DGT Pi Updating...

[Harry Gostling]

Hi Jurgen

Sorry i got my question lost in the last post.

Q) For the DGT Pi  do you use the auto update function (perhaps by putting the SD card in a normal,Raspberry Pi) or do you leave it alone and wait for the next DGT Pi Image release?

Kind Regards
Harry

[Al]

Hi Harry,

Congratulations on getting a DGT Pi.

Your device needs an internet connection for auto update to work, you can check this using your new clock:

Press > (clock shows mode)
Press - (clock shows System)
Press > (clock shows Information)
Press > (clock shows Version)
Press + (clock shows IP adr)
Press > (clock will display your IP address or ‘no IP addr’

If no IP address, the quickest way is to connect your clock to your Internet router with the Ethernet cable provided with the router then reboot your clock and hold the >|| (middle button) when ‘PicoChs 09@‘ is displayed on your clock (where @ is your current version) you can select the any of the 3 latest levels on your clock with the -,+,> buttons.

If you are already connected to the internet, you won’t need the Ethernet cable to do this.

Later on we can tell you how to create a picochess.ini file to automate the update. (Although this has been covered before if you search old posts)


Cheers,

Al.

[Harry Gostling]

Thanks Al,

I just did this and the DGT Pi gave me 3 options of update, 0.9h, 0.9i & 0.9j  as i already have 0.9j I'm guessing I'm update for the DGT Pi for now.

As an aside i have installed PicoChess image on my own Raspberry Pi 3, installed a the RPD UI and updated it to 0.9m and got it hooked up to my DGT Pi (used as a DGT 3000 clock) and all working beautifully. 

So i'm close to having a go at the web server UI to display the pieces on screen?  i haven't tried yet but any advice welcome.

Cheers
H.

[Al]

Hi Harry,

Strange with your first SD card, but I’m glad it’s up and running.

Ok, I’m assuming you are now connected to the internet and can use a terminal to enter commands.

You will need to add 2 characters to a file but be careful.

You need to edit file /etc/systemd/system/picochess.service via

cd /etc/systemd/system
sudo cp picochess.service picochess.service.old (it creates a backup)
sudo nano picochess.service
use the down arrow to go down the line: ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /opt/picochess/picochess.py And add a space followed by -w to the end
It should look like this: ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /opt/picochess/picochess.py -w
Then type CTRL X then y then hit Enter and reboot your RPI

Now all you need to do is enter your RPi’s IP address into a Web browser i.e. 192.168.1.36 or what ever it is. You can find this out from your clock as discussed before. Some people can just enter picochess.local in a Web browser.

An alternate method if you’re not happy editing files is to start PicoChess manually via:

cd /opt/picochess
sudo python3 ./picochess.py -pi -w


Cheers,

Al.

[Harry Gostling]

Thanks Al, 

I'm all up and running thanks.  - Because i used a PicoChess image as the base (and added GUI), all i had to do was edit the PicoChess.ini file to  add "web-server = 8080, then install the Chromium browser and point to  http://raspberrypi.local:8080 and bingo, it's up and running.   

FYI i returned the Kuman screen and have ordered a 5" that doesn't need drivers, - runs off the HDMI so will install that later.... lol don't need the DGT Pi now but hey its only money right ;-)

Next project is to try and convert my DGT Serial board to Bluetooth, I've ordered one of these  (TOOGOO(R) RS232 5V Bluetooth Serial Adapter Communication Master-Slave modules Mini USB  ) to try and see if i can get it working.

Cheers
H.

[DJ Dekker]

You need to edit file /etc/systemd/system/picochess.service via

There is no need to change this file.

You can just uncomment the following line in picochess.ini:

# web-server = 8080

… and you're all set!

Personally, I like to set the port to 80 (instead of 8080) so that it works when pointing the web browser to dgtpi.local (instead of dgtpi.local:8080).

[Al]

Hi DJ,

Harry has it all working now anyway, but thanks.

I’ve always used the -w flag but never tried using the port, I guess there’s more than 1 way.


Cheers,

Al.

[Harry Gostling]

Thank you both....

Al,  i'm having fun working my way through the Rodent 3 personalities.   Quick question if you have used them,  i noticed if i use the black queen (a5 -h5) method to select them you get 8 preset personalities.  Are these hard wired or can they be changed (say in an .ini) ? i also noticed that each time i switch and come back to Rodent (with the queen (d6) the PicoChess program picks a personality at random from the complete pool... I understand the need for this with the vast list available but just wondered how it was selected.

Cheers
Harry.

[Al]

Hi Harry,

Selecting various Engines & Levels etc with the extra Queens was designed for people without a chess clock, as you say selecting 20 levels or personalities with only 8 squares is difficult, so some are skipped.

However you have the DGT 3000 (8 character display) so can select anything on your clock.
Using the > key with a combination of the + and - keys, you can select any personality you want within the Rodent3 Engine.

Your DGT Pi Clock has an 11 character display, I use mine all the time. Your SD card from your Raspberry Pi will work in this, all you need to do is make 1 change to your picochess.ini file. The line ‘# dgtpi = True’ needs to be uncommented to read ‘dgtpi = True’ (without the quotes).


Cheers,

Al.

[Harry Gostling]

Thank you Al,  

Just to double check is it correct to uncomment dgtpi = True’ even if you only have the clock wire from the board going to the clock? i.e. USB connected to the Raspberry Pi running PicoChess on Raspian.

Cheers
H.

[Al]

Hi Harry,

No, only uncomment the line if your SD Card is placed in your DGT Pi Clock.

If you’re leaving it in your DGT 3000 Clock, don’t change your picochess.ini file.

However I strongly recommend you change over to your DGT PI clock as it displays 3 more characters (11 from 8)


Cheers,

Al.

[Harry Gostling]

Hi Al,  Sorry for the confusion,  i don't think i was very clear.  I only have a DGT Pi. (i dont owna DGT 3000 clock)  when i mention DGT 3000 i mean running the DGT Pi as if it were only the clock - plugin in the clock wire from my board.  Also I'm not using the same image in both.  I have a DGT Pi image (v 09.j) in the DGT Pi  and a separate image running form a picochess image upgraded to 0.9m (now running web server).  I know its a bit odd, its jut that i ended with both the DGT Pi and the PicoChess Pi.

So in summary the image in the DGT Pi is already using the 11 charterers.

The reason for having the PicoChess Pi  is having furn with the GUI (Web Server) too. Its a bit of a 'project' - i'm about to fit a 5" screen too.

Cheers
Harry

[Al]

Hi Harry,

Ah ok. Yes you need the line uncommented as dgtpi = True

I’ve already built a small screen as a Webserver, see here on Jürgen’s website:
http://picochess.com/picochess-running-raspberry-pi-7-touchscreen-display/


Have fun,

Al.