Raspberry Pi 4 Set Up

[macraem]

Hi Guys
Im a bit of a noob, but what is the best step-by-step guide for setting up RetroPie on RPi4?
The one I followed used Raspbian Buster with Desktop which Im sure has caused the 'Cannot create SDL Window' errors Im getting when launching EmulationStation. What is my best base image prior to downloading and setting up RetroPie.
Thanks in advance!
Mark

[mitu]

RetroPie has always used the Raspbian Lite image as a base for installation, this will not change with the Pi4. Note that support for Pi4 is a work in progress and the development is using the fkms_rpi4 branch of the RetroPie Github repository.

[macraem]

Thanks for the reply. I get further with a Raspian Lite base, and Retro-Pie installs fine. However I now get a black screen when I launch 'emulationstation'. Any ideas please?

[mitu]

An error message would be helpful, but keep in mind that this is a work in progress and some things might break during development.

[Sano]

@macraem Had that, without any error.
In my case I found I just had to enable fkms through raspi-config (Advanced Options/GL Driver).
Hope this helps.

[macraem]

Thanks guys.
If I enable the GL Drive (fkms) as @Sano suggested, I get an error when attempting to start emulationstation: lvl0: Error creating SDL window! Could not create EGL window surface lvl0: Renderer failed to initialize! lvl0: Window failed to initialize!
If I disable it, I get the black screen (no error) and have to hard reset.

[macraem]

@mitu I have just registered your note about getting the rpi4 branch. I have been installing the mainstream version. I'll give that a try tonight and confirm...

[macraem]

Tonight I uninstalled RetroPie and reinstalled the fkms_rpi4 branch using this info. However got the same error as above. :(

[mitu]

@macraem No need to post all over the forum.
Did you start over your build and re-compiled all packages ?

[Darksavior]

@macraem I wrote that guide. Kinda crude but it's not meant for the average user. Use raspbian lite and not the desktop version.

[macraem]

Apologies @mitu . No I just did a RetroPie uninstall, and then a clone/setup from the fkms_rpi4 branch. Would you recommend doing a clean raspian build and start over?

[macraem]

@Darksavior It is still a helpful guide so thanks. Regarding your point 5, out of interest would you also install drivers after the core packages /lr emulators? This installs all manner of controllers etc

[Darksavior]

@macraem Well, yea. Any other packages you'll need. The xpad driver I believe is the "generic" one that works on a wide variety, but depending on what you use, it might require a specific pad driver. USBmount as well if you use that.

[macraem]

FYI guys thanks for your help. Ive got RetroPie installed on my RPI4 now - not yet configured, but installed at least :)