2.8" PiTFT rotation not working

[JamesRandom]

I am using the "easy install" script to set up the display:

sudo python3 adafruit-pitft.py --display=28r --rotation=270 --install-type=fbcp --reboot=yes

However, the display generated by X (no desktop) is the same whether I select --rotation=90 or --rotation=270.

Hardware: Raspberry Pi 3B OS: PRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 10 (buster)" NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux" VERSION_ID="10" VERSION="10 (buster)" VERSION_CODENAME=buster ID=raspbian

[JamesRandom]

BTW both the page with the instructions and the script are confusing with regard to rotation values. If you run the script interactively, it prompts for rotation values as:

Select rotation:
[1] 90 degrees (landscape)
[2] 180 degrees (portrait)
[3] 270 degrees (landscape)
[4] 0 degrees (portrait)

So 270 degrees is 3.

But if you use the --help option, it says:

  --rotation INTEGER              Specify a rotation option (1-4) or degrees
                                  (0, 90, 180, 270)

So 270 degrees is 4.

I didn't bother to try and work out which is correct, I just used --rotation=270!

[makermelissa]

The help option is incorrect in regards to the 1-4 order. :)

[makermelissa]

When you say "the display generated by X (no desktop)" and you saying you are running Raspberry Pi OS Lite?

I just tested on a Pi 4 and it was fine. I'll try on a Pi 3 next to see if that makes a difference (it shouldn't).

[makermelissa]

Yeah, same behavior on the Pi 3. Here's 90: Here's 270.

[JamesRandom]

When you say "the display generated by X (no desktop)" and you saying you are running Raspberry Pi OS Lite?

Yes, exactly. And with all software updated.

Yeah, same behavior on the Pi 3.

OK. Presumably, user error. I'll try and work out what I am doing wrong. (I'll leave the issue open until I find out what is going on)

[JamesRandom]

Thanks!

[makermelissa]

Closing for now. If it's still an issue, we can always reopen :)

[JamesRandom]

I have (partly) found out what the problem is. I was starting my program (including running startx) from /etc/rc.local.

If I run it from the command line, after the system has booted, then the orientation is as expected. Presumably, I need to run start and the program later in the bot sequence

[JamesRandom]

No, that is not the problem. Now I am confused.

If I start X from command line:

sudo startx

The the orientation is correct (it stays as it is)

But if I run it as root:

sudo -E su
startx

Then the display flips and is the wrong way round 😕

[JamesRandom]

I thought it might be something to do with the environment so:

export DISPLAY=:0.0 
export FRAMEBUFFER=/dev/fb1 
sudo startx

Works as expected

But with

sudo DISPLAY=:0.0 FRAMEBUFFER=/dev/fb1 /usr/bin/startx

And

export DISPLAY=:0.0 
export FRAMEBUFFER=/dev/fb1 
sudo -E /usr/bin/startx

It does not work: the display is flipped back to the default setting

[JamesRandom]

It looks like I don't need to set FRAMEBUFFER, and that may be what is causing the problems. I must have got that from an older version of the setup instructions. 😞