Simple way to hide Retropie Configuration and emulator config

ckp

I have heard of an experimental kid / kiosk mode, which seems like what I want, but it seems like a really big change and I've also read about some problems using it (i guess it's why it's experimental).
I have Retropie 4.2 on my Pi 3 B. This is a new install I created using the 4.2 image.
I'm wondering is there is just some simple way I can edit a config file or two via SSH so the Retropie Configuration won't show and so users can't press a key on game launch to make config changes. I'm ok leaving the ES menu via Run button press.
I did read one thing googling around that said you could comment an xml config file line to not show the Retropie Configuration, but the line it said to comment wasn't in my file.
Thank you.

edmaul69

@ckp you can open up the es_systems.cfg file and put a

<!--

On the blank line above the retropie menu system and put a

-->

On the blank line below it. Make sure you have sftp already set up in case you accidently mess that up.

ckp

@edmaul69 , thank you!
assuming this path: /etc/emulationstation/es_systems.cfg

One question before I do this. So, if I comment that out and my retropie IP address changes, is there an easy way to find its IP address to ssh to? i think the Show IP stuff is inside the stuff i will be hiding. i guess i can jot down the mac addresses of my retropie before making this change and check my wireless router to see the ip it gave out. or i could set a static ip, but i'd rather not do that. the name retropie doesn't resolve on my home network.

ckp

also is there a similar trick so the 'press a key' option isn't there when every game loads?

edmaul69

@ckp if you hook up a keyboard and press f4 it kicks you to the command line. Or press start, quit, quit emulationstation. It will display a bunch of stuff including the ip address. Type exit to get back to emulationstation. Otherwise you could make a copy of /opt/retropie/configs/all/emulationstation/gamelists/retropie/gamelist.xml and remove all the options other than the one for showip. Remember to not delete

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<gamelist>

At the top of the page and

</gamelist>

At the bottom of the page

Sano

@ckp

also is there a similar trick so the 'press a key' option isn't there when every game loads?

Yes, launch retropie_setup script via menu or ssh ( sudo RetroPie-Setup/retropie_setup.sh).
Then select Configuration/Tools, runcommand, and disable "Launch menu".

You may also disable it by editing /opt/retropie/configs/all/runcommand.cfg and modifying the line disable_menu = "0" to disable_menu = "1"

ckp

Thanks a lot @Sano and @edmaul69 !!