Help with Linux

[sP1d3r]

Since I read that the .bashrc file resides in the user home folder and not ~/ (this would be device or hard drive?), I added DISPLAY=:0.0 <cr> export DISPLAY to it and now instead of an error message the display in the picture happens.

This is interesting, I'll try the further variable declarations when I can use the computer again.

[scruss]

Okay, so that's opened an xterm window without a window manager. This isn't a very useful setting, as you can't move windows inside that larger X window (which is the root, or Desktop, window) with no window manager running. If you can choose the multi-window setting, each X app will open in its own Windows window, but they're all running under Linux under WSL.

[sweh]

Check out https://medium.com/@dhanar.santika/inst ... 307e96fac0 - that explains how to use a window manager such as xfce inside the X server.

I see VcXsrv has the option "-multiwindow". This _might_ (I've not used this X server on Windows) let each X window open up "native" on the Windows desktop. So instead of having a window where all the X apps display, this _might_ let each X app have its own window. At least that's an option with Cygwin on Windows. In this mode you don't need a window manager; the native Windows controls work. It might be worth trying that.

[geraldholdsworth]

Just bought myself an RPi 3B+ with the PoE+ HAT on the way to power it from my managed switch.

I'm intending to set this up as a home web server so I can (continue to) develop web pages on. I've got a 64GB SD card ready, but what image to put on it?

On the Raspberry Pi Imager application, I have Ubuntu Server 32bit and 64bit, and Ubuntu Core 32bit and 64bit. Obviously, there's also Raspberry Pi OS (both 32 and 64 bit). So, which OS is the best one for my purposes?

Oh, I'm also wanting to install the application that allows me access to my Apple iCloud Drive...whose name escapes me right now. I also want to be able to share folders to my macOS machines.

[BeebMaster]

I never really did much with my Pi 3, I tried it a few times and attempted to run RISC OS on it, but that's about as far as I went, and then the Pi 4 came out so I got a couple of those. My Linux NFS server then went straight from the Pi 2 to the Pi 4, on which I just ran the Raspbian OS with XFCE desktop and installed the NFS server packages, like I do on other Ubuntu computers: currently my NFS server is my desktop PC running Ubuntu 22.04.

I've never tried "Ubuntu Server" as such, I don't think I need it really.

On my second Pi 4 I did manage a full Ubuntu install, and at one point I did feel that the performance was better than Raspbian, but I haven't yet tried it as an NFS server.

[geraldholdsworth]

I'm tending towards Ubuntu Server thinking it might be the better bet.

I've got a RPi 2, which has my RISC OS install on it. I bought the 3 because it allows me to do PoE, and was cheaper than a 4 or 5...and I don't need the power of the newer models. Just a basic web server will do (well, 'basic'....PHP and MySQL).

[scruss]

The only thing about running Ubuntu on a Raspberry Pi:

• support for it is very limited from the Raspberry Pi forum;
• It's considered a very tiny machine for Ubuntu.

Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit is effectively stock Debian. 64-bit is a little more zippy than 32-bit, but slightly more memory hungry.

[geraldholdsworth]

Thank you - after trying Ubuntu Server, I ended up just installing the default Raspberry Pi OS (I didn't like the CLI only interface).

I've now got my web server (almost) up and running. PhpMyAdmin doesn't appear to want to work though.

One thing about the RPi PoE+ Hat...it won't turn on if there is nothing plugged into the HDMI port. So just plugging a cable in (with nothing on the other end) persuaded the Pi to turn on.

[BeebMaster]

There seems to be a thing with Linux operating systems and needing to detect a monitor before they start properly. My Ubuntu Desktop PC won't display anything or allow me to log in (blindly) unless the monitor is switched on before I start the computer. If I don't get the monitor switched on in time, I have to press the computer's reset button to restart it before I can get to the login screen.

I had a similar problem on my Pi4 which was solved by adding this line to the config.txt file:

Code: Select all

hdmi_force_hotplug=1

I've never found an actual Ubuntu solution to this problem.

[geraldholdsworth]

I had a similar problem on my Pi4 which was solved by adding this line to the config.txt file:

Code: Select all

hdmi_force_hotplug=1

I've put that line in. It has no effect.

If the Pi is running and I unplug the HDMI it turns off...but only when powered via PoE. I've read somewhere it could be an earthing issue - quite how plugging an HDMI cable fixes it is beyond me.

[scruss]

This can be a problem with specific monitors: some of them need a little prodding to be identified properly. I haven't personally experienced it with Raspberry Pis, but certainly on other single-board computers. I have one that won't even start unless you have one of those fake HDMI cable plugs in the socket

[sweh]

There seems to be a thing with Linux operating systems and needing to detect a monitor before they start properly.

The Pi I use for my econet-bridge boots quite nicely without a monitor.

[geraldholdsworth]

It's just odd that it'll boot fine without anything in the HDMI port when powered via the USB-C power port, but not via PoE.

Had a thought about this overnight and I'm going to stick an HDbaseT transmitter on the HDMI so I can get the signal, if needed, in another room. The Pi is now installed in my loft, so it would be much easier this way, should I need to access it (other than by VNC). Just wonder how far my wireless keyboard/mouse USB will work (don't really want to use up another network point to extend the USB).

[BeebMaster]

There seems to be a thing with Linux operating systems and needing to detect a monitor before they start properly.

The Pi I use for my econet-bridge boots quite nicely without a monitor.

Yes, sorry, should have said "boot to GUI". I am sure a text console is fine without a monitor.

[sP1d3r]

I was unable to progress with using GUI programs on WSL because the HP PC with WSL v1 that I was using had a problem with a corrupted system image.
The System File Checker tool couldn't run and the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool wasn't able to correct the problem either, but because Windows 10 isn't being actively developed anymore, the final version, 22H2, is still available as a media creation tool download and I was able to correct the problem without a clean install by reinstalling the final version over itself using the option to keep user files and settings.
Since this I haven't had the courage to try to reinstall WSL.

My other PC has a standalone Linux install as well as Windows so I won't be bothering with WSL.

Thanks for the assistance, much appreciated.