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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

    Can't edit boot/config.txt

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Help and Support
    noboot
    39 Posts 4 Posters 13.6k Views
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    • B
      bradleyhollander
      last edited by

      @AlexMurphy yes it flashes in quick succeshion

      AlexMurphyA DarkWolfD 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • AlexMurphyA
        AlexMurphy Banned @bradleyhollander
        last edited by

        @bradleyhollander That means it is working. What sort of display is it connected to? Try a different TV or a different HDMI cable.

        B 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • DarkWolfD
          DarkWolf @bradleyhollander
          last edited by

          @bradleyhollander the power supply could also be a problem
          use one with a minimum of 1A output

          System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
          Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
          Theme: Updated NBBA

          Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • B
            bradleyhollander @AlexMurphy
            last edited by

            @AlexMurphy I use a old Vga screen with a hdmi adapter

            AlexMurphyA 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • AlexMurphyA
              AlexMurphy Banned @bradleyhollander
              last edited by

              @bradleyhollander Your adaptor is not compatible, sorry.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • DarkWolfD
                DarkWolf
                last edited by

                Ok that is the problem
                The vga adapter disables the hdmi auto detection of your monitor
                this can be resolved somehow, let me look into my old pi, I made it there somehow

                System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
                Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
                Theme: Updated NBBA

                Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • DarkWolfD
                  DarkWolf
                  last edited by DarkWolf

                  Ok so what you have to do:

                  1. connect via ssh over network (you need a console for this, however you get to it)
                  2. type

                  sudo nano /boot/config.txt

                  1. Remove the # in front of

                  hdmi_force_hotplug=1

                  1. press ctrl+x, enter and than y,enter to save the file
                  2. restart your pie with

                  sudo reboot

                  if you get no output:
                  Remove the # in front of

                  hdmi_safe=1

                  as well and reboot

                  Now the hdmi port is forced to be activated and outputting at any time.
                  This diables composite output, but I guess you don't want to use it.

                  Hope that helps

                  System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
                  Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
                  Theme: Updated NBBA

                  Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                  B 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • B
                    bradleyhollander
                    last edited by

                    Composit the yellow plug?

                    DarkWolfD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • DarkWolfD
                      DarkWolf @bradleyhollander
                      last edited by

                      @bradleyhollander yeah, I guess that was it

                      System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
                      Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
                      Theme: Updated NBBA

                      Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • DarkWolfD
                        DarkWolf
                        last edited by DarkWolf

                        One important thing left:
                        As the hdmi safe mode is disabled, it could happen that the pi overheats, so keep an eye on it ;-)

                        I found a great thread for this, so if you need more information you can probably look it up here.

                        System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
                        Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
                        Theme: Updated NBBA

                        Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • B
                          bradleyhollander @DarkWolf
                          last edited by

                          @DarkWolf can I do this by editing the config.txt on the sd card

                          DarkWolfD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • DarkWolfD
                            DarkWolf @bradleyhollander
                            last edited by DarkWolf

                            @bradleyhollander the config.txt file is located on the boot partition of the sd card
                            you can find the config.txt file at the root

                            Edit:
                            Another addition:
                            First remove the # of

                            hdmi_force_hotplug=1

                            and try it out, if you get no output remove the # of

                            hdmi_safe=1

                            System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
                            Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
                            Theme: Updated NBBA

                            Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • B
                              bradleyhollander
                              last edited by

                              Should I rather get a Vga to composit converter ?

                              AlexMurphyA DarkWolfD 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • AlexMurphyA
                                AlexMurphy Banned @bradleyhollander
                                last edited by

                                @bradleyhollander I'm sorry. I can't help you. I only use HDMI screens.

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • DarkWolfD
                                  DarkWolf @bradleyhollander
                                  last edited by

                                  @bradleyhollander The result with hdmi to vga will be be much better thatn composite to vga. If you use the composite video output it could output a really low resolution and the quality is kinda bad...
                                  So try the hdmi "fix" and if this doesn't work at all, I would recoment using a hdmi screen more than using the composite output

                                  System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
                                  Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
                                  Theme: Updated NBBA

                                  Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • B
                                    bradleyhollander
                                    last edited by

                                    Ok will do thx

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • edmaul69E
                                      edmaul69
                                      last edited by

                                      Why are people saying to run in safe mode? I understand to troubleshoot but what you really need to do is set the vga to the correct settings for your monitor.

                                      hdmi_group=2 
                                      

                                      and whatever hdmi_mode for whatever resolution your monitor is. For me my monitor is 1024x768 so mine is set to:

                                      hdmi_mode=16
                                      
                                      DarkWolfD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • DarkWolfD
                                        DarkWolf @edmaul69
                                        last edited by

                                        @edmaul69 That could be a better solution! I just shared what I die some months ago when I had the same problem.

                                        System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
                                        Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
                                        Theme: Updated NBBA

                                        Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • B
                                          bradleyhollander
                                          last edited by

                                          Could it be my power supply I use a Samsung 0.7 amp. will that power a rasp pi B

                                          DarkWolfD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • DarkWolfD
                                            DarkWolf @bradleyhollander
                                            last edited by

                                            @bradleyhollander You should use a power supply with a minimum of 1A (bare minimum). I would recomment using a 1,5A power supply.

                                            System: Raspberry 3 Model B, RetroPie 4.2.1
                                            Storage: 16gb Micro SD, 64gb USB Drive
                                            Theme: Updated NBBA

                                            Documentation solves many problems: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                                            B 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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