Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Starting a Terminal under X
Linux makes greater use of the text-based command line, often known as a
terminal.
This can
be very powerful and quicker for some tasks than using a mouse. To start a terminal in a
window under X, double-click the LXTerminal icon on the desktop, or select it from the
menu by clicking Accessories and then clicking LXTerminal.
Troubleshooting
Hopefully, you'll never need this section, but even if you think you've followed all the instruc-
tions, you might discover that something doesn't work. Finding and debugging problems are
important aspects of computing. The general approach is to be logical and eliminate parts
until you can isolate where the problem is. It's a good idea to simplify to the simplest possible
configuration first - unplug the keyboard, mouse and/or display to see if the Pi shows signs
of life - and then add things one by one. When you are suspicious of what might be at fault,
try borrowing a known working replacement from a friend or try the suspected faulty part in
theirs. This way, you can eliminate parts until the fault is found.
Common Problems
The majority of problems in getting the Raspberry Pi to work are easy to fix. The following
sections describe some of the issues that you might encounter with the Raspberry Pi and
how to troubleshoot them.
No Lights Come On
If none of the lights come on when you power up your Raspberry Pi, the power supply
may not be providing the required 5V. If you have a meter, you can measure the output; if
not, plug a phone in and see if it starts charging. If the power supply manages to power a
phone, it still might not provide enough for a Raspberry Pi. Try borrowing a friend's that you
know works.
Only the Red Light Comes On
If just the red light comes on, then the Raspberry Pi is getting some power, but it isn't
booting the OS. Make sure that the SD card is correctly inserted, and then check that it
is correctly imaged. Even if the card is correctly imaged, it may be that the card isn't compat-
ible with the Raspberry Pi. If possible, try another card that is known to work, either
from a friend or by buying a premade card. Also check that the power supply is providing
enough power.
