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MiPi - Raspberry Pi Desktop Replacement Project

*** 2021: The MiPi Project has been moved to tech.tpedersen.net/raspberry-pi/pi-recipes/mipi-desktop ***


Last Update 12 April 2021
Original 17 Nov 2019

Completed ... but still tweaking - See Activity Log (below)

Recently replaced primary x86_64 Linux desktop with a RPi4 running Manjaro Plasma w/ SSD.  The little Pi is running surprisingly well - I've even done some video editing!  No step-by-step recipe here, I will simply attempt to keep hardware & software profile up to date and possibly share hopes, dreams and struggles periodically - see Log below.

Project status in a nutshell:

Feb 2021:  Tuneup:  MiPi now overclocked. 
    config.txt:  over_voltage=6, arm_freq=2000, gpu_freq=600
Jan 2021:  Had to print!  Forgot cups!  Manjaro Printing is not as easy as it should (Brother HL2395DW on network)
Nov 2020:  MiPi is now the primary system in my play-area ... Monitors, keyboard & mouse are front and center!
Aug 2020:  Manjaro is stable (again).  Now booting off of 240g SSD!  Slowly moving activities to MiPi.
Apr 2020:  Switched from Raspbian/Cinnamon to Manjaro/Plasma (64bit, Arch-based)

Current OS/Config


                    https://forum.manjaro.org/c/arm/100

Hardware:   RPi 4 Model B w/ 4g*

Research Backlog

- Custom Case (or something) to hold all this together AND provide some front-panel connections 
- SD Card reader would be nice - I do a lot of RPI-ing


MiPi Activity Log (Flaky $hit Highlighted - Fixed Stuff, ToDo Stuff)

April 2021

  • Finally getting around to fixing some aesthetics that have been bothering me
    1. Libreoffice:  No icons in tool bars ... I've been flying blind! 
      It ended up beingThe LibreOffice option:  Tools/Options/View -> Icon Style
      Changed mine from Breeze (SVG = dark) Dark to Breeze Automatic and Poof!  Icons in toobar!
      Before:

      After:
    2. KSysttemLog - still pretty hard to read - no remedy yet

March 2021

  • Fan started screaming!  It looks like they last approx 1 year!  Luckily, I bought a 2-pack. 
    I probably need to look into a better case w/ on/off switch, sleep mode or something
  • Sometimes I'm not too sure about these constant updates ...
    March update #2, broke my Samba shares ... possibly the end to old client protocol (NT1). 
    This error when I was messing with SMB4k:
    Mounting the share bshare on RNAS failed:mount error: Server abruptly closed the connection.
    This can happen if the server does not support the SMB version you are trying to use.
    The default SMB version recently changed from SMB1 to SMB2.1 and above. Try mounting with vers=1.0.
    mount error(112): Host is down
    Refer to the mount.cifs(8) manual page (e.g. man mount.cifs) and kernel log messages (dmesg)
    • Not sure Dolphin CAN specify vers=1.0 - https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=339752
    • Temporarily Fixed using SMB4K with Setting/Advanced Mount Settings = SMB Protocol Version 1.0
      Seems to work - if I bookmark in SMB4K, dolphin shows and can access the shares
      • Autostart SMB4k (sits in try, but doesnt seem to eat system)
      • Smb4k Configure/Mounting:  Basic:  Remount Shares,  Advanced: SMB Protocol to v1.0
    • LONG TERM??? - May need to finally get rid of old NAS!!

  • Another round of flaky wired network connection after a major update ... two issues here
    1. I saw this in January too ... will get log entry sequence next time ...
      After the update my wired Ethernet connection constantly disconnected/reconnected - looked like once per minute.  Tried a number of things to fix - finally deleted and re-added the connection via Settings/Network/Connections
    2. VERY Strange:  I lost the block of log information (kernel & journal) that showed the connection issue - for some reason my logs go from 2/3/21 to 3/10/21!  A bug that covers its tracks!
  • Attempt to fix some annoying visual issues and clean up warnings in logs ... I installed app called QT5 Settings ... THIS ENDED UP BAD!  Desktop icons disappeared and other strange visual issues ... undid it!  This is my reminder to see how all of the QT stuff fits together in the future
    • The desktop app complained that it was not configured correctly - and this message:
      The QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME environment variable is not set (required value: qt5ct).
    • Soooo (silly me!). I Added a couple of lines to /etc/profile
      # TPed was here AGAIN - added QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME for QT5 Config tool QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME='qt5ct' export QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME

  • Everything has been running pretty well - time for a Tuneup!  Can't resist!
    • Some log chatter cleanup - Installed KSystemlog
      • Journald log is filled with "qml:temp: 0" - about every 5 seconds or so. 
      • Some more QT Warning chatter in Journald ... doesn't appear to be massive, but exploring
        First sample ...
        qt.qpa.xcb: QXcbConnection: XCB error: 3 (BadWindow), sequence: 42063, resource id: 14744310, major code: 20 (GetProperty), minor code: 0
      • X.org Log shows a quite a few interesting Info messages - many suggesting that "your system is too slow"
        For example:
        [ 51557.760] (EE) client bug: timer event2 debounce short: scheduled expiry is in the past (-8ms), your system is too slow
    • Exploring Overclocking ...
      • Article/Links on the topic:
      • Initial mods appended to end of Config.txt ... worked, but low-voltage warnings from USB-C wall outlets!  Switched to RPi 3amp PSU - no more low-voltage warnings. 

        [pi4] # TPed was here - carefully overclocking
        # Overclock CPU
        over_voltage=2
        arm_freq=1750
        No noticeable change, running temp about the same (35c), Still see "your system is too slow" in X.org Log

      • Attempt #2 - upped to over_voltage to 6, arm_freq 2000

        [pi4] # TPed was here - carefully overclocking
        # Overclock CPU
        over_voltage=6
        arm_freq=2000
        #gpu_freq=750
        Still OK, temp up to 40-42c with a few windwos open, no power issues

      •  Final Overclock Config:  Attempt #3 - temp is looking really good 39-42c while I type this ... will up GPU just a tad, not sure it's worth it, but we'll shoot for 33% on CPU and 20% on GPU and watch temp, voltage and such

        [pi4]
        # TPed was here - carefully overclocking
        # Overclock CPU
        over_voltage=6
        arm_freq=2000
        gpu_freq=600
        This looks like a keeper, temp seems to hover in high 30c range.  If I stress it a bit with two youtubes playing + openshot video editing + some monitoring apps temp raises to 60c, but really not bad.  My fan is still plugged into 3.3v on GPIO.  I don't think I'll even need to speed it up - its nice and quiet at 3.3v.

January 2021

  • Installed kTorrent
  • Finally! Network printing to Brother HL2395DW working!
    1. Install cups // package is called "Manage Printing (cups) 1:2.3.3opt1-1" //
    2. Install Printer Config  // package = "Printer Settings (system-config-printer) 1.5.13-3" //
    3. Installed print driver  // package = "brother-hll2395dw") from AUR
      (remember to add 'aarch64' to build!) //
    4. Fire it all up ( had to do this manually)
      [@MiPi ~]$ sudo systemctl enable cups
      Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/printer.target.wants/cups.service → /usr/lib/systemd/system/cups.service.
      Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/sockets.target.wants/cups.socket → /usr/lib/systemd/system/cups.socket.
      Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/cups.path → /usr/lib/systemd/system/cups.path.
      [@MiPi ~]$ sudo systemctl start cups
      [@MiPi ~]$ ps -A | grep cups          
      147629 ?        00:00:00 cups

    5. Configure Printer per https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/CUPS/Printer-specific_problems#Network_printers
      • Device URI = ipp://<IPADDR>/ipp/port1
      • Make/Model = HL-L2395DW series - IPP Everywhere
    6. Test Page worked, other stuff prints too!December 2020
  • 29-30 December
    • Hmmm, never set up my printer!  No wonder!  It's not as easy as it should be!
  • 20 December
    • Odd boot, lost all bluetooth devices when I came back up.  Had to re-pair mice(s) and keyboard
    • Installed Tiger VNC client so I could remote control G&G's GramPi during COVID Lockdown
  • Applied update 20-12-16
  • Some network (hardwired Ethernet) issue going on (rare) - once in a while it repeatedly connects/disconnects, often settling back down, but periodically bad enough for me to switch to WiFi to get stuff done.
    • Deleted and re-added Ethernet in Network Connections, did a load of disconnect/reconnecting
    • Disconnect looks like this:
      device (eth0): state change: unavailable -> disconnected (reason 'carrier-changed', sys-iface-state: 'managed')

  • More on Samba share strangeness.  The problem (no network or shared drives in SOME apps file open dialogs) appears to be related to KDE Native File Dialogs.  I posted as an Openshot issue @https://github.com/OpenShot/openshot-qt/issues/3862  but wonder if its environmental or runtime because they are scratching their heads!  Will do more research down this path
  • Failed attempt to cleanup the footprint (case, cables, etc) 
    • Bought an Argon ONE case* - VERY NICE but had to send it back ...
      • Could not get it powered!
        • Would not even power up using my wall USB-C outlets
        • All of my official 3amp PS showed low-voltage lighting bolt
      • Mini HDMI outlets - still too close together, had to fiddle to get dual monitors connected
      • Add on SSD enclosure would not accomodate my kinsgston ssd
    • Argon ONE M.2* looks MUCH better - full size HDMI.  Will revisit in the future

16 November 2020
  • More on Samba share strangeness.  Appears to be limited to applications that rely on WM file chooser dialog
    Problem details:  Some applications do not show network drives during file selection (chooser) dialog.  Network shares look fine in File Manager (Dolphin) and many other apps.  I'm fixing these on a case by case basis, may not be best approach:
11-14 November 2020
  • Somewhat Forced cutover - Main system (x86/Mint) is hanging! 
    Reconfigured work area, RPI4 now front and center!  Note:  x86 SSD Repair article (in case I need it again)
  • Still stumbling around on our home network, NAS + Win/Mac Shares
  • Turned on AUR in GUI Pacman (add/remove software) - Needed for a couple of my favorites
  • Learning as I go:  I also need to bring myself up to date while noting that I'm moving from Gnome to KDE!  IF I attempt to bring exact applications over, I will also bring a lot of extra dependency baggage.  Old habits since I only change O/S every 20 years or so!  Will FIRST look Cloud app then for native KDE way of doing things before hitting AUR for exact replacement 
  • Software Installs - trying to keep it to a minimum.  Will hopefully install as needed after this
    Note - I also need to bring myself up to date *and* realize that I'm moving from Gnome to KDE!  IF I attempt to bring exact applications over, I will also bring extra dependency baggage.  Old habits since I only cahnge O/S every 20 years or so!  Will FIRST look for native KDE way of doing things
    • KeePassx - Password Manager
    • ClamTk - Antivirus
    • Geany - Editor
    • Meld - File Compare
    • gtkhash from AUR.   Build failed, appears to require linkage to file manager. No Need! part of DOLPHIN!
      VERY responsive AUR maintainer - will do more research before bothering them in future @       https://aur.archlinux.org/pkgbase/gtkhash.
    • RPi Imager from AUR - JUST to make sure I knew what I was doing w/ AUR!  It works!
    • Balena-etcher from AUR.  Favorite sd flasher
    • Stopwatch:  Replaced gnome Clocks with Kronometer (to reduce amt of extra stuff to install)
    • Chromium Extensions via https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions
      • User-Agent Switcher for Chrome
      • Dlink Webcam ( I got sidetracked )
    • Installed Joplin from AUR - Build Failed!  Looking for a better/new notes app
    • ScreenShot - Screen snapshotter
    • KolourPaint - PSP-Like Image utility
03 November 2020
  • Updates are pretty frequent ... latest:
    Operating System: Manjaro-ARM
    KDE Plasma Version: 5.20.1
    KDE Frameworks Version: 5.75.0
    Qt Version: 5.15.1
    Kernel Version: 5.4.70-1-MANJARO-ARM
    OS Type: 64-bit
    Processors: 4 ×
    Memory: 3.7 GiB of RAM
    Graphics Processor: V3D 4.

  • MAY have fixed longstanding NAS access issue.  Working my way thru https://wiki.manjaro.org/index.php/Using_Samba_in_your_File_Manager#User_Accounts 
    sudo smbpasswd -a theusername
25 September 2020
  • Another update.  Will track versions a bit.  From Info Center:
    Software
    Operating System: Manjaro-ARM
    KDE Plasma Version: 5.19.5
    KDE Frameworks Version: 5.74.0
    Qt Version: 5.15.1
    Kernel Version: 5.4.61-1-MANJARO-ARM
    OS Type: 64-bit
    Hardware
    Processors: 4 ×
    Memory: 3.7 GiB of RAM
    Graphics Processor: V3D 4.

30 August 2020 - Now running off of 240g SSD.  Running log:  Collection of App Installs, hurdles, things to do, etc
  • Pretty big update: [ARM Stable Update] 2020-08-25 - LibreOffice, GCC, Pamac, KDE Applications and Kernels
  • Openshot Video Editor Installed - Can't Import from Network Drive
  • SMPlayer:  "Oops Something went wrong" when playing video from NAS.  Installed VLC
  • Something odd - can't seem to open files from network shares - multiple applications Appears Fixed (smbuser)
  • Ethernet is still causing problems - periodically fails to activates, doesn't connect, need to dig further
    • Appears to stall "setting network address", followed by notification "IP configuration was unavailable"
    • No sign of DHCP request at router 
  • Power Management is flaky - Screen blanking stopped working, adjusting power save values - Magically fixed?
  • Pacman hung while attempting to install KSystemlog - had to reboot, couldn't kill it
  • Added DHCP reservation for MiPi - twas on my list but also attempt to fix Ethernet issue (8/31 early am)
  • Still having issues with window behavior - saving size, position AND which monitor. 
    Apps still pop up where I don't expect them do not seem to remember size or position when adjusted
  • KSystem Log installed to watch 
  • <More as I go>
29 August 2020 - Reinstall Manjaro on SSD
  • Etcher'd latest (Manjaro-ARM-kde-plasma-rpi4-20.08.img) to SSD
  • Install Notes
    • Start with K400 usb keyboard/trackpad, set KB = us
    • Setup user, change passwords
    • Timezone=America/xxx, locale=en_US.UTF8
    • Install < 5 Mins 
    • Seemed to resize root correctly (219g free!)
    • Set up BT 
      • Apple Keyboard - First Try!
      • Triathalon Mouse - First Try!
    • Ethernet not coming up 
    • <ReeeeBoooot!> - it's FAST!
      • Ethernet came right up
      • BT Mouse & Keyboard dead until Login - then fine!  Same old Issue
        • Fixed:  by editing /etc/bluetooth/main.conf, set AutoEnable to true, AGAIN!
          [policy]
          AutoEnable=true
      • Still no Samba by default ...
        • Installed samba, manjaro-settings-samba & smb4k
        • Edited /etc/samba/smb.conf.  File is pretty light, usually full of comments & Doc 
          • Set workgroup to Mi workgroup
          • Changed "client min protocol" from SMB2 to NT1
      • Added plasma5-applets-thermal-monitor-fix panel widget 
        • Config:  Source = acpi/Thermal_Zone/0-cpu-thermal/Temperature
        • Installed Chromium
    • <ReBoootAhhhRooo>
    • Time to start real app install and shakeout ... more to come
25 August 2020 - SSD Boot.  Lots to Learn
August 2020.  Updates!  Settling down, pushing on!
  • Couple of system updates got me going again
  • USB Boot also seems to be progressing.  Will do some playing
    • Installed gparted, hardinfo (profiler) and GNOME Disk utility via Add/Remove Software
    • Will initially play using USB 3 Thumbdrive (Lexar Jumpdrive 64GB USB 3.1*)
    • Singing along with this forum post - Raspberry Pi 4 MSD, an article from Tom's Hardware:  How to Boot Raspberry Pi 4 From a USB SSD or Flash Drive & Official Boot EEPROM Doc
      • Updated system using GUI Package Manager
      • Edited /etc/default/rpi-eeprom-update - change Firmware release status from "critical" to "stable"
        FIRMWARE_RELEASE_STATUS="stable"
      • Install new bootloader.  Official write-up on RPI4 booteeprom is HERE
        sudo rpi-eeprom-update -d -a
      • Cross fingers and reboot
      • Check firmware version
        $ vcgencmd bootloader_version
        Jun 15 2020 14:36:19
        version c302dea096cc79f102cec12aeeb51abf392bd781 (release)
        timestamp 1592228179
      • Couple of quick microsd benchmarks for heck of it, we'll compare when dust settles
        • Hardinfo report B4 and GNOME Disks says: 
          Average Read Rate = 42.4 MB/s (100 samples)
          Average Access Time = 0.65 msec (1000 samples)
      • ACK!  No sign of SD Card Copier (raspbian has one) and Dolphin wont run as root!
        I simply copied SD to USB thumbdrive on another RPi
      • Inserted Thumbdrive without Microsd and booted
        • Really Sloooowww ....
        • Attempt #1 - No Bluetooth Keyboard or Mouse (no BT Adapter, in fact!)
        • Reboot #2 - Ethernet never came up
        • Reboot #3 is the charm ... seemed to settle down
          (also moved thumbdrive down a slot - away from ethernet)
        • GNOME Disk Benchmark says:
           Average Read Rate = 137.5 MB/s (100 samples)
          Average Access Time = 1.16 msec (1000 samples)
        • Hmmm - should have double checked speed of thumbdrive - thought it was faster!
          • Something funny about this Lexar thumbdrive - writes are painfully slow!
        • Bottom Line:  USB Boot works fine, my usb 3 stick was not as fast as I thought!
27-29 June 2020.  Redo-a-Roo #2!  One step forward, one step back!
  • Noticed that 20.06 just came out:  https://forum.manjaro.org/t/manjaro-arm-20-06-released/148221
    Still early, I'll redo AGAIN with that - previous redo was going nowhere!
  • Download @ https://osdn.net/projects/manjaro-arm/storage/rpi4/kde-plasma/20.06/ (64bit only)
    Note:  Download was NOT @ https://manjaro.org/get-manjaro/ 
  • Install
    • Etcher, Sandisk Ultra 32, Majaro Install ... Yada Yada
    • Updated Fine!  Good Start!
    • Bluetooth
      • M720 Triathalon Mouse - 1st Try!
      • Apple Magic Keyboard - 1st Try!  Does not show Battery level
      • Ack!  No BT devices after reboot!
        • Configure Bluetooth:  No Bluetooth Adapters found!
        • <boot again - get the witches out>
        • BT Mouse & Keyboard dead until Login - then fine!  Same old Issue
          • Fixed:  by editing /etc/bluetooth/main.conf, set AutoEnable to true, AGAIN!
            [policy]
            AutoEnable=true
    • Networking:  No errors in Dolphin (GUI Filemanager), but still doesn't see our network or NAS
      • Samba not installed  (no file smb.conf).  No apparent sign of Network/Workgroup options in System Settings ... brute force install
      • Installed samba, manjaro-settings-samba & smb4k
      • Edited /etc/smb.conf.  File is pretty light, usually full of comments & Doc 
        • Set workgroup to mi workgroup
        • Changed "client min protocol" from SMB2 to NT1
        • Works
    • I Like to watch PI4 Temp - plasma5-applets-thermal-monitor panel widget WAS really nice ... not any more!
      If I attempt to "Configure Thermal Monitor" the PANEL dies (Plasmashell coredump) ... then reloads!  
      • Will watch with tmon in terminal.  Install via:
        sudo pacman -S tmon

10-15 June 2020 - Redo-a-Roo!
  • MiPi has actually been running well for the past few months, but took a power outage hit (or something).  GUI side (plasma) was down, blank after login - didn't feel like debugging. 
    Pi was also in bad need refresh due to indiscriminately adding software and poking around!
  • Redo using 20.04 and a tad more careful adding stuff, plan to move ssd to test
    • Download @ https://manjaro.org/downloads/arm/raspberry-pi-4/arm8-raspberry-pi-4-kde-plasma/
    • Etcher to 32g Sandisk Ultra
    • Boots to Manjaro ARM install menu: 
      US keyboard, userdd, timezone, local en_US.UTF.8, Hostname
    • reboot & run updates (524!)
      • Initial attempt to update failed AGAIN: 
        "error zn_poly: /usr/lib/libzn_poly-0.9.so exists in filesystem"
      • Get-around using manual update:  
        sudo pacman -Syu --overwrite /usr/lib/p11-kit-trust.so --overwrite /usr/lib/libzn_poly-0.9.so
  • Install Aftermath (expected some of these to be fixed after 524 updates!)
    • bluetooth:  Apple Magic KB and BT Mouse paired fine ... BUT ...
      • BT doesn't connect after boot!
        • edited /etc/bluetooth/main.conf, set AutoEnable to true, AGAIN!
          [policy]
          AutoEnable=true
    • Samba:  Not Installed by default?  Dolphin (GUI File manager) says:
      "Unable to create io-slave. klauncher said: Error loading '/usr/lib/qt/plugins/kf5/kio/file.so"
      • Installed samba, manjaro-settings-samba & smb4k
      • Edited /etc/smb.conf.  File is pretty light, usually full of comments & Doc 
        • Set workgroup to mi workgroup
        • Changed "client min protocol" FROM SMB2 to NT1
        • Works now
    • Odds N Ends
      • installed joe (my editor!)
      • Installed plasma5-applets-thermal-monitor - Doesn't seem to work now!
        If I attempt to "Configure Thermal Monitor" the PANEL died ... then reloads!  WTF?
        // Installed tmon in meantime ... temp still looks good - 36C //
      • Installed gnome-logs to see whats happening with thermal monitor
        • Plasmashell seems to coredump when I try to Configure Thermal Monitor!
        • Logs viewer is hard to use/read - some error when I fire it up
  • Ghadzooks!  Shouldn't be this bad!  WHAT THE HECK?!
24-25 April 2020 - Bad Night!
  • Today I am :-S
  • MiPi was in the ditch this morn ... 
    • Noticed monitor #2 lit, current date and time displayed, monitor 1 was off
    • Clicked mouse to login/bring up main monitor and saw message flash quick in upper left monitor 1
    • Clicking and keyboarding bring things up finally resulted in message in upper left 
      "Could Not Sync Event to DBUS" - click to continue (or similar)
    • Successfully Logged in via SSH, poked around in journal, looked like it took core dump when it was just sitting, then died when I attempted to wake ... some notes,  I need to revisit 
      • 4/23 22:48 - Dump
      • 4/24 04:13 - Call Trace (Kernel hung task?) - <I was not there at the time!>
      • 4/24 04:47 - DBUS 
    • First Reboot via SS brought things back up, but no BT mouse or keyboard - Plasma said No Adapter?!
    • Reboot # 2 (no power off) worked fine, BT Mouse and Keyboard alive for login
  • Need to figure out when/where to post in Manjaro Arm forums 
  • Windows are definitely not opening on anticipated monitor - not my imagination!
  • More App/Function Testing
    • Zoom Meetings!  via browser (Chrome) - seems to work and not eat system alive (approx 30% CPU)
    • Handy GUI Disk utilities working great!  gparted and gnome Disks utility
    • Google Hangouts (or meetings or wherever they are called now) work fine w/cam and mic
23 April 2020
  • Hmmm, Today I am :-\
  • Performance and stability have been great, 
  • Starting to install/test regularly used apps
    • Audio file editing works fine!   Audacity already installed, added soundconverter very usable!  Snappy
    • RPi Python development - some struggles here
      • python-gpiozero didn't install correctly - stuff like:   No module named 'colorzero'
        • Took a quick peek at package on raspbian - depends on python-colorzero. 
          No Where to be found in Majaro repository.
    • <more coming here>
20 April 2020 
  • Today I am :-),  Updated Manjaro,  working great again!
  • The updates to 20.04 (with minor stumble) seemed to fix things! 
    • Initial attempt to update failed:  "error zn_poly: /usr/lib/libzn_poly-0.9.so exists in filesystem"
    • Get-around using manual update:  
      sudo pacman -Syu --overwrite /usr/lib/p11-kit-trust.so --overwrite /usr/lib/libzn_poly-0.9.so
    • Life is MUCH Better after update,  Network/Samba especially, back to expected behavior
  • RPI4 has been running so cool that I slowed fan (3v lead instead of 5v) ... MUCH quieter, still running around 34C
  • Audio/Video for heck of it
    • Connected USB headset for the heck of it (Logitech H360 detected) 
      • Audio out is fine - even builtin volume control
      • Microphone Detected and Defaulted when headset connected
    • Connected Logitech HD Webcam C525, Portable HD 720p* 
      • Video worked fine - cam via VLC + Youtube Vide in background @ ~25% CPU Utilization, 37C
      • Built in Mic showed up in Audio options, will test
03-09 April 2020
  • Gave up on Rasbian/Cinnamon - Too much tinkering.  Not stable enough for everyday use
  • Switched to Manjaro ARM KDE Plasma - Attempting latest (20.04) version, hope it works as well as 20.02!  Original install and test notes HERE
  • Install Aftermath
    • System updates - 77 Packages
    • installed joe (my editor!) 
    • Installed plasma5-applets-thermal-monitor installed ... ~31C!  Considerably cooler than Raspbian/cinnamon 
    • Could not connect to my network drives - No Samba?!?  Very Strange worked great on 20.02!?!
      • Hub boy, here we go!  Older smb CF samba-not-working-properly-with-latest-update-01-04-2020
      • Looks like Samba not installed at all
        • Will try Manjaro Doc!  Start here:  Using_Samba_in_your_File_Manager
          pamac install samba kdenetwork-filesharing manjaro-settings-samba
        • Still no ticky.  Not much in Settings GUI - no samba/windows share stuff to speak of
        • $h1t!  Edited /etc/smb.conf.  File is pretty light, usually full of comments & Doc 
          • Set my workgroup 
          • Changed "client min protocol" FROM SMB2 to NT1
          • Works now
    • Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse didn't come back after reboot?!? Arg! Not AGAIN!  
      • edited /etc/bluetooth/main.conf, set AutoEnable to true, can't remember where I found, but works!
        [policy]
        AutoEnable=true
    • Some App Windows not popping up where I'd expect - e.g. the monitor where they were last closed ... odd
    • Something's not right ... none of this was a prob on 20.02 version I originally tested ... BUT ... pushing on
  • System utilization looks MUCH better - youtube, no clipping - ~30% CPU!  Will test more
  • <more to come>
*** Switched from Raspbian to Manaro ***
Rasbian/Cinnamon Log  (Flaky $hit Highlighted)

29 Mar 2020
  • Finally doing some tweaking .... yeesh!
    • apt-get update & upgrade just to see whats new
    • STRUGGLE with bluetooth keyboard and mouse AGAIN - had to re-pair both
    • Increased gpu mem via raspi-config to see if it will help youtube clipping issue - 128->256
    • WTF? Now HDMI Audio doesn't work!  only device showing is Analog 
    • Non Software, but cheap-o fan that came with the case is humming - annoying enough to shutdown!
    • Raspbian 'Upgrades' are killing me!
12 Mar 2020
  • Panel App warned that keyboard battery was low - yea!
  • FINALLY got logitech m720 bluetooth mouse rolling ... switches between all my systems!  
    • Undid NaturalScrolling - originally for Magic Mouse.  Too confusing if 1 of 3 systems scrolled that way!
  • Jeeeez!  After latest Raspbian update switch back to FireFox ESR.  Very weird - everything was going through googleweblight.com - apparently attempting to render all pages for a mobile device!  WTF!
  • Ended up being useragent in FireFox ESR see this forum article
    https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=91&t=265929#p1616180
  • Trying to use RPi4 more ....
    • Noticed youtube videos seem to be clipping, CPU throttling?  frequency seems to be changing?
    • Started using Logitech M720 Bluetooth mouse due to multi-system, took a few tries to pair, but nice
Original Fumblings (late 2019)
  • Attempt#1 Notes
  • Attempt#2 ... initial attempt via NOOBs was FUBAR, will log this time
  • Sticking with Stock Raspbian via NOOBS ... Seems like best choice for long run
  • Struggles creating NOOBS SD on Mint Desktop - keeps failing during copy (WTF!) ...
    // zip checksummed OK!?!  Formatted/copied on macbook, some sort of file splice error //
  • NOOBS 3.2 (7/9/2019) Raspbian Full + 512MB Data Partition
    // Setting Country and Keyboard @ bottom of NOOBS screen does NOTHING //
  • Tweaks after initial Boot/Update
    • Preferences/Recommended Software - get rid of unwanted stuff
      // for me:  keep LibreOffice, Node-Red, Python Games, SmartSim and VNC // 
    • Preferences/Raspberry Pi Config - Clean up after install
      • System=>Change Password and Change Hostname
      • Interfaces=>Enable ssh & vnc
      • Performance
        • =>Set GPU Memory to 128 (From this) 
        • => Overlay File System Enabled and Read-Only Boot
          // Poorly documented - MAYBE set this when everything is installed and working //
    • Terminal Window - Good old sudo raspi-config.  Didn't see anything to tweak
    • MIPI is wired - Disable Wireless:  click on network in panel (^v) "Turn off WiFi"
    • Right-Click Panel -> ADD Monitor CPU Temp (from early Pi 4 experiences)
    • Bluetooth:  Magic Mouse & Keyboard - YEEESH! - Apple Article (not much help)
      • Bluetooth icon in Panel=>Add Device
        • Turned ON Mouse and Presto!  it worked
        • Keyboard?!  Comes and goes 
          • LOTS of "Pairing failed - GDBus.Error:orgbluez.Error.ConnectionAttemptFailed:Page Timeout (Very informative)
          • I THINK this sequence finally got it going
            1. Turn off keyboard - hold button for a long time (5 secs or so)
            2. on RPI Panel, click Bluetooth and Add Device
            3. Turn on keyboard and put in discover mode (hold button until light is blinking)
            4. Select keyboard in Add New Device Window and click on Pair
            5. If you get a pairing code, enter on keyboard followed by enter key!
            6. If you get an error (Connect or Authenticate), Remove the Device in Bluetooth Panel app and go back to Step 1.  Repeat one more time after you scream!
      • I installed upower so I can watch mouse/keyboard batteries.  Apparently no Panel app 
        • sudo apt-get install upower
        • upower --dump // to show battery levels for now - will find more apparent monitor //
      • Some flaky behavior ... possibly 'magic'
        • Mouse appears connected, but doesn't work - Disconnect/Reconnect to fix
        • Keyboard and Mouse won't connect - Turn off/on RPI bluetooth, re-pair 
        • No Mouse or Keyboard after boot - re-pair
        • Mouse appears to be ultra-sensitive, 
        • Mouse periodic phantom left-clicks while moving around on screen
        • Mouse scrolls backwards (vs on a mac) ... I'll prob need to fix this, a tad cumbersome
      • I'll leave a wired USB Mouse connected until I trust this stuff! 
    • I need My editor!  sudo apt-get install joe
    • No power button:  DPMS to turn off monitor backlight when not in use - Try THIS
      • OOPS!  I shot a toe off! - /boot/config.txt seems to be ReadOnly - Set with OverlayFS in config!
      • Need screensaver or power manager to set poweroff time
        • sudo apt-get install xscreensaver
          Note - xMatrix Screensaver is in xscreensaver-data-extra
        • xscreensaver dies the first time it is run ... now WTF!?
          Reboot seemed to fixed it 
        • Display Power Management Enabled and set to 20 mins (standby, suspend and off all same)
      • hdmi_blanking did not work on PI 4 running Stock Raspbian - v4.19.75-v7l+
        • Had to disable Overlay FS and R/O FS, of course!  
        • rpi-update to v4.19.86-v7l+
        • rpi-update seemed to do the trick - monitors now power off 
    • Add a couple of applications and start using this thing ...
      • Firefox ESR
    • Switched to Cinnamon desktop ... didn't run well on previous Pi's, but looks pretty good on PI4B (so far)
      • Appears to take care of a number of GUI issues (e.g. shows Bluetooth device battery levels) and IS the desktop I use on Mint - may make transition MUCH easier.  
      • To Switch ...

        sudo apt-get install cinnamon-<tab>
        sudo apt-get install mate-desktop-environment-core

      • Magic Mouse doesn't seem right:  
        • natural scrolling:  Modified /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/40-libinput.conf

          # TPED mod - added NaturalScrolling option

          Section "InputClass"
                  Identifier "libinput pointer catchall"
                  MatchIsPointer "on"
                  MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
                  Option "NaturalScrolling" "on"
                  Driver "libinput"
          EndSection

        • Better, but still a tad squirrely, screen scrolls when I move mouse
          • <playing with imwheel>
    • Added Desktop USB extender, fiddling with USB connections at the RPI case has been driving me nuts.  Had one of these 5ft Desktop USB Extension Cable* kicking around
    • Still struggling to find ARM versions of common utilities ... today:  Etcher or something for SD imaging
    • Switching to somewhat of a Journal format here, I'll date stuff