[GTALUG] Raspberry Pi 4 Desktop Kit

[Scott Sullivan]

On 8/8/20 9:27 AM, Aruna Hewapathirane wrote:
> On Fri, Aug 7, 2020 at 9:11 PM Scott Sullivan via talk <talk at gtalug.org 
> <mailto:talk at gtalug.org>> wrote:
> 
>     On 8/7/20 6:49 PM, Aruna Hewapathirane via talk wrote:
[.SNIP.]
> 
>      > How easy or difficult would it be to boot off an external hard
>     disk as
>      > compared
>      > to the SD card that comes with the Pi ?
> 
>     Typically, the Pi does not come with an SD card or any accessories.
>     Which is why you will often see is bundles with an SD card, case and
>     power supply.
> 
>     But to answer your question. SD cards are the default way to boot.
>     While
>     support for USB boot was recently introduced. It may require you to
>     update the firmware first, and doesn't look like it 'just works'.
>     Caveat, I've not tried it myself yet.
> 
>     https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/boot-raspberry-pi-4-usb
>     https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/booteeprom.md
>     https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/bcm2711_bootloader_config.md
> 
> 
> So it has USB boot with the Pi 4 I just have to change the 
> FIRMWARE_RELEASE_STATUS value from "critical" to "stable."

I would err on the side of sticking with just a high quality SD card. 
There far less chance of the accidental removal while the machine is in 
operation.

When you also factor in Keyboard, Mouse, and USB boot drive, your left 
with only one spare USB port, which could likely be taken up by a 
webcam. Sticking to the SD keeps one more port free for incidental use.

> Alright I will shop around for a fan and aluminium case.


It's a bit on the pricey side, but this Argon ONE is nice desktop style 
case. The power button also helps to make sure it's not being hard 
powered off, possible leading to corruption of the boot filesystems.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VlE654abDo
https://www.buyapi.ca/product/argon-one-pi-4-raspberry-pi-case/


>     That being said, I will give one further thing to consider.
> 
>     A Raspberry Pi 4 - 8GB is going to run you around $100 Canadian, +
>     $30-50 for a good case, $15 for PSU, $30-80 for SD card or other
>     storage. That's $200 or more. Well with in the lower ends of the
>     used or
>     refurbished desktop and laptops.
> 
>     - https://www.freegeektoronto.org/shop/
>     - https://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?cPath=7_158_1934&sort=3a
>     - https://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?cPath=710_374&sort=3a
> 
>     Can you tell us more about how you expect to use the computer?
>     That would let us help narrow down your options more.
> 
> 
> This is not for me. My uncle lives in Edmonton. He is in his late 70's 
> and getting on.
> I visited him recently and he has an ancient desktop and my aunty has a 
> laptop. Both
> run Windows 10. The modem+router is in their basement. The house has 3 
> levels. So
> the wifi signal has to get through two floors for my uncle and one floor 
> for my aunty. Most
> times things are extremely slow. I could run an ethernet cable from the 
> basement and wire
> a direct connection but did not have the time to do that this time.
> 
> I have a couple of desktops lying around but Canada Post or Fedex or UPS 
> will be
> very expensive if I was to ship them to Edmonton from Toronto and both 
> my uncle and aunt
> are not technically savvy or inclined so even if I get it across someone 
> has to hook up and test
> things before handing over to them.
> 
> This is when I started exploring possible alternatives. A Pi has a very 
> small form factor. Easily
> packaged and can be sent through Canada Post. Or if I manage to save 
> enough to fly to Edmonton
> carrying a Pi or two will not be a issue as compared to checking in two 
> desktops :-)


Yup, remote support and shipping requirements really do lean into the 
Raspberry Pi's favor here.


> And since everything will be set to go all they have to do is plug in 
> the keyboard+mouse+monitor
> or TV and things should just work ? I still have to run a ethernet cable 
> from the basement up
> to his room and my aunt's laptop which has no fixed location. Most times 
> she uses it in the
> kitchen or dining table.
> 
> Oh one more question, what can I do to increase the wifi signal from the 
> basement up 3 floors ?
> I have very limited experience with modems and routers.

There are wifi repeaters, but I've not had much experience with them to 
make a recommendation.

A more practical approach is to move the ISP modem/router onto the 
middle floor so that it's coverage is more consistent across the property.

If it's not practical to do so, because of where their internet service 
enters the property, consider getting a second dedicate WIFI router. 
Turn off the WIFI on the ISP modem/router. Setup WIFI on the new router, 
disable it's DHCP services, and connect one of its LAN side ports back 
to one of the LAN side ports of the ISP modem/router.

-- 
Scott Sullivan