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

[Eater_Of_Cheese]

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.

[tygr20]

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

[tygr20]

@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_Cheese]

@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.

[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.

[tygr20]

@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?

[tygr20]

@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.

[Eater_Of_Cheese]

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

[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?

[tygr20]

@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.

[mediamogul]

@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.

[mediamogul]

@tygr20

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

[tygr20]

@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.

[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? ._.

[tygr20]

@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?

[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".

[Eater_Of_Cheese]

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

[mediamogul]

@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.

[tygr20]

@mediamogul I don't think the problem is with disk imager with the backup card. It doesn't appear in Windows, doesn't appear in an Android phone- I'm pretty sure that card is just hosed. :D

[mediamogul]

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

I'm pretty sure that card is just hosed.

It could be. Is it not currently serving any function?