Using the Boot CD

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Using the Paparazzi Boot-CD step by step

This howto will get you through the essential steps so you see something moving on the screen and experience the look and feel of the Paparazzi software. The Demo CD is not updated as frequently, so you do not see the latest changes.

The following applies to the version 3.2_RC1 from 01-Feb-2008.


  • 1) Make sure you have this page ready, e.g. by printing it. You may also save it to your harddisk and later open it under Knoppix.
On the Paparazzi website, go to the Paparazzi Center section and be sure to have its contents at hand later, eg. by printing it.
The same applies to the Ground Control Station

If you are familiar with Knoppix (or with Linux in general) download and start the Boot CD and then continue with step 9.

Knoppix newbies

If you are new to Knoppix, continue here

and save the iso-file paparazzix_3.2_RC1.iso to disk (The filename will be different for future versions). Roughly 700MB in size.
The file called "paparazzix_3.2_RC1.iso.md5sum" is used to verify that the download has worked correctly. Find out how to do it by googling for md5sum, or just have confidence that it is OK. In doubt, you can test the CD later, using the tescd option (see step 6).
  • 3) With your favorite CD burning program, write the iso image to a blank CD. Do not create a data CD with the iso file on it, but find out how to create a CD from an iso image.
  • 4) See if it has worked so far by inserting the CD in the CD drive. When "auto run" is enabled, your browser opens a page called "KNOPPIX INFO".
  • 5) Boot from the new CD. Maybe you have to set the BIOS to make your PC boot from CD.
You should get a screen with a Knoppix logo and a prompt to hit the Enter key.
  • 6) Probably, you can start just by hitting the "Enter" key.
On some laptops, you have to enter "knoppix nopcmcia", otherwise it hangs. There is help available by pressing F3. This explains boot options which you might find useful.
The option toram makes Knoppix take longer on startup but run a lot faster (if you have enough RAM to accomodate the whole CD).
Options can be combined.
  • 7) Now the system starts up. This takes a while. Even when Knoppix is up and running, Knoppix needs to access the CD and this takes longer, unless you used the toram option. Wait until the CD drive is silent.
  • 8) A Window with "KNOPPIX INFO" (same as in step 4) shows up. You can click it away, ignore it, look at it later, we do not need it. You find icons for your hard disk partitions. We do not need them either, but maybe you like to play around with Knoppix on your own. It is interesting to know that Knoppix opens all your harddisk drives and flash drives as read-only, so you cannot do any harm to your system or your data.
Btw, there is a way to save a file on disk, but you don't need that yet.

Now we have Knoppix up and running and are ready for starting the Paparazzi demo.

Knoppix running

  • 9) In the panel at the bottom of the screen there is a Paparazzi icon (the penguin with an umbrella and a telescope). Click on it. Do not double-click, Linux uses a single click (in most cases).
Two windows pop up, one called "paparazzi - Konsole" (there is nothing to do here) and the other is called "Configuring Paparazzi". In the configuring window, click on "Forward" and then on "Apply". The "Paparazzi Center" opens up.
  • 10) In the Paparazzi Center, open the drop-down-menu for selecting an A/C (top left). Select "MJ5" which is a Micro Jet. You have to click and hold the mouse button, select and release.
When you select MJ5, you will notice that the configuration file names for Airframe, Flightplan etc are filled in. Do not change them.
  • 11) Click on "Build" (top middle). The CD drive starts to rattle, many messages appear in the white box below, hopefully you get a "DONE".
  • 12) Click on Execute.
Two windows pop up, a small one called "MJ5" and a big one called GCS (ground control station).
Refer to the description of the Ground Station you have prepared (printed) in step 1.
  • 13) The 2D map shows an aircraft symbol and some named waypoints.
In the "strips" section, click on "Takeoff". This will highlight the "takeoff"-section in the flight plan.
  • 14) Click on the "launch" icon in the strips section. The aircraft symbol on the map will start to move. A green circle is drawn around the "STBY" waypoint and the aircraft flies along this circle until you tell it to do something else.
  • 15) Click on "Figure 8" or "Oval" or any other flight pattern and see the aircraft do as requested. Note the "carrot" which attracts the airplane. Watch the PFD, play with the settings.
If you decide to close the GCS, do not use the closer button but use "Stop/Remove All Processes" in the Paparazzi Center.

This is as far as I got with trial and error. The examples above are carefully selected. Trying anything else, like the other A/Cs, different flight plans, may result in errors. Closing and restarting the GCS may yield unpredictable results. These things should work better in the current version.

  • 16) Enough played. We could just turn off the computer's power supply as there is nothing written to any disk, no harm done. Knoppix will not yet let you eject the CD because it is still in use. You might remove it on the next startup, or, better, decide to close Knoppix properly.
To do this, click on the K-menu in the bottom left corner of the screen, select "Log Out" and then "Turn Off Computer". Knoppix will close all applications, shut down properly, eject the CD and ask for another "Return" before turning off your PC.


Using the Boot CD without a boot CD

  • Oops, I am out of blank CD's.
  • Yes I would like to play around but I need my PC for other things at the same time.
  • No, I don't want to print the documentation, I'll look at it when I need it.

Can't I run the thing in a window under my usual operating system?

Yes, you can. If you have a somewhat modern PC, you can use an emulator like vmware or the free qemu. It is probably slow but you can jump to your usual work and back to Paparazzi at any time. Example: You are running Windows and have unzipped qemu to c:\programs, the Paparazzi iso is on c:\download. In a DOS box, type:

C:\Programs\qemu-0.9.1-windows\qemu -cdrom c:\download\paparazzix_3.2_RC1.iso -L "C:\Programs\qemu-0.9.1-windows"

The -L parameter tells qemu where to find the simulated BIOS.


If you have already burned a CD, you can also use qemu, the command is

C:\Programs\qemu-0.9.1-windows\qemu -cdrom /dev/cdrom -L "C:\Programs\qemu-0.9.1-windows"

(note the "/" instead of "\")

All this went smooth and simple? You like the look and feel? Many people love Linux and never have any major problems, at least they have fewer problems than with other operating systems. But as stated in the Disclaimers, Linux can be quite a hassle. People like myself write howto's like this one, solutions have worked under certain circumstances, not all of them are applicable in your specific situation. Good luck!

martinpi

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