RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 5, Pi 4, Pi 3 and Pi 2

The 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi works in RaspEX Build 160426, based on Ubuntu 16.04, with Kodi Media Center 16.0

Posted on June 27, 2016 by exton

Great news 160627 about RaspEX Build 160426
I got the official 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi today. I started immediately to test the touchscreen running RaspEX. To my great pleasure (and surprise) the touchscreen worked perfectly out of the box! I.e. I didn’t have to install any extra packages to make it work. According to raspberrypi.org only Raspbian OS is supposed to give full functionality without a physical keyboard or mouse.

Screenshot – RaspEX running a video in Kodi Media Center

Adding a virtual keyboard – Matchbox
Install it with sudo apt-get install matchbox-keyboard
Screenshot when Matchbox Keyboard is running

How do I enable right click?
Paste in the following lines in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.

Section “InputClass”
Identifier “calibration”
Driver “evdev”
MatchProduct “FT5406 memory based driver”

Option “EmulateThirdButton” “1”
Option “EmulateThirdButtonTimeout” “750”
Option “EmulateThirdButtonMoveThreshold” “30”
EndSection

Rotate the touch screen
Depending on your display stand you might find that the LCD display defaults to being upside-down, you can fix this by rotating it in /boot/config.txt.
Add: lcd_rotate=2

Scrolling with a finger in Firefox and/or Chromium Browser
Can’t be fixed. It is also not working in Raspbian.

READ MORE ABOUT RaspEX with Kodi…

Posted in Exton Linux, Linux, RaspEX | Tagged exton, Kodi Media Center, RaspEX, Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi, touchscreen.Raspberry Pi 2 and 3, Ubuntu 16.04 | 3 Comments

RaspAnd 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2 Build 160717 with GAPPS, Wifi, Bluetooth and YouTube working

Posted on June 25, 2016 by exton

RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717 is an Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow system which can run on Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. I have finally managed to include Google Play Store and other GAPPS. This version of RaspAnd is faster and more responsive than RaspAnd Lollipop Build 150924/160315.

NEWS 160828 re. RaspAnd Build 160717 and some tips
Today I started up RaspAnd for the first time in four weeks. I then “had to” update 11 apps. I did it using Aptoide App Manager and Google Play Store. This screenshot shows my installed apps today. As you can see there is one app called SnapTube. It is very useful since you can download videos from (for example) YouTube. Even if the videos can’t be watched in RaspAnd the video quality is perfect. Using Rotation Control Pro you’ll have to change settings now and then to keep the landscape mode. That can be a bit annoying. If you want a more permanent fix you can install an app called Rotation version 6.0.8 via Aptoide.

NEWS 160717 about RaspAnd Marshmallow
Build 160717 of RaspAnd Marshmallow replaces my first version from 160625 and my second build from 160711. The screen problems in build 160625 was corrected in my second build from 160711. In this third build from 160717 also YouTube works as expected.

More about the news in Build 160717
1. Build 160717 uses a new kernel – 4.4.15-exton.
2. Google Play Services has been upgraded from version 8.4.87 to 9.2.56. The latest version by 160717. No more error messages!
3. YouTube has been upgraded to version 1.3.11. The latest version by 160717. The video performance is far better in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 3 than in previous versions. You can watch almost all movies in YouTube with acceptable quality.
4. Clash of Clans works even better in Build 3.
5. The sound quality is excellent in Build 3. Especially is you connect loudspeakers to your Rpi. Maybe because of the new kernel…
6. Bluetooth works as expected.
7. Most important: With Google Play Services in latest version (9.2.56) you are not dependent on Google Play Store. You can install almost all GAPPS and other apps via Aptoide App Manager.

Wifi and Bluetooth support
This new version of RaspAnd has support for Wifi and Bluetooth (on Raspberry Pi 3). RaspAnd runs very well on the new Raspberry Pi 3 computer. The system runs also on the “old” Raspberry Pi 2 computer.

Installed apps
The following useful apps are pre-installed in RaspAnd Marshmallow: Google Play Services 9.2.56, Google Play Store 6.0.2, Aptoide App Manager (as an alternative to Google Play Store), Terminal Emulator, Aida64, WinZip, ES File Explorer, Rotation Control Pro, Opera 36.2.2126, Spotify 5.6.0.674, Bluetooth File Transfer, YouTube 1.3.11 and the popular (?) game Clash of Clans 8.332.14.

What is Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python. It’s capable of doing everything you’d expect a desktop computer to do, from browsing the internet and playing high-definition video, to making spreadsheets, word-processing, and playing games.
Read more about Raspberry Pi…

Raspberry Pi 3 model B made in February 2016. It has a 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU and 1GB RAM. Read more…

Kernel
Kernel 4.4.15-exton-v7+ is used in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717.

My sources
My work/build is the outcome of the Community Open Source Project.

How do I install RaspAnd?
Almost like any other Raspberry Pi system. The installation has to take place in Linux though. (From hard drive or while running a live Linux system from cd or a USB stick). Follow this instruction. The whole thing has to be done as root and exactly like this.
1. Unpack the downloaded zip-file (raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-v3-500mb-160717.zip). You will get the folder raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-v3-160717 with the folder boot and the system file system.img
2. Create four partitions of/on your Micro SD Card with Fdisk or GParted.
a) Part 1 for BOOT of 512 MB ; format as fat32 ; flag as boot
b) Part 2 for /system of 1024 MB; any filesystem
c) Part 3 for /cache of 512 MB ; format as ext4
d) Part 4 for /data; size the remain; format as ext4
When you are done with partitioning it shall look like this.

3. Now open up a terminal as root and run this command (make sure which name your SD card was given when you inserted it (/dev/sdb2 or /dev/sdc2 or as in the example here /dev/sdd2):
dd if=system.img of=/dev/sdd2 bs=1M
(Note: When you run the above command you’ll have to stand in the folder raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-v3-160717)
4. Then just copy every file in raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-v3-160717/boot (10 files) to /dev/sdd1. If not mounted already you can mount it with mkdir /mnt/sdd1 followed by mount /dev/sdd1 /mnt/sdd1

Note: You shall not do anything with /dev/sdd3 and /dev/sdd4. I. e.: Do not create folder /cache or /data. Watch this screenshot of the file structure on all four partitions when the installation is done.

Different boot parameters in boot/config.txt
As you can see there is a file called config.txt in the folder boot. Check out this overview explaining the different parameters in config.txt. Some changes to config.txt could (possibly) help if you have screen problems (which I don’t think you will have when running RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717).

Startup of RaspAnd Marshmallow
The first thing you will see on the screen is the text ANDROID. If you don’t see this text you haven’t installed RaspAnd correctly on the SD card. Try again and do EXACTLY as I write above. After several minutes (the first time you startup RaspAnd) you will see a message saying that RaspAnd is optimizing all installed apps. After a while you will see this first screen. Next startup will be faster (but not really fast).

Navigation in RaspAnd Marshmallow
Normally you use the Esc key to get back or end an app running. To end a game in Clash of Clans you’ll have to use the Ctrl Alt F1 or F2 keys simultaneously.

Aptoide App Manager
To be able to install apps using Aptoide you’ll have to allow installations from “Unknown sources”. Go to Settings/Security.

YouTube performance
YouTube works alright in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 3. You can watch almost all videos. I.e. normally you will hear the sound very well, but some the movies won’t play or play very slow with strange colors.

Upgrade Google Play Services
While running RaspAnd (Build 160625 and 160711) you can get error messages (pop ups) saying that “Google Services has Stopped”. Nevertheless all GAPPS work all the time. You can for example run Gmail and YouTube without problems. If you, however, want to get rid of the error messages you shall/must upgrade Google Play Services from version 8.4.87 to 9.2.56. Use Aptoide App Manager for that. NOTE: In RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717 version 9.2.56 of Google Play Services is pre-installed. The first time you start up the system you can nevertheless get the above mentioned pop ups. The error messages (pop ups) will disappear after about 30 seconds though. You will never see them again.

About Google Play Store
Google Play Store come pre-installed in version 6.0.2-leanback. Whatever you do, don’t upgrade to a newer version than version 6.7.13-E-All! It won’t work. You may perhaps have to go back to version 6.0.2-leanback. To prevent updates you should turn off Auto updates in Google Play Store settings. If Google Play Store nevertheless gets updated to version 6.8.22 you have to downgrade to version 6.7.13 (or 6.0.2). Use Aptoide for that. I.e. start Aptoide App Manager and search for Google Play Store. Then click on Uninstall. You will then be asked if you want to go back to the Factory version. Do that and Google Play Store will work again!

Spotify
Spotify works very well in RaspAnd Marshmallow. Just log in and play your favorite music!

Screen rotation
Use Rotation Control Pro to set the screen to always be in Landscape mode. Maybe you’ll have to change this to suite your needs depending on which app you are running.

Updates
Not all apps (but quite a few) can be installed via Google Play Store. Luckily Aptoide App Manager can be used to install some Google apps and other apps, for instance the popular (?) Clash of Clans (already installed in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717). All included GAPPS are up to date, which this screenshot shows. Most important: With Google Play Services pre-installed in latest version (9.2.56) you are not dependent on Google Play Store. You can install almost all GAPPS and other apps via Aptoide App Manager.

Error message “Google Play Services stopped working”
It can happen that you will get error messages about Google Play Services. Don’t worry. Just ignore the messages. Everything will work. NOTE: In Build 160717 with Google Play Services in latest version (9.2.56) you won’t get any error messages.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1 – Google Play Store running

Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s Desktop

Screenshot 3 – AIDA64 showing the system

Screenshot 4 – Clash of Clans running (very well)

Screenshot 5 – Wifi connection

Screenshot 6 – Bluetooth connection

Screenshot 7 – Setting permissions for Google Play Services

Screenshot 8 – Using ES File Explorer

Screenshot 9 – Using Opera Web Browser

Screenshot 10 – Using a big TV (55″) as monitor – Home screen

Screenshot 11 – Using a big TV (55″) as monitor – Running Spotify

Screenshot 12 – Installing the app TuneIn Radio via Google Play Store

Screenshot 13 – Installing VLC 2.0.3 via Google Play Store

NOTE/WARNING – 1
Not all apps (but quite a few) can be installed via Google Play Store. Luckily Aptoide App Manager can be used to install some Google apps and other apps, for instance the popular (?) Clash of Clans (already installed in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717). All included GAPPS are up to date, which this screenshot shows.

NOTE/WARNING – 2 – re. Raspberry Pi 2
Wifi and Bluetooth can’t be used running RaspAnd Marshmallow on Raspberry Pi 2. You’ll have to have and use a wired connection. Using a Raspberry Pi 3 Wifi and Bluetooth work very well in RaspAnd Marshmallow Build 160717.

NOTE/WARNING – 3
Running Android Marshmallow on a Raspberry Pi 3/2 can sometimes be perceived as very sluggish. If you find it so, I recommend that you restart the system a couple of times, then everything will run faster! I.e. not really fast, but faster.

Compatibility :: February 2017
Unfortunately not all systems made for Raspberry Pi 2 will run on the new Pi 3. They need to be upgraded with a new kernel. I therefore have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd Lollipop, RaspAnd Marshmallow, RaspAnd Nougat and RaspArch. I have now (170208) upgraded all systems. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 3…

DOWNLOAD raspand-marshmallow-6.0.1-gapps-v3-500mb-160717.zip for 9 $

md5sum

NOTE: There is a newer version (160915) of RaspAnd Marshmallow, which can be installed in Windows using Win32 Disk Imager – Read more…

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation

Posted in Android, Exton Linux, Linux, RaspAnd | Tagged 6.0.1, Android Marshmallow 6.0.1, Aptoide App Manager, Bluetooth working, Clash of Clans, exton, GAPPS, Google Play Services 9.2.56, Google Play Store, Linux, Opera, RaspAnd, RaspAnd Marshmallow, Raspberry Pi 3 and 2, Spotify, Wifi working, YouTube, YouTube 1.3.11 | 189 Comments

RaspEX Build 160426, based on Ubuntu 16.04, with Kodi Media Center 16.0 and Fluxbox

Posted on April 26, 2016 by exton

NEWS 160426 about RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2
In RaspEX Build 160421, based on Ubuntu 16.04, I could not include Kodi (XBMC) Media Center (a free and open-source media player software application developed by the XBMC Foundation) without removing LXDE and many other programs. Now I’ve found a solution. I was able to install Kodi 16.0 alongside Fluxbox. A Desktop environment besides Kodi is needed so you can configure your wireless network and other stuff. Study all installed packages in Build 160426.
See a screenshot when my wireless network is configured
See a screenshot when Kodi is running

The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016.

Compared to the Raspberry Pi 2 it has:
A 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU
802.11n Wireless LAN
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

NEWS 160426 ABOUT RaspEX
RaspEX Build 160426 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8), Ubuntu (Ubuntu 16.04, released 160421) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (160426) I’ve replaced LXDE Desktop environment with Fluxbox, Wicd Network Manager with Wifi-Radar and Firefox with Qupzilla. The replacements were necessary to make it possible to install Kodi Media Center 16.0. NOTE: Kodi (XBMC) Media Center is also installed in Build 160402 based on Ubuntu 15.10.

Screenshot 1 – RaspEX Build 160426 with Fluxbox

Screenshot 2 – RaspEX Build 160426 running Kodi adding Video add-ons

Screenshot 3 – RaspEX Build 160426 running Kodi adding Picture add-ons

Screenshot 4 – RaspEX Build 160426 running Kodi – System Info

Screenshot 5 – RaspEX Build 160426 running Kodi adding Music add-ons

Softpedia review
RaspEX version 160331 was reviewed by Softpedia 160331.

Raspberry Pi 3 model B made in February 2016. It has a 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU and 1GB RAM. Read more…

More about RaspEX Build 160426
RaspEX Build 160426 uses Fluxbox as Desktop environment. (Fluxbox is very light on resources and easy to handle but yet full of features to make an easy, and extremely fast, desktop experience). Furthermore Kodi (XBMC) Media Center (a free and open-source media player software application developed by the XBMC Foundation). Many other useful programs are pre-installed. Quzilla is used as Web Browser and Wifi-Radar as Network Manager. You can use Apt-get to install any extra packages you may need. RaspEX uses Ubuntu’s software repositories so you can install thousands of extra packages if you want. Please be aware of that some new installations (for example of Firefox) will break the Kodi installation).

NOTE: Kodi Media Center is also installed in Build 160402 based on Ubuntu 15.10. In Build 160402 you can install all new packages you want without the risk of breaking Kodi.

Kernel
Kernel 4.1.20-v7 is used.

Why shall I use RaspEX?
Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Jessie) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member at this site thought that running RaspEX (for Raspberry Pi 2) was like running Raspberry Pi on “steroids“. RaspEX Build 160426, 160421 and 160402 are (of course) even faster, especially if you run the systems on a Raspberry Pi 3 computer.

How do I install RaspEX?
Just like any other Raspberry Pi system. I.e.: Unpack the downloaded ZIP file (raspex-ubuntu-16.04-kodi-fluxbox-1230mb-160426.zip) and transfer the IMAGE file (raspex-ubuntu-16.04-kodi-fluxbox-3050mb-160426.img) to your Micro SD card of at least 8GB. For that you shall use Win32DiskImager in Windows. When running it it will look like this.

Different Micro SD Cards
For best performance you should use SD Cards of good quality. I can recommend Samsung MicroSD Pro Plus 32GB Class 10. Write speed up to 95 MB/s. Also Samsung MicroSD EVO 16GB Class 10. Write speed up to 48 MB/s. Price 47 $ respectively 10 $ (in Sweden).

How do I use RaspEX?
When you start up your Raspberry Mini computer with RaspEX you will (after a few seconds) end up in X and Fluxbox as the ordinary user raspex. The password for raspex is raspex. When logged in as raspex you can use Sudo to become root. Example: sudo su and sudo emelfm2. The password for root (superuser) is root. You can log out from Fluxbox (Exit in Fluxbox’s Menu) and log in again as root (if you want). This is how it looks at SLiM‘s login page.

You can log in as root with password root. You can of course also create a new ordinary user if you want. Command: /usr/sbin/adduser MyNewUser. If you don’t want to be automatically logged in as raspex you shall edit /etc/slim.conf.

When logged in as the ordinary user raspex your Desktop will look like this.

Click to view a larger picture

The 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi works in this RaspEX build
The official 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi works! According to raspberrypi.org only Raspbian OS is supposed to give full functionality without a physical keyboard or mouse.

Screenshot – RaspEX running a video in Kodi Media Center when the touchscreen is used

Wireless connections
The new Raspberry Pi 3 computer has “built in” 802.11n Wireless LAN.

Using Raspberry Pi 2 you have to have a Wireless USB Adapter. The only one which works for Raspberry Pi 2 is Edimax EW-7811Un (as far as I know). I both cases you must configure Wifi-Radar Network Manager before you can use it. (You don’t need a wired connection for that). Open a terminal (Xterm) and run this command: sudo leafpad /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
The file wpa_supplicant.conf will look as this picture shows. Change it by adding your wireless Network name and your passphrase so it looks like in this example:
######################################
# path to UNIX socket control interface

ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1

network={
ssid=”TeliaGateway9C-97-26-6B-41-45″
psk=”3753FEZ08A”
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}
######################################

NOTE 1: You’ll also have to add your router’s IP address to /etc/resolv.conf to be sure to get a permanent stable Internet connection.
NOTE 2: You’ll have to edit /etc/resolv.conf even if you use a wired connection.
NOTE 3: Open Wifi-Radar and create a profile. You don’t have to change anything, but restart you Raspberry Pi before you try to connect.

Advanced configuration with raspi-config
Run the command sudo raspi-config and you will get a menu with different configuration alternatives. You can for example expand the filesystem on the SD card. You can also enable an experimental GL driver for the Desktop. Perhaps useful if you have a big screen/monitor.

View all installed packages in RaspEX – Build 160426

DOWNLOAD – raspex-ubuntu-16.04-kodi-fluxbox-1230mb-160426.zip from SourceForge.net

md5sum

READ also about my RaspEX Build 160703 (also for Raspberry Pi 3 and 2) with OpenCPN pre-installed
OpenCPN is a free software (GPLv2) project to create a concise chart plotter and navigation software, for use underway or as a planning tool. OpenCPN is developed by a team of active sailors using real world conditions for program testing and refinement.

Compatibility :: October 2016
Unfortunately not all systems made for Raspberry Pi 2 will run on the new Pi 3. They need to be upgraded with a new kernel. I therefore have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX with LXDE, RaspEX with Kodi, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd Marshmallow, RaspAnd Lollipop and RaspArch. I have now (161019) upgraded all systems. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 3…

Posted in Exton Linux, Linux, RaspEX | Tagged 7″ Touchscreen, exton, Fluxbox, Kodi 16.0, Kodi Media Center, Qupzilla, Raspberry Pi 2, Raspberry Pi 3, RaspEX, Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi, Wifi-Radar | 6 Comments

RaspEX Build 160421: Now based on Ubuntu 16.04, released today (160421)

Posted on April 21, 2016 by exton

NEWS 160421 about RaspEX for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2
Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus was released today. I therefore (of course) simply had to upgrade RaspEX. Unfortunately I could not get Kodi (XBMC) Media Center to work in this build. I have therefore kept the “old” version (from 160402) of RaspEX with Kodi on the servers. Study all installed packages in Build 160421.

The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016.

Compared to the Raspberry Pi 2 it has:
A 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU
802.11n Wireless LAN
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Compatibility :: June 2016
Unfortunately not all systems made for Raspberry Pi 2 will run on the new Pi 3. They need to be upgraded with a new kernel. I therefore have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd Lollipop, RaspAnd Marshmallow and RaspArch. I have now (160625) upgraded all systems. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 3…

NEWS 160421 ABOUT RaspEX
My previous version of RaspEX is from 160402. I have now upgraded the whole system, replaced the old kernel and added support for Bluetooth. RaspEX Build 160421/160402 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8), Ubuntu (Ubuntu 16.04/15.10, released 160421/151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In the new versions (160421 and 160402) I’ve installed Wicd Network Manager and replaced Chromium with Firefox with better support for YouTube. I have also installed Samba and VNC4Server so you can connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). Furthermore some extra Network Tools and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube. NOTE: Kodi (XBMC) Media Center is installed only in Build 160402.

Screenshot 1 – RaspEX connected to Windows via Samba

Screenshot 2 – RaspEX connected to Windows via PuTTy

Screenshot 3 – RaspEX “running on” Windows with VNC Viewer

Softpedia review
RaspEX version 160331 was reviewed by Softpedia 160331.

Raspberry Pi 3 model B made in February 2016. It has a 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU and 1GB RAM. Read more…

More about RaspEX
RaspEX is a full Linux Desktop system with LXDE (an extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment), Kodi (XBMC) Media Center (a free and open-source media player software application developed by the XBMC Foundation) and many other useful programs pre-installed. Firefox is used as Web Browser and Synaptic as Package Manager. You can use Samba and VNC4Server to connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Raspberry Pi 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). You can use Synaptic to install any extra packages you may need. For example LibreOffice. RaspEX uses Ubuntu’s software repositories so you can install thousands of extra packages if you want. NOTE: Kodi is installed only in Build 160402.

Kernel
Kernel 4.1.20-v7 is used.

Why shall I use RaspEX?
Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Jessie) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member at this site thought that running RaspEX (for Raspberry Pi 2) was like running Raspberry Pi on “steroids“. RaspEX Build 160421 and 160402 are (of course) even faster, especially if you run the systems on a Raspberry Pi 3 computer.

How do I install RaspEX?
Just like any other Raspberry Pi system. I.e.: Unpack the downloaded ZIP file (raspex-ubuntu-16.04-1190mb-160421.zip) and transfer the IMAGE file (raspex-ubuntu-16.04-3050mb-160421.img) to your Micro SD card of at least 8GB. For that you shall use Win32DiskImager in Windows. When running it it will look like this.

Different Micro SD Cards
For best performance you should use SD Cards of good quality. I can recommend Samsung MicroSD Pro Plus 32GB Class 10. Write speed up to 95 MB/s. Also Samsung MicroSD EVO 16GB Class 10. Write speed up to 48 MB/s. Price 47 $ respectively 10 $ (in Sweden).

How do I use RaspEX?
When you start up your Raspberry Mini computer with RaspEX you will (after a few seconds) end up in X and LXDE as the ordinary user raspex. The password for raspex is raspex. When logged in as raspex you can use Sudo to become root. Example: sudo su and sudo pcmanfm. The password for root (superuser) is root. You can log out from LXDE and log in again as root (if you want). This is how it looks at SLiM‘s login page.

First things to do
Run this command:
sudo apt-get upgrade (for Samba and Wicd etc. to be properly installed)

Edit /root/.bashrc
Add the following line in the end of /root/.bashrc
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/games:/usr/local/games
(This is already done in RaspEX build 160402 and 160421)

Then log out from LXDE and back in again.

When logged in as the ordinary user raspex your Desktop will look like this.

Click to view a larger picture

Upgrade the system
If you want to upgrade the system you shall/must run the following three commands as root. Be sure to edit /root/.bashrc first – see above.
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade
apt-get install xinit init
If you miss to run any of the above commands the system will be unusable.

Error no_pubkey when trying to upgrade the system
When you run the command sudo apt-get update it can happen that you can’t update the sources due to missing pub_keys. The solution is to run the following commands.
$ cd /var/lib/apt
$ sudo mv lists lists.old
$ sudo mkdir -p lists/partial
$ sudo apt-get update

After that you can run apt-get update with success even though you still will get the same “no_pubkey” errors.

Watch this screenshot – apt-get update running 160907.

As you can see there are no updates (more than Chromium). A RaspEX/Ubuntu system for Raspberry Pi can’t be compared with “normal” Ubuntu systems. I.e. the sources are not changed/upgraded that often.

Wireless connections
The new Raspberry Pi 3 computer has “built in” 802.11n Wireless LAN.
Using Raspberry Pi 2 you have to have a Wireless USB Adapter. The only one which works for Raspberry Pi 2 is Edimax EW-7811Un (as far as I know). I both cases you must configure Wicd Network Manager (apt-get upgrade) before you can use it. (You don’t need a wired connection for that). I.e. Wicd is already installed by me, but as I just said Wicd has to be configured before you can use it. Then change Wicd’s preferences to suit your wireless connection. NOTE: You’ll also have to add your router’s IP address to /etc/resolv.conf to be sure to get a permanent stable Internet connection.
NOTE also: You’ll have to edit /etc/resolv.conf even if you use a wired connection.

About SSH, PuTTY, Samba, VNC4Server and VNC Viewer
SSH, Samba and VNC4Server are pre-installed in RaspEX Build 160421. You need to install PuTTy and and VNC Viewer in your Windows system if you want to connect to RaspEX/Raspberry Pi 3/2 from Windows the way the below slideshow shows. (Please read the developers information about how to configure PuTTy and VNC Viewer).

Watch this slideshow re. connections between RaspEX and Windows.
<br /> <a href="http://slideful.com/v20151002_0349921305081940_pf.htm">View the slide show</a>
Bluetooth connections
It seems difficult (maybe impossible) to use the “built in” Bluetooth adapter running RaspEX on Raspberry Pi 3. Using a Blutooth dongle for example Asus USB-BT400 dongle on Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry Pi 2 you should have no trouble using Bluetooth in RaspEX. Watch these two screenshots when Blueman (Graphical Bluetooth Manager) is running.
1. Showing “paring” with my Android phone
2. Showing the sending process of a file from RaspEX/Raspberry Pi 3 to my Android phone

View all installed packages in RaspEX – Build 160421

Screenshot of RaspEX’s Desktop while Wicd is running (for configuration of a wireless connection)

Screenshot 1 – RaspEX connected to Windows via Samba

Screenshot 2 – RaspEX connected to Windows via PuTTy

Screenshot 3 – RaspEX “running on” Windows with VNC-viewer

DOWNLOAD
This build of RaspEX has been replaced by Build 161019

Posted in Exton Linux, Linux, RaspEX | Tagged Bluetooth, exton, LXDE, PuTTY, Raspberry Pi 3, RaspEX, Samba, Ubuntu 16.04, VNC4Server | 1 Comment

RaspEX Build 160402: Now with Kodi (XBMC) Media Center, Bluetooth, Samba, SSH and VNC4Server

Posted on March 31, 2016 by exton

NEWS 160402
I discovered to my horror that Build 160331 of RaspEX didn’t have support for YouTube in Kodi. Many Add-ons (extensions) in Kodi are dependent on the YouTube Add-on. I therefore (of course) had to correct this error and upload a new version (160402) of RaspEX. While I was at it I took the opportunity to install some additional popular Music, Video and Picture Add-ons.

NEWS 160331: A new version of RaspEX especially built for the new Raspberry Pi 3 is ready. I have upgraded the whole system, replaced the old kernel, added support for Bluetooth and installed Kodi (XBMC) Media Center as an alternative to the LXDE Desktop.

The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016.

Compared to the Raspberry Pi 2 it has:
A 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU
802.11n Wireless LAN
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

NEWS 160402 ABOUT RaspEX
My previous version of RaspEX is from 160307. I have now upgraded the whole system, replaced the old kernel, added support for Bluetooth and installed Kodi (XBMC) Media Center as an alternative to the LXDE Desktop. RaspEX Build 160402 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.3), Ubuntu Wily Werewolf (Ubuntu 15.10, released 151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (160402) I’ve installed Wicd Network Manager and replaced Chromium with Firefox with better support for YouTube. I have also installed Samba and VNC4Server so you can connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). Furthermore some extra Network Tools and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube.

Screenshot 1 – RaspEX connected to Windows via Samba

Screenshot 2 – RaspEX connected to Windows via PuTTy

Screenshot 3 – RaspEX “running on” Windows with VNC Viewer

Softpedia review
RaspEX version 160331 was reviewed by Softpedia 160331.

Raspberry Pi 3 model B made in February 2016. It has a 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU and 1GB RAM. Read more…

Kernel
Kernel 4.1.20-v7 is used.

Why shall I use RaspEX?
Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Jessie) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member at this site thought that running RaspEX (for Raspberry Pi 2) was like running Raspberry Pi on “steroids“. RaspEX Build 160402 is (of course) even faster, especially if you run the system on a Raspberry Pi 3 computer.

How do I install RaspEX?
Just like any other Raspberry Pi system. I.e.: Unpack the downloaded ZIP file (raspex-ubuntu-15.10-3050mb-kodi-bluetooth-1020mb-160402.zip) and transfer the IMAGE file (raspex-ubuntu-15.10-3050mb-kodi-bluetooth-160402.img) to your Micro SD card of at least 8GB. For that you shall use Win32DiskImager in Windows. When running it it will look like this.

Different Micro SD Cards
For best performance you should use SD Cards of good quality. I can recommend Samsung MicroSD Pro Plus 32GB Class 10. Write speed up to 95 MB/s. Also Samsung MicroSD EVO 16GB Class 10. Write speed up to 48 MB/s. Price 47 $ respectively 10 $ (in Sweden).

How do I use RaspEX?
When you start up your Raspberry Mini computer with RaspEX you will (after a few seconds) end up in X and LXDE as the ordinary user raspex. The password for raspex is raspex. When logged in as raspex you can use Sudo to become root. Example: sudo su and sudo pcmanfm. The password for root (superuser) is root. You can log out from LXDE and log in again as root (if you want). This is how it looks at SLiM‘s login page.

First things to do
Run two commands:
sudo chmod a+rw /dev/vchiq (for better preformance when running Kodi)
sudo apt-get upgrade (for Samba and Wicd etc to be properly installed)

Then log out from LXDE and back in again.

When logged in as the ordinary user raspex your Desktop will look like this.

Click to view a larger picture

About SSH, PuTTY, Samba, VNC4Server and VNC Viewer
SSH, Samba and VNC4Server are pre-installed in RaspEX Build 160307. You need to install PuTTy and and VNC Viewer in your Windows system if you want to connect to RaspEX/Raspberry Pi 3/2 from Windows the way the below slideshow shows. (Please read the developers information about how to configure PuTTy and VNC Viewer).

Watch this slideshow re. connections between RaspEX and Windows.
<br /> <a href="http://slideful.com/v20151002_0349921305081940_pf.htm">View the slide show</a>

Bluetooth connections
It seems difficult (maybe impossible) to use the “built in” Bluetooth adapter running RaspEX on Raspberry Pi 3. Using a Blutooth dongle for example Asus USB-BT400 dongle on Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry Pi 2 you should have no trouble using Bluetooth in RaspEX. Watch these two screenshots when Blueman (Graphical Bluetooth Manager) is running.
1. Showing “paring” with my Android phone
2. Showing the sending process of a file from RaspEX/Raspberry Pi 3 to my Android phone

How do I run Kodi?
You can just start Kodi from the menu while in the LXDE Desktop environment as the ordinary user raspex or as root. Then you can just start adding video and music add-ons. I suggest that you also add a “Superrepo” – http://srp.nu.

View all installed packages in RaspEX – Build 160402

Screenshot of RaspEX’s Desktop while Wicd is running (for configuration of a wireless connection)

Screenshot 1 – RaspEX connected to Windows via Samba

Screenshot 2 – RaspEX connected to Windows via PuTTy

Screenshot 3 – RaspEX “running on” Windows with VNC-viewer

Screenshots showing additional popular Music, Video and Picture Add-ons in Kodi Media Center.

DOWNLOAD
This build of RaspEX has been replaced by Build 161019 with LXDE and Build 160426 with Kodi

Posted in Exton Linux, Linux, RaspEX | Tagged ARM, Blueman, Bluetooth, exton, Kodi, LXDE, Raspberry Pi 3, RaspEX, Samba, Ubuntu 15.10, VNC4Server, Wicd, XBMC | 13 Comments

RaspAnd – Build 3 150924/160315 – with Google Play Store, now also for Raspberry Pi 3!

Posted on March 15, 2016 by exton

NEWS about RaspAnd 160315
I have uploaded a new version of RaspAnd, which can run also on the new Raspberry Pi 3 computer. It is basically the same system as before. Only the boot parameters are changed.

About RaspAnd 150924
I have finally managed to include Google Play Store in RaspAnd and most important Google Play Services.

NEWS 150924
I have compiled yet another Android 5.1 Lollipop system which can run on Raspberry Pi 2. I call “my” new system RaspAnd Build 3. My first version of RaspAnd is from 150405 and my second from 150527. The following useful apps are pre-installed in Build 3 of 150924: Google Play Store, Aptoide App Manager (as an alternative to Google Play Store), Terminal Emulator, AIDA64, Geekbench, WinZip, FileManager, Rotation Control Lite, WPS Office and Offline Maps. Google Play Store, AIDA64 and Geekbench were not included in Build 2 from 150527.

SCREENSHOTS
Screenshot 1 – Google Play Store running

Screenshot 2 – RaspAnd’s Desktop

Screenshot 3 – Google Play Services updating

Screenshot 4 – Google Play Store update with Aptoide

Compatibility :: February 2017
Unfortunately not all systems made for Raspberry Pi 2 will run on the new Pi 3. They need to be upgraded with a new kernel. I therefore have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd Lollipop, RaspAnd Marshmallow, RaspAnd Nougat and RaspArch. I have now (170208) upgraded all systems. Read about the new Raspberry Pi 3…

READ MORE…

Posted in Android, Exton Linux, Linux, RaspAnd | Tagged Android, exton, Linux, Linux ARM, Lollipop 5.1, RaspAnd, Raspberry Pi 3 | 26 Comments

RaspArch Build 160312 :: Run Arch Linux on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2 computer

Posted on March 12, 2016 by exton

This version (160312) is my third build of RaspArch
The first version is from 150414. The second is from 151107. This version (160312) is especially made for the new Raspberry Pi 3. Version 160312 of RaspArch can of course also run on the “old” Raspberry Pi 2. RaspArch is a “remaster” of Arch Linux ARM. The original compressed system is of 231 MB. After I have added the LXDE Desktop environment, Firefox and Gimp the system increased to 558 MB. RaspArch is a “ready-to-go” ARM system. It must be installed on a Raspberry Pi 3 model B or Pi 2 computer.

UPGRADE RaspArch
If you have downloaded and installed my previous version of RaspArch from 151107 you can still use the Micro SD Card with RaspArch on the new Raspberry Pi 3 after a full upgrade of the system. Commands: pacman -Sy followed by pacman -Syu. Most important the old kernel will automatically be replaced by kernel 4.1.19-4-ARCH.

What is Raspberry Pi?
The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python. It’s capable of doing everything you’d expect a desktop computer to do, from browsing the internet and playing high-definition video, to making spreadsheets, word-processing, and playing games.
Read more about Raspberry Pi…

Raspberry Pi 3 model B made in February 2016. It has a 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU and 1GB RAM. Read more…

More about RaspArch
When you have installed RaspArch to your Micro SD Card you can use the system like any other Arch Linux system. I.e. install new programs etc. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). RaspArch uses kernel 4.1.19-4-ARCH and the LXDE Desktop environment.

Program Management in Arch Linux
Arch Linux uses a proprietary system called Pacman. It is similar to that found in CRUX Linux. Read about Pacman.
You can also read all the documentation on Arch Linux. Four commands are basically the only ones you need to use:
1) pacman -Sy (update the packages database)
2) pacman -Syu (upgrading the whole system)
3) pacman -S MyUsefulProgram (the package installation command)
4) pacman -R UnnecessaryProgram (uninstall a package).
Very simple!

How do I install RaspArch?
Almost like any other Raspberry system. The installation has to take place in Linux though. (From hard drive or while running a live Linux system from a CD or a USB stick). Follow this instruction. The whole thing has to be done exactly like this.
1. Unpack the downloaded file rasparch-exton-558mb-160312.tar.gz with tar -zxvf rasparch-exton-558mb-160312.tar.gz. You will get the folder rasparch-exton. Run the following commands as root. (Do not use Sudo).
2. Start fdisk to partition the SD card:
fdisk /dev/sdd (example; be sure to check which name your SD-card got. I.e. /dev/sdd, /dev/sdc, /dev/sdb or…)
3. At the fdisk prompt, delete old partitions and create a new one:
a. Type o. This will clear out any partitions on the drive.
b. Type p to list partitions. There should be no partitions left.
c. Type n, then p for primary, 1 for the first partition on the drive, press ENTER to accept the default first sector, then type +100M for the last sector.
d. Type t, then c to set the first partition to type W95 FAT32 (LBA).
e. Type n, then p for primary, 2 for the second partition on the drive, and then press ENTER twice to accept the default first and last sector.
f. Write the partition table and exit by typing w.
g. Create and mount the FAT filesystem:
mkfs.vfat /dev/sdd1
mkdir boot
mount /dev/sdd1 boot
4. Create and mount the ext4 filesystem:
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdd2
mkdir root
mount /dev/sdd2 root
5. cp -av rasparch-exton/* root
6. sync
7. Move boot files to the first partition:
mv root/boot/* boot
8. Unmount the two partitions:
umount boot root
9. Insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2, connect ethernet (for Pi 2), and apply 5V power.
10. You will after a few seconds end up in console mode. Log in as root. The default root password is root. Enter X/LXDE with the command startx
The above instruction (slightly modified) is from the Arch Linux ARM site.

NOTE: If you get errors when you follow my instruction 1-10 you should see to that you have no partitions on the card and that the card isn’t mounted. It can be necessary to create a new partition table. Use GParted for that. It can look like this.

Internet connections with Wicd
When you start up RaspArch for the first time you will get a error message re. Wicd Network Manager. Just open up a terminal and run the command wicd followed by systemctl enable wicd.service (to avoid further error messages from Wicd). You probably also have to edit /etc/resolv.conf in order to get a stable Internet connection. I.e. add the IP number of your router (Gateway). Example:
nameserver 192.168.1.1

Wireless connections
Just change Wicd’s preferences and connect.

Installing Samba
A way to reach your Windows computers in your home network is to install Samba. Command: pacman -S samba gvfs gvfs-smb gamin sshfs
Then start Samba with the command systemctl start smbd nmbd
After that you can connect to your Windows computers via PCManFM – watch this screenshot. (My Raspberry Pi 3 running RaspArch is connected to two of my computers in my home network).

WHO should run Arch Linux/RaspArch?
My answer: The system fits the “advanced” Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time.

BENEFITS of Arch Linux/RaspArch
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. A member on this site recently wrote this about RaspArch: I’ve used Slackware, Debian, Gentoo, Ubuntu & Arch. I prefer Arch. Ubuntu is easier to install, Arch is easier to keep up to date. You do not go through big, painful, changes every year instead you just update, once in a while, make changes if instructed. Arch has most of the benefits of Gentoo without the pain of recompiling _everything_. When you do need to build a package in Arch its painless especially if you use one of the tools that support Aur (I like yaourt). Arch avoids the politics of Debian and Ubuntu and delivers a great Linux distribution. RaspArch now brings these advantages to the PI 2.

Study all installed packages in RaspArch

Screenshot of RaspArch’s Desktop

DOWNLOAD
This build has been replaced by Build 161205

Posted in Exton Linux, Linux, RaspArch | Tagged Arch Linux, ARM, exton, Gimp, kernel 4.1.19-4-ARCH, LXDE, Micro SD Card, RaspArch, Raspberry Pi 3 Model B | 31 Comments

RaspEX – Build 160308 – with OpenCPN pre-installed, now especially for Raspberry Pi 3

Posted on March 8, 2016 by exton

RaspEX – Build 160308 based on Ubuntu 15.10 – with OpenCPN – especially made for Raspberry Pi 3

OpenCPN is a free software (GPLv2) project to create a concise chart plotter and navigation software, for use underway or as a planning tool. OpenCPN is developed by a team of active sailors using real world conditions for program testing and refinement.

REPLACEMENT
This build (160803) replaces build 151029 which can run only on Raspberry Pi 2 computers. Build 160803 is made especially for Raspberry Pi 3, but can also be used on Raspberry Pi 2.

ABOUT RaspEX Build 160308
RaspEX is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.3), Ubuntu Wily Werewolf (Ubuntu 15.10, released 151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (160308) I’ve installed OpenCPN 4.1.915 from source.

Read this OpenCPN Review….

Read about how to install and use RaspEX – Build 160307 without OpenCPN. The same instructions are valid for RaspEX Build 160308 with OpenCPN.

Watch a YouTube video that shows the performance of OpenCPN on a Raspberry Pi…
NOTE: Please don’t ask me technical questions about how to use OpenCPN. I’m no expert on OpenCPN. You can search the Internet for answers. There is a lot written about OpenCPN and Raspberry Pi. The Cruisers Forum (World Cruising and Sailing Wiki) is a good starting point.

SCREENSHOTS
1. OpenCPN World Map
2. OpenCPN Florida – Cape Canaveral
3. OpenCPN New York – Approaches to New York
4. OpenCPN Stockholm archipelago

DOWNLOAD
This build has been replaced by RaspEX Build 160703 with OpenCPN 4.4.0 pre-installed

Raspberry Pi is a trademark of Raspberry Pi Foundation

Posted in Exton Linux, Linux, RaspEX | Tagged Chart plotter, exton, kernel 4.1.18, Navigation software, Navigation tool, OpenCPN, Raspberry Pi 3, RaspEX, Ubuntu 15.10 | 1 Comment

RaspEX – Build 160307 – for the new Raspberry Pi 3

Posted on March 7, 2016 by exton

NEWS 160307: A new version of RaspEX especially built for the new Raspberry Pi 3 is ready
The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016.

Compared to the Raspberry Pi 2 it has:
A 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU
802.11n Wireless LAN
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

NEWS 160307 ABOUT RaspEX
My first version of RaspEX is from 150318, my second from 150706 and my third one from 151027. I have now upgraded the whole system and replaced the old kernel. RaspEX Build 160307 is a Linux ARM system for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2. It is based on Debian Jessie (Debian 8.3), Ubuntu Wily Werewolf (Ubuntu 15.10, released 151022) and Linaro (Open Source software for ARM SoCs). In this new version (160307) I’ve installed Wicd Network Manager and replaced Chromium with Firefox with better support for YouTube. I have also installed Samba and VNC4Server so you can connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). Furthermore some extra Network Tools and PulseAudio for better sound in YouTube.

Screenshot 1 – RaspEX connected to Windows via Samba

Screenshot 2 – RaspEX connected to Windows via PuTTy

Screenshot 3 – RaspEX “running on” Windows with VNC Viewer

Softpedia review
RaspEX version 151001 was reviewed by Softpedia 151001.

Raspberry Pi 3 model B made in February 2016. It has a 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU and 1GB RAM. Read more…

More about RaspEX
RaspEX is a full Linux Desktop system with LXDE (an extremely fast-performing and energy-saving desktop environment) and many other useful programs pre-installed. Firefox is used as Web Browser and Synaptic as Package Manager. You can use Samba and VNC4Server to connect to your Windows computers in your Home Network and/or control RaspEX on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Raspberry Pi 2 from your Windows computers with VNC Viewer and/or PuTTY (Telnet and SSH client). You can use Synaptic to install any extra packages you may need. For example LibreOffice. RaspEX uses Ubuntu’s software repositories so you can install thousands of extra packages if you want.

Kernel
Kernel 4.1.18 is used.

Why shall I use RaspEX?
Eight Operating Systems are recommended by Raspberrypi.org. Among them Noobs, Raspbian (Debian Jessie) and Snappy Ubuntu Core. RaspEX is faster (“fast as lightning”), more useful and more fun to use. (In my opinion). One member on this site thought that running RaspEX (for Raspberry Pi 2) was like running Raspberry on “steroids“. RaspEX Build 160307 is (of course) even faster, especially if you run the system on a Raspberry Pi 3 computer.

How do I install RaspEX?
Just like any other Raspberry Pi system. I.e.: Unpack the downloaded ZIP file (raspex-ubuntu-15.10-793mb-160307.zip) and transfer the IMAGE file (raspex-ubuntu-15.10-3050mb-160307.img) to your Micro SD card of at least 8GB. For that you shall use Win32DiskImager in Windows. When running it will look like this.

Different Micro SD Cards
For best performance you should use SD Cards of good quality. I can recommend Samsung MicroSD Pro Plus 32GB Class 10. Write speed up to 95 MB/s. Also Samsung MicroSD EVO 16GB Class 10. Write speed up to 48 MB/s. Price 47 $ respectively 10 $ (in Sweden).

How do I use RaspEX?
When you start up your Raspberry Mini computer with RaspEX you will (after a few seconds) end up in X and LXDE as the ordinary user raspex. The password for raspex is raspex. When logged in as raspex you can use Sudo to become root. Example: sudo su and sudo pcmanfm. The password for root (superuser) is root. You can log out from LXDE and log in again as root (if you want). This is how it looks at SLiM‘s login page.

Then log out from LXDE and back in again.

When logged in as the ordinary user raspex your Desktop will look like this.

Click to view a larger picture

Watch this slideshow re. connections between RaspEX and Windows.
<br /> <a href="http://slideful.com/v20151002_0349921305081940_pf.htm">View the slide show</a>

Bluetooth connections
It seems difficult to use the “built in” Bluetooth adapter running RaspEX on Raspberry Pi 3. Two packages are missing. Namely pi-bluetooth and bluez-firmware. Those packages can’t be installed in RaspEX unless you temporarily change /etc/apt/sources.list. Unfortunately I could not get Bluetooth to work in RaspEX on Raspberry Pi 3 even with pi-bluetooth and bluez-firmware installed, but I’m no Bluetooth “expert”. Please let me know if you have better luck. (And how you did it). Using my Asus USB-BT400 dongle on Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry Pi 2 I have no trouble using Bluetooth in RaspEX. Watch these two screenshots.
1. Showing “paring” with my Android phone
2. Showing the sending process of a file from RaspEX/Raspberry Pi 3 to my Android phone

View all installed packages in RaspEX – Build 160307

Screenshot of RaspEX’s Desktop while Wicd is running (for configuration of a wireless connection)

Screenshot 1 – RaspEX connected to Windows via Samba

Screenshot 2 – RaspEX connected to Windows via PuTTy

Screenshot 3 – RaspEX “running on” Windows with VNC-viewer

DOWNLOAD – raspex-ubuntu-15.10-793mb-160307.zip from SourceForge.net
or from the
The Swedish Linux Society

md5sum

READ also about my RaspEX Build 160308 (also for Raspberry Pi 3 and 2) with OpenCPN pre-installed
OpenCPN is a free software (GPLv2) project to create a concise chart plotter and navigation software, for use underway or as a planning tool. OpenCPN is developed by a team of active sailors using real world conditions for program testing and refinement.

Posted in Exton Linux, Linux, RaspEX | Tagged Debian 8.3, exton, Firefox, Linux ARM, PuTTY, Raspberry Pi 3, RaspEX, Samba, Softpedia, Synaptic, Ubuntu 15.10, VNC-viewer, VNC4Server | 37 Comments

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

Posted on March 5, 2016 by exton

NEWS from Raspberrypi.org
The Raspberry Pi 3 is the third generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016.

Compared to the Raspberry Pi 2 it has:
A 1.2GHz 64-bit quad-core ARMv8 CPU
802.11n Wireless LAN
Bluetooth 4.1
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Raspberry Pi 3: How much better is it than the Raspberry Pi 2? Raspberry Pi 3 is performing 10 times faster than that of the Pi 1 and around 50 percent better than that of the Pi 2 according to testers. I have (of course) bought one and from my experience I must agree.

Compatibility
Unfortunately not all systems made for Raspberry Pi 2 will run on the new Pi 3. They need to be upgraded with a new kernel. I therefore have to upgrade the systems I distribute. I.e. RaspEX, RaspEX with OpenCPN, RaspAnd and RaspArch. I will start with RaspEX.

Posted in Exton Linux, RaspAnd, RaspArch, RaspEX | Tagged exton, RaspAnd, RaspArch, Raspberry Pi 3, RaspEX | Leave a comment

The 7″ Touchscreen Monitor for Raspberry Pi works in RaspEX Build 160426, based on Ubuntu 16.04, with Kodi Media Center 16.0

RaspAnd 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) for Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 2 Build 160717 with GAPPS, Wifi, Bluetooth and YouTube working

RaspEX Build 160426, based on Ubuntu 16.04, with Kodi Media Center 16.0 and Fluxbox

RaspEX Build 160421: Now based on Ubuntu 16.04, released today (160421)

RaspEX Build 160402: Now with Kodi (XBMC) Media Center, Bluetooth, Samba, SSH and VNC4Server

RaspAnd – Build 3 150924/160315 – with Google Play Store, now also for Raspberry Pi 3!

RaspArch Build 160312 :: Run Arch Linux on your Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 2 computer

RaspEX – Build 160308 – with OpenCPN pre-installed, now especially for Raspberry Pi 3

RaspEX – Build 160308 based on Ubuntu 15.10 – with OpenCPN – especially made for Raspberry Pi 3

RaspEX – Build 160307 – for the new Raspberry Pi 3

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B

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