
-echo '    ssh [username]@$BBB_FIXED_IP_ADDRESS'
-echo ''
-echo 'and use the "su" command to become the root user again. You can then load'
-echo 'the freedombone main installation script with:'
-echo ''
-echo '    apt-get update'
-echo '    apt-get -y install git dialog build-essential'
-echo '    git clone https://github.com/bashrc/freedombone.git'
-echo '    cd freedombone'
-echo '    make install'
-echo ''
-echo 'Finally you can use the freedombone command to install a server configuration:'
-echo ''
-echo '    freedombone menuconfig'
-echo ''
-echo 'See the manpage for more information on how to use the freedombone command.'
+echo 'The password is "temppwd".'
+cat $MICROSD_MOUNT_POINT/rootfs/etc/motd
 exit 0