The purpose of this chapter is to get you up and running with your RP3 as soon as possible.  We’ll start with how to prepare your RP3 to run, followed by powering it on, booting it for the first time and selecting an initial operating system, navigating Raspi-config, and then rebooting.  After that, we’ll get you started with how to access the command line, logging in, opening the GUI, connecting to the internet, working with a removable drive, and shutting down.

This is probably the most important chapter in the book, so be sure to read it carefully.

Preparation

You begin by placing the microSD card (containing the operating system) into the SD card slot on the bottom side of the RP3.  Then plug in your USB keyboard and mouse.  Connect the HDMI cable between the RP3 and the monitor, then turn the monitor on and make sure you have selected the correct input on the monitor.  If you are going to connect the RP3 directly to your network, plug the Ethernet cable intro in the Ethernet port.  When you are ready to start, plug the power supply into the RP3.

Remember this:  there is not a power button for the RP3.  To turn it on, plug in its power supply. 

Booting

The term “boot” is an old computer term that references boot straps.  Basically, to boot a computer means to load its basic software into memory, such as its operating system.  Once you turn the RP3 on, it takes a few seconds for it to boot.  In order for it to boot, it needs to load the operating system from the microSD card.  This means that the microSD card needs to be inserted before you turn the RP3 on.

Is this is your first time to boot up the RP3, you should be using the microSD card with NOOBs installed.  When you boot, you will see window appear with several different operating systems to choose from.  For first time users, your best bet will be Raspbian – you can go back and install a different operating system at a later time.  Tick the box next to Raspian and then click on the Install button.  Be aware that this installation process may take a while.  When it is complete, you will be taken to the Raspberry Pi configuration menu, raspi-config.

 

Raspi-Config

Once you are inside rapsi-config, you can move between the options using the arrow key.  We’ll discuss these different options now

Expand the Filesystem.  This gives you access to all the storage available on your SD card, and is only needed if you are not using NOOBs to setup your RP3.

Change User Password.  The default username for the RP2 is pi and the password is raspberry.  Leave them unchanged for now.

After Booting.  This option lets you decide where to go after the RP3 boots: a desktop environment, Scratch, or the command line.  The default is command line, also known as Console Text.  Leave this option unchanged for now.

Language and Regional Settings.  This sets up your language and time zone settings.  You can come back to it later. 

Enable Camera.  If you are going to use a non-USB camera you will need to work through this setup, but not rightnow.

Rastrack.  Rastack is a map showing the location of RP owners all over the world.  You can enter your info anonymously, but you need an internet connection to do this.  This is another option that you can return to later on.

Overclock.  This is used to increase the speed at which the CPU operates.  It doesn’t need to be changed at this stage.

Advanced options.  This is also an option to save until you are more familiar with the RP3.

The last option is used to learn more about raspi-config.

Reboot Step

Tab down to Finish and hit Enter.  The system will ask if you want to reboot now.  Tab to Yes and click Enter.  After it reboots, you will again see a variety of text on the screen.  Don’t worry if you don’t understand it all.

Accessing the Command Line

The system will most likely take you to the Scratch environment, or another environment that is not the command line.  At this step in the setup, however, you need access to the command line.  To get there, press Ctrl-Alt-F2 at the same time.  This key sequence will always take you to the command line.

Logging In

At the command line you will be prompted to enter your login.  The default login is pi.  Next you will need to provide your password, which is raspberry.  So, the default login is pi and the default password is raspberry.  Be aware that when you type the password in it won’t look like you are typing anything in – that is just part of the security measures of the operating system.  Once you have typed in the password, press enter.

You are now at the command line, which should look something like this.

pi@raspberrypi ~ $

Accessing the GUI

To access the GUI, or graphical user interface, from the command line, type startx.  Once you have typed that in, press enter.  Once the interface comes up on the screen, trying clicking on the Menu button in the upper left-hand corner to see a list of options that include things like Programming, Internet, Games, Accessories, Help, Preferences, Run, and Shutdown.

Internet

To access the internet, go to the Menu button we just described.  Go to Preferences … WiFi Configuration.  Click the Scan button that you see in the lower-right corner to find your network listed.  Double-click on your particular network, click the Add button, and then close the Window.  This should take you back to the WiFi configuration window where you network should now be listed.  Click Connect, then go to File … Save Configuration.  This makes it easier to access the network next time. 

Now close out the Wifi Configuration window and to to Menu … Internet … Raspberry Pi Resources.  This should take you to the internet and give you access to Resources webpage on the Raspberry Pi Foundation website.

Working with a Removable Drive

This might be a good time to insert a removable drive, like a flash drive or a stick drive.  If you insert a removable drive while you are in the GUI desktop, a window will pop up to inform you that a removable drive has been inserted and will ask you what you want to do.  Your best bet is to click Open in File Manager, then click OK. 

This opens up the file manager, which gives you access to the files you have on the removable drive.  It will appear as a folder called media.

Shutdown

Once you are finished with your initial foray into the RP3, you will need to shut it down.  To turn it off, you can’t just unplug its power supply.  If you are at the command line, type this: sudo halt –h.  This prepares the system for a safe shutdown.  To shut it down while you are in the GUI, go to Menu … Shutdown … Shutdown.  It will switch to command line view with an abundance of text, and then stop.  Your monitor will turn off. 

Watch the LEDs on the RP3 board.  Once all of them have turned off except for the red power light, wait two seconds then unplug the power supply.  If you don’t follow this shutdown procedure, then you risk corrupting the microSD card, losing data that may be stored on it, and having to reimage the card.