I just installed Ubuntu Mate with desktopify today. I went with the 64bit version for Raspberry Pi, running a 4. It seems like every piece of software I try to download is not compatible with the architecture of the OS. Would this be different if I had chosen the 32bit version? (I am new to Linux and the Pi so if the answer to this is obvious please be gentle)
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Some specific examples of what you've tried and failed with may help.
I suspect you forget your raspberry pi is arm64 and thus can't be expected to run amd64 or i386 intended programs due to the differing architectures, but this is pure guess as we have no specifics.
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Hi JSzanyi, and welcome!
Just wanted to echo what Chris said - what were the pieces of software that you tried to download?
This makes me wonder if we could offer a 'Getting Started' guide to link new users on RaspPi to some compatible software. Once you let us know what those pieces of software were, we can brainstorm to find some usable versions/equivalents.
Thanks for posting, and I hope we can help you and other users!
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Is it a Raspberry Pi 4B? It is confusing to get the correct iso for it. And you do need the iso for the ARM, not AMD chip. Here's a tutorial that I created to help me get started:
Creating_A_Bootable_SD_Card_for_Linux.txt
In these instructions, I assume you are converting from Windows, completely from scratch, and you have no Linux system to begin with.
Hardware Required:
These instructions apply solely to running on a Raspberry Pi 4B computer, with either 4GB or 8GB RAM, which can be acquired here:
8GB version (approx $75 US):
https://www.pishop.us/product/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-8gb/
4GB version (approx $55 US)
https://www.pishop.us/product/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-4gb/
I would suggest 8gb.
The important thing to know is that the Raspberry Pi 4B computer operates on an ARM processor, 64 bit, for Debian (Linux) systems. This you need to know to download the proper OS.
At some point, I suggest you look at the the Raspberry Pi documentation page also:
I will provide a more complete list of hardware items later.
And you will need a micro SD Card - not full size. I don't actually know what the minimum capacity size would be, I would not get anything less than 8GB capacity SD card.
When I recently (2021) created my first Linux system, I
thought that the maximum card capacity was limited to 64GB, so I have been operating on 64GB. You might want to start there. If you want to figure out how to use larger capacity cards, there are instructions on related links.
But you may find later that there is an advantage to smaller cards - that is, when you want to image/duplicate/backup your system. It is more trouble (and time) to duplicate a smaller capacity card from one of larger capacity.
To make life simple for now, you can consider this card:
https://www.pishop.us/product/microsd-card-extreme-32-gb-class-10-blank/
if that is out of stock, then perhaps:
https://www.pishop.us/product/microsd-card-64-gb-class-10-blank/
You want to get a card that is as fast as possible because it does affect the speed of your system. I think you might want to set up a master disk on the 32GB card and copy/image it to a larger card later for backup purposes.
I am no way affiliated with any computer retailer, I am just trying to make this as simple as possible - getting everything at as few places as possible. You can get a micro SD card next time you go to WalMart. I do.
You will also need a micro SD card 'Reader'. To me, these are just USB adapters. But they call them 'Readers' - this is just something else to confuse you. Here's a couple of choices:
https://www.pishop.us/product/high-speed-micro-sd-card-reader-maximum-128gb-black/
, and
https://www.pishop.us/product/usb-2-0-keychain-micro-sd-card-reader/
Yes, the first one has a cute raspberry logo on it, but it is open-faced on one end. The second reader is closed-end, which you may prefer if you are concerned about keeping it clean inside. I have not used the second one.
You may find that the fit physically interferes with other USB devices on your Pi.
And, by the way, get two Readers - if you think you might later want to image one SD card to another on you Raspberry Pi. If you image a running operating system to a single card, there will be undetected errors. Image
from one card to another - not while you are operating from either of them.
As you are running on a Windows system...
Download the Ubuntu-MATE 20.04 (Operating system) for ARM64 processors:
You choose the release: 20.04 Focal Fossa (not 20.10 Groovy Gorilla)
https://ubuntu-mate.org/download/arm64/focal/
And select 'Direct Download'
You will get a *img.xz file.
When the page says 'Your download has started', well, you might have to click the link anyway, and 'Save As'. I would not change the filename.
Be patient. If the filename is 'Unconfirmed nnn.crdownload', or something to that effect, it is just not finished downloading. Give it 10 min or watch it's progress.
The filename will look like:
ubuntu-mate-20.04.1-desktop-arm64+raspi.img.xz
Image your micro SD card:
The fun part. You need more software! But this is not a big deal, really.
On your Windows computer, go to:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/software/
You can watch a short video there, and you are going to get the software that runs on Windows that creates the images for Raspberry Pi computers.
Click on:
Download for Windows
That takes maybe 5 minutes. The software is called Raspbberry Pi Imager.
Just make sure you choose the Download for Windows option, because you are running the Raspberry Pi Imager from Windows. The file is:
imager_1.5.exe
Click to execute; let it install. And by the way, don't put spaces in your filenames. You will thank me later.
Put your card in the USB Reader/Adapter, plug it into a USB port on your Windows computer, and image it with the Raspberry Pi imager for Windows (imager_1.5.exe), like so:
CHOOSE OS --> scroll to bottom: 'Use Custom' --> ubutu-mate[...]img.xz
CHOOSE SD CARD --> don't screw this up (things get deleted)
WRITE
Make your Raspberry Pi 4B computer hummmm...
Power-OFF your Pi.
Put your fancy microSD card in the main slot under the board on your Pi, plug everything in, power up, and start answering questions.
Be prepared with your WiFi password because you will want the system to automatically update itself when it first sets itself up.
Do not be dismayed if it takes a while to boot up the first time (or two). It takes a while to set up the computer.
There you have it. Your next step is:
Customizing_Ubuntu_MATE_on_a_Raspberry_Pi.txt
If some day you want to get fancy with higher capacity cards, you can consider this link.
'Complete List of Hardware Items'
Raspberry Pi 4B Computer Motherboard:
8GB version (approx $75 US):
https://www.pishop.us/product/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-8gb/, or
4GB version (approx $55 US)
https://www.pishop.us/product/raspberry-pi-4-model-b-4gb/
MICRO SD card 'Reader'- Adapter (aprox. $2.45 US; 2 ea.)
https://www.pishop.us/product/high-speed-micro-sd-card-reader-maximum-128gb-black/
, or
https://www.pishop.us/product/usb-2-0-keychain-micro-sd-card-reader/
Raspberry Pi 4B with 8GB RAM (approx. $75 US)
Armor Case Passive Cooling for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (approx 11.45 US)
https://www.pishop.us/product/armor-case-passive-cooling-for-raspberry-pi-4-model-b-black/
MicroHDMI to HDMI Cable, 3 ft (approx $2.95 US)
https://www.pishop.us/product/armor-case-passive-cooling-for-raspberry-pi-4-model-b-black/
Raspberry Pi 15W (3 amp) Power supply (approx $8 US)
https://www.pishop.us/product/raspberry-pi-15w-power-supply-us-black/, and
Type-C Power Switch for Rasberry Pi4 (approx $3.95)
https://www.pishop.us/product/type-c-power-switch-for-raspberry-pi-4/
or
power supply with switch; 5.1V, 3.0 amp; (eBay; approx $8.22)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5V-3A-USB-Type-C-Power-Supply-Adapter-with-ON-Off-Switch-For-Raspberry-Pi-4/164570736695
or,
keyboard, (approx $16.99 US; includes mouse)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Perixx-PERIDUO-212-Wired-Mini-Keyboard-and-Mouse-Set-USB-Connection-Black/164112814473
mouse,
(included in the keyboard set mentioned previously, but the mouse
is not to my preference)
monitor,
requires HDMI port
micro SD Card(s)
as mentioned previously; for my estimates, around $32
some options:
extra long stacking header (if you get the armor case I suggested, to cover pins; $1.95 US on sale)
https://www.pishop.us/product/gpio-stacking-header-for-pi-extra-long-2-20-pins/
monitor stand (eBay - fits over the mini keyboard; approx $19.50),
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Computer-Monitor-Laptop-Riser-Desktop-Organizer-Space-Saver-Adjustable-Height/122693605584?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D230925%26meid%3D8701b84e7cee47bd9e216d7b9ef46be0%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D373174424869%26itm%3D122693605584%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseUnbiasedWeb%26brand%3DHusky+Mounts&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851
jewel case(s) for MicroSD card (eBay - approx $5.79 for 10 ea.),
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NE-10-pcs-SD-Card-Protect-Plastic-Case-Holder-Jewel-Cases-SDHC-SDXC-Card-Cases/274402688983?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D230925%26meid%3Df8e1f0834a86423aa66c4f3eaa8bff70%26pid%3D101195%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dco%26sd%3D362479379807%26itm%3D274402688983%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv9PairwiseUnbiasedWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c101195.m1851
extended usb ports; angled adapters (eBay; $2.09 ea. - there are 4 USB ports)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-3-0-Angle-90-Degree-Extension-Cable-Male-to-Female-Adapter-Cord-Data-Sync/391938390139?var=660901279689
printer cable (eBay, approx $5.60 US)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Printer-Cable-A-To-B-Type-Male-2-0-Device-Cord-Brother-Dell-Epson-Cannon-HP/153541505813?var=453532164337
extension cord - power bar
power strip
earphones/earbuds
minus the monitor, extension cord, and earbuds, this comes to around:
75.00
02.45
11.45
02.95
08.22
16.99
32.00
01.95
19.50
05.79
08.50
05.60
190.40
here's a tutorial https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/how-to-install-ubuntu-desktop-on-raspberry-pi-4#1-overview
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