Group Actions
Engagement
  • Author Author: dubbie
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Views 4330 views
  • Likes 6 likes
  • Comments 17 comments
Related
Recommended

Getting Started with an Old Raspberry Pi #1 : Its a Model B (not a B+)

dubbie

As I am thinking of taking part in the Picasso Design Challenge that uses a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ and not knowing very much about any Raspberry Pi I thought I would borrow one and see what I could do. I obtained an old one from my son which I am now attempting to get going.

 

I have searched some of the Element14 older material and managed to find out that I have a Raspberry Pi Model B (but not a B+). But so far I have not been able to find out how to connect it up so that I can at least turn it on and see what happens.  I think I need an HDMI cable but what else? Can anyone point me in the right direction for this very old Pi which is way past its Best Before Date?

 

Dubbie

Parents

  • Hi ,

     

    The minimum necessary to use a Raspberry Pi:

    • First identify which RPi you have, this way is going to be less painful to deal with issues and also the GPIO mapping may be different, so this step is important
    • SD card with Raspbian or any OS compatible with Rpi: depending of which version of the Rpi you have, it may be a SD card or a micro SD that is required. Older versions of the RPi handle less types of SD cards/microSD so this is something where need to be careful.
    • Keyboard/Mouse (optional): Not a lot to say here but USB Keyboard/Mouse are the popular option.
    • Screen (optional): HDMI or a TV/screen with analog input are probably the easier options, but image quality will be on the low side with the 2nd option... and painful to deal with when reading.
    • Network cable (optional): or you may have a version that has WiFi, since is not known yet, lets assume you may potentially need one
    • About the "(optional)": you can access your RPi remotely -if connected to the network- in this case Screen/Mouse/Keyboard may not be required. There are ways to setup the network options from a PC.

     

    Hope this helps.

     

    Luis

  • in reply to luislabmo

    Luis,

     

    I looked up setting up a networked Raspberry Pi but it is for much newer Pis, plus I do not have a card reader on my laptop.

     

    I have located a USB mouse, it is very old but hopefully it will still work. I do not have a spare display but my TV has a HDMI connection although I don't even have a HDMI cable. I do not have a USB keyboard either. It is all beginning to sound a bit expensive.

     

    Can I use the Ethernet connection as I have an Ethernet cable?

     

    If I bought all these bits would I still need them for the 3B+?

     

    Dubbie

Comment
  • in reply to luislabmo

    Luis,

     

    I looked up setting up a networked Raspberry Pi but it is for much newer Pis, plus I do not have a card reader on my laptop.

     

    I have located a USB mouse, it is very old but hopefully it will still work. I do not have a spare display but my TV has a HDMI connection although I don't even have a HDMI cable. I do not have a USB keyboard either. It is all beginning to sound a bit expensive.

     

    Can I use the Ethernet connection as I have an Ethernet cable?

     

    If I bought all these bits would I still need them for the 3B+?

     

    Dubbie

Children
  • in reply to dubbie

    Hello Dubbie,

     

    Ethernet yes you can use, you may need to enable incoming SSH connections and find IP address, etc. I'm aligned with: the older the Pi, the more problems you might run into and some tasks will be more challenging.

     

    To answer your last question

    If I bought all these bits would I still need them for the 3B+?


    it depends on your needs, let me elaborate:

    • If planning to use a graphical interface: yes you may need Keyboard/Mouse, this will be directly on you pi and not over a remote connection most likely.
    • For troubleshooting -recommended-: lets say you can't connect to the RPi for some reason -say network problems, your only option is to start over with your SD image and/or plug-in a Keyboard/Mouse and find out the problem.
    • If your project or whatever your plans are for your RPI can be deployed/developed/managed/etc from a SSH terminal, then you won't need a Keyboard/Mouse/Screen as you can setup the network directly in the SD card from your PC, also the 3B+ has built-in WiFi so network cable is optional.

     

    Extras

    • I forgot to mention one of the most important things: power. You will need a reliable power supply with a 3B+... it's power hungry!, older ones don't have much of a problem but also account for whatever you plant to connect. I'd recommend to go with the official power supply to play safe. In my review I cover this extensively Try out the Raspberry Pi Model 3 B Plus! - Review
    • In any case (new or old RPi), a SD card reader is needed as setting up the OS image is the very first step and will be done on your computer. Any cheap SD card reader will work

    Luis

  • in reply to luislabmo

    Luis,

     

    I am coming to the conclusion that if I want to use a Pi then I should get the latest model, plus I will need to buy all the other bits, (keyboard, display and so on) to go with it. It all seemed so simple when I started. Ah well, time for some cake.

     

    Dubbie