Can't get launch menu to work

Smythius

Pi Model: 3b+
Power Supply used: (5.2V 2.5A)
RetroPie Version Used: 4.4.12
Built From: (Base image )
USB Devices connected: 4 joysticks usually (3 joysticks and a keyboard for debugging)
Controller used: both
Error messages received:
Log found in /dev/shm/runcommand.log (not present):
Guide used: (Mention if you followed a guide)

I used to launch a game and the screen would go black. or show a loading screen if enabled for a few seconds then along the bottom I would see in yellow text that the emulator was loading the config files and the rom would play. After the splash screen if I pressed "a" button on any of the joysticks a menu option would pop up allowing me to select what emulator to use. I am no longer able to get into that menu when I press any button on my joysticks unless I have menu enabled on launch in the runcommand options and then an ugly window pops up each time I start a rom and doesn't go away unless I plug in a keyboard and press esc. The joystick buttons don't seem to register to bring up the menu anymore or allow me to enter/esc. if it's enabled on launch.

I don't want to see the startup menu each time I start a game but I want to be able to access it still by pressing a button before the rom loads. I had it functioning like this when I had video loading screens but in the process of turning them off seem to have messed up the menu trigger function.

Can someone please tell me what file/config I need to edit in order to return to how I had it setup. I don't wanna revert to an old image and loose 40gb of custom games/settings. thank you in advance. I have tried re-enabling the video loading screens but have the same result. no menu at all, or a popup window I can't get past unless I unplug one of the joysticks and plug in a keyboard. Any advice is appreciated.

cyperghost

@Smythius ~~You are using a 3rd party customized image and you will always run into some trouble by using this. So two starting points ....~~
1. Grap the official one from here
2. Ask the seller/vendor for support

Thorr69

@cyperghost I am curious what line you read in the OP's text that leads you to believe that. He said '40GB of custom games/settings', but I think he means that he has put a lot of work into his current setup and wants to fix it without starting all over again.