Screen goes black

[lynchd]

I just got a pi 2 for me and my kids. We bought a kit http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PWY ... ge_o04_s00 on Amazon from Vilros.

It came with a NOOBS sd card so I'm not sure if it had the most recent software on it or not.

We were able to install Raspbian and Data Partition successfully. (There was only one other choice- something about Scratch.)

When it was done installing, the screen went black so we unplugged and replugged the pi.

When we do this we briefly see the Raspberry desktop page with some option about the shift key.

I'm using an old Dell moitor and this VGA to HDMI converter, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PWY ... ge_o04_s00

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[DirkS]

I'm using an old Dell moitor and this VGA to HDMI converter, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PWY ... ge_o04_s00

I think something went wrong while copying / pasting. That link points to the same kit as the other link.

[BMS Doug]

Do you have access (temporary) to a HDMI monitor?

The problem is that the HDMI to VGA converter isn't telling the Pi the screen format, the NOOBS menu didn't care so just forced an HDMI output but the Raspbian wants to know the correct screen details.

There are ways of forcing the screen output (you can modify a setting file) but that will be hard to do if you can't see the screen.

[BMS Doug]

Doug,
I'm able to use the PI when I connect to a TV with a HDMI cable. What is the modification you were describing in your reply?

If I make that change, will the Pi still work with the TV?

Thanks
Dave

Subject: Screen goes black

Do you have access (temporary) to a HDMI monitor?

The problem is that the HDMI to VGA converter isn't telling the Pi the screen format, the NOOBS menu didn't care so just forced an HDMI output but the Raspbian wants to know the correct screen details.

There are ways of forcing the screen output (you can modify a setting file) but that will be hard to do if you can't see the screen.

The settings are in the file config.txt, start by uncommenting "hdmi_safe=1" and "hdmi_force_hotplug=1", these settings will not stop your Pi working with a HDTV but may reduce the picture quality.

There are more details in this thread:
(note that the problems of powering an unpowered HDMI to VGA converter have been resolved).

I had a similar issue in that I would not get video displayed on my TV unless it was already in HDMI mode when I powered up the Pi. If I then switched the cable over to the monitor it displayed but would not display at all on the monitor if I started with the Pi hooked to it. Solved the problem when I found out about config.txt. You can modify that to force the Pi to output HDMI. The problem apperas to be that going through an HDMI to VGA adapter keeps the Pi from automatically detecting the monitor so it defaults to composite output. My understanding is that only one of the two outputs can work at a time. Anyway, check this wiki: http://elinux.org/RPiconfig

I'd start with just uncommenting "hdmi_safe=1". That will force the HDMI on and put it in a low resolution mode that any monitor can handle. You can comment it back out later and set your desired resolution. You may have to uncomment "hdmi_force_hotplug=1" to ensure that the HDMI always gets activated.

[lynchd]

I tried uncommenting just hdmi safe 1 only as Mobius had suggested but was unsuccessful. I followed Doug's advice and also uncommented hotplug and that did the trick. My old monitor is now working. It doesn't look as good as an HD TV but I can now put the Pi somewhere out of the way.

Thanks to both Doug and Mobius for their help.