Getting Started with the Raspberry Pi 4 Computer

cstanton — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 13:52:49 GMT

Current Revision posted to Documents by cstanton on 2/27/2024 1:52:49 PM

Using the New Raspberry Pi 4 Model B as a Computer.

The new Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is perfect for a cheap and light PC replacement. As it runs on linux the list of supported Open Source (and mostly free) software is endless.

So... you have a Raspberry Pi 4, now what do you do? Well, Let me show you.

players.brightcove.net/.../index.html

Raspberry Pi 4 Quick Start:

1) Pick up your new Raspberry Pi

Product Name	Manufacturer
RASPBERRY PI 4 MODEL B, 1GB	Raspberry Pi	Buy NowBuy Now
RASPBERRY PI 4 MODEL B, 2GB	Raspberry Pi	Buy NowBuy Now
RASPBERRY PI 4 MODEL B, 4GB	Raspberry Pi	Buy NowBuy Now

2) Pick up any Accessories you will need

A compatible MicroSD Card.
New Compatible USB C Power Supply
New Micro HDMI to HDMI Converter
New Case

Cases for previous Raspberry Pi will not fit the new Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. For guidance, please check out our blog:

Which accessories are compatible with the New Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

If you order an SD Card with the new version of NOOBs on it, you can skip to step 6

3) Download the newest Version of Raspbian.

Raspbian for the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/

I recommend the "Raspbian Buster with desktop and recommended software". This version will include all of the desktop favorites you need to get started including a web browser and an open source office suite.

4) Download Software which will burn your Raspbian Image to your SD Card

I recommend using Etcher, although you can use WIN32DiskImager or other programs.

This will not only copy the software onto your SD card but help partition and format your SD card correctly for the Raspbian / Linux file system.

Download here https://www.balena.io/etcher/

5) Flash Raspbian onto your SD Card with etcher.

Once you have downloaded your Raspbian Image, it will be saved in your downloads folder as a .zip or a .img file.

Insert your MicroSD card into your computer,
(if you don't have an SD card reader you can buy external USB SD Card readers)
Open Etcher
Select the Raspbian Image (Etcher can handle .zip or .img files)
Select your MicroSD Card from the list of drives.

Be very careful to select the right drive and SD Card!

Review your selections of Image and Micro SD Card and then click FLASH! on Etcher.
Once this has flashed the image, safely remove the MicroSD Card

6) Plug it in

Connect your Screens to the Micro HDMI sockets, Start with the one Marked HDMI-0
Keyboard & Mouse
Plug in your Ethernet Cable if you are using wired internet.
Insert your MicroSD Card with Raspbian
FINALLY Plug in your Power THEN turn on the power at the switch

Do not power off your Raspberry Pi without shutting it down in software first.

7) First Boot

If everything has gone OK, your Raspberry Pi will "boot" to its first screen in a minute or two. The first boot always takes longer than normal, so don't rush it.

Your Raspberry Pi will ask you to do a few things on your first boot:

Change your Admin Username and Password.
- Every Raspberry Pi comes out of the factory with the same username as password. If you connect your Pi to the internet it could be vulnerable to attack. Please change your username and password to something you will remember.
Set up your WiFi options.
- You can skip this if you want to use wired internet.

If you have a NOOBS card, once you have selected an operating system, you will have to let some components download and install at first boot.

8) Update your Pi

This is a VITAL part of any computer. For your safety online do not skip this step.

First, Go to "Terminal"

Then, you want to update the list of packages on your device by typing the following command into Terminal.

sudo apt-get update

After process has signalled it is finished in terminal, you want to update all the software on the device its self with the following command in Terminal

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Once this process is done you can close Terminal, rest assured that your Raspberry Pi is fully up to date!

9) Position your Dual 4K Monitors on the Raspberry Pi

If you are using Dual 4k Screens, the new Raspberry Pi 4 comes with a handy program in accessories called ARandR which allows you to reposition your screens in relation to the real world.

10) Enjoy your Raspberry Pi

You are now all set up!

You can click around the Start menu and have a look at what programs you have access to.

Want to know more?

Meet The New Raspberry Pi 4 Model B - element14 Presents

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B - Technical Specifications

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Benchmarking the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

Which accessories are compatible with the New Raspberry Pi 4 Model B?

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B Default GPIO Pinout with PoE Header

Do You Know Your Pi from Pie? Raspberry Pi Quiz!

Eben Upton talks about the new Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

Want to buy the new Raspberry Pi 4 Model B?

Product Name	Manufacturer
RASPBERRY PI 4 MODEL B, 1GB	Raspberry Pi	Buy NowBuy Now
RASPBERRY PI 4 MODEL B, 2GB	Raspberry Pi	Buy NowBuy Now
RASPBERRY PI 4 MODEL B, 4GB	Raspberry Pi	Buy NowBuy Now

Tags: dual screen, rpi 4, raspberry pi 4 4k, raspberry pi 4, raspberry pi 4 b, raspberry pi 4 model b