Can't edit boot/config.txt

[DarkWolf]

@bradleyhollander the power supply could also be a problem
use one with a minimum of 1A output

[bradleyhollander]

@AlexMurphy I use a old Vga screen with a hdmi adapter

[AlexMurphy]

@bradleyhollander Your adaptor is not compatible, sorry.

[DarkWolf]

Ok that is the problem
The vga adapter disables the hdmi auto detection of your monitor
this can be resolved somehow, let me look into my old pi, I made it there somehow

[DarkWolf]

Ok so what you have to do:

1. connect via ssh over network (you need a console for this, however you get to it)
2. type

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

3. Remove the # in front of

hdmi_force_hotplug=1

4. press ctrl+x, enter and than y,enter to save the file
5. restart your pie with

sudo reboot

if you get no output:
Remove the # in front of

hdmi_safe=1

as well and reboot

Now the hdmi port is forced to be activated and outputting at any time.
This diables composite output, but I guess you don't want to use it.

Hope that helps

[bradleyhollander]

Composit the yellow plug?

[DarkWolf]

@bradleyhollander yeah, I guess that was it

[DarkWolf]

One important thing left:
As the hdmi safe mode is disabled, it could happen that the pi overheats, so keep an eye on it ;-)

I found a great thread for this, so if you need more information you can probably look it up here.

[bradleyhollander]

@DarkWolf can I do this by editing the config.txt on the sd card

[DarkWolf]

@bradleyhollander the config.txt file is located on the boot partition of the sd card
you can find the config.txt file at the root

Edit:
Another addition:
First remove the # of

hdmi_force_hotplug=1

and try it out, if you get no output remove the # of

hdmi_safe=1

[bradleyhollander]

Should I rather get a Vga to composit converter ?

[AlexMurphy]

@bradleyhollander I'm sorry. I can't help you. I only use HDMI screens.

[DarkWolf]

@bradleyhollander The result with hdmi to vga will be be much better thatn composite to vga. If you use the composite video output it could output a really low resolution and the quality is kinda bad...
So try the hdmi "fix" and if this doesn't work at all, I would recoment using a hdmi screen more than using the composite output

[bradleyhollander]

Ok will do thx

[edmaul69]

Why are people saying to run in safe mode? I understand to troubleshoot but what you really need to do is set the vga to the correct settings for your monitor.

hdmi_group=2 

and whatever hdmi_mode for whatever resolution your monitor is. For me my monitor is 1024x768 so mine is set to:

hdmi_mode=16

[DarkWolf]

@edmaul69 That could be a better solution! I just shared what I die some months ago when I had the same problem.

[bradleyhollander]

Could it be my power supply I use a Samsung 0.7 amp. will that power a rasp pi B

[DarkWolf]

@bradleyhollander You should use a power supply with a minimum of 1A (bare minimum). I would recomment using a 1,5A power supply.

[bradleyhollander]

That's probably my problem

[bradleyhollander]

@DarkWolf thanks for the help! do you think this was my problem?