RaspberryPiFirstSteps
Contents
About this Article
NOTE : This page is meant to make a user get his RaspberryPi up and running faster than reading through the page RaspberryPiBoardBeginners
That said, some things this article will not tell you:
- What do do with your Raspberry Pi - use your imagination!
- Where to buy the things mentioned here, and what exactly to buy.
- How to wire any special ports.
- How to use any part of the Pi that is not strictly necessary in order to use it as a simple PC.
Finding all the right hardware
You will need the following:
- Raspberry Pi board
- USB keyboard
- Power source with a MicroUSB plug (see below for advice - this is important!)
- Video cable (HDMI or RCA/Cinch "composite" with yellow plugs)
- Preloaded SD card (we suggest Linux)
- TV or display with either HDMI or RCA input (RCA is very common, HDMI gives very good quality)
Highly suggested extras include:
- Case
- USB mouse
- Powered USB Hub (important for Model A, good for model B)
- USB A male to MicroUSB male cable (for using alternative power sources)
To connect to the Internet, you may use a USB WiFi adaptor (Model A/B) or a LAN cable (Model B).
What Power source to use
First , the Power Source has to deliver 5V at 500 mA or more from the moment it is connected to the mains socket. You can use the charger of a mobile phone - just check if it matches the specs and if the end fits into the RaspberryPi!
If you have a USB A to MicroUSB plug cable (shipped with many Phones and MP3 players as data cable) you may use :
- a laptop / PC
- a powered USB hub
- a special wall wart with USB port(s)
- many others, such as rechargeables, solar power etc. (requires circuitry)
Where to get the preloaded SD Card from
Note: You may buy ready-made SD cards from the RaspberryPi shop.
Many digital cameras use SD cards. Any SD or SDHC card between 2 and 32 GB should work. Be sure to backup all data and photos on your card before use. You will need a PC with Linux and a compatible cardreader.
Plug the card into the connected cardreader, and use PiCard .
Setting up
- Plug the preloaded SD Card into the Pi.
- Plug the USB keyboard or USB Hub into the Pi. Connect the Hub to power, if necessary.
- Plug the video cable into the screen (TV) and into the Pi.
- Plug your extras into the Pi (USB WiFi , USB mouse , LAN cable etc.). As you see, this is where you may need a USB Hub.
- Plug the power source into the mains socket.
- Check if the USB Hub (if any) and the screen is working.
- Leave the screen on and plug the other end of the power source into the Pi.
- The Pi should boot up and display messages on the screen.
You're finished! What should you do next? Have a look at R-Pi_Hub for ideas!
Have fun!