MoodleBox is not automatically producing a hotspot after installation

Romi

Hello,
I have a problem with the latest version 4.11.1 of MoodleBox where no wifi hotspot is showing up when I'm trying to access MB on RP via mobile/computer.
I have done extensive testing using RP Imager on various computers and OS:es, various SD cards and both a RP 4B and a brand new RP 500. I realize using the CLI could be a solution, but as I intend to use MoodleBox in vocational schools in Africa (where everything worked nicely last October with the old image), I would need a plug-and-play routine to be able to use Moodle 5.1. I do not exclude user error, but I have followed all the advice I have found so far.
Thanks for any hints!

Nicolas

Can you confirm you're using a recent version of Raspberry Pi Imager (preferably the latest version 2.0.6)? This is absolutely necessary for using the image 4.11.1 of MoodleBox.

Romi

Nicolas Yes, I am. I have downloaded it a few days ago, both Mac and Windows versions. Tested both. No luck.

Ralf Krause

Romi Can you please say if you did some entries in the customization section?

Please try the following steps:

Download the file and do not expand
https://github.com/moodlebox/moodlebox/releases/download/v4.11.1/moodlebox-4.11.1.img.xz
Start Raspberry Pi Imager 2.0.6
- Choose a model or choose "No filtering"
- Choose the OS "Own image" and search the already downloded moodlebox-4.11.1.img.xz file
- Choose your microSD card (16 GB or more)
- The next step is writing ... the customisation is skipped automatically in this case
- Wait some time until the microSD card is ready
Power off the Raspberry Pi if it's on
Take the microSD card and put it into the Raspberry Pi
Power on the Raspberry Pi
The first start will take a moment because the partition on the microSD card will be expanded

I just did the installation once more. I used my Linux laptop to copy the microSD card. My Raspberry Pi 4B needed less than 70 seconds to start the WiFi MoodleBox. I have no problem to connect to the MoodleBox with my Linux laptop, my iPhone and my iPad. Yes, the system time is not correct because the MoodleBox has no internet connection. In this case you must set the time manually in the MoodleBox dashboard.

I hope you will get it. Good luck!

Romi

Thanks so much, I'll test this method!

Romi

I can report that it works perfectly, both with RP 4B and 500! Which is also a little infuriating, as I spent several hours trying with the standard imager, and I don't know what was wrong or what I did wrong. It could have been that I did some entries in the customization section as you suggest, Ralf. I'll try to sort that out so I get a dependable workflow for my colleagues in Africa.
Big thanks once again!

Romi

It indeed seems as if the problem was that I had added some entries (like country) in the customization section. When I skipped this step everything worked also with the regular installation method.

Nicolas

Romi It indeed seems as if the problem was that I had added some entries (like country) in the customization section.

This normally should work. I'll test it again. Thanks for the info.

Ralf Krause

I also tested the download with the Raspberry Pi Imager. Yes, for the installation I preferred to skip all configuration steps. The MoodleBox configuration is already done in the image. And if you want to make changes you can do these later. How will you send the MoodleBox to schools in Africa? Will the schools start with empty MoodleBoxes?

Romi

The exact implementation model is not yet decided. I will demonstrate the basic functionalities of both online Moodle and MoodleBox for teachers in four forestry schools and especially the use of the H5P module for producing engaging learning experiences. Then the schools and teachers will decide if and how they would like to use these tools, and they will get support to do that. I have read about similar projects and I'm eager to test it out within our projects in Tanzania and Zambia.
So the boxes will probably only have some premade demo materials in them, then it's up to the teachers to build the courses, with some help when needed.
In May, when I go to Zambia for a workshop with a number of teachers, I would like to take a MoodleBox with me on a field trip in the forest and demonstrate how it can be used for outdoor pedagogy. There is a lot of testing I have to do myself first, and getting the installation to work smoothly with the latest version was an important starting point.

Ralf Krause

Great!
I like using the MoodleBox for outdoor workshops. Do you know these reports?

We also have some posts in this forum about using the MoodleBox on excursions.

Romi

Yes, at least some of them I have found, but it's very practical to have them listed like this. I'll go through them in detail over the coming days. Thanks again!