RetroPie on Ubuntu without Unity

damanbaird

i myself have been trying to build on top of ubuntu server edition ... start fresh

Assault

Hi damanbaird,

please could you tell me how you've done that?

I just installed ubuntu server on my nuc it was a standard installation with the exception, that I installed git dialog and libsdl2-dev manuallly befor doing Retropie-Setup.
After installation of RetroPie finished i tried to start with "emulationstation" from tty1 and get those errors:

lvl0: Error initializing SDL!
No available video device
lvl0: Renderer failed to initialize!
lvl0: Window failed to initialize!

So I've tried your advise to install additionaly openbox and xinit. I configured emulationstation from RetroPie-Setup to start automatically.
Now with startx openbox starts, but emulationstation is not starting !?

masteryoer

Install ubuntu server or when you install ubuntu desktop, remove the kde and x system components from the installer list.

Assault

@masteryoer said in RetroPie on Ubuntu without Unity:

Install ubuntu server or when you install ubuntu desktop, remove the kde and x system components from the installer list.

I've just installed ubuntu SERVER once again and installed Retropie, but emulation station is still not starting, with the same error Message as in my first Post.

Please could you provide some more detailed information how you installed it?

masteryoer

Is here a reason you are using ubuntu? Retropie image and ubuntu are both Debian based so they have nearly the same code base and functionality.

Assault

Yes, I try to get it running on my nuc (x86), so I can't take the preconfigured RetroPie Image.
Using Debian causes the same errors. I took Ubuntu, because its more or less recomended by the RetroPie wiki.

meleu

@Assault said in RetroPie on Ubuntu without Unity:

Yes, I try to get it running on my nuc (x86)

My friend @R1n0X installed RetroPie on his NUC using the MX Linux as the OS and seems to be very satisfied.

damanbaird

@Assault I do not know if im allowed to post or share links but i followed some of this .... https://thepcspy.com/read/building-a-kiosk-computer-ubuntu-1404-chrome/

Logof

hi!
I solved this problem as follows: сreated file ~/.xinitrc with the content:
#!/bin/sh
exec emulationstation

Now when the command startx runs automatically ES

damanbaird

@Logof Thanks! that actually helped! Do you know how to disable the mouse cursor when x-starts? i hate seeing the cursor right as everything starts up.

meleu

@damanbaird said in RetroPie on Ubuntu without Unity:

Do you know how to disable the mouse cursor when x-starts?

How are you invoking X?

if it's with startx you can try startx -- -nocursor. If you are invoking startx in a big command (as in that guide about ubuntu kiosk you linked above) the -- -nocursor part comes in the end of the startx command.

damanbaird

@meleu thanks let me try that.

damanbaird

OK, I"m about done with my ubuntu server Retropie image , if anyone is interested i can share a iso or img file from dropbox or other host.... without roms and stuff of course :D.

meleu

@damanbaird I think a small guide or at least the steps you've taken to reach this stage would be more appreciated. We are tinker guys here. :-)

Serj Targarien

I'd appreciate both a guide and the iso for easy installation. Wherever you can provide is fine.

damanbaird

A guide would probably be easier for me since i have slow upload speeds living out in the middle of no-where. Guess ill whip out Libre Office and start typing away

damanbaird

AS it is my Retropie system has several qualities, 1. boots straight to emulationstation. 2. boots without any hint as to the OS the system runs on. 3. pretty much like how it does on Raspberry Pi's.

jasonmcleod

I'm in the same boat, but still just end up at the desktop when I add the .xinitrc bit.
I would love to see your setup instructions, and/or grab an iso!

Thanks!

damanbaird

I"m still here and still working on a few quirks, got busy busy doing other things though, I'm hoping to be done here soon so i can start building my Arcade cabinet :D

damanbaird

ok this is what i have going on so far ...Running Ubuntu server 16.04,
1.sudo apt-get install openssh
2.sudo apt-get install xorg openbox pulseaudio --no-install-recommends
3.retropie as for the norm...make sure to go into settings and set to start on login
4.sudo apt-get install xinit
5.(nano ~/.xinitrc) and add
#!/bin/sh
exec emulationstation
6.(sudo nano /etc/default/grub) and (GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash")
7.sudo update-grub
8.( sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/getty.target.wants/getty@tty1.service) and edit (ExecStart=/sbin/agetty --noclear --autologin <username> %I $TERM)
9.(nano ~/.bash_profile) and add ( pgrep 'tmux|startx' || startx) w/o the () of course.
F.Y.I this is my little write up so ill be editing as i go, but as of right now it pretty much boots into emulationstation the way i want it too, besides how often am i going to see the machine booting up really I"m going to build a full size cabinet and throw it in the corner somewhere. Hope this helps a little, sadly i could only get this to work in a virtual machine, i dont know what i did that was different. virtual machine i get straight into emulationstation on a real machine i stare at a blank screen.