Pi First Time Startup

[the knack]

Can't seem to get my Pi to start. I've read that most problems are with the SD card not being formatted correctly or the distribution not being installed correctly. I've tried formatting cards using the SDFormatter utility and installing the NOOBS software and the Raspbmc but not having any luck. The cards are all listed as being compatible with the Pi. I've tried 2 different 16 MB cards, an 8 MB and 2 different 4 MB's. Using a wireless KB & Mouse, wireless wifi dongle and and HDMI to VGA adapter. Can't be a power problem, tried 3 different sources. Power led stays on and ok light flashes a few times when first powered up with 2 of the SD cards, others only indicate power. The monitor indicates that there is a VGA input but then is goes blank. Lots of computer/network experience but this is my first Pi. Any help on this would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Danny

[rurwin]

Your problem is probably the HDMI to VGA converter. Many cheap ones expect that the analogue signals will be available on the HDMI port. That is not true for the RaspPi, it only provides digital.

If you search the forum you will find several people have mentioned HDMI to VGA converters that work. Otherwise it is much easier and safer (and a tenth of the cost) to use HDMI to DVI cables. In that case the signals are identical, it is just the shape of the connectors that is different. But of course, your monitor will need a DVI input. Most of them have one unless it is a CRT.

Those SD cards where the OK LED blinks a few times are the ones that are working.

[the knack]

Thanks for the reply. I'll try connecting it directly to an HDMI monitor to see if that's the problem, although I should have mentioned that I have tried a small composite monitor with the same results.

I'll post here to let you know how it works. Thanks again.
Danny

[klricks]

Are you sure you are unzipping image files correctly onto your SD card?
You can put the SD card back into your cardreader and verify that all file and folders are present on your SD card.
Just compare the contents of each folder to the the corresponding folders in the ZIP file.

First time I tried the NOOBS my old zip extractor program (Quickzip) did not get all the files unzipped properly. I had to manually put all the sub folders on the SD card.

Edit:
Another quick way to verify is to look at the SD card properties:
Before doing a install on your RPi the disk properties will show:
Used space 1.10 GB
Free Space (The rest of the remaining disk space)
Capacity: (The total size of your SD card)


After a successful installation or Raspbian, if you put the SD card back in your card reader it will show
(The Linux partition will not show)
Used space 1.10 GB
Free space 67.0 MB
Capacity 1.17 GB