[feature request] "Restore factory settings" option

[meleu]

I think RetroPie should have a "restore factory settings" option.

I see many threads with people getting confused after messing up the retroarch.cfg or mame default.cfg. And sometimes all they want/need is restore de default settings and restart their customization process.

I see two big advantages with a "restore factory settings" capability

1. The users will play with the config files wtithout the fear of f$#&*%ing up the system (and learning a lot in this trial-and-error process).
2. The forum will be less overloaded with these simple problems.

[BuZz]

You can uninstall and re-install retropie from retropie-setup.

[meleu]

@BuZz said in [feature request] "Restore factory settings" option:

You can uninstall and re-install retropie from retropie-setup.

Should I interpret this answer as "there is no need to implement this feature"?

New users keep coming here asking for this kind of help, anyway.

What if I change the request to "turn the 'restore factory settings' more visible to new users"?

[BuZz]

It isn't possible to implement a restore factory settings currently, as it requires removing the configurations and reinstalling - which is basically the same. There is no way to reset configs to defaults currently as we dont keep a copy of all configs currently outside of the full packages.

So it isn't going to happen - but you can a) reimage or b) uninstall/reinstall (which doesn't actually take long)

[meleu]

@BuZz
Oh... Now I see. Uninstall/reinstall is not a real "restore factory settings" because it may do a big update if the user is running an old version of retropie.

Well, what about a "restore RetroArch factory settings"? Is there a way to get those retroarch.cfg.rp-dist files from somewhere on the internet? I see many users confused after messing the retroarch.cfg files with RGUI when the "save config on exit" is on.

[BuZz]

There is a possibility to reset retroarch settings (by removing current settings and reconfiguring). I might consider it in a future update.

My priorities are not to make retropie idiot proof, but to improve the overall emulation experience (more systems covered, better emulation). I do this for fun in my spare time, and so I prefer to work on stuff that interests me.

[meleu]

Less time spent on answering idio... I mean, simple and repetitive questions can be converted on more time to work on stuff that interests us, and can improve the forum quality.

Is there a place where I can get the systems specific retroarch.cfg.rp-dist files? I think that removing these files won't get back the #include line.

[PaulCheffus]

@meleu
Hi

The obvious answer is to take a backup of your SD card before making changes. You can then restore to factory settings by restoring your backup.

Cheers

Paul

[meleu]

@PaulCheffus
Hi Paul.
Thanks for your help. :-) But I'm not asking for this feature for myself. I'm thinking on all the threads opened by confused users after messing with config files and how they were satisfied getting back the default configs.

[PaulCheffus]

@meleu
Hi

It wasn't aimed at you but it was a more general observation. I've realised now I should be using the reply button at the bottom not on the actual post.

Cheers

Paul

[meleu]

[Bringing the discussion to a more appropriate thread.]

@BuZz said in [feature request] "Restore factory settings" option:

There is a possibility to reset retroarch settings (by removing current settings and reconfiguring). I might consider it in a future update.

@BuZz
You taught me that retropie_packages.sh trick, then I tried

sudo ~/RetroPie-Setup/retropie_packages.sh retroarch configure

And it created a configs/all/retroarch.cfg.rp-dist file. I compared (diff) it with my all/retroarch.cfg and found some few differences (input_state_slot_increase, input_state_slot_decrease, input_exit_emulator, input_enable_hotkey, input_menu_toggle, and some keyboard mappings for player1), but I think these differences are because I configured some keyboard inputs in emulationstation.

And then I tried

sudo ~/RetroPie-Setup/retropie_packages.sh lr-fceumm configure

And it created that small default retroarch.cfg for NES. I think this trick very useful to get the default system specifics retroarch.cfg. Is it OK to use this command for this purpose? I mean: "can I suggest this command to the users that ask for how to get the default retroarch.cfg?"

[BuZz]

it could break stuff if other things change - so it depends. I would recommend users reinstall so that the binary and the configure match up.

[johnnyskullhead]

Hi I agree

i got a messed up retropie with all graphic overlays and shaders making it look a mess and i had no idea how to change

so i followed advice to uninstall now it wont work i iam gonna have to start from scratch

[johnnyskullhead]

@BuZz said in [feature request] "Restore factory settings" option:

it could break stuff if other things change - so it depends. I would recommend users reinstall so that the binary and the configure match up.

what happens if you have got a 58 gb image ?

you lose the lot

[BuZz]

@johnnyskullhead you backup :-)

[johnnyskullhead]

yes backed up

but its still in a statev with shader and overlays which i cant remove

its so frustating

Any Help would be appreciated

Thanks

[BuZz]

@johnnyskullhead please start a new topic detailing your issue. Please read the link in my signature first also to provide as much info as possible.

[nol188]

@BuZz i think one massive question many others are thinking is; will, as you put it "reimage, uninstall/reinstall" result in the loss of the assblast of roms they have uploaded to their current install of retropie.

[meleu]

@nol188 no.

[BuZz]

I never thought I would read that term here lol.