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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

    How do I mount and store ROMs inside an NVMe?

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    • N
      Nut Nibbler
      last edited by Nut Nibbler

      I'm running a Raspberry Pi 5 with an M.2 Hat and a 1TB NVMe installed. Linux detects the storage device.

      I've been digging around on information around this subject, I'm trying to use an NVMe M.2 for storing all the ROMs used by RetroPi, however I have RetroPi installed on an SD Card.

      Im extremely new to Linux in general, so the information I do manage to find I'm having a hard time piecing it all together. I've found resources on how to mount USB Storage devices but those resources don't work for PCIe devices. Everything else I find says to "just do" certain things during configuration on the storage device, instead of showing commands to execute.

      Is there some resource that is a full beginning to end setup for an internal M.2 storage device being set up with RetroPi, with the M.2 purely being the storage device for ROM and NOT the OS?

      Y 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • Y
        yserra @Nut Nibbler
        last edited by

        @Nut-Nibbler there a doc dedicated to that topic: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Running-ROMs-from-a-USB-drive/

        USB or NVMe doesn't really make a difference. Just the name of the device may change. The process is the same.

        N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • N
          Nut Nibbler @yserra
          last edited by

          @yserra I tried to follow this guide already and the stage where the ROMs are supposed to be copied into the drive, nothing changes. Maybe i missed something I will follow it again.

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • N
            Nut Nibbler
            last edited by

            I attempted the guide from that link again, and it still doesn't work. Files aren't copied to the drive, and the drive also doesn't have a file system. Tried to create a filesystem using "sudo mkfs -t ext4 /dev/nvme0n1p1" and it passed without errors. I have also tried another NVMe drive I have and get the same result.

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            • N
              Nut Nibbler
              last edited by Nut Nibbler

              Read up on creating a file system, after doing so Windows no longer recognizes the device's partitions, despite the video claiming that you can simply move the storage device to a windows machine and verify RetroPie was copied over.

              Offically lost, if theres a groundup tutorial on how to configure a internal storage device to work on linux I would appreciate it.

              EDIT: Started form square 1 again, and after the step in the thread that tells you to move the files to the storage device, it basically uninstalled all the files inside RetroPie. Since I basically deleted everything Im just going to start from the ground up with the NVMe with a completely new installation.

              This guide seems to not work for Raspberry Pi 5 and PCIe M,2 drives.

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

                @Nut-Nibbler said in How do I mount and store ROMs inside an NVMe?:

                This guide seems to not work for Raspberry Pi 5 and PCIe M,2 drives.

                Which guide are you referring to ?
                The page at https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Running-ROMs-from-a-USB-drive/#transfer-the-existing-retropie-file-structure should be enough - instead of /dev/sda1, you should use /dev/nvme0n1p1. One missing info is that you need to mount explicitely the partition first, since it will not be auto-mounted by the operating system.

                Alternatively, if the Pi5 supports running from the NVME drive, just configure it to do so (I think the bootloader needs to be configured explicitely) and then write the RaspiOS image to the drive. Then you can re-install RetroPie on it, without needing a SDcard.
                Do note that Pi5 support is experimental, installing RetroPie manually can lead to issues that need a more Linux/RetroPie experienced user.

                N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • N
                  Nut Nibbler @mitu
                  last edited by

                  @mitu I followed the process for mounting the NVMe, I mustve messed something up as I'd imagine there would be more threads about this issue. Since I broke the install on the SD card I just opted to use an extra 1TB m.2 and install everything on it without the SD card present.

                  I only desired to have the m.2 as ROM storage because I initially didn't have an M.2 to install the OS on.

                  I followed this guide for installation of RetroPie onto an NVMe

                  https://github.com/danielfreer/raspberrypi5-retropie-setup/tree/main

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • retropieuser555R
                    retropieuser555
                    last edited by

                    Which device are you using to connect the nvme? Perhaps there's some issue there? I use a pimoroni base PCB and it works for me, although I installed the entire OS and run from the nvme, but I have also tested running from the SD card and mounting the nvme and that also works

                    Pi 5 4GB

                    Retroflag GPI with raspberry pi zero 2 w/ wifi

                    Retroachievements:- lovelessrapture

                    N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • N
                      Nut Nibbler @retropieuser555
                      last edited by

                      @retropieuser555

                      Using this product: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRK4YB4C?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

                      Uses the PCIe Ribbon connection available on the Pi5 and some of the pins from the I/O header.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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