Needing Bluetooth Controller Connection Help! Please!

[j3g]

Let me say that I have read articles on the internet and did find some that were similar to my problem but not the exact problem. Nonetheless, I tried some of them without success. Which brings me here.

I'm trying to connect my controller to the Retropie via Bluetooth. The Retropie has no trouble seeing it but registering it is an issue. I finally got it to successfully register but unfortunately it wouldn't work when I tried to configure the inputs.

It's hard to describe what my controller is, it's called a Quadstick. It's a controller for the disabled. It's has the ability to emulate a PS & Xbox controllers as well as a keyboard/mouse. Through its Bluetooth I've tried registering it to the Pi as a Xbox controller using Bluetooth_device_mode "gamepad" on all of the Bluetooth_authentication_modes "0 - 4" and trying the Bluetooth_connection_modes "any" and "pair". The setting that it successfully registered was 0 and "any". But, like I said, it wouldn't do anything when I tried to set it's inputs. Here is a link to it's Bluetooth settings/capabilities for some reference.

Some other steps that I have tried is making sure that the PS3 driver is uninstalled. I know that can cause some Bluetooth issues. I also installed blueman out of desperation but I didn't know if that was necessary or even how to turn it on.

The error message that I continue to get when trying the other settings is org.bluez.error.notavailable operation currently not available.

I'm out of ideas and needing suggestions. I'm pretty much a noob when it comes to Linux/Raspbain, but I can find my way around the Retropie pretty good. I apologize for the length of this post. I also apologize if I posted this in the wrong area. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[mitu]

@j3g Let's start with https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first - please give more details about your RetroPie system.

[j3g]

@mitu OK. I will check on those and post back. Thank you for responding. I hope you can help me when I get with those. I do know that it's a Pi 3 with the latest version of Retropie. I will get back with the rest of the information tomorrow. Thank you again.

[j3g]

@mitu I have all the information but I'm looking for the error log that holds the error message I have been receiving when trying to register the controller. Where do I find the error log for that?

[mitu]

@j3g If you can find it straight away, then just reproduce it from memory.

[j3g]

@mitu I'm just having to type it up because I can't find it. The most recent error message is as follows:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/user/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/dbus/connection..py", line 604, in msg_rely_handler
reply handler (message. get_arys_list (**get_arys_opts))
File "/home/pi/Retropie-setup/scriptmodules/supplementary/bluetooth/bluez-simple-agent", line 118, in pair_reply
dev_connect(dev_path)
File "/home/pi/Retropie-setup/scriptmodules/supplementary/bluetooth/bluez-simple-agent", line 30, in dev_connect dev.Connect()
File "/user/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/dbus/proxies.py", line 70, in_call
return self.proxy_method(*arys, **keywords)
File "/user/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/dbus/proxies.py", line 145, in_call **keywords)
File "/user/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/dbus/connection..py", line 651, in call_blocking message, timeout)
dbus. exceptions.DBusException: org.bluez.Error.NotAvailable: Operation currently not available

Retropie version 4.3.15 downloaded from the website. I have a 8bitdo controller and a USB keyboard but the keyboard is the only thing connected when trying to register this controller. And I followed the Bluetooth guide from GitHub.

I did want to leave this here to see if this helps shed some light on what I should try but here is a link to the type of Bluetooth that is built into this Quadstick controller.

http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/en/RN42

[mitu]

I think the BT chip is not so important, as the pairing mode. If you have a Windows PC, you should try to pair it first with it, since you might have better support, then try to keep the configuration and re-configure it in RetroPie. While testing, remove any paired BT devices and start from scratch every time, this will eliminate any pairing problems due to the settings you may try.
EDIT: If you're starting from scratch your RetroPie installation, I'd suggest installing the latest (4.4) image from retropie.org.uk/download.

[j3g]

@mitu OK. I tried what you suggested and paired it with my Windows PC first. It paired right up without any issues. I then moved to the Pi. Before I started pairing with it again, I first removed the 8bitdo Bluetooth controller, updated to Retropie v 4.4 and then rebooted. This time it recognized it and paired up with it without issue but just like the first time I got it to successfully pair up, it didn't seem like any of the buttons would work when I went to configure them.

When I go back to check Registered/Connected Bluetooth Devices, it shows the Quadstick is registered and gives its MAC number but doesn't list it as active in active connections.

If it is registered and connected, and I'm trying to configure the inputs, should it not be active? Or does it not become active until after the inputs are set?