Return to ROM select menu after ROM initialization

[TK_Romero]

I've been working on this particular issue for several days now where after selecting a ROM to start and after the prompt to push a button if wanting to configure retropie returns to the ROM selection screen. Using retropie 4.2 image for Pi Zero and Pi 3.

I have tried transferring ROMs over network, USB, and locally using a media reader with the same results.
I've reimaged several times on two Sandisk Ultra 16GB and a Samsung EVO 32GB cards using Etcher and Win32diskimager.
Tried three different power sources.
Tried using keyboard only.
Tried running ROMs from USB stick.
Issue is persistent on both a Pi Zero W and Pi 3.
Checked permissions for ROMs and folders.
Log files don't show that the ROM failed to load.
Ran command to reset ownership/permissions

NES ROMs return to selection screen.
SNES ROMs stay on black screen and can return to menu by exiting via RetroArch menu.
Tried available default emulators for both SNES and NES.

My only success has been after a fresh install copying only one NES ROM to the microSD card, booting up the Pi with card installed, shutdown Pi, remove card and repeat. This solution also doesn't always work.

I've looked over the forums, google searches, youtube videos and haven't made headway. I have a feeling that it could be something obvious that I am missing or forgetting to apply. Help would be appreciated.

[pjft]

After launching the game and returning to the menu, ssh (or exit EmulationStation) and see the contents of

/dev/shm/runcommand.log

If no hints come out of it, on launch press any key to open the launch menu and select the option to launch with verbose logging. Then see the contents of the same log file.

Feel free to paste them here if it doesn't give you any tips.

[TK_Romero]

Thanks pjft for the help,

I'm having some trouble capturing the terminal output for the verbose runcommand.log, but these are the two errors listed from the verbose logging.

Error: failed to load content
Error: this core requires a content file

[dankcushions]

an example would be useful? e.g. a screenshot of your game list, a screenshot of your rom directory showing the game in question, etc.

are you transferring by mac by any chance?

[TK_Romero]

Sorry for the delayed response and thanks for the additional input since then. Ended up just copying the script output for the verbose logging to an accessible folder over the network.

Parameters:
Executing: /opt/retropie/emulators/retroarch/bin/retroarch -L /opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-quicknes/quicknes_libretro.so --config /opt/retropie/configs/nes/retroarch.cfg "/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/nes/1943 - The Battle of Midway
(USA).nes" --verbose --appendconfig /dev/shm/retroarch.cfg
RetroArch [INFO] :: This is RetroArch version 1.6.0 (Git f14473f)
RetroArch [INFO] :: Redirecting save file to "/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/nes/1943 - The Battle of Midway (USA).srm".
RetroArch [INFO] :: === Build =======================================
Capabilities:
Built: Jun 1 2017
RetroArch [INFO] :: Version: 1.6.0
RetroArch [INFO] :: Git: f14473f
RetroArch [INFO] :: =================================================
RetroArch [INFO] :: [Config]: loading config from: /opt/retropie/configs/nes/retroarch.cfg.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Config: appending config "/dev/shm/retroarch.cfg"
RetroArch [INFO] :: Loading dynamic libretro core from: "/opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-quicknes/quicknes_libretro.so"
RetroArch [INFO] :: [overrides] no core-specific overrides found at /home/pi/.config/retroarch/config/QuickNES/QuickNES.cfg.
RetroArch [INFO] :: [overrides] no game-specific overrides found at /home/pi/.config/retroarch/config/QuickNES/1943 - The Battle of Midway (USA).cfg.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Shaders: preset directory: /home/pi/.config/retroarch/shaders/presets
RetroArch [INFO] :: Shaders: no game-specific preset found at /home/pi/.config/retroarch/shaders/presets/QuickNES/1943 - The Battle of Midway (USA).cgp.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Shaders: no game-specific preset found at /home/pi/.config/retroarch/shaders/presets/QuickNES/1943 - The Battle of Midway (USA).glslp.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Shaders: no core-specific preset found at /home/pi/.config/retroarch/shaders/presets/QuickNES/QuickNES.cgp.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Shaders: no core-specific preset found at /home/pi/.config/retroarch/shaders/presets/QuickNES/QuickNES.glslp.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Remaps: remap directory: /opt/retropie/configs/nes/
RetroArch [INFO] :: Remaps: no game-specific remap found at /opt/retropie/configs/nes/QuickNES/1943 - The Battle of Midway (USA).rmp.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Remaps: no core-specific remap found at /opt/retropie/configs/nes/QuickNES/QuickNES.rmp.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Redirecting save file to "/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/nes/1943 - The Battle of Midway (USA).srm".
RetroArch [INFO] :: Loading content file: /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/nes/1943 - The Battle of Midway (USA).nes.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Did not find a valid content patch.
RetroArch [INFO] :: CRC32: 0x93e5e501 .
RetroArch [INFO] :: Environ SET_INPUT_DESCRIPTORS:
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 1, Button "B (bottom)" => "B"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 1, Button "Select" => "Select"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 1, Button "Start" => "Start"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 1, Button "D-Pad Up" => "D-Pad Up"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 1, Button "D-Pad Down" => "D-Pad Down"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 1, Button "D-Pad Left" => "D-Pad Left"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 1, Button "D-Pad Right" => "D-Pad Right"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 1, Button "A (right)" => "A"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 2, Button "B (bottom)" => "B"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 2, Button "Select" => "Select"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 2, Button "Start" => "Start"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 2, Button "D-Pad Up" => "D-Pad Up"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 2, Button "D-Pad Down" => "D-Pad Down"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 2, Button "D-Pad Left" => "D-Pad Left"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 2, Button "D-Pad Right" => "D-Pad Right"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 2, Button "A (right)" => "A"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 3, Button "B (bottom)" => "B"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 3, Button "Select" => "Select"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 3, Button "Start" => "Start"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 3, Button "D-Pad Up" => "D-Pad Up"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 3, Button "D-Pad Down" => "D-Pad Down"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 3, Button "D-Pad Left" => "D-Pad Left"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 3, Button "D-Pad Right" => "D-Pad Right"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 3, Button "A (right)" => "A"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 4, Button "B (bottom)" => "B"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 4, Button "Select" => "Select"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 4, Button "Start" => "Start"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 4, Button "D-Pad Up" => "D-Pad Up"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 4, Button "D-Pad Down" => "D-Pad Down"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 4, Button "D-Pad Left" => "D-Pad Left"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 4, Button "D-Pad Right" => "D-Pad Right"
RetroArch [INFO] :: RetroPad, User 4, Button "A (right)" => "A"
RetroArch [INFO] :: Environ SET_PIXEL_FORMAT: RGB565.
RetroArch [INFO] :: Environ GET_OVERSCAN: 0
RetroArch [ERROR] :: Failed to load content.
RetroArch [ERROR] :: This core requires a content file.

I have also attached a photo as requested of the ROM list.

Lastly to answer the transfer question, I am not transferring from a mac. I am transferring files using a windows machine.

Thanks again for the help and looking forward to trying another solution.

[herb_fargus]

https://forums.libretro.com/t/cannot-get-nes-roms-to-launch/4726/6

[TK_Romero]

Wow, that did it. Removed the ROMs and added a batch from an old backup folder and like magic it works for both the Pi Zero and Pi 3.

I wouldn't have guessed the ROMs were the issue. I had used those same ROMs two months ago for a different RetroPie system and had no issues. The ROMs were also working on a PC and Android emulator.

Oh man... Thanks everyone for the help. I'm glad to put this behind me and move forward with this build.

[pjft]

@herb_fargus Wow. Great find. I was coming here to say that I had no idea what would be happening and suggesting other things, but you solved it!

Thanks!

[herb_fargus]

@pjft it's a common issue, even mentioned on the NES page in the docs ;)