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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

    RetroPie won't boot

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    • S
      SwissRollNinja
      last edited by

      Pi used: Pi Zero
      RetroPie version: v3.8.1 for Raspberry Pi 0/1

      Hi, I'm very new to both Raspberry Pi and RetroPie and so this could just be a simple solution with myself being pretty silly. I have followed the instructions as set out by the First Installation guide on the Wiki and also tried following the video (changing things based on using pi zero rather than pi 3) however I have not been able to make it boot. Everything else works fine and when using NOOBS to get Raspbian works but as soon as I try to boot with RetroPie, the boot light doesn't come on and nothing happens. I would try and get the RetroPie OS onto NOOBS but the guide felt a little complex and I got very stuck very quickly.

      Thanks in advance for any help people can offer!

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      • rbakerR
        rbaker
        last edited by

        @SwissRollNinja The easiest way is not to involve NOOBS at all. Simply format the card according to the instructions using SD Formatter then write the image to the card and boot. Some people make the mistake of "copying" the image to a blank card. It has to be written using the correct techniques. See

        video.

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        • S
          SwissRollNinja
          last edited by

          @rbaker Thanks for the quick response. I did try not involving NOOBS at first, formatting it with SD Formatter then directly writing it to the SD card using Win32DiskImager but after connecting up my Raspberry Pi, nothing happened, nothing came up on the screen and the boot light didn't come on. I started trying the NOOBS approach to try and force a boot through the NOOBS software.

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          • rbakerR
            rbaker
            last edited by rbaker

            @SwissRollNinja I think that if you have followed the video, and it's not working, either your card or the hardware is faulty. Also, are you using a compatible SD card? See https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/installation/sd-cards.md and also look at this list: http://elinux.org/RPi_SD_cards to check compatibility. Also, power supply matters, is it the correct rating and what is the length of the USB cable? If you have lots of things plugged in, an under powered supply and long cables, it may not boot. Do you see the red power LED light up?

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            • S
              SwissRollNinja
              last edited by

              @rbaker I'm using a Sony 8gb Class 10 micro-sd which worked completely fine when working with Raspbian and worked again today when testing to see if it was just the sd/hardware. When using a 4USB hub with all ports filled, the Raspberry Pi worked fine with Raspbian installed onto it and my meter length USB to micro-USB cable seemed to power it fine. I'm unsure if the Zero 1.3 has a red power LED light but my original Pi Zero doesn't have one, so I am unable to check if there is power going to the Pi.

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              • rbakerR
                rbaker
                last edited by

                @SwissRollNinja Ok, it's a puzzle! From this link :Take your Zero, with nothing in any slot or socket (yes, no SD-card is needed or wanted to do this test!). Take a normal micro-USB to USB-A cable (the most common type) & connect it to your PC, plugging the micro-USB into the Pi's USB, (not the PWR_IN). If the Zero is alive, your Windows PC will go ding for the presence of new hardware & you should see "BCM2708 Boot" in Device Manager. Or on linux, with a "ID 0a5c:2763 Broadcom Corp" message from dmesg. If you see that, so far so good, you know the Zero's not dead.

                I know you have had it working but it could be worth doing the above.

                You did burn the correct image for the Pi Zero right? Here

                Don't know what else to suggest. If you write the image to the card (min 8GB on the zero I think) no reason for it not to boot. I would try it with no USB hub next and another type of SD,

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                • S
                  SwissRollNinja
                  last edited by

                  @rbaker Ok first I'd like to thank you for all the effort you're putting into this, it is truly appreciated. My Pi Zero is definitely alive, the ping happened and BCM2708 Boot showed up in my Device Manager. I'm definitely burning the correct image, that I know for sure. I also tried without my USB hub but to no avail. I'll have to get back to you on using another type of SD, I just ordered a new 32gb one from Amazon that was definitely confirmed on that elinux link you sent so here's hoping!

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                  • S
                    SwissRollNinja
                    last edited by

                    Thank you for all your help with this! Turns out all I needed was a new SD card, and RetroPie now works fine on my Pi Zero.

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