Setting up a Raspberry Pi Pico - MicroPython installation and using Thonny to manage files.

If you’re new to the Raspberry Pi Pico, the first thing you need to know is how to set it up with some firmware - in this case installing MicroPython. All you’ll need is a host computer with internet connection, a micro USB cable and this simple step-by-step guide. Starting with the very first time you plug in your Pico, I’ll walk through each stage, with a clear explanation of exactly what to expect and what to do when things get a bit baffling - like why your files have disappeared and how to find them again and open them through Thonny.

[@JamiesHackShack]

Great guide!

[@paterpracticus]

Thank you. I've only been playing with the Pico for just under a year, and thought a non-expert explanation from direct experience of a relative novice might make it more accessible.

[@JamiesHackShack]

@@paterpracticus 💯. Excellent work.

[@ChristopherReed-dd3gm]

Hello, just wanted to ask, which version of Raspian you were using for this demo? I have a carrier board for a CM4 and I am trying to mount the RP2040s to the CM4 master but none are coming up as a drive. Nor is a Pi Pico when I connect it via BOOTSEL to the spare USB ports. All 3 devices show up on "lsusb" but not as drives.

[@paterpracticus]

Hi, I'm not familiar with the CM4, but guessing it is equivalent to a Raspberry Pi 4 or similar and runs its own Pi OS. I can't quite remember which version of the OS I'm running but I think it is 11 'Bullseye'. But, I'd be surprised if the specific OS matters as the Pico should connect fine.
However, I don't think the Pico ever appears as a 'drive' as such. I believe the bootsel creates an equivalent to a removable media 'drive' allowing you to install the firmware, but as soon as that is installed it no longer appears as such. This was massively confusing for me when I started out.
The way to upload software onto the Pico is via an IDE (like Thonny), where the Pico should appear in the files pane. I'm guessing the other RP2040s would do the same.
I hope that goes some way to answering your question.

[@Videogame9559]

Hi Peter just been watching pwm LEDs rgb colour changing in end what resistors did use red green blue I like my red much briter and blink machine did run it python or mico python . I'm making a moving skull need blinking red for the eyes and change the at different intervals.

[@paterpracticus]

In the end, I used a 1000 ohm resistor for the green and I think about 350 for both red and blue.