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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

    Need help. I am very very very new to this whole thing. (3rd party image issues)

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Help and Support
    help me please
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    • mediamogulM
      mediamogul Global Moderator @Smashing
      last edited by mediamogul

      @smashing

      First of all, you should follow the advice detailed in https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

      As you fill all that out, pay special care to what image was installed, as it sounds like you have a lot of hacked ROMs mixed with PAL versions. If it was a third party image, we won't be able to support you here and if it's just that your brother threw on a bunch of random ROMs himself, we'll still be working at quite a disadvantage, not knowing exactly how he set things up. At best I would recommend having a conversation with him and getting all the details you can. Perhaps he could be with you as we troubleshoot. At worst, I would recommend starting over with a clean image from this site.

      RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • S
        Smashing
        last edited by

        Oh, my brother had someone else set it up with all the games. He paid big money for this. He lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area anyway. I live in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

        mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • mediamogulM
          mediamogul Global Moderator @Smashing
          last edited by

          @smashing said in Need help. I am very very very new to this whole thing.:

          He paid big money for this.

          I hate to say it, but he got scammed. RetroPie is intended to be free. In fact selling it is actually illegal.

          RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

          S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • S
            Smashing
            last edited by

            Also, I have Sega Master System, Sega 32x, Super Nintendo, Nintendo, Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Game Gear, Game Boy, and some other gaming consoles I'm unfamiliar with.

            mediamogulM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • S
              Smashing @mediamogul
              last edited by

              @mediamogul He paid big money for the console.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • mediamogulM
                mediamogul Global Moderator @Smashing
                last edited by mediamogul

                @smashing

                Unfortunately, you have only two options open to you. You can seek assistance from the entity that put the system together, or you can put on a clean image from the link in my first post. If you choose the latter, you'll find that this community is always willing to help you with any problems you may have.

                RetroPie v4.5 • RPi3 Model B • 5.1V 2.5A PSU • 16GB SanDisk microSD • 512GB External Drive

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                • S
                  Smashing
                  last edited by

                  @mediamogul That link is taking me to more links that are mumbo-jumbo to me. I don't even know what I am doing at all anymore. I keep installing things I don't know how to use, and buying accessories I don't know how to use/know how they help. I just bought a USB to USB cable and plugged it in thinking that is how I hook up my Pi to my MacBook Pro. It doesn't even register on my computer. Clean image? Will that erase everything on my Pi? I'm very confused.

                  rbakerR caver01C 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • rbakerR
                    rbaker @Smashing
                    last edited by

                    @smashing Why would you ever try to connect a Pi to a pc or a mac via usb? You simply need to read the instructions which are written for those who have no prior knowledge like me. You will then be up and running in less than 30 minutes but yes, your 3rd party image will be erased.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • caver01C
                      caver01 @Smashing
                      last edited by

                      @smashing
                      It's too bad you are having a rough time. I often ring this bell and I will do so again: RetroPie is not like a typical commercial product. You have to adjust your expectations somewhat. Although you can get a premium experience out of a well-tuned system, it can take a lot of effort depending on your configuration needs.

                      RetroPie does an amazing job at integrating so many different capabilities that would be much harder to setup individually. The documentation here really can be followed without getting too deep into the technology, but as you get more and more advanced in your configuration, you inevitably veer "off script" and you are building your own unique setup. This is when it is important to keep in mind that the Raspberry Pi was designed to be used as an educational tool--an inexpensive computer to teach kids how to code. RetroPie does not transform it into a turnkey gaming solution. It simplifies many steps, and for many of us (who see this as a good thing) it allows for endless tinkering.

                      Sure, there are ways to move through the setup guide with minimal technical skills, but almost all of us have a different goals. We use different controllers, we like different emulators, some of us enable scanline shaders, some use an HDTV, some of us are building arcade cabinets. There is no single configuration that works for everyone, so your setup too will require some investment of time and knowledge to get it to work the way YOU want it to.

                      This is why it is impossible to truly support an image built somewhere else. Without a known starting point, we cannot assume anything is setup correctly. Only with the official image and clear documentation of your steps are we able to offer good advice. There are just too many unknowns otherwise.

                      On the one hand, what do you have to lose? If your system is not working correctly now, you could rebuild from scratch using the official image and support guide. At least that way we would be able to help if you run into trouble. You might also learn something in the process and that is the whole point. But, if that makes you uncomfortable, or you are too busy to spend the time learning and building your system, perhaps the Pi/RetroPie is not an appropriate solution for your needs.

                      My 4-player cocktail style cabinet built as a custom "roadcase"

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                      • lostlessL
                        lostless @Smashing
                        last edited by

                        @smashing also the sd card is probably inside that case. You probably have to open it up and remove it and plug it into your Mac and use Applepibaker to rewrite the image. I’m assuming it’s a pi zero as a pi 3 won’t fit into a nes cartridge

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