USB controllers do not detect on bootup.

stragusmagus

My inability to find a NES classic has lead me down the retro pi avenue, but I am having a small annoyance that is preventing me from using it. When I power on pi zero, I always get a message "Welcome- no gamepads detected". I have to unplug and replug, wait exactly 3 minutes, press a button and then it works. Aside from that it works perfectly. But its really annoying waiting 3 minutes.

Pi Model or other hardware: pi zero (this was a gift, since I couldn't find a nes classic). No network adapter.
Power Supply used: usb plugged into TV (I don't have issues running games)
RetroPie Version Used (eg 3.6, 3.8.1, 4.1 - do not write latest): I'm not really sure where to find this. Most of the documentation says you cannot find this. This is what I can find:
emulationstation v2.0.1a
Linux 4.4.26+ armv6l GNU/linux
https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/262/how-check-version-of-retropie-installed (this didn't help)
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=46152 (my pi zero doesn't have network, so I can't sudo get update)
https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/2024/retropie-version-number/5 ("version numbers mean nothing") Why are you asking for it then?
Built From: Pre made SD Image on RetroPie website (got help on this one, so I don't have the original file anymore)
USB Devices connected: inateck cardreader\usb hub
https://www.amazon.com/Inateck-Adapter-Compact-Compatible-Smartphones/dp/B00OCBXIY8/ref=sr_1_5
Controller used: USB to PS1 adapter (I don't remember where I got it from)
Log found in /dev/shm/runcommand.log (if relevant): I don't know how to get this off the micro SD card. Windows doesn't read linux filesystems.
Attachment of config files: see above.
How to replicate the problem: I power on the pi. It doesn't matter if I wait to plug in the usb to ps1 adapter. I have to wait 3 minutes before it will register a button press.
Other controlers I've used:
Retrolinc usb snes replicas https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0PG3492883
Also does not detect on bootup, however after replugging, I do not have to wait 3 minutes for detection. It works immediately.
Xbox 360 controller - works without these issues. But terrible for retro games.

Other than that I have no issues running games at all. Everything works perfectly after gamepads detect. I'm sorry I couldn't get some of the info. I'll be perfectly honest, I really don't expect anyone to respond. If you want a challenge, let me know what you need.

BuZz

@stragusmagus You should try a proper PSU first to rule out power issues. TV USB ports are not good enough to reliably power a RPI (even a Zero with peripherals)

BuZz

@stragusmagus said in USB controllers do not detect on bootup.:

RetroPie Version Used (eg 3.6, 3.8.1, 4.1 - do not write latest): I'm not really sure where to find this. Most of the documentation says you cannot find this. This is what I can find:

Via main menu of RetroPie-Setup or for example from the download page if you have the last version and haven't updated.

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/2024/retropie-version-number/5 ("version numbers mean nothing") Why are you asking for it then?

It certainly does mean something. It's just the version number of RetroPie-Setup cannot tell us specifically the version of some components. But it's important to know it when helping.

stragusmagus

Ok, I got some help. I'm using a power 5V 1.8A power supply from a cell phone. Still does the same thing.

Retro pie setup says its version 4.1 and last commit "in the future (29aa90c)", if that matters.

I appreciate you taking the time to help an old fool like myself.

stragusmagus

@stragusmagus So, I started over from scratch with the premade 4.2 image for pi zero. Some of my problems were fixed but now it's different. Most of my controllers work, except for the one I really want working (the PS1 -> USB adapter). I quit emulation station and ran: lsusb and it displays:

Bus 001 Device 058: ID 0925:8866 Lakeview Research Wisegroup Ltd, MP-8866 Dual Joypad

Does that mean it's detected? I'm really not good at this stuff, so I'm at a loss. It worked in 4.1 so I don't know why it doesn't work in 4.2. Someone also suggested this command, but I don't know what it does: ls /dev/input/by-id/

usb-0925_8866-event-joystick usb-0925_8866-joystick

And: ls /dev/input/by-path/

platform-20980000.usb-usb-0:1:1.0-event-joystick platform-20980000.usb-usb-0:1:1.0-joystick

Any ideas?

stragusmagus

@stragusmagus
I had some extra time today, so I did a jstest that works in the command line, but still won't detect in emulationstation. It shows the name being "HID 0925:8866", which is an odd name since my other controller is named "USB Gamepad " (with that extra space at the end).
I used that information to create the file: /etc/udev/rules.d/99-gamepad.rules
Rebooted. Still not working.

I also tried manually creating an autoconfig file with the name in: /opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch-joypads/
Rebooted. Still not working.

Anyone have an ideas? I've already removed any USB hub out of the equation. Plugging the controller in by OTG cable. I'm so close to enjoying this machine, but it's just driving me crazy that I can't get my good controllers working.

stragusmagus

I tried a bluetooth adapter and a wiimote and got nowhere.
Clearly, retropie is only for linux masters. Unless I get some help, the controllers I want to use don't work. I may have to downgrade back to a buggier, earlier version when it used to work. Very frustrating.

rbaker

@stragusmagus Cell phone chargers aren't great. They are for charging and may not be regulated. I have no Linux knowledge and it works out of the box for me with a PS3 controller. It's definitely not for Linux masters only. Check what your peripherals are drawing. The Pi zero really needs a stable 5V at 1.2A rating with nothing much connected. It will probably draw around 300mA or so doing stuff. You will probably have around 1A left on that charger but at full load the voltage will start to fall away...probably...or it might work. Chargers are hit and miss.

stragusmagus

@rbaker thanks, but we've already ruled out the power issue (see my replies above on the progress). It detects in the command line thing, but won't detect in emulation station. Everything works fine in Windows, so i know nothing is broken. This is really for linux masters only.