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Local Pi Display

Former Member

I have a model A Raspberry Pi and have been using it via a USB wireless adapter and Mint's Remote Desktop Protocol. 

 

I also have a Motorola Atrix docking station.  After I replaced my original cheap eBay HDMI cable with another cheap eBay HDMI cable, the Pi displays its boot messages and gets to the text log-in screen.  Unfortunately, the Pi doesn't see the Atrix keyboard/mouse so I can't log on.  I'm trying to fix this but because I am happy controlling the Pi remotely, I am more interested in using the Atrix display with RDP control.  So using the Atrix keyboard/touch pad isn't important.

 

Using RDP and the Pi terminal, I can get the Pi to display an X Desktop on its display by entering "sudo init 3".  While this is a step in the right direction now the Pi waits at a GUI log-in screen. 

 

I've tried multiple searches but it seems that any combination of "remote" "display" "local" "servel display" etc. just gives me results about using RDP (or SSH or VNC - all of which work for me).  I guess I'm not articulate enough to specify what I want.

 

Does any one know how to do this or at least can help me write a useful search question? 

 

One application is to use a Python program to monitor GPIO inputs and display them on the Pi.  A text display is acceptable but I prefer X Windows.

  • I can't help you with RDP issue, but your not being able to use the Atrix keyboard+mouse is most likely a problem with your USB cable(s).  I recommend starting with the RasPi Hardware Wiki: Motorola Atrix Lapdock which has a short explanation of how the cables work and links to good Atrix resources.

  • If I'm not understanding your question, please forgive me as I'm new to this but it sounded like an issue I've approached remotely connecting to UNIX servers for work. I prefer X Windows also. I haven't bought a Raspberry PI yet but I'm deeply interested.

     

    My solution after discussions with co-workers was to load Cygwin/X on my Windows desktop. It comes with a basic X Windows server and local xterm. I wrote a simple 1 line shell scripte called "open" in my Cygwin home directory.

     

    ssh -Y <user name>@$1;

     

    usage would be 'open 192.168.1.2' (IP or hostname of Raspberry Pi). Boom I get an xterm to my UNIX server, provide the PW and I'm in. The $DISPLAY variable is handled by Cygwin/X

     

    Sorry if I mis-understood.

  • in reply to johnbeetem

    The site you've referenced has really helped me out and I've gone back to it more than once.  On my first reading I missed this key statement: "Many cheap HDMI cables do not include the individual ground lines, and  rely on a foil shield connected to the outer shells on both ends.  Such a  cable will not work with an unmodified Lapdock."  Without the required ground connection, my Atrix gave no signs of life.  Reading the page again pointed out the problem.  This was my reference to "cheap eBay HDMI cables".

     

    Right now, the Atrix USB from the phone connector powers the Pi.  I have a separate USB connection that doesn't seem to do anything.  I'll investigate the USB further and reread the Wiki.

     

    Thanks,

    Dave

  • in reply to blaineboswell

    Blaine,

     

    I guess if I could explain my problem more clearly, Google would again be my friend.  And you'd know what I'm talking about.

     

    I am able to display the Pi's desktop on my Linux desktop computer using a variety of methods: RDP, SSH and VNC.  I can also control the Pi from the Linux computer. 

     

    When I'm doing this, the Atrix display is still in text mode and awaiting a local user to log in using a keyboard attached to the Pi.  The Pi (well, more accurately Linux) allows multiple indendent users.  As the RDP user I don't know how to log on for the local user.  And as the RDP user, I don't know how to display data on the Atrix through the Pi.  I'd like to have the Pi use the Atrix display to remotely run Python and display the results.  From my Linux desktop computer, I can control the Pi.  The only progress I've made so far has been that I've been able to switch the local user's display (the Atrix) to graphical mode.

     

    Assuming I understand your answer, I think that you have suggested a Windows version of what I've done via RDP.  Linux Mint provides a GUI interface (I use Remmina) that accomplishes what your shell script does so I use Remmina.  My Pi moves around in my DHCP table.  Sometime "ssh raspberrypi" works but sometimes the Pi isn't found.

     

    Dave

  • in reply to Former Member

    Dave Guthridge wrote:

     

    Right now, the Atrix USB from the phone connector powers the Pi.  I have a separate USB connection that doesn't seem to do anything.  I'll investigate the USB further and reread the Wiki.

     

    Here's an answer I gave to a member with a similar problem: http://www.element14.com/community/groups/raspberry-pi/blog/2012/09/27/raspberry-pi-lapdock-hdmi-cable-work-around#comment-18088

  • in reply to Former Member

    My Pi moves around in my DHCP table.  Sometime "ssh raspberrypi" works but sometimes the Pi isn't found.

    Dave

    Most routers have the ability to lock the IP number issued based on the MAC address.

    For my DLink its found under the DHCP tab, and I assign it a 'fixed' IP number.

     

    Mark

  • in reply to mcb1

    i am a new Raspberry-Pi user,,, please do not make things too complicated  !!  image  lol   I have programmed on Main Frames for 20 years,,I think Rasp-Pi is cool,,, let's just keep it working that way... Thanks..  Sincerely, Sonny

  • in reply to Former Member

    Dave Guthridge wrote:

     

    I guess if I could explain my problem more clearly, Google would again be my friend.  And you'd know what I'm talking about.

     

    I am able to display the Pi's desktop on my Linux desktop computer using a variety of methods: RDP, SSH and VNC.  I can also control the Pi from the Linux computer...

     

    You might try going to raspberrypi.org and entering "remote startx" in the Google Search box on the home page.  Something there might be useful, though in most cases they're talking about doing the VNC you already know about.  I'd like to help more, but I've only used RasPi locally (nowadays always through Lapdock image).

  • in reply to johnbeetem

    John Beetem wrote:

     

    Dave Guthridge wrote:

     

    Right now, the Atrix USB from the phone connector powers the Pi.  I have a separate USB connection that doesn't seem to do anything.  I'll investigate the USB further and reread the Wiki.

     

    Here's an answer I gave to a member with a similar problem: http://www.element14.com/community/groups/raspberry-pi/blog/2012/09/27/raspberry-pi-lapdock-hdmi-cable-work-around#comment-18088

    As I understand your answers, both the Atrix full size USB and the Pi USB are slaves.  One needs to be a Host.  So to use the Atrix keyboard, I'll have to use the micro USB.

     

    I think my keyboard/mouse symptoms match those of Mr. Goetz.  His last  post notes that he's going to buy the USB connector you recommended but  he never returns to celebrate the thrill of victory or mourn the agony  of defeat.

     

    I am already using this same connector.  It powers the  Pi so I know those lines are okay.  It seems to me that the problem is in the USB adapter's data lines.  I guess I could  buzz it out to be sure that the data lines are connected.

  • in reply to mcb1

    Mark Beckett wrote:

     

    My Pi moves around in my DHCP table.  Sometime "ssh raspberrypi" works but sometimes the Pi isn't found.

    Dave

    Most routers have the ability to lock the IP number issued based on the MAC address.

    For my DLink its found under the DHCP tab, and I assign it a 'fixed' IP number.

     

    Mark

    You're right, I could just reserve an address for the Pi.  I'd still have to type in "192.168.1.xxx"  to ssh to it.  Remmina let's me connect with a single mouse click.  I'm forced into a short, painful admission: my real reason is sloth.