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Raspberry Pi
Raspberry Pi Forum RPi 3 B+ with Sense Hat getting "Error: cannot open framebuffer device." from snake.c example
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  • Replies 16 replies
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  • sense hat
  • frame_buffer
  • raspberry_pi_3b+
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RPi 3 B+ with Sense Hat getting "Error: cannot open framebuffer device." from snake.c example

osenjw
osenjw over 5 years ago

I am new to RPi.

 

I placed the sense hat on an RPi 3B+ and get a nice rainbow display on the LED.

 

When I run the snake example, I get the message "Error: cannot open framebuffer device."

 

I run in debug using Code::Blocks, and I see that the code apparently finds the joystick.  So the frame buffer is not the first thing I checked.

 

My RPi is nearly virgin.  I have installed Code::Blocks and the sense hat.  Raspian is up to date.  I enabled VNC, SSN, SPI and I2C.

 

I am working headless via a VNC window in W10.

 

Is there an incompatibility between a RPi 3B+ and the sense hat?  I am seeing that it is compatible with RPi 3B  (no +).

 

If not, would somebody offer a suggestion for getting snake to get past this error?

 

Thanks.

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  • shabaz
    shabaz over 5 years ago

    Hi John,

     

    I plugged in a Sense HAT into a Pi 3B (I don't have a model 3B+ handy), and then powered up the Pi.

    What happens at boot-up, is that the LEDs light up in a spectrum, illuminated for 3-4 seconds, and then the LEDs extinguish.

    I had no HDMI monitor connected, and am not using VNC. I connected to the Pi using SSH.

    I see this:

    image

    If you're not getting that far, then if you're sure that you're on a recent version of Raspbian, and you're using the correct PSU (there's a difference between the official PSU, and mobile phone chargers, even if the current rating is the same or higher), then unfortunately there is a possibility your Sense HAT is faulty. I'm surprised though. There's not a lot to go wrong with the Sense HAT.

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  • osenjw
    osenjw over 5 years ago in reply to shabaz

    Thanks for the reply.  I have tried just SSH with PuTTY, same results.

     

    I am not using an official RPi PSU.  It is a third party (Micro Connectors) device 2500mA output, designated for the RPi.

     

    I tried a USB power bank I can charge my tablet with.  No change.  It puts out 2.4A.

     

    Is there anyway I can tell if the Atmel MCU is responsive?

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  • osenjw
    osenjw over 5 years ago in reply to shabaz

    Thanks for the reply.  I have tried just SSH with PuTTY, same results.

     

    I am not using an official RPi PSU.  It is a third party (Micro Connectors) device 2500mA output, designated for the RPi.

     

    I tried a USB power bank I can charge my tablet with.  No change.  It puts out 2.4A.

     

    Is there anyway I can tell if the Atmel MCU is responsive?

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