# Riot-nodes error

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [16 June 2021 12:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239 "2021-06-16T12:59:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Martin10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@Martin10](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Martin10)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 12:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/1 "2021-06-16T12:59:15Z")

</div>

Hi, did anyone try to run this project, because when i try to upload Packege.json i've got error: ''Input not a json array''. Any help?

> **[ReeceRobinson/riot-nodes](https://github.com/ReeceRobinson/riot-nodes)**
>
> Node Red XBee node for interaction with IOT devices over a mesh network. - ReeceRobinson/riot-nodes

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 13:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/2 "2021-06-16T13:19:19Z")

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You don't need to do anything with package.json. To install nodes direct from github go to your .node-red directory and run  
`npm install ReeceRobinson/riot-nodes`  
however that fails to build for me (with nodejs 16). I notice that it has not been updated in 4 years so very likely it is not compatible with current versions of nodejs.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 13:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/4 "2021-06-16T13:42:35Z")

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You need to install git to fetch nodes from github.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 13:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/5 "2021-06-16T13:47:02Z")

</div>

Is that your `.node-red` directory? It doesn't look like it though since you have blanked it out it is not easy to see.  
In future please copy/paste text here rather than screenshot. Use the technique in this post when pasting logs, code or flows: [How to share code or flow json](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-share-code-or-flow-json/506)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Martin10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@Martin10](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Martin10)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 13:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/7 "2021-06-16T13:52:56Z")

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Do you mean to install this ?

[![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/0/0/008a6673e6b10c64879ae220928fe909e0bf6326.jpeg "How to install Git on windows | Windows 7") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvyMJ8sG68o)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 14:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/8 "2021-06-16T14:19:44Z")

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Yes, but I hope you are not using Windows 7!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 14:49 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/10 "2021-06-16T14:49:18Z")

</div>

Using Win7 is a problem, not for this node, but because it has been out of support for over a year and is no longer receiving security fixes. It is not safe to use it if it is connected to the internet. It costs nothing (except time) to upgrade to Win 10.

**[Edited]** Corrected number of years out of support, I cannot count apparently.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Martin10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@Martin10](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Martin10)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 14:58 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/11 "2021-06-16T14:58:36Z")

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I use programs, that are only for Win 7  
If i download the project manually and then try to install ?  
Can i install it on RPI 4 raspbian ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 15:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/12 "2021-06-16T15:03:48Z")

</div>

I told you how to install using npm. That will work on any system (provided you have installed git).

> [@Martin10](#):
>
> I use programs, that are only for Win 7

That is irrelevant. If you use a browser you may visit a web site that will attack your system, or if you open a file or email attachment that is infected then that also may attack your system.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Martin10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@Martin10](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Martin10)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 15:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/13 "2021-06-16T15:14:11Z")

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I'm not sure, that you understand me. I meant, that i use old programs, that can work only on Win 7.

So, If i download the project manually and then try to install, it will not have any effect ?  
Can i install it on RPI 4 raspbian ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 15:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/14 "2021-06-16T15:21:08Z")

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> [@Martin10](#):
>
> `C:\Users\Martin Pandurski>npm install ReeceRobinson/riot-nodes`

You MUST start from the .node-red directory.

e.g.

```auto
cd C:\Users\Martin Pandurski\.node-red
npm install ReeceRobinson/riot-nodes

```

But as colin stated you will need git installed. Do you have git installed?

what happens if you type `git --version` in a cmd window?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Martin10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@Martin10](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Martin10)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 15:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/15 "2021-06-16T15:31:38Z")

</div>

I don't have git installed. Colin told me, that if i use Win 7 it is not recommended to install git

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 15:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/16 "2021-06-16T15:37:37Z")

</div>

> [@Martin10](#):
>
> Colin told me, that if i use Win 7 it is not recommended to install git

No I didn't. I said that using Win 7 is not recommended for anything. You can install git and it will not make any difference to your security.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 20:28 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/18 "2021-06-16T20:28:57Z")

</div>

> [@Martin10](#):
>
> Can i install it on RPI 4 raspbian

The install method using npm will work on any system.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [16 June 2021 20:33 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/19 "2021-06-16T20:33:56Z")

</div>

> [@Martin10](#):
>
> i use old programs, that can work only on Win 7

Have you tested them? W10 is very backward compatible in general. I think that MSFT have an ISO somewhere that you can run in the free VirtualBox vm app. I don't think I've come across anything myself from the W7 era that won't run under W10. W10 has a number of compatibility settings as well for apps that might be rather long in the tooth.

You need to remember though, as Colin says, running old, out of support applications and OS's is, in this day-and-age of extreme malware, VERY dangerous both for yourself and for anyone who's details are on your PC or who shares any network you connect to.

If you do really come across something that won't work, personally I would recommend running W7 in a virtual machine just for that app and keep it away from any internet connectivity. In fact, you would be better served by trying your apps on Linux under Wine than running W7 as a general desktop.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [24 June 2021 12:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/22 "2021-06-24T12:17:30Z")

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You need to install the ~~build~~ windows essentials package as directed in the Node-RED docs.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Martin10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@Martin10](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Martin10)\
**Post date:** [24 June 2021 12:36 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/23 "2021-06-24T12:36:13Z")

</div>

This ?

```auto
node-pre-gyp install --fallback-to-build

```

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [24 June 2021 12:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/24 "2021-06-24T12:51:18Z")

</div>

No, windows build essentials as Julian said...

> [@TotallyInformation](#):
>
> windows essentials

see [node-red documentation](https://nodered.org/docs/getting-started/windows#installing-nodejs-windows-build-tools)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [24 June 2021 14:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/26 "2021-06-24T14:51:44Z")

</div>

That does not look finished. It takes quite a while I've seen it take up to an hour to install build essentials on slow machine or where there is slow network. Do you start from an elevated administrator CMD prompt?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [24 June 2021 15:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239/28 "2021-06-24T15:01:10Z")

</div>

Did the command  
`npm install --global --production windows-build-tools`  
complete successfully? That is what Steve is referring to I believe. You must wait for it to return to the command prompt, which may take a long time, particularly if you have a slow broadband connection. Possibly it may take hours.

[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/riot-nodes-error/47239.md?page=2)