Failed to start dhcp server and wifi access point

AstroBox Troubleshooting
#1

I have a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 4GB. I see posts that the 8GB pi4 isn’t yet supported because 64bit isn’t yet supported. The model B has as 64bit processor. Does that mean it isn’t supported even though I have 4GB RAM not 8GB?

Any way, after flashing the SD card and starting up the rpi, I the Astro print never broadcasts its ssid.

Plugged in monitor, and see that at end of boot have two FAILED warnings.

Failed to start LSB: DHCP server
Failed to start LSB: WIFI access point.

Is the problem I am on an unsupported pi or something else?

Thanks

#2

if the OS boots, that’s not the problem. Very likely you’re missing the WiFi dongle.

#3

the pi4 model b has built in wifi.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/specifications/

“2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11ac wireless”

why would I need a dongle?

#4

The dongle is needed in order to create a hotspot while at the same time connecting to an existing network. The errors you’re getting are related to the creation of the hotspot. If you don’t have a WiFi dongle you can ignore them. Here’s more info regarding how to setup without an dongle: https://astroprint.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000337286-How-do-I-setup-an-AstroBox-Gateway-without-a-dongle-hotspot-

#5

Thanks. This is working much better. With ethernet connected, I was able to find my astrobox device and connect to it. I setup a printer profile as well. There was a prompt to indicate if I wanted to ‘turn off hotspot if known network is found in future’. I left it checked but should I turn it off?
So I can now disconnect the ethernet cable. Doesn’t the astroprint gw/rpi need to be connected to my network for future printing? I either need to keep the ethernet connected or get the builtin wlan connected to my wifi. Correct? I’m sure that can be done from the command line; I’ve typically done it via gui. Is the OS with the astroprint image setup to enable gui?

#6

You need internet connection via either WiFi of Ethernet. Using the internet connection you can connect the box to your WiFi and while you’re in range, it should auto-connect and you will be able to remove the cable

#7

After following these instructions https://astroprint.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000337286-How-do-I-setup-an-AstroBox-Gateway-without-a-dongle-hotspot-, I disconnected the ethernet cable and tried setup the wifi connection. I’ve tried with raspi-config and editing the wpa_supplicant file direct. Both techniques have worked flawlessly on another pi4b with the latest raspian OS. On the astroprint image, neither technique results in a connection to the network or an IP address assignment. Please advise.

#8

There’s no need to fiddle with OS configuration . Not sure why you want to go that way but if you must you also have to do this: https://astroprint.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/207866186-Can-I-configure-the-Raspberry-Pi-network-myself-

#9

I’m confused by your comment. I need the rpi on the network for the gahteway to work. I don’t want to use Ethernet. How am I supposed to connect to WiFi without fiddling with the OS?

#10

Daniel, I appreciate the help given. I followed the last link and I can now connect to my wifi network. I had been following https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/wireless/wireless-cli.md to connect the pi to wifi. Are you saying I shouldn’t have needed to do that and simply just follow https://astroprint.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/207866186-Can-I-configure-the-Raspberry-Pi-network-myself-? Should I have done something altogether different after following the “how do I setup an AstroBox gateway without a dongle hotspot” instructions?

When I follow the printer connect wizard, there’s a checkbox “Turn off hotspot when known network is found in future”. Can you explain that prompt and if I should have it checked or not?

I have the printer connected via USB to my rpi. When I start the astroprint desktop software, the printer shows as ‘Locked’. What does that mean? Do I always need to select the ‘Connect your printer’ button at the top of the window? After clicking the printer, I can click the launch button and it takes me through a setup wizard again. Do I need to do that every time? I’m not clear how to keep the gateway and printer in proper state from here on out.

Regards,
Tim

#11

You shouldn’t need to touch the hotspot button. You should simply:

  • Connect Ethernet
  • Find your printer
  • Open its web ui
  • in there go to settings / network
  • Find and connect to your WiFi.
  • Note the wifi IP address and access the box using it from that point on