Raspberry Pi Zero

Ah right, I see what you mean! You could be onto something there! Especially with RDP instead of VNC.

Or/and you need USB host support. With network USB emulation on USB host, it would be possible to connect a Pi 0 to a PC and use it with a SPICE/VNC/RDP client.

Good point, you’ll be able to make a Pi cluster only with USB hubs. It would even be possible to imagine a backplane with USB connectors (for example a PCIE card with USB chip on it). The API could even be the same as the one used for a possible AMP mode on Pi 2 (use of other cores by the applications). Lots of geek possibilities.

It’s sad that Simtec is not here any more.
http://www.simtec.co.uk/products/BB5D144PCI/index.html

Perhaps the Zero should be running RISC OS, piggy-backing some how on the RPi B which manages the network connection under Linux.

More difficult. With a multi-USB Pi, host mode is not possible. So the master will be the Linux boardd. Of course, it would be possible to manage a RISC OS Pi from an ARM Linux session.

Anyway, problem is not hardware, but software. USB host mode seems to be available on RISC OS in a crude form (not that bad: it’s not available at all on Linux). There is a lot to do to get storage and network emulation (or simply a test client/server solution based on more direct and non-standard technologies).

Anyway, with 3D printers, and all these things, I hope that Pi 0 will be the base of new RISC OS products (CJE?): tablet (need charging management and touch), gaming device (need charging management and buttons), RISC OS in a key (to connect on TV… would need some form of Bluetooth support), ultimate geek Phone (https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/piphone-home-made-raspberry-pi-smartphone/ could use VoLTE on 4G USB key too), Psion 5 like computer (would need some hard work on keyboard integration), real PiCamera with lens (you would need a classic Pi for this). Endless possibilities :) And all of these would be first for RISC OS.

Or/and you need USB host support. With network USB emulation on USB host,

Do you mean USB ‘device’ support? I can see that if a pi zero was seen as a usb device and it emulated one of the current EtherUSB backends then a usb device mode EtherUSB backend for the pi zero would enable socket communication between a pi b+ and a zero. All the unknowns are in getting the pi’s usb device mode to work.

Sorry yes. Device mode.
A bounty will raise some money from mine.

@Chris:- I nipped out to my local WHSmiths and bought one and can confirm it does run RISC OS.
RC14 ROM image or last nightly build works but it does need later firmware. The firmware available with Raspbian Jessie works!

Please can you tell me how to get that firmware out of Raspian. I have the same problem as I had with the screen – I do not have the experience with Linux to do this. The GitHub files do not work for me and I do not know of another direct download site.

I did try a NOOBS install of RISC OS, but that seems to have firmware from February. ;-(

Thanks

Same ever ;-)

Try this

Steve: it is not straight forward to download files from GitHub. We RISC OS users often shift-click the link to the file. This does not work for GitHub, you need to really click the file and then download via “raw”.

If you start from here
https://github.com/raspberrypi/firmware/tree/master/boot
to download bootcode.bin you click on the link and then you can download the real file via the “View raw” link.

@Raik

My saviour again. I will get installing later. ;-)

@Steffen

I did download the Raw files, and checked for rational sizes, but something I do is not right.

Thanks each.

My saviour again. I will get installing later. ;-)

I hope it works. I’m not at home. I “stole” the files with WIN.

…from GitHub…

I’ve never had success with the files from GitHub…

We are looking at doing a special version that would fit in the same plane as the Pi0 PCB and include audio out! It would significantly increase the footprint but keep the low profile

Any suggestions welcome.

I would like to see a board that was compatible with an ATX case. I would like it to take power from an ATX power supply, have a usb hub, 4 sata and network. The Pi (hopefully any version, though B would be wasteful) would mount on this and be easily exchanged for new models.

We are looking at doing a special version that would fit in the same plane as the Pi0 PCB and include audio out! It would significantly increase the footprint but keep the low profile

Unsurprisingly, when I get my hands a Zero I intend to design a RiscPiC variant for it – so perhaps I should wait for you to that, so I can ensure it fits the combination.

@Raik

It works! Thanks. ;-)

I’ve yet to get mine running, from the detail on the Zero website I ordered a 99p HDMI to Micro HDMI adapter. On arrival that was too small, so I’ve now ordered a Type C HDMI to HDMI, which is hopefully correct!

Regards Firmware, I always prep the SD’s under Windows and copy the RAW’s direct from GitHub for dev/testing. NOOBS is best avoided whilst testing, as you can’t recover if the firmware fails to work – the partition is hidden without the use of partition tools. Stick to the full SD image here would be my advise.

NOOBS is good for quick setup of final working machines, provided the firmware is valid of course. I used it to build all the Pi B’s I exhibited at the London Show for example. For the Pi 2 I had to use the full SD as various components needed to be the latest to resolve bugs issues in the firmware/RISCOS.

I’ve yet to get mine running, from the detail on the Zero website I ordered a 99p HDMI to Micro HDMI adapter. On arrival that was too small, so I’ve now ordered a Type C HDMI to HDMI, which is hopefully correct!

Does the one you actually have fit a “tablet” computer?

I had guessed that the one required would be the same as is found on tablets, but have no evidence as yet.

This information might be helpful to others!

The PiZero uses mini HDMI and micro USB we have a variety of cables and adaptors to go to standard size HDMI and USB A in stock!

Adapters are all 99p with free delivery via eBay, so £3 for all the necessary adapters if you already have cables suitable for a Pi.

It works! Thanks. ;-)

But it does not work with my Lapdock. I cannot get it to recognise the USB, although I can get it to use a USB keyboard connected independently. The SD image works fine with an A+.

Has anyone else done this?

With regard to updating the firmware, is there any reason that the Pi firmware in the SD image could not be kept up-to-date, so that RC14, for instance, would include the latest? I realise that this would require attention from someone who might be very short of time, but is there a technical reason?

I’ve posted over on Community Support page but whist here…. I cant get any USB input devices to work mice keyboards etc…
Its not the hardware as it all works fine if i boot using Raspbian

Any ideas ???

I ought to say that I only get a USB keyboard to work if it is connected on boot and it loses the connection if unlugged and replugged. Nor does it work through a hub. Something is clearly amiss. ;-(

Whose Pi Zero is working as we would expect?

is the hub powered?

Does *usbdevices show the devices?

Edit:

Stupid question when the keyboard doesn’t work :-)

I hope I find the time later this day.

Other stupid question. Work the Zero micro USB port as a USBHost or OTG port?

is the hub powered?

The hub I used is not powered, but works fine with an A+. It is something I have thought of investigating, but not urgently, ;-)

Work the Zero micro USB port as a USBHost or OTG port?

How would that differ? From what I have read on the Pi forums the Pi does not distingush this in hardware, so only the normal 4 wires are used.

You can set a OTG port in Host mode. Sorry not easy for me in english. The cable has 4 wires but Pin 4 and 5 (?) in the plug are bridged. This set the host mode and you can use a hub… It is also possible with software. A normally USB e.g. in A+ is working in host mode.

This was easy. Works in OTG mode.
I use this OTG plug from my “SM-art-phone” and this cable and a working HDMI cable

Sorry, only a quick shot…