Linux Archives

March 2, 2025March 30, 2025

Bluetooth Number Pad

Extra Number Keypad

Check out Macally’s Wireless Number Pad

Tech And Tool – Bluetooth Number Pad: Gamers and Numbers

I recently picked up a new keyboard, a bluetooth number pad side board featuring shortcut keys, arrows and numbers. This is perfect for gamers and finance folks who need extra space to spread out, more keys on a laptop or mobile phone/tablet and desk room.

Features

Bluetooth connectivity
Slim, aluminum keypad – 35 keys, arrows and more
Shortcuts, on/off switch and additional features
Compatibility with iOS, MacOS, PC and Android/Linux Alternatives

Compatibility

Easy to use, wireless, Mac friendly keyboard for those needing space on the desk. iOS friendly, for those looking to use a traditional keyboard pad for calculations, calculators etc. I’m sure there are other apps that can be used with this wireless pad, so compatibility is unparalleled.

Recently, I’ve been using it for Factorio and spreadsheets. Sounds fun, right? It’s helpful to have a side numeric keypad for the non-mouse hand. It takes a little time to get use to it (not from a compatibility perspective), but more for the two-hand ability. It helps keep things moving along on a tight keyboard – Logitech 780, Logitech – M720… now the Macally number pad.

Keypad

Bluetooth Keyboard

Setup

Side Pad

Number Pad

No need for batteries, the number pad is rechargeable via usb-c to usb-c cable (which is included). Although I use the secondary keyboard with a minimized keyboard, extended screens (2 – 30″ Samsung Screens) it can also be used with a laptop to extend the keyboard. It’s a great setup for either tablet setups or laptops.

Bluetooth Number Pad

The side board is easy to use for spreadsheets, especially for those using a laptop keyboard (before I got a separate keyboard). The side board was the way to go due to limited desk space and a limited Macbook Pro keyboard etc. Anyhow, I’ll keep this brief, it’s easy to use, saves space, and the pad allows for numbers and direction. Simply turn it on, connect and you’re good to go.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

March 26, 2023April 3, 2025

Raspberry Pi Touch

RPi Touch Running Linux

7″ Touchscreen Kit Build, Flash and Boot

Tech And Tools – Raspberry Pi Touch

The new Raspberry PI Touch, imager simplifies the process of accessing, flashing, changing, and running your favorite OS.

Making it seamless and ready-to-use. It’s like a game changer for RPI enthusiasts. You can play games, surf the web, and do everything you can locally on this Raspberry PI Touch device. Gamers can also try out RPi Game Emulators and more. To get started, you will need an the new Raspberry kit or parts, a touchscreen USB tethering cable or USB Fob, and your OS of choice.

Drone Accessories

Pi Unboxing

Raspberry Pi Setup

Unwrapped

Board

We recommend starting with the latest version of each, and using the new imager/software available through Raspberry Pi Imager. One of my absolute favorite tests to run on these mini pcs, testing difference flavors of Linux. A great way to learn other operating systems, UI etc. Certainly a more user friendly way to test variations of OS flavors as well. Below is a full list of items and links, assuming that the items are in stock.

Boot and Install

Build

Imager

Marketing

Desktop

If you enjoyed the Raspberry Pi article and want to learn more about other IoT builds, or Apple Repairs – M1 Chip… be sure to check out Debian Buster Snapdragon 410c Build. Feel free to leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts!

December 13, 2021March 31, 2025

MBP Mid 2018

MBP Mid 2018 OEM Battery Replacement

Apple MacBook Pro Mid’18 Battery

Lab Work – MBP Issues

MBP Mid 2018 Version, Battery and Logic board Issues/Failure – perform a complete teardown, replacement, and reboot to fix there issues.

Background

Our primary machine is the Late MBP 2018 Battery Swap that we use to run the latest applications and code. Recently, it crashed during an upgrade for Mojave/Catalina to BigSur. This ‘upgrade’ coincided with the mid/late summer updates from WWDC. We experienced boot issues, kernel panics, and had to reinstall after reformatting form MAC Journaled to AFPS. We also had to deal with installer packages, boot scripts, and even installed Ubuntu 21, which resulted in a lack of mouse or keyboard functionality.

Battery Repair

Clean Drive

Utility Tool

Reinstall System

Remove/Update

Load OS

VBox

They say pictures are worth a thousands words or more, so let’s take a peek. Oh, and don’t forget ‘csrutil’ enable and disable for unwanted apps, native apps and clearing system integrity ‘issues’. This command only works when you run Recovery Mode, in Terminal Utility… we can just leave that there for another day. One other item to note, this is all MacOS specific. Assuming your running a MacOS alt OS on a Windows (PC), Linux, Linux Alternatives and/or VM, downloads are available and are similar when unpacking the root cause.

Repair Actions

Flash Old Version of MacOS and Installer Package
Create USB Install via Terminal
Etcher
Check OS Version (if possible) MacOs Version Compatibility
Reset PRAM, Run Diagnostics, Internet Recovery, Target Disk to Move existing files; all there, just make sure you know what version of MacOS. If you don’t, click the ‘Apple’ Icon at the top/left -> Select About This Mac -> Overview. This assumes you have a running version of MacOS. Or check the Apple Product# on the underside of your Macbook Pro and work forward…
MacOS Startup KeyBoard Combinations
Diagnose Error Codes -1008F, Address Overheating and Fan Control
Apple Support thread specific to -1008f
Remove Device from iCloud – Find Device, Disable AFPS Admin Security Settings
Backup Drive to external storage device
Handy Drive SanDisk Drive
Clean/Remove Drive, Remove AFPS Drive/Volume(s)
Internet Recovery High Sierra, MacOS and Installer Package (Pre El Capitan, Yosemite or Lion)
MacOS Mojave
MacOS High Sierra
Boot MacOS Install, Reinstall Existing Apps, Install Catalina working patches, updates
Install New Apps, Settings and Remove unwanted settings as it relates to latest OS
Maintain existing MacOS sans MacOS OS Upgrades or Forced Updates, Uncheck installation automation for all apps, requiring system to be manually updated
Bootcamp Install, Flash/Install WIN10, Throw-out old server (Z400)
Oracle Virtual Box
ISOs – MS – WIN10.iso, Ubuntu – Ubuntu 21.10
With the addition of MacOS Server

Takeaways

Key takeaways, include make/model, year, shipped quarter, chipset(s) and chip security settings. If your computer is locked, check the iCloud device status, remember install package pre/post logic board changes. We chose this route because all logic boards for this particular machine have been out of stock and remain unavailable for this model. It makes one wonder why. There is no need to replace the battery just yet, but we may have to do so on the second go-around. Don’t forget about our other Apple product posts, for example our review won the Apple Mouse, Apple TV 4K and MagSafe Battery Pack and M1 Visual Inspection & Teardown – which includes key, touch bar and screen repair.

When I have the opportunity, I will post a few pictures of Windows 10 running in Boot Camp, Ubuntu 21 running with keyboard and mouse support, and other images for MacOS Server, etc. As always, feel free to leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking!

September 18, 2021March 31, 2025

Oracle VBox – Virtual Appliances

VM’s (Virtual Machines), Easily Choose Another OS

Virtual Appliances, V Images, VDI’s, ISO’s

Tech And Tools – Virtual Appliances

Virtual Box Oracle VBox – Virtual Appliance(s), get it now… assuming you have had a similar situation where a different system for testing is useful. More so than the one you are using, are stuck with, or are having trouble running native apps.

Oracle Virtual Box – (https://www.virtualbox.org) is a great starting point. Be sure to explore the latest and best virtualized products. Ideally, it’s a useful ‘virtual’ appliance to have on hand in the shop, to run VDI’s – Virtual Desktop Infrastructure or ISO – Copy (of the) Optical Disc Image. I came across an article about this previously, as I have written about it before, while testing other OS, OS Variants, Solutions, Drone Flight sims, Flight Configs, etc.

A note of caution, trust me, the Virtual Box tool is very useful of testing almost any compute/browser combinations. In our case, we prefer the Oracle product for non Windows needs, while Boot Camp works well for Windows environments pretty well. We will cover those another time, but for now check out this handy post to paste into your browser… Your choice – BSD, Fedora, Linux Varietals and more. Find alternatives, other image offerings: OS Boxes Linux Images – https://www.linuxvmimages.com.

Virtual Environments – VBOX or Parallels for MAC

REMEMBER TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Especially if you’ve made a very large investment into your craft or machine. Say for example, for a Puget Systems or MacOS MacPro computer. Check what’s there. It may take many, many, many tries) to get this stuff to work in an optimal fashion, but you’ll get it soon enough. Testing is key. Donate where you can!

A few other notes, I’m sure you have your own process, but we use Virtual Box for lots of stuff*… testing, games, browser ‘wars’, IoT stuff* and more*. Below you will find a few screenshots of Virtual Box and MS Remote Desktop. The goal was to cover as many systems, device varieties, OS images and tools as possible Always remember, just have fun.

Install and Boot

Download

Boot

Start Up

Launch

Good time to highlight premade, premier machines. Before we wrap up, have a look at Puget Systems, these machines are top of the line, premier computers, bar none; this one setup for Adobe software.

One last point, these virtual environments can be used for IoT testing. Note, that since the screenshots were taken/shared, we’ve added Virtual Box to MacOS, running a litany of ISOs. Those can be found here, included for your convenience! We certainly enjoy using this method for just about anything. Please see the posting on Debian Buster starting with the Ubuntu IoT ISOs.

May 6, 2021March 31, 2025

Late MBP Battery Swap

Inspect And Fix: Late MBP Battery Repair

MBP 15″ Swap

Lab Work – Late MBP Battery Swap

The teardown and do the Late MBP Battery Swap Repair

Let’s get it! Before we begin, below are photos of the repair process. We are working on a 2013 MacBook Pro “15 Retina laptop with a new battery. Please ensure that you have selected the correct replacement parts, preferably OEM battery parts.

Find The Right OEM Parts, Find Primary and Secondary Parts

First, it is recommended to use OEM Parts, and even a second-hand OEM battery may be a better choice than non-OEM part in this case. OEM parts can be purchased from various websites such as eBay, Apple Parts, Apple Self Service Website, and iFixIt. When performing the repair, it is important to be cautious and take your time. Power and grounding are crucial, so be careful not to energize parts once the case has been unscrewed and removed. Additionally, it is helpful to have a few other items on hand for the repair.

Tools and Repair Kit for the Late MBP Battery Swap

Some other tools to have around the shop might include the Jakemy screwdriver kit, which contains Torx, hex and star bits. These are key for newer technology bolts and screws used in the assembly process or to hold hardware to the board. Additionally, it’s important to have glue tech adhesives and glue release, gloves, safety glasses, and a welding/soldering mat. These are all useful bare minimum tools to have, including glue release, a tech screwdriver set, and glue adhesive.

Jakemy – Tool Kit 99 Tool Kit
IFixit Tool Kit – (ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Repair-Business-Toolkit/IF145-278?o=14)
Tech Tool – Cutting Mat
Ground Wristband
Electronic glue, glue adhesive release
Focal Fossa – 20.04 – Ubuntu
MacOS Snow Leopard

MBP Swap

MBP Unscrew

Battery

Remove Glue

Macbook Pro Battery Replacement - Un-glue Battery process clean up

Glue Remover

Late MBP Battery Swap - Macbook Pro Battery Replacement

Remove Battery

Swap, Replace Battery

Ubuntu

Apple Certification, Apple MacBook and Robot Repairs

At this point, I’ll assume you are interested in repairs and may want to learn more? Equally as important are the OEM parts as the knowledge to do the repair yourself, intelligibly. Are you searching for parts for your own device? For more detailed information on the Late MBP Battery Swap and the power on and boot process. Check out IOS certification, Apple Certs. Lastly, have a look at this particular MacBook Pro “15 Retina tear-down via IFixit MacBook Pro “15 Retina Late ’13 Tear Down.

In conclusion, more tear-downs and repairs, check out the iPad Mini Fix, Roomba 900 Series Fix or some of our latest MBP Screen & Keys and MBP Touch bar fix. Enjoy! As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

January 30, 2021April 2, 2025

EMAX FC and Betaflight

Install EMAX Flight Controller with BetaFlight

Fixed: EMAX & Configurators via BetaFlight

EMAX – Betaflight

Betaflight Config – Today, we (you and I) tackle some drone issues… make/model drone controller configs ((same drone, FRSKY controller profiles)), soldering/replacing EMAX AIO FC, and BETA config issues. Photos to follow.

In the meantime, sit back and relax, enjoy… enjoy the pain, the torment, cause I’ve been at this for days… Literally, days. Nothing but borrowed time; borrowed not wasted! Link above will get you your very own Betaflight configurator via Chrome extension.

FC And BetaFlight

Receiver/Modes

BetaFlight

PID Mode

BetaFlight Notes

Like most things, there are more ways to make your cake and eat it. The Chrome extension is helpful when bouncing back-and-forth between systems/releases/drones etc. I run Big Sur MacOS, Ubuntu Linux and a Win Server 7… it’s handy here, as the config remains the same, helps to maintain a certain sense of sanity. Especially when you’re a NOOB.

Two, from time to time, I run my Win7Server via MS Remote Desktop or Linux instance via (https://www.virtualbox.org) – Oracle’s Virtual Box. One advantage might be number of USB ports available… as you know, most MacBook Pros are limited to 3 of 4 USB-C ports. Unless you run usb ports, which I don’t care for (B.S. but that is for another day). Anyhow, regardless of how you run Betaflight, be aware of the nuances, versioning and pitfalls with each new iteration or release. Take notes, take screenshots, vlog about it… anything to help you remember the ‘deltas’ (change) over time. These will come in handy the next time you crash or repair your drones. Notes and support can be found here: Betaflight – Github Notes/Docs Moreover, issues came up when I swapped AIO boards, soldering power and reconfiguring modes.

For more information, I posted more about the config, more on eMAX TH2, other eMAX updates, various configs like EmuFlight and BLHeli, look for 8/17/2020 post – eMAX Fix updates Part 1 and Part 2.

August 31, 2020April 3, 2025

Debian Buster

Qualcomm SnapDragon 410c Running Debian OS

Debian Buster

Lab Work – Running Debian SnapDragon

Full Update: Flashed Debian Buster, installed, updated and running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410c.

Full run down every step forward in running a Debian ISO on a Snapdragon 410c. I’ll through in the Raspberry PI as well. Treat lightly, here we go! Two IoT devices running Debian the same way. Speed and performance are fantastic, clean and uneventful. However, as with anything, problems come and go. The issues I encountered were minor Uneventful, minor, minor issues… more user related. Versus, compatibility issues. For example, I ran into an apt-secure(8) issue, among other minor open source hardware/software compatibility issues. Some research helped me find the solutions I needed. These minor issues shouldn’t deter anyone from flashing Debian on an IoT device. This is the puzzle or strategic side of technology that I enjoy. It’s all part of the territory. Instead of uneventful, it should be described as smooth sailing, as sailing has its own challenges.

In hindsight, it’s been a l while since I used Debian, so you have to ‘roll with the punches’, minimizing the damage or redirecting the challenge. Like most IoT device installs, you have to work through the error codes and fix what you can as the optimal scenario unfolds (flashing Debian onto a mobile/IoT device like SnapDragon or RPi).

Overall, things are running as expected. Next on the list is a full upgrade/update for the trusty Raspberry Pi4B and other OS systems via virtual machine or appliance.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?

August 19, 2020March 31, 2025

On The Bench: Tech Tools

Hemostats, Rosic Core Solder, Weller, Harris, And Jakemy

Tech Tools On The Bench - Soldering Kits, Tech Tools and More

Soldering Kit, Tech Tools, And More

Lab Work – What’s On The Bench

On The Bench – Soldering Kits, Tech Tools, Open Source OS and More

At first glance, our pro-setup, includes a solder kit and all necessary tools. It does the job well – I fixed the TinyHawk2 drone the other day. The nano was experiencing power issues with itsLEDs Having a soldering tool on hand is very useful. We use a Weller (soldering) tool for the job. Similarly, we have a Jakemy device care kit – which includes a tech screwdriver set, a essential for tech repair. I have used this set for repair. I have used this set for repairs, on Apple products, EMAX drones, tablets, and more. Eventually, we may upgrade the set but for now, Jakemy is the way to go based cost-effective choice.

RHEL/IBM

Secondly, the RedHat sticker is a memory I found, brought a found memory, brought to you by RedHat/IBM/RHEL (once an IBMer, always I guess). I have RHEL running in parallel with MACOS as I transition back into development and design. Now working full-time on my own, thanks to those at IBM, ((a special shout out)) to Jim Whitehurst and the RedHat Cloud team working with them was a joy, open source Tech Titans.

Next, I also have a few spools of Harris (solder) – Rosin Core .062″ made in the US. Harris solder is unbeatable. Next, I have a couple pairs of #Curved Hemostats, for repairs, which help keep pieces and parts in place. The same goes for the coffee mug I’m using, filled with coffee from Heart Roasters. I also have a few other repair tools, including tweezers and a tool kit.

Oracle VBOX

Lastly, I have RHEL running on VBOX. The cropped image does not show the development setup, only the repair tools. I have my MacBook Pro running VBOX with RHEL (Red Hat) personal flavor and Ubuntu. Moreover, I am relearning Linux Ubuntu, similar, but different from RHEL. As a dev type, I used a Lenovo Dev laptop running RHEL at work. Now, I am just running the operating system with the emulator as I switch it up and start building my own environment form home. Today, just running OS (version) with the emulator as I switch it up and start building my own environment for home.

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking? See a few new posts that might peak your interest: Matrix Power Supply, Heart Roasters, SnapDragon – Debian and more.

August 14, 2020April 3, 2025

Lego Board Housing

Board Box

Borg2Borg Lego Board Containment

Lab Work – Lego Board Housing

Lego Board Housing by Borg2Borg

Who’s in for our own @LEGO_Group – lan.lego.com/clubs, Borg Housing? Anyone? Anyone? The goal of the group is to combine Lego and technology. For those who enjoy SciFi or Star Trek, you might appreciate the Borg references. So, imagine Legos and IoT boards coming together – BAM!

Lego Housing

Surrounding

HDMI Ports

Second Tie

Arrow Case

Although small, the Lego BORG housing is truly impressive. It is my own version of the BORG spaceship, capable of holding two IoT boards the @Raspberry_Pi #RPi4 And @Qualcomm #Snapdragon410C. I have also included a picture of the original Snapdragon case by Arrow – Snapdragon. Additionally, take a look a touch screen housing by Arrow – Touch Screen Housing. Comparing Arrow to the Lego Board Housing, Lego wins hands down! Both devices are currently running the latest version of Ubuntu IOT OS, allowing me to easily flash/re-flash Android and Ubuntu if necessary. It’s pretty cool. Or, if you’re looking for other work, like tear downs and Apple Repairs, check out those now.

Lastly, we create a variety of items out of Lego for the office, such as computer housing, controllers, train and IOS iPad Stands and other projects more. Give it a try, see what you can come up with!

As usual leave a comment below, let us know what you’re thinking?