Cannot get RetroPie to find ROMs via USB copy/paste

[mcorby17]

Hi all,

I've installed RetroPie on top of Raspbian Jessie but I can't get it to recognize a rom.

I thought I could just copy it from a usb stick and then paste it into the RetroPie/nes directory (it's super mario bros) during a PIXEL desktop session and then restart in Command Line mode to manually start Emulation Station but even after adding the .smc extension that I saw in this post the rom will not appear on reboot.

Is there another way for me to add roms? I don't really know what to try next aside from just formatting my sd card (which I didn't want to do and why I installed on top of Rasbian) and installing RetroPie that way.

@rbaker Here is the form:

Pi Model or other hardware: 3
Power Supply used: 2.5V
RetroPie Version Used (eg 3.6, 3.8.1, 4.1 - do not write latest): Whatever version is here. Wasn't able to find a version listing in RetroPie
Built From: On top Raspbian Jessie 8
USB Devices connected: Keyboard/Mouse
Controller used: Xbox 360 wired
Error messages received: None
Log found in /dev/shm/runcommand.log (if relevant):
Guide used: Install RetroPie on Raspbian
File:
Emulator: NES? Not sure. Do I need to install an emulator?
How to replicate the problem: Install RetroPie on Raspbian

Just learned that *.smc files may be only relevant to super nintendo roms. Not sure if it would have an effect on NES roms.

[rbaker]

@mcorby17 Why not use the official image rather than installing on top? You can then use SSH to place your roms in the correct folders. What do you mean by adding .smc? This does not sound right to me. I have never done that. Please fill this out:

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

[mitu]

@mcorby17 The folder should be ~/RetroPie/roms/nes - are you sure you copied it there ? If your ROM was a .zip, then you don't need to do anything else besides copying it to the correct folder.

[mcorby17]

@mitu Yes sorry for the typo the file is in ~/RetroPie/roms/nes.

I'm thinking maybe the problem is the rom was an exe file when I downloaded it. Then I changed the extension to .smc instead of .exe. What is a normal extension for a rom?

[mitu]

@mcorby17 The normal extension for a rom is one of the ones mentioned by the docs (.smc most likely), but they can be zipped also. You probably downloaded a virus, ROMs don't have an .exe extension.

[mcorby17]

@mitu Welp :) Good thing I never ran it then!

I found a rom that's zipped - i'll try that and see what happens.

[mcorby17]

Yep! Runs smoothly now :) Thanks guys!

[rbaker]

@mcorby17 said in Cannot get RetroPie to find ROMs via USB copy/paste:

Emulator: NES? Not sure. Do I need to install an emulator?

Please read the documentation
https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Nintendo-Entertainment-System/
All of your questions are answered there.