Controllers stop working during first configuration

john1

Hi!
I'm new to raspberry and Retropie, and I've run into some problems during configuration of controllers in Emulationstation.
I followed these steps https://retropie.org.uk/docs/First-Installation/ and on first boot when i get to the configuration screen it says "1 gamepad detected", then the controller stop working. Sometimes it recognises the controller and send me to configure the buttons, other times nothing happens at all. I've only come as far as to configure 2 buttons before the communication ends and I'm stuck on the configuration screen with no working buttons. This has happened with two different original ps3 controllers connected with usb cable and with a SNES style no brand USB controller. I can't get my USB keyboard to connect either.
This happens every time I boot, and I've formatted the SD card and reinstalled retropie with no luck.

I have really no idea what to do, and would very much appreciate any help I can get!

Pi Model or other hardware: Zero
Power Supply used: 5,1V 2,1A Apple adapter
RetroPie Version Used : 4.3
Built From: Pre made SD Image on RetroPie website. "retropie-4.3-rpi1_zero.img"
USB Devices connected: Micro USB male to USB female cable + 4 port USB 2.0 hub (same problem both with and without the hub)
Controller used: Original PS3 controller connected via charging cable. No brand SNES style USB controller. (Not simultaneously)
Error messages received: None. Just not responding to controller.
Log found in /dev/shm/runcommand.log (if relevant):
Guide used: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/First-Installation/
File: (File with issue - with FULL path)
Emulator: (Name of emulator - if applicable)
Attachment of config files: (PLEASE USE PASTEBIN.COM FOR LARGE LOGS)
How to replicate the problem: Happens every time I start the raspberry. Loads to Retropie start screen, then Emulationstation, then gets stuck on configuration.

jonnykesh

@john1 Have you tried removing the hub and just using a USB to microUSB adapter? I'm guessing here but your USB hub seems to be the issue.

john1

@jonnykesh Yeah, I've tried that. The same problem occur with or without the hub...

jonnykesh

@john1 Yeah, sorry. I read your post again and saw that. Have you tried configuring a keyboard? If so, how did that work out?

john1

@jonnykesh With the keyboard connected (both with or without hub) the welcome screen says "No gamepad detected Hold a button on your device to configure it. Press F4 to quit at any time" When I press a button it names the keyboard "keyboard" then it freezes and I'm stuck on the welcome screen..

jonnykesh

@john1 That's not good. Sounds like a hardware issue to me.
I would work through it in this order:

Flash the image to the card again.
Power supply, change it if you can.
SD card, try another if you have one to hand.
Get a new Pi. Last resort but it's definitely not a software issue if you have tried 1, 2 & 3.

john1

@jonnykesh Okey, thank you for your answers! I've tried 1, 2 & 3...!
When I tried one last time right now, I got this message up on the screen during boot. The connected device was a USB controller, no hub.

jonnykesh

@john1 I'm as far away from an expert as you can get but one last thing to try is to re-download the image, rather than use the one you have. It seems to my very un-expert eyes that there is some corruption in your kernel (basic operating system). The errors above the RetroPie logo seem to be very low level memory errors.
It's definitely worth a try.

john1

@jonnykesh Thanks for your answers and tips!
I re-download the Retropie image and ApplePi-Baker, formatted the SD card and installed the image all over again. The result was the same, the controllers would not respond.
I then got my hands on another Raspberry Pi Zero W, inserted the SD card with the same image, booted up and everything works perfectly now. Both controllers and the keyboard.
So I guess you were right, that it was an issue with the Pi.
Thanks! :)