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    Please do not post a support request without first reading and following the advice in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

    Can my usb device have data on it already?

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    • edmaul69E
      edmaul69 @richeowens
      last edited by

      @richeowens i modify the es_systems.cfg to look for the roms on the hard drive (ie: nes roms are located in /media/usb0/nes) im not sufe if the method that they recommend messes with your data. I wouldnt think so. But my method cant mess with your data. I used to have other important data as well on well until i got a new hard drive.

      mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • mediamogulM
        mediamogul Global Moderator @edmaul69
        last edited by mediamogul

        @edmaul69 said in Can my usb device have data on it already?:

        im not sufe if the method that they recommend messes with your data.

        I can confirm that the recommended method does not mess with your data. Modifying the es_systems.cfg is not recommended for a few reasons. First and foremost, some facets of RetroPie are hardcoded to use ~/RetroPie/roms/ and don't reference es_systems.cfg, thereby creating technical problems with some emulators. Secondly, even with a "system" in place, changing the es_systems.cfg after every update is really unnecessary and can be a laborious chore.

        Edit: It should be noted that reformatting a drive will indeed write over all your data. However, it is also not necessary nine out of ten times as almost every USB stick comes formatted as FAT32 out of the box. In any uncertain cases where concern is an issue, making a quick backup of your data is always recommended.

        RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

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        • cyperghostC
          cyperghost
          last edited by cyperghost

          The easiest solution imho is to link to your external USB-stick or HDD.

          Use terminal and login as root or user pi.
          The best solution is to use the same file structure as used for retropie roms.
          Then just use the commands ...

          As mediamogul said, it's better to not change the es_systems.cfg

          cd /home/pi/RetroPie
          mv roms roms_backup
          ln -s /media/usb/roms roms
          

          et voilà you've got a symlink to roms.... if you now enter cd roms and use ls then all roms from your usb stick are listed. I just tried with fat32 format but ot works 100%. I think it's a bad idea to use the sd-card as roms storage because for update reasons.

          I think working with fstab is the ... well... the professional way. But the usb_automount package is installed by default in retropie and to link to a folder is a neat way. What do you think?

          mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • mediamogulM
            mediamogul Global Moderator @cyperghost
            last edited by mediamogul

            @cyperghost said in Can my usb device have data on it already?:

            I think working with fstab is the ... well... the professional way.

            It's main purpose is to allow scripts to function from a FAT32 formatted drive that otherwise wouldn't. Without that step, certain emulators won't be able to launch.

            In the interest of full transparency and so that I don't seem like a complete contrarian to this discussion, I have to admit that I have altered the recommended steps in certain ways myself. I'll refrain from detailing them as not to muddy the waters any further. At the end of the day, everyone has their own personal preferences and as long as nothing is noticeably broken, there's probably no real harm. However, I think it's important to remember what changes were made and how in the event that troubleshooting becomes necessary.

            RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

            cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • cyperghostC
              cyperghost @mediamogul
              last edited by cyperghost

              @mediamogul

              ahhh yes.... I totally agree.
              To avoid the fact that only with linking on a fat32 device the file permissions are gone and you're unable to launch bash files, then just edit the es_systems.cfgand add a bash next to the <command> section. Then you're allowed to execute bash scripts even on linked fat32 device.

              As I said, linking to the roms folder is just a neat solution and you don't have to be being a linux professional :)

              mediamogulM dankcushionsD 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • mediamogulM
                mediamogul Global Moderator @cyperghost
                last edited by

                @cyperghost said in Can my usb device have data on it already?:

                Then you're allowed to execute bash scripts even on linked fat32 device.

                Very nice tip. I'll have to file that one away.

                As I said, linking to the roms folder is just a neat solution and you don't have to be being a linux professional

                That's a good point. Personally, I plan on maintaining my amateur status so I can compete in the Linux Olympics.

                RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • cyperghostC
                  cyperghost
                  last edited by cyperghost

                  This post is deleted!
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                  • cyperghostC
                    cyperghost @mediamogul
                    last edited by

                    @mediamogul

                    Well I just tested for Quake and DOOM-builds as you maybe know.
                    With the bash-commands they work all flawless as linked FAT32 files.

                    Maybe a linux pro just taunts me now as noob because it isn't the pro solution but better suggestion are welcomed.

                    mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • mediamogulM
                      mediamogul Global Moderator @cyperghost
                      last edited by

                      @cyperghost said in Can my usb device have data on it already?:

                      Maybe a linux pro just taunts me now as noob

                      I hope you don't think I was taunting you, as that was definitely not my intent. However, if you're also mistaking me for a Linux professional, I might have to roll with it and add the title to my business cards right next to "Bikini Inspector".

                      RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                      cyperghostC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • cyperghostC
                        cyperghost @mediamogul
                        last edited by

                        @mediamogul
                        No no... you were not taunting me :)
                        No problem

                        mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • mediamogulM
                          mediamogul Global Moderator @cyperghost
                          last edited by

                          @cyperghost

                          Ah, good. I can still call myself a "Bikini Inspector" though, right? ;)

                          RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

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                          • dankcushionsD
                            dankcushions Global Moderator @cyperghost
                            last edited by

                            @cyperghost said in Can my usb device have data on it already?:

                            @mediamogul

                            ahhh yes.... I totally agree.
                            To avoid the fact that only with linking on a fat32 device the file permissions are gone and you're unable to launch bash files, then just edit the es_systems.cfgand add a bash next to the <command>y section. Then you're allowed to execute bash scripts even on linked fat32 device.

                            would this have a side-effect for people not using fat32/mapped drives? seems like a useful default if not!

                            As I said, linking to the roms folder is just a neat solution and you don't have to be being a linux professional :)

                            it's how I used to do it :) I think they're much the same in terms of results and number of steps. interested to hear from any "Linux professionals" as to what is actually 'best'

                            cyperghostC mediamogulM 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • cyperghostC
                              cyperghost @dankcushions
                              last edited by cyperghost

                              @dankcushions afaik as I know - No.
                              Because it does not matter how you execute a shell-script. I know 3 ways in doing this

                              • chmod -x and direkt call via ./script.sh
                              • bash script.sh
                              • sh script.sh

                              Both sh und bash are shells. I do not know which one is better, but so far everthing is working as long as the sh or bash package is installed.

                              As you see FAT32 does not know file permissions, so you can not CHMOD a FAT32 script. Exceptions of this rule apply, if you do the mounting per fstab :) So I also think we can use this behaviour as standard. I am also sure this would work on NTFS, any UNIX-FS can be CHMODed. FAT32 gives the great chance to transfer huge files (ISO Images) directly to needed device by just plugging a USB-Stick to your PC.

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                              • mediamogulM
                                mediamogul Global Moderator @dankcushions
                                last edited by mediamogul

                                @dankcushions said in Can my usb device have data on it already?:

                                I think they're much the same in terms of results

                                The only exception to this would be the elements in RetroPie that don't entirely reference the es_systems.cfg file for rom location. When any technical issues arise, it will always be a good idea to mention that this particular method of rom migration was used in order to expedite the troubleshooting process. As far as I know, these issues will only come up when using the Amiga emulators, BasiliskII, Daphne, DOSBox, ScummVM and possibly a few of the ports, but it's still worth noting.

                                RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                                dankcushionsD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • dankcushionsD
                                  dankcushions Global Moderator @mediamogul
                                  last edited by

                                  @mediamogul can you be more specific ? which method has a problem with direct rom locations - mounting USB as /home/pi/RetroPie, symbolic linking USB as /home/pi/Retropie, or both?

                                  cyperghostC mediamogulM 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • cyperghostC
                                    cyperghost @dankcushions
                                    last edited by cyperghost

                                    @dankcushions Well I think he talks about the issues in searching errors via this forum.
                                    There are several ways to change the location to the roms.

                                    1. use fstab
                                    2. change the es_system.cfg
                                    3. use symbolic link

                                    but you have always tell the forum members what you have done and what kind of file format on your usb-stick you are using. If there are some issues with the linking, then it will be the Amiga, Daphne, DosBox, ScummVM and Ports. I can only admit, that the Ports work flawless if you add to the es_system.cfg a BASH or SH command.

                                    Usually 99% of the users use the Console Emulators so there are no issues and linking is an easy way in handling ROMS.

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                                    • mediamogulM
                                      mediamogul Global Moderator @dankcushions
                                      last edited by mediamogul

                                      @dankcushions

                                      which method has a problem with direct rom locations

                                      Neither actually. I thought you were making reference to simply altering the es_systems.cfgfile, which I admit kind of surprised me. Both mounting and sym-linking an external roms folder to ~/RetroPie/roms should of course work in any situation imaginable. I misread an earlier post and was continuing on with the same misunderstanding here. Sorry for the confusion.

                                      RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                                      dankcushionsD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • dankcushionsD
                                        dankcushions Global Moderator @mediamogul
                                        last edited by

                                        @mediamogul said in Can my usb device have data on it already?:

                                        @dankcushions

                                        which method has a problem with direct rom locations

                                        Neither actually. I thought you were making reference to simply altering the es_systems.cfgfile, which I admit kind of surprised me. Both mounting and sym-linking an external roms folder to ~/RetroPie/roms should of course work in any situation imaginable. I misread an earlier post and was continuing on with the same misunderstanding here. Sorry for the confusion.

                                        thought so :) that's fine.

                                        to confirm, the only know downsides to the recommended method:

                                        • bash issue mentioned above (i'm still not sure that applies to direct mounting, or whether there's any side effect if it was a default for ALL retropie installs)
                                        • can't use internal symlinks on FAT32 drive (eg, the way latest advmame symlinks /RetroPie/roms/arcade/advmame/cfg/ to /RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/cfg/(etc)

                                        editing es_systems.cfg is not recommended for a bunch of reasons, but using a symlink is probably ok

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                                        • cyperghostC
                                          cyperghost
                                          last edited by

                                          Can we pin this post? Or add the symlinking inkl. bash to the wiki?
                                          The info in this thread seems to be very valueable.

                                          dankcushionsD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • dankcushionsD
                                            dankcushions Global Moderator @cyperghost
                                            last edited by

                                            @cyperghost said in Can my usb device have data on it already?:

                                            Can we pin this post? Or add the symlinking inkl. bash to the wiki?
                                            The info in this thread seems to be very valueable.

                                            personally i'd prefer we only have one method of mounting USB drives in the wiki so less to support. no point having two if they both achieve the same thing.

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