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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

    RetroPie on Pi 3 boots to command line, cannot manually start

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    emulationstatioboot problemcommand linesolved
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    • T
      tygr20
      last edited by tygr20

      As stated above. I got my Pi this afternoon, downloaded the Pi 3 RetroPie image and used the Windows disk imager tool to mount the image. Everything starts out fine, but then on exiting the GUI it will not let me back in. I've tried to update, upgrade, reboot from the command line. I've tried using the emulationstation command from the command line. I've attempted to turn off and back on autostart.

      On any reboot, I get the RetroPie splash screen, then a command line. I have expanded the file system so I know it isn't a disk space issue. I reflashed the SD card and it started up again, got it up and running and it fails again permanently after exiting ES. I'm glad to provide any additional details- I'm not sure what else to add at this point however. Any and all help is welcomed.

      mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • mediamogulM
        mediamogul Global Moderator @tygr20
        last edited by mediamogul

        @tygr20 said in RetroPie on Pi 3 boots to command line, cannot manually start:

        I'm glad to provide any additional details- I'm not sure what else to add at this point however.

        A list of required information can be found at:
        https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

        Fill out as much as you can from that. Of particular importance is the make and model of your SD card and the specifications of your power supply.

        RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Eater_Of_CheeseE
          Eater_Of_Cheese
          last edited by

          Maybe try downloading another image of retropie?
          I've seen similar problems to this, one solution is to go into raspi-config
          (sudo raspi-config) and make sure that under 'boot options' 'text console' is not selected.

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          • T
            tygr20
            last edited by

            Pi Model or other hardware: Pi 3 with Samsung 32 GB EVO SD card (MB-ME32DA/AM)
            Power Supply used: Canakit DCAR-052A5 2.5 A
            RetroPie Version Used (eg 3.6, 3.8.1, 4.1 - do not write latest): 4.1
            Built From: Pre made SD Image on RetroPie website, retropie-4.1-rpi2_rpi3
            USB Devices connected: Keyboard, mouse, SNES controller adapter (I have a PS3 controller available if this may be part of the problem)
            Controller used: SNES controller
            Error messages received: No message, blank screen
            Log found in /dev/shm/runcommand.log (if relevant): I'm not sure how to retrieve this.
            Guide used: Installation guide from retropie.org.uk
            File: I don't know if this applies
            Emulator: EmulationStation- I'm not actually making it into an Emulator
            Attachment of config files: Again, unsure how to retrieve
            How to replicate the problem: Start fresh install, exit EmulationStation, attempt to start again

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            • T
              tygr20 @Eater_Of_Cheese
              last edited by

              @Eater_Of_Cheese I'm more than happy to try another image, just leery of going to alternate sources being new to the scene. Is there a recommended place other than this site? Text console is not selected.

              Eater_Of_CheeseE mediamogulM 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Eater_Of_CheeseE
                Eater_Of_Cheese @tygr20
                last edited by

                @tygr20 well, I was thinking of making sure you've downloaded the correct image (probably not the problem) and that it was extracted correctly. Otherwise, I'm probably not the best person to ask.

                T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                • mediamogulM
                  mediamogul Global Moderator @tygr20
                  last edited by mediamogul

                  @tygr20 said in RetroPie on Pi 3 boots to command line, cannot manually start:

                  Is there a recommended place other than this site?

                  You should only ever use the images found here. @Eater_Of_Cheese was probably suggesting to double check that you downloaded the right image for your model Pi. If indeed you did, you might try installing to a different SD card if you have an extra one to test.

                  RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                  T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • T
                    tygr20 @mediamogul
                    last edited by

                    @mediamogul the only extra card I have on hand won't mount in Windows, so I'm not able to write the image to it. Is there a way I can attempt to mount in the Pi command line?

                    Eater_Of_CheeseE mediamogulM 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • T
                      tygr20 @Eater_Of_Cheese
                      last edited by

                      @Eater_Of_Cheese Understood. I'm fairly certain it's the right image since it works following the install, but dies shortly thereafter. It'll let me make changes inside ES and configure my controller, but then stops after rebooting.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • Eater_Of_CheeseE
                        Eater_Of_Cheese @tygr20
                        last edited by

                        @tygr20 I would say no, or at least not without serious difficulty.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • mediamogulM
                          mediamogul Global Moderator @tygr20
                          last edited by mediamogul

                          @tygr20

                          I'm fairly certain it's the right image since it works following the install

                          How many raspberries show up on boot?

                          Edit: Also, why is a raven like a writing desk?

                          RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                          T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • T
                            tygr20 @mediamogul
                            last edited by

                            @Eater_Of_Cheese I do however have an available 16 GB flash drive- should I install the image there and attempt a boot?

                            @mediamogul 4 raspberries on the screen at boot.

                            mediamogulM Eater_Of_CheeseE 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • mediamogulM
                              mediamogul Global Moderator @tygr20
                              last edited by

                              @tygr20 said in RetroPie on Pi 3 boots to command line, cannot manually start:

                              4 raspberries on the screen at boot.

                              Well, you've got the right image.

                              RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • mediamogulM
                                mediamogul Global Moderator @tygr20
                                last edited by

                                @tygr20

                                What software do you use to flash images with and will it not read your spare card at all?

                                RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                                T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • T
                                  tygr20 @mediamogul
                                  last edited by

                                  @mediamogul Using Win32DiskImager. The spare card I have on hand doesn't show up in Windows at all. Windows never acknowledges it's been inserted whether through the onboard SD reader or a USB adapter.

                                  mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • Eater_Of_CheeseE
                                    Eater_Of_Cheese @tygr20
                                    last edited by Eater_Of_Cheese

                                    @tygr20 Just to be certain-you have reimaged the original microSD, right? That usually fixes the problems.
                                    It is possible to boot off of a USB for retropie, and it might work.

                                    @mediamogul What? I consider ravens to be absolutely nothing like writing desks. See, if you said pelicans, I could agree.
                                    EDIT: Oh wait... was that a riddle? ._.

                                    T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • T
                                      tygr20 @Eater_Of_Cheese
                                      last edited by

                                      @Eater_Of_Cheese Yes- I shut down the Pi, pulled the card, put it in my Windows machine, removed all partitions, reformatted to FAT32, reimaged the same card. It works once, then goes kaput.

                                      If I do boot from the USB, could I then use the SD slot for expansion storage?

                                      Eater_Of_CheeseE mediamogulM 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • mediamogulM
                                        mediamogul Global Moderator @tygr20
                                        last edited by mediamogul

                                        @tygr20

                                        I do all my SD flashing on my Mac, but it will knowledge the existence of a volume, even if it can't mount it. I assumed this would also hold true for Windows.

                                        @Eater_Of_Cheese

                                        What? I consider ravens to be absolutely nothing like writing desks. See, if you said pelicans, I could agree.

                                        A perfect answer. I would have also accepted; "because there's a 'B' in both and an 'N' in neither".

                                        RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • Eater_Of_CheeseE
                                          Eater_Of_Cheese @tygr20
                                          last edited by

                                          @tygr20
                                          I'm not sure.
                                          At this point, I think it's outside of my skills.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • mediamogulM
                                            mediamogul Global Moderator @tygr20
                                            last edited by

                                            @tygr20 said in RetroPie on Pi 3 boots to command line, cannot manually start:

                                            If I do boot from the USB, could I then use the SD slot for expansion storage?

                                            I wouldn't go through all that if I were you. You shouldn't have to wait long before someone more familiar with Win32DiskImager comes along. I'm sure there's some way for it to read your extra card.

                                            RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

                                            T 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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