[SGVHAK] Raspberry Pi Serial Console

[Braddock Gaskill]

On Sun, 16 Dec 2012 08:49:30 -0800, Matthew Campbell <dvdmatt at gmail.com>
wrote:
> It is an interesting question that may help you or others down the line
so
> I would hazard that you are not wasting your time if you can get it
> working.

I gave the Pi serial console a quick attempt.  I didn't see anything come
across the wire during boot up, but I have VERY little faith in my no-brand
$5 3.3V/5V RS-232 USB converter which didn't even come with any pin
assignment documentation (I used a sketchy internet source).

Maybe I'll order that Adafruit adapter for $9.

In the meantime I think I'll switch distros from Arch to Debian.  I love
the concept of Arch, and its been fun getting my hands dirty with config
files again, but having an update hose my installation and a number of
other smaller hiccups has me convinced that the "rolling release" model
cannot work reliably.  I DO love systemd though now that I've been
wrestling with it a bit.

-braddock

> I would reflash the card to keep moving on your existing project.  Then
> when you have time put an hour or two into the console even if it fixed
the
> problem.  You might want to dump the card to an ISO for later analysis.
> 
> I suffer (as I am sure we all do) from project creep and have to
actively
> manage the number of possible paths of research/projects that are
generated
> each time I sit down to work on something.  You should have seen my
kitchen
> last night after I went in to make a cup of tea! ;)
> 
> Matt
> 
> On Sat, Dec 15, 2012 at 9:00 PM, Braddock Gaskill
> <braddock at braddock.com>wrote:
> 
>>
>> Hi guys,
>>
>>
>>
>> I've got an Arch installation on an SD Card for my Raspberry Pi which
>>
>> stopped booting after an upgrade (I have another SD Card installation
>> which
>>
>> works, so it isn't hardware).  Unfortunately it gives me nothing but a
>>
>> blank screen on either composite or HDMI video out.  So I have no
>>
>> indication of what might be wrong.
>>
>>
>>
>> I know there is a logic level UART on the breakout header, and that the
>>
>> kernel is being passed a console= argument to output to it.  I have a
>> logic
>>
>> level RS-232 to USB adaptor.
>>
>>
>>
>> Will the serial console provide me with more information, or am I just
>>
>> wasting my time and should reinstall the SD card?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Braddock
>>
>>
>>
>>