RACHEL on my Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB RAM) with a 128GB microSD card

Support RACHEL 5 (Sept 2024 - )
1

Dear World Possible Support Team,

I’m trying to set up RACHEL on my Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB RAM) with a 128GB microSD card, but I’m encountering compatibility issues with the pre-built images. I’m hoping you can provide some guidance.

Hardware Details

  • Raspberry Pi Model: Pi 5 with 8GB RAM
  • Storage: 128GB microSD card
  • Power Supply: 5V 5A USB-C
  • Firmware Version: 69471177 (updated)

Issues Encountered

  1. I first tried installing the rachel_pi_64bit_03_14_2024.img, but this resulted in the Pi booting to a login prompt rather than the expected RACHEL interface with WiFi hotspot.
  2. I also tried the Rachel_pi_10_01_2022.img with similar results - no “RPI” WiFi hotspot was created, and the system booted to a standard Raspberry Pi OS interface.
  3. I updated the Pi 5’s firmware (currently at version 69471177), hoping to improve compatibility, but the pre-built images still didn’t work properly.

Current Approach

Since the pre-built images aren’t working, I’ve started manually installing RACHEL components on a clean Raspberry Pi OS (Bookworm 64-bit) installation following these steps:

  1. Installed packages: apache2, php, hostapd, dnsmasq
  2. Created directory structure for modules (/var/www/modules/)
  3. Started downloading modules using rsync from dev.worldpossible.org
  4. Created a custom index.php page
    But I got lost and stopped the manual config :frowning: :frowning:

Specific Questions

  1. Is there a specific RACHEL-Pi image that’s compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5?
  2. Are there known issues with RACHEL-Pi on the Pi 5’s newer architecture (BCM2712 SoC)?
  3. If pre-built images aren’t compatible, can you confirm if my manual installation approach is correct/possible?
  4. Do you have any Pi 5-specific configuration recommendations?
  5. Is there an option to request an SD card configured with a working image for the Raspberry Pi 5?

I’d greatly appreciate any guidance you can provide. I’m excited to get RACHEL up and running for educational purposes.

Thank you for your assistance,

Steven
The Wilderness Technology Alliance (WildTch)

2

Hi Steven - can you send me a picture of what you saw for a login prompt?

By default, there is no user interface on the Pi itself. Only if you connect to the Pi WiFi from a second device. Just want to make sure that’s not the issue first

3

Jeremy. I recreated the Image (to get you a pic). I managed to get it to come up. It came up as RACHEL-PI, not RPI. I tried to load the picture but get an error when I paste it. The size is 43 kb. PACHEL-PI came comes up with Kolibri, Moodle, File Share, Turn It In, PhET. Anyway at the login prompt I see: Debian GNU/Linux 12 rachel tty1 and then next line, rachel login:
Anyway, does all this sound right?

4

Jeremy, I am leaving for Tanzania/Kenya, will be off-line so my responses will be much delayed. Thanks for your help. Cheers.

5

Yes, this all sounds right! You never really need to connect a monitor and login as rachel though. You can do everything in your web browser while connected to RACHEL-Pi wifi