False controller inputs

ElrasM

Hello,

unfortunately I have to ask you again earlier than I would like.
My problem is that my controllers seem to randomly create false inputs. As far as I know the error occurs only in EmulationStation and only when I am using the controller somehow and pushing any buttons. E.g. if I scroll through my ROMs and only pressing down on the d-pad, it sometimes happens that EmulationStation switches to the next system in between (d-pad to the right) or starts a ROM (A-button).
The problem occurs on different USB ports (at least on both USB 3 ports) and with both of my two controllers.

I use: https://smile. amazon. de/gp/product/B06XB6FRPR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s04?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And: https://smile. amazon. de/gp/product/B07YL4DTB3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

About my pi: Pi Model or other hardware: Pi 4 Model B
Power Supply used: Case and power supply https://smile. amazon. de/gp/product/B07Z3T58BF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1
RetroPie Version Used: 4. 5. 18
ES Version Used: 2.9.0RP
Built after: https://retropie. org. uk/docs/
USB Devices connected: see above, sometimes additional keyboard and mouse

Does anyone know the problem or know a solution?
Thank you very much.

mitu

You can test if the controllers are generating 'ghost' inputs by running a test program. Exit EmulationStation, leave just one controller plugged in and run

jstest /dev/input/js0

Leave it like this and see if anything shows that a button is pressed - without you pressing anything. You can also simulate what you do in EmulationStation (pressing the D-Pad) and check if any additional buttons are pressed.

While for the D-Pad it might be easier to trigger a diagonal, just using the D-Pad shouldn't accidentally press the A button.

ElrasM

Thank you for your reply.

When I tipe "jstest /dev/input/js0" the system replies with something like "~bash: jstest: command not found" (since I use the german version it might differ a litte).

A quick google search led me to another command "apt-get install joystick"
But here the system replies with:
"lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend couldn't be opened. - oper (13: Permission denied)
Unable to acquire the dpkg frontend leck (/var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend), are you root?"

The approach may have been completely flawed and contribute nothing to the solution.

I had the same controller issue with ghost inputs in EmulationStation before I completly formatted and reinstalled the system a few days before. So I think a second reinstallation wouldn't fix it for me.

Any idea?

mitu

@ElrasM said in False controller inputs:

A quick google search led me to another command "apt-get install joystick"

You need to prefix the command with sudo, installation is a privileged command: sudo apt install joystick.

ElrasM

Wow, that was quick.

Great, it worked with the sudo prefix.
I will test for a while and get back here later

Thanks

ElrasM

So, I tested it.
So far, nothing noticeable. Negative values are outputed for the shoulder buttons in idle mode, otherwise no unwanted inputs. This fits in with the fact that I have only noticed the problem in EmulationStation and mainly when scrolling or switching consoles.

Does it possibly help if I install one of the controller drivers?

mitu

@ElrasM said in False controller inputs:

Does it possibly help if I install one of the controller drivers?

No, since the only driver that would make a difference would be the xpad driver, that should already installed.

ElrasM

When I look for the installed drivers in RetroPie Setup it says that none of the drivers are installed.

So, maybe should I install the xpad driver manually?

mitu

@ElrasM said in False controller inputs:

So, maybe should I install the xpad driver manually?

You can give it a try.

ElrasM

I installed the drivers (xpad and xbox) testwise but it ended in a mess.
My buttons where completly messed up. My shoulder buttons were detected as start button and vice versa. Other buttons were strangely changend too. As if this weren't wore enough, the problem still remained the same.
After deleting the drivers at first the controller weren't detected at all. After plugging them out and once again in the usb port, they work like before.

I though that maybe I was dumb pushing wrong buttons in EmulationStation without noticing it but when I led my girlfriend test it, the problem also occurded. Again strange random butoon inputs in ES. They only occur if I press another button anyway. And strangely enough, they only occure in ES. Yesterday I play different games in different emulators but there never was a nocitably ghost input.

Is there any chance that there is a seperate file for controller input detection in ES?

Today I will test the cheap Nintendo Switch controller (https://smile.amazon.de/gp/product/B0834TWJF3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) from my girlfriend. Hopefully this controller doesn't have the same problem.

But nevertheless any suggestions for my problem?

mitu

@ElrasM said in False controller inputs:

But nevertheless any suggestions for my problem?

First, xboxdrv should not be installed unless you really know how to use it. It's not a real device driver, but emulates an Xbox compatible controller. The xpad is usually used for X360/Xbox controllers. If that doesn't work, then it means you're encountering the same issue.

Is there any chance that there is a seperate file for controller input detection in ES?

The configuration for EmulationStation's input is in \\retropie\configs\all\emulationstation\es_input.cfg. You can verify there that your input is mapped correctly and there are no button overlaps.

You can also start EmulationStation with the --debug flag and it will log the inputs pressed.