Help launching "Raspbian" in EmulationStation

[raspy+]

Raspbery Pi 3
16GB microSD FAT32

Hi,

I installed Raspbian Jesse with Pixel from "https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/" and then manually installed Retropie on top of Raspbian from terminal using this guide "https://github.com/retropie/retropie-setup/wiki/manual-installation".

I also installed Kodi from this guide "https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/KODI" and was able to add Kodi as it's own system instead of in ports. But how do I go about doing the same for Raspbian?

I can open Raspbian when I exit emulationstation and type the command "startx" but how can I do this from within emulationstation?

Thanks,

[raspy+]

Okay I think I figured it out after poking around the menus in the "RetroPie-Setup Script".

I went to "C - Configuration / tools" > "raspbiantools - Raspbian related tools" and from there I selected "Install Pixel desktop enviroment". After it was done then the option to launch the "Desktop" appears in the "Ports" menu. I just need to figure out how to make it show up as it's own system instead of in ports. Any suggestions?

Also when I "launch" the desktop from emulationstation or "exit to command line" from the desktop there is a quick pop-up message stating that it was "launching lxde... press any button to configure...". Is there any way to remove that message?

[Invincer]

anyone figured this out? I was looking for the exact same thing and almost posted the exact same question... any help would be much appreciated

[Dmnchild]

Im not sure the exact question, but there is ways to get to desktop, or boot to whatever you want.

cd /home/pi/RetroPie-Setup
sudo ./retropi_setup.sh
Choose "Configuration / Tools"
Choose 'autostart'
Pick your poison of how you want pi to boot.

If you are in EmulationStation, just hit F4 to drop it to desktop.

Kodi has its own exit button which should drop you to desktop.

I am using raspian with the manual retropi install.

[columboscoat]

@Dmnchild I think they want the Desktop as a separate system entry on ES GUI menu. I would suggest following the steps posted for doing it for KODI but sustituting the correct, paths and commands for LXDE (the installed DE on Raspbian). The default Carbon theme even has art for Desktop included. Check /etc/emulationstation/themes/carbon.

[ezra84]

@raspy+ @Dmnchild @Invincer I found a way to do it, adding 'Raspbian' or PIXEL Desktop as a menu item in Emulationstation, including the Carbon theme art as mentioned by @columboscoat. Basically it's the same way as adding KODI to menu item, just changing some parts. Here are the instructions:

1. add the following codeblock in your es_systems.cfg:
   <system>
   <fullname>Desktop</fullname>
   <name>desktop</name>
   <path>~/RetroPie/roms/desktop</path>
   <extension>.sh .SH</extension>
   <command>bash %ROM%</command>
   <platform>desktop</platform>
   <theme>desktop</theme>
   </system>

Then make a 'desktop' rom directory
2. mkdir /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/desktop

make a launch script:
3. sudo nano /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/desktop/desktop.sh
4. add the following line:
startx

save your changes with ctrl+x , y , enter

make the launch script executable:
5. sudo chmod +x /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/desktop/desktop.sh
type emulationstation to go back into emulationstation and the PIXEL Desktop should be there as its own system.

Optionally you may remove Desktop from the Ports section to keep it clean.
Lastly you can use the scraper for screen art but I could only match it to the older LXDE Desktop. Hope this helps.

[ustix]

@ezra84 I've just had to register and say thanks to your beautiful solution. I don't even know why I had to search so much. This is just works, and it is what I wanted. I have also added Parsec in this way!
I know it is a quite old topic, but this needs more attention!
And THANK YOU!