Pi 3 Not Starting

[George845]

I am a software developer/user and not a system setter-upper. I've followed instructions to format my SD card and download & extract all of NOOBS content. I have power to the Pi, keyboard & mouse plugged into powered USB hub, VGA monitor cable going through a VGA-to-HDMI adapter, and, of course, the SD card. All power is coming from a power strip. When I turn on the power strip, I see a steady red light on the Pi and no other visual indications. My monitor briefly displays "No INPUT SIGNAL" then goes black with its power indicator flashing. There is no power to the keyboard - NumLock & CapsLock indicators don't light up.

I really could use some help as I'm now at a total loss as to what do I do next.

[Rive]

Tried powering up without using the powered USB hub?

You downloaded the newest version of NOOBS, right? not trying to use an older version (like for the pi2)?

You are using the appropriate power supply? min. 5V 2A (recommended 5.1V 2.5A). Power light flashing/blinking may indicate a voltage issue.

You used a txt editor to configure /boot/config.txt as needed to work with VGA?

[George845]

I downloaded NOOBS Version:1.9.0, Release date:2016-03-18.
I'm using the power supply provided with the Pi 3 complete starter kit from CanaKit.
I do not see any /boot/config.txt file on the SD card.

[Rive]

I downloaded NOOBS Version:1.9.0, Release date:2016-03-18.
I'm using the power supply provided with the Pi 3 complete starter kit from CanaKit.
I do not see any /boot/config.txt file on the SD card.

what is the PS rated for? Pi3 is 5.1V 2.5A. I am using 5.25V 2.4A myself.

The config.txt file is for rasbian jessie. NM.

[George845]

Output: 5V 2.5A

[Rive]

Output: 5V 2.5A

My guess is that it may be a VGA issue. Have you tried connecting HDMI to tv to check?

[George845]

Would a VGA issue prevent the keyboard from not indicating NumLock or CapsLock?
Also, what is meant by "The config.txt file is for rasbian jessie. NM."?

[Rive]

Would a VGA issue prevent the keyboard from not indicating NumLock or CapsLock?
Also, what is meant by "The config.txt file is for rasbian jessie. NM."?

My guess firstly would have been a power supply issue, but your power supply should be sufficient (and you have tried it without the usb hub- pi3 direct to power strip/wall outlet, right?)

Second would have been VGA, but if the pi3 has power, keyboard should have power (if it is plugged into the pi3 USB).

The config.txt file is in rasbian jessie (which is all that NOOBS has, all other OSes require internet connectivity for download). I dunno what you are trying to install though. I directly downloaded rasbian jessie myself. I never used NOOBS. "NM" means nevermind.

In any event, I am all out of troubleshooting steps. maybe someone else can assist.

[George845]

Regarding your first statement, the SD card is plugged directly into a Pi USB port, not into the powered USB hub (I think that's what you're asking).

I agree - the keyboard should have power.

You say: "The config.txt file is in rasbian jessie (which is all that NOOBS has..." I'm presuming you mean that rasbian is the only OS that NOOBS has. That makes sense since within the os folder, there is only a Raspbian folder. However, Raspbian has no jessie item within it. Should I put jessie on the SD card? if so, where do i find it?

[Rive]

Regarding your first statement, the SD card is plugged directly into a Pi USB port, not into the powered USB hub (I think that's what you're asking).

I agree - the keyboard should have power.

You say: "The config.txt file is in rasbian jessie (which is all that NOOBS has..." I'm presuming you mean that rasbian is the only OS that NOOBS has. That makes sense since within the os folder, there is only a Raspbian folder. However, Raspbian has no jessie item within it. Should I put jessie on the SD card? if so, where do i find it?

No.

Why is the sd card in a pi3 usb port? My understanding is you cant run NOOBS/OS via USB. It has to be on the micro sdcard, and that micro sdcard needs to be inserted in the micro sdcard slot on bottom of the pi3.

I have power to the Pi, keyboard & mouse plugged into powered USB hub

The power supply is what i was talking about, and i suggested not powering the pi3 off a USB, but by directly plugging in the 5v 2.5A power supply into 120v-240v outlet. Then plug the mouse and keyboard into the USB ports on the pi3 itself.


This is a good thread for setting up the pi3 (the newest version of Rasbian is "Jessie"):
viewtopic.php?p=921165#p921165

[George845]

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle! This whole time I was keeping the mini SD card in the USB "carrier", which I now realize is only to access the card on my laptop via USB port.

I've plugged into the mini SD card slot on the bottom of the Pi 3 and I've got things powered up. The keyboard has power, but the monitor screen started out as a dark grey and evolved into fully black now.

What do i do now?

[Rive]

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle! This whole time I was keeping the mini SD card in the USB "carrier", which I now realize is only to access the card on my laptop via USB port.

I've plugged into the mini SD card slot on the bottom of the Pi 3 and I've got things powered up. The keyboard has power, but the monitor screen started out as a dark grey and evolved into fully black now.

What do i do now?

Perhaps it is a VGA misconfiguration issue. First, connect HDMI directly to HDTV, If it works, then it is definitely a VGA issue. Ideally you wanted to use an HDMI monitor or DVI Monitor (with HDMI to DVI cable). VGA monitors are....problematic.

If you verify it is in fact a VGA issue, perhaps someone else can assist.

[Rive]

FYI


Read this regarding using a VGA monitor on pi3:
https://thepihut.com/blogs/raspberry-pi ... ga-adapter

[DTonline]

What is the size of the microSD card? I had the exact same problem when I used a Sony 64GB card. Once I changed to a smaller capacity card (Transcend 8GB and a Sandisk 4GB) the boot process went through without a hitch. Hope this helps.