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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

    Manual install on top of Buster Full

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    manual installbuster full
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    • mituM
      mitu Global Moderator
      last edited by

      Are you running EmulationStation from a desktop session ? I don't think this is supported or tested, a RetroPie installation doesn't use the desktop/X11 env.
      Try running EmulationStation from a text console and see if you get the same message.

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      • L
        LogicalUnit @mitu
        last edited by LogicalUnit

        @mitu thanks for the reply, how do I end my desktop session and get back to just command line?

        mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • mituM
          mitu Global Moderator @LogicalUnit
          last edited by

          Use raspi-config and configure the system to auto-login to the console. If EmulationStation doesn't start automatically after a reboot, then use the setup script to enable the autostart of EmulationStation - see https://retropie.org.uk/docs/FAQ/#how-do-i-boot-to-the-desktop-or-kodi.

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          • L
            LogicalUnit @mitu
            last edited by

            @mitu so what I'm actually trying to set up is a Raspberry Pi with a desktop which I can use for web browsing and other apps, that can also run EmulationStation alongside SteamLink. When I boot, I would like to see the desktop. If I want to use EmulationStation, I would like to be able to enter a command or bash script that will switch over to RetroPie mode. When I'm finished, I'd like to be able to go back to the desktop.

            Is this possible or am I just crazy?

            mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • mituM
              mitu Global Moderator @LogicalUnit
              last edited by

              @LogicalUnit said in Manual install on top of Buster Full:

              Is this possible or am I just crazy?

              It's possible - just need to find out how.

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              • onebitcpuO
                onebitcpu
                last edited by

                I found this on the forum, but have not tried it:
                https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/12713/run-emulationstation-from-x-script

                For my own setup I run boot into emulationstation, and launch a separate vnc desktop from /etc/rc.local with this command:
                su pi -c vncserver :1 >/dev/null 2>&1 &

                I can then use vnc to server:5901 to get a desktop when needed for file downloads or updates.

                Both my pi's run headless, and everything is done via ssh or vnc

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                • YFZdudeY
                  YFZdude
                  last edited by YFZdude

                  This is interesting. I have used a PC to run a fresh install of Ubuntu and just launched emulationstation from a terminal and it worked fine. Granted it was not a Pi so that could make a difference but my PC didn't seem to hesitate running ES just fine when launched from the desktop environment.

                  I've also done it from a VM install of Ubuntu. It never occurred to me that I would have to kill the desktop before launching.

                  Edit: The downside I discovered when running from the VM was the audio was delayed about a half second from the video images.

                  mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • mituM
                    mitu Global Moderator @YFZdude
                    last edited by

                    @YFZdude said in Manual install on top of Buster Full:

                    This is interesting. I have used a PC to run a fresh install of Ubuntu and just launched emulationstation from a terminal and it worked fine.

                    On a PC, EmulationStation is meant to be run from a desktop environment - but not on a PI.

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                    • L
                      LogicalUnit
                      last edited by

                      Does anyone have a suggestion for where I might find out how to do this? I've Googled the error but didn't learn much.

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                      • IceChes1I
                        IceChes1
                        last edited by

                        You can always use startx to start the desktop from the text console.
                        My pi works fine with this configuration. I am not sure why your is messing up. My personal favorite fix to everything: copy your /home/pi/Retropie folder to your PC and then reinstall. Then reinstall Retropie, delete the new /home/pi/Retropie folder and replace it with the old one.

                        HOME CONSOLE
                        Pi 4
                        SanDisk 64 GB
                        Master branch install
                        3.5 amp CanaKit PSU
                        Logitech F310, Dell keyboard, Dell mouse, JetFlash Transcend 16 GB USB stick
                        HANDHELD
                        Pi 0 W
                        SanDisk 32 GB
                        Random image I found. Had a driver I needed.
                        IPEGA PG-9157 USB Receiver

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • IceChes1I
                          IceChes1
                          last edited by

                          Did I say reinstall twice? Oops.

                          HOME CONSOLE
                          Pi 4
                          SanDisk 64 GB
                          Master branch install
                          3.5 amp CanaKit PSU
                          Logitech F310, Dell keyboard, Dell mouse, JetFlash Transcend 16 GB USB stick
                          HANDHELD
                          Pi 0 W
                          SanDisk 32 GB
                          Random image I found. Had a driver I needed.
                          IPEGA PG-9157 USB Receiver

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • L
                            LogicalUnit
                            last edited by LogicalUnit

                            Okay, I've made some progress. By running sudo raspi-config, I was able to go into Boot Options and switch to Console Autologin. Now when I boot the pi, I get a command prompt. From there, if I want the desktop, I run startx. When I'm done with the desktop, I can exit to command line. If I want EmulationStation, I just run emulationstation. Again, when I'm done, I can exit back to command line. Great!

                            My next issue is that I have a USB stick with a folder called retropie-mount. In here I have various ROMs and save state files. When I use the normal RetroPie image, all these ROMs are detected and added to EmulationStation. But right now, it's not finding any of them. Any idea how to make EmulationStation search a USB stick for ROMs?

                            mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • mituM
                              mitu Global Moderator @LogicalUnit
                              last edited by

                              @LogicalUnit You need to install and enable the usbromservice package from the RetroPie-Setup, it's in the optional packages section.

                              L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • L
                                LogicalUnit @mitu
                                last edited by

                                @mitu awesome, that did the trick! I now have RetroPie, SteamLink, and Linux desktop all running on Raspberry Pi :)

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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