Suddenly Cannot even get a startup screen

tagnetti

code_text
```Hi guys, I have read through so many articles over the past month trying to really enjoy the Retropie experience. I bought a Raspberry Pi4B official kit with heat sinks and fan. I built a few versions of retro pie from the official link and had various set ups running. I also flashed a 256 Wolfanoz and 512 Virtualman Image and tweaked them. Everything was working fine until I tried this on my TV which was my eventual goal. 

I had just been setting everything up on an Acer monitor and manipulated config files easily 50+ times. So I now sit on 3 different RetroPie SD Cards of varying sizes and now nothing will boot up.

Ugggh. Atleast I cannot see it and the last activity online was a few nights ago that I can see. So I am blind trying to ssh and there's nothing.

The odd thing is if I just plug the Pi into my RCA TV for example it comes up. The minute I try and launch any of the Images or even the Raspbian Buster complete, I get no display. I have reset TV's to stock settings and even tried a flash Eeprom option that did show a screen and said it did its job. 

I do see a green light like its trying to access the card but then no activity. 

I have manipulated so many config.txt files and no matter what I choose for mode, drive, hotplug, Safe mode etc. Nada.

I know my RCA is 1920x1080 so I thought 1 and 16 may be correct settings. Ill share a few config files. I'm very sorry for the labored post , but honestly I'm burnt out and I have never been so frustrated with a process and I used to solder and flash boxes back in the day and set up servers etc.

Maybe I'm just old, but I figured I'd throw it to the masses. I'll attach a few config files.

I am hoping because I am more of a WYSIWYG person and I've tried so may recommendations from the various forum posts, info on reddit and official Pi documentation,that I simply created a conflict or something in my config. My wife and kids think I've lost my mind as I've been cussing for 2 days. LOL

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

Here is my 512 config...

# For more options and information see
# http://rpf.io/configtxt
# Some settings may impact device functionality. See link above for details

# Avoid Warnings symbols (Not Recommended)
#avoid_warnings=1

disable_splash=1

#Ensures the LCD is not the default display
display_default_lcd=0
# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
#hdmi_safe=1

# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
disable_overscan=1

# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
overscan_left=-20
overscan_right=-20
overscan_top=-20
overscan_bottom=-20

# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
#framebuffer_width=1280
#framebuffer_height=720

# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
#hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
# uncomment to define the custom video mode over hdmi
# https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/config-txt/video.md
# command hdmi_cvt=<width required> <height required> <framerate required> <aspect no> <margins 0-1> <interlace 0-1> <rb 0-1>
# aspect ratios numbers fro hdmi_cvt command 1=4:3, 2=14:9, 3=16:9, 4=5:4, 5=16:10, 6=15:9
#hdmi_group command options 0/(Auto) / 1(TVs CEA) / 2(Monitors DMT)
#hdmi_group=1
#hdmi_group=2
#hdmi_mode=82
#hdmi_cvt9=800 480 60
#hdmi_cvt12=2160 1440 60
hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080
# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
hdmi_drive=2

# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
config_hdmi_boost=4

# uncomment for composite PAL
#sdtv_mode=2

# uncomment to define the aspect ratio for composite video output
#4:3 is 1, 16:9 is 3
#sdtv_aspect=3
#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#uncomment to enable custom overclock settings
arm_freq=2000
gpu_freq=600
over_voltage=6

# Uncomment some or all of these to enable the optional hardware interfaces
#dtparam=i2c_arm=on
#dtparam=i2s=on
#dtparam=spi=on

# Uncomment this to enable infrared communication.
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir,gpio_pin=17
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=18

# Uncomment this to enable the lirc-rpi module
#dtoverlay=lirc-rpi
# Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README

# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on
hdmi_force_edid_audio=1
gpu_mem_256=128
gpu_mem_512=256
gpu_mem_1024=384
gpu_mem_2048=512
gpu_mem_4096=512
#overscan_scale=1

# Enables USB BOOT MODE on PI3B
program_usb_boot_mode=1
enable_uart=1

[pi4]
# Enable DRM VC4 V3D driver on top of the dispmanx display stack
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
max_framebuffers=2

[all]
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d

#Onboard analogue audio options in config.txt (3.5mm jack) https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/config-txt/audio.md
#Crackle sound fix: Use of the two below options
#audio_pwm_mode=0
#audio_pwm_mode=2

# By default, a 1.0LSB dither is applied to the audio stream if it is routed to the analogue audio output. This can create audible background "hiss" in some situations, for example when the ALSA volume is set to a low level
#disable_audio_dither=1

quicksilver

@tagnetti it seems your code block is encompassing your entire post and it makes it very hard to read it. Can you fix it? Move the starting three back ticks between the explanation of your issue and your config.txt section. They should be on their own line.

tagnetti

@quicksilver oh gosh. Thanks. First time posting. I’ll fix it.

tagnetti

Hi guys, I have read through so many articles over the past month trying to really enjoy the Retropie experience. I bought a Raspberry Pi4B official kit with heat sinks and fan. I built a few versions of retro pie from the official link and had various set ups running. I also flashed a 256 Wolfanoz and 512 Virtualman Image and tweaked them. Everything was working fine until I tried this on my TV which was my eventual goal.

I had just been setting everything up on an Acer monitor and manipulated config files easily 50+ times. So I now sit on 3 different RetroPie SD Cards of varying sizes and now nothing will boot up.

Ugggh. Atleast I cannot see it and the last activity online was a few nights ago that I can see. So I am blind trying to ssh and there's nothing.

The odd thing is if I just plug the Pi into my RCA TV for example it comes up. The minute I try and launch any of the Images or even the Raspbian Buster complete, I get no display. I have reset TV's to stock settings and even tried a flash Eeprom option that did show a screen and said it did its job.

I do see a green light like its trying to access the card but then no activity.

I have manipulated so many config.txt files and no matter what I choose for mode, drive, hotplug, Safe mode etc. Nada.

I know my RCA is 1920x1080 so I thought 1 and 16 may be correct settings. Ill share a few config files. I'm very sorry for the labored post , but honestly I'm burnt out and I have never been so frustrated with a process and I used to solder and flash boxes back in the day and set up servers etc.

Maybe I'm just old, but I figured I'd throw it to the masses. I'll attach a few config files.

I am hoping because I am more of a WYSIWYG person and I've tried so may recommendations from the various forum posts, info on reddit and official Pi documentation,that I simply created a conflict or something in my config. My wife and kids think I've lost my mind as I've been cussing for 2 days. LOL

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Tom

Here is my 512 config...
code_text


# For more options and information see
# http://rpf.io/configtxt
# Some settings may impact device functionality. See link above for details

# Avoid Warnings symbols (Not Recommended)
#avoid_warnings=1

disable_splash=1

#Ensures the LCD is not the default display
display_default_lcd=0
# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
#hdmi_safe=1

# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
disable_overscan=1

# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
overscan_left=-20
overscan_right=-20
overscan_top=-20
overscan_bottom=-20

# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
#framebuffer_width=1280
#framebuffer_height=720

# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
#hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
# uncomment to define the custom video mode over hdmi
# https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/config-txt/video.md
# command hdmi_cvt=<width required> <height required> <framerate required> <aspect no> <margins 0-1> <interlace 0-1> <rb 0-1>
# aspect ratios numbers fro hdmi_cvt command 1=4:3, 2=14:9, 3=16:9, 4=5:4, 5=16:10, 6=15:9
#hdmi_group command options 0/(Auto) / 1(TVs CEA) / 2(Monitors DMT)
#hdmi_group=1
#hdmi_group=2
#hdmi_mode=82
#hdmi_cvt9=800 480 60
#hdmi_cvt12=2160 1440 60
hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080
# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
hdmi_drive=2

# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
config_hdmi_boost=4

# uncomment for composite PAL
#sdtv_mode=2

# uncomment to define the aspect ratio for composite video output
#4:3 is 1, 16:9 is 3
#sdtv_aspect=3
#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#uncomment to enable custom overclock settings
arm_freq=2000
gpu_freq=600
over_voltage=6

# Uncomment some or all of these to enable the optional hardware interfaces
#dtparam=i2c_arm=on
#dtparam=i2s=on
#dtparam=spi=on

# Uncomment this to enable infrared communication.
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir,gpio_pin=17
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=18

# Uncomment this to enable the lirc-rpi module
#dtoverlay=lirc-rpi
# Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README

# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on
hdmi_force_edid_audio=1
gpu_mem_256=128
gpu_mem_512=256
gpu_mem_1024=384
gpu_mem_2048=512
gpu_mem_4096=512
#overscan_scale=1

# Enables USB BOOT MODE on PI3B
program_usb_boot_mode=1
enable_uart=1

[pi4]
# Enable DRM VC4 V3D driver on top of the dispmanx display stack
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
max_framebuffers=2

[all]
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d

#Onboard analogue audio options in config.txt (3.5mm jack) https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/configuration/config-txt/audio.md
#Crackle sound fix: Use of the two below options
#audio_pwm_mode=0
#audio_pwm_mode=2

# By default, a 1.0LSB dither is applied to the audio stream if it is routed to the analogue audio output. This can create audible background "hiss" in some situations, for example when the ALSA volume is set to a low level
#disable_audio_dither=1

quicksilver

@tagnetti sorry to hear you are having issues but as laid out here, https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first third party images are not supported. If you want help here you will need to start with the official image.

mitu

Your configuration is overly complicated and it has also some questionable options - do you need program_usb_boot_mode ?

How is you TV connected (HDMI/DVI/VGA) ? The whole 'flash EEPROM' - was that on the TV or on the Pi ?

Start with the stock image from retropie.org.uk/download and use the miniHDMI port next to the USB-C port. Make sure you've turned on the TV before booting the PI.
If nothing comes up on the screen, try adding a single configuration option to config.txt and reboot.

hdmi_safe=1

tagnetti

@mitu Thanks guys.To clarify, I did use the official Retropie image as well. I understand that position. Let me share what that looks like. Also the Flash Eeeprom was a Raspberry Pi Reccomendation, I believe its called flashing the bootloader. So there was an image for that and I succesfully did that according to the sceen that came up.

And no, I don't boot from USB . but I guess its an enabled option. I went through so many tweaks , even looking at specific timing settings for Samsung and Sony Bravia TV's that I had no success with. It won't even boot the official Raspbian that I used .

Here is the very basic stripped config file. I am just at a loss.

code_txt


# For more options and information see
# http://rpf.io/configtxt
# Some settings may impact device functionality. See link above for details

# uncomment if you get no picture on HDMI for a default "safe" mode
hdmi_safe=1

# uncomment this if your display has a black border of unused pixels visible
# and your display can output without overscan
#disable_overscan=1

# uncomment the following to adjust overscan. Use positive numbers if console
# goes off screen, and negative if there is too much border
#overscan_left=16
#overscan_right=16
#overscan_top=16
#overscan_bottom=16

# uncomment to force a console size. By default it will be display's size minus
# overscan.
#framebuffer_width=1280
#framebuffer_height=720

# uncomment if hdmi display is not detected and composite is being output
hdmi_force_hotplug=1

# uncomment to force a specific HDMI mode (this will force VGA)
#hdmi_group=1
#hdmi_mode=1

# uncomment to force a HDMI mode rather than DVI. This can make audio work in
# DMT (computer monitor) modes
#hdmi_drive=2

# uncomment to increase signal to HDMI, if you have interference, blanking, or
# no display
config_hdmi_boost=4

# uncomment for composite PAL
#sdtv_mode=2

#uncomment to overclock the arm. 700 MHz is the default.
#arm_freq=800

# Uncomment some or all of these to enable the optional hardware interfaces
#dtparam=i2c_arm=on
#dtparam=i2s=on
#dtparam=spi=on

# Uncomment this to enable infrared communication.
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir,gpio_pin=17
#dtoverlay=gpio-ir-tx,gpio_pin=18

# Additional overlays and parameters are documented /boot/overlays/README

# Enable audio (loads snd_bcm2835)
dtparam=audio=on

[pi4]
# Enable DRM VC4 V3D driver on top of the dispmanx display stack
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
max_framebuffers=2

[all]
#dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d

mitu

If hdmi_safe doesn't bring anything on the screen, then your cable may be incorrectly inserted or is faulty.
Normally the EEPROM updates are done automatically by the system, when needed, and you don't need to manually do it. Just to prevent any broken system because of incorrect writing of the EEPROM, you should try the EEPROM recovery utility - from https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/. Use the Pi imager to write it to your sdcard and see if it's booting correctly.

tagnetti

Thanks, Isn't it strange that with no SD card inserted it comes right up on the TV? Thats what has me so confused and it used to work fine on my RCA TV. I never have been able to get it working on the Bravia or Samsung. I had done that before, but I used Escher. MAybe that's the issue. I'll flash with the official one.

Appreciate the help.