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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

    Boot from USB Drive with sd card to boot

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Help and Support
    boot from usbusb bootpermissionsfstabboot
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    • S
      steckdev
      last edited by

      So I'm trying to boot my RetroPie from USB drive. I know that there is a limitation that you still need a microSD to actually initiate the boot event to the USB drive. I have updated that to point to SDA2. I am successfully booting from USB and able to load EmulationStation and Attract-Mode. However each time I boot I hit the "Welcome" screen because it isn't able to write to the file system. I believe this is caused due to some mounting issues. However I'm hoping someone else is booting from USB and able to help. I have used a 128GB RetroPie Image that i have flashed to my USB drive. I hope that this would help the process.

      Pi Model or other hardware: 3
      Power Supply used: 2.4A 5V
      RetroPie Version Used: 4.2 I think
      Built From: Pre made SD Image on ArcadePunks

      USB Devices connected: Samsung USB 3.0 128GB
      Controller used:2 Generic SNES Controllers (which work fine when booting from sd card)
      Error messages received:
      "Could not parse Settings file!"
      "home/pi/.emulationstation/es_temporaryinput.cg:1.1: Document is empty"
      "input type is ''"
      Log found in /dev/shm/runcommand.log (if relevant):
      Guide used: (Mention if you followed a guide)
      File: (File with issue - with FULL path)
      Emulator: (Name of emulator - if applicable)
      Attachment of config files:
      How to replicate the problem: I switched the boot to use USB by putting in SDA2

      I'm going to look into this and hopefully it will help. But hoping someone else has any other ideas. I tried "sudo CHMOD 777 /" and also editing the fstab to have the sda2 directory.

      https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Create-a-RetroPie-USB-Boot-Drive-for-Raspbe/

      mituM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • mituM
        mitu Global Moderator @steckdev
        last edited by

        @steckdev We cannot offer support for 3rd party images : https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first. Start with a RetroPie image from the download page and repeat the same steps to see if you can reproduce the problem.
        Also, AFAIK the RPI 3 can USB boot without a SD card once configured - see https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/bootmodes/msd.md.

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        • E
          EctoOne
          last edited by

          PINN allows you to install Retropie directly to an USB stick. https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=142574

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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