PiTFT installation disables gamecon module?

TefaTBob

I had the gamecon GPIO controller working perfectly on the newest version of RetroPie on a Rpi3. However when I follow the instructions linked below to install a PiTFT 3.5" screen, the kernel that the adafruit-pitft-helper installs is something like RetroPie 4.1.14 v7, where the newest version, that the gamecon GPIO driver works with is 4.4.X-something. (Sorry don't have it running in front me.) I can actually see it uninstalling the gamecon module when I run the pitft-helper scripts, and then can't re-install gamecon from the RetroPie setup util...

https://learn.adafruit.com/running-opengl-based-games-and-emulators-on-adafruit-pitft-displays/3-dot-5-pitft

Is there any way to update something, or change a config file to get the gamecon module to install again?

BuZz

the gamecon module was broken with retropie 3.8 and fixed shortly after. Update RetroPie-Setup script and try re-installing.

TefaTBob

The issue wasn't around gamecon and the standard Retropie. As mentioned "I had the gamecon GPIO controller working perfectly on the newest version of RetroPie on a Rpi3." It's only when I install the PiTFT helper from adafruit, which seems to change the kernel version to an older one, and then no matter how many times I update RetroPie-setup script from the menu, it still fails to install gamecon.

herb_fargus

@TefaTBob perhaps you should take it up with adafruit?

BuZz

Yep - it's up to adafruit to make sure their hardware is supported by the most recent Kernels. The current gamecongpio controller relies on the current headers package and it won't built with a custom kernel without the headers etc.

TefaTBob

@BuZz Trying to. Unfortunately they're not as involved in their customer support as you all are. Thanks and I'll keep on it.

TefaTBob

@BuZz Do you have an idea of how to manually install the gamecon drivers from the .deb-packages and kernel headers here? http://www.niksula.hut.fi/~mhiienka/Rpi/

Bit of a n00b, so is that even possible?
When installing the PiTFT screen, it downgrades the kernel to 4.1.14 v7, and adafruit said they have no ETA to when theyll update it. The only workaround I can imagine is using the .deb and matching older 4.1.14 v7 headers there, but I don't know how to actually do that.

BuZz

I can maybe put some logic in, but it's work they should be doing not me :/

It's a shame their support is bad, since they make money from this - we get donations sure, but it's not a living, and we all do this for fun :-)

I'll have a think tomorrow, and I may consider a workaround, if the headers for your kernel are available.

TefaTBob

@BuZz Thanks, I really appreciate any advice. Even just guiding me in the direction of how I can learn to manually install the older headers and gamecon driver from the .deb's listed on that link. I don't mind doing the work if I know what it is I should be doing :)

TefaTBob

@BuZz Any thoughts come up on this? :)

BuZz

You need to speak to them to get hold of headers for their custom kernel.

If they are unable to support their products, you can get a screen that doesn't require additional drivers (composite / hdmi)

The link above - if those headers work - you can install them with dpkg -i
You will need to manually install gamecondriver. (install the packages, and add the module manually.

BuZz

If you install the linux-headers package that matches your kernel dpkg -i linux-headers-etc-etc.deb you can then try and install the gamecondriver by doing

sudo ./retropie_packages.sh gamecondriver install_bin
sudo ./retropie_packages.sh gamecondriver gui

(with the latest version of the retropie-setup script - update it from retropie-setup menu)

TefaTBob

Thanks @BuZz , appreciate the info. I still can't get those headers installed using dpkg -i . Seems to be a dead end for my technical ability at this point. I'll try and keep bugging them to update on their side...

simonster

I had a similar issue with mk_arcade_joystick_rpi, the 3rd party linux headers didn't compile correctly.

Try installing the linux headers package using the command:

sudo apt-get install raspberrypi-kernel-headers

Then

cd ~/RetroPie_Setup
sudo ./retropie_packages.sh gamecondriver install_bin
sudo ./retropie_packages.sh gamecondriver gui

Hopefully this will give you the correct headers for your Pi and then allow you to compile the gamecon driver correctly.

Simon

BuZz

@simonster That won't help him since those kernel headers do not match the kernel he is required to run for the drivers for the screen. He needs the kernel headers that match the kernel version he is running.

Note - On current RetroPie, you do not need to install raspberrypi-kernel-headers since the gamecondriver module does it automatically.