PiScreen Driver Install Instructions

Bellow you will find instructions for installing the appropriate drivers for PiScreen2 on a Raspberry Pi running Raspbian. These have been tested on all models of the Raspberry Pi.

If installing drivers onto an existing Raspbian image, Please Backup All Data or make a copy of your SD Card.

1. Initial Config of a New Raspberry Pi Install

After booting your Raspberry Pi for the first time, we will need to perform the normal tasks of setting up our Raspberry Pi. E.g expand filesystem, enable SSH,  etc...

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo raspi-config
pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo rpi-update
pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo reboot

2. Update

We now want to update our software and OS;

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo apt-get update
pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo apt-get upgrade
pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo reboot

3. Enable PiScreen Drivers

Open /boot/config.txt

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo nano /boot/config.txt


Add this line to the bottom

dtoverlay=piscreen2r

Now reboot

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo reboot

 

4. Perform a quick test

We will use fbi to display an image.

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo apt-get install fbi
pi@raspberrypi ~ $ wget https://ozzmaker.com/piscreen/image-test.gif
pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo fbi -noverbose -T 1 -a -d /dev/fb1 image-test.gif

If the image doesnt look right, try chaning the speed in step 5 from speed=16000000 to speed=8000000.

 

 

5. Extra step for Jessie

By default, Jessie will automatically load X out the HDMI port which will then blank out PiScreen which will make it look like it isnt working.

If you want X to automatically load onto PiScreen. Open up the framebuffer conf file;

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ sudo nano /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/99-fbturbo.conf

Change the below line;
Option "fbdev" "/dev/fb0"
to
Option "fbdev" "/dev/fb1"

Or, if you would like to disable X from starting automatically, just run sudo raspi-config and look for the option to disable it.

 

If all is working, you may want to look at these pages;
https://ozzmaker.com/enable-console-on-piscreen/
https://ozzmaker.com/enable-x-windows-on-piscreen/

 

 

 

 

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