New Install: Help I Don't Know How to Proceed

Frolickin

I need help, please.

Thinking I would surprise my children with a RetroPie gaming system Christmas day, I have gotten myself in over my head. I don't know Raspberry Pi well and I don't know gaming at all.

I puchased a RPi4, a case (Argon One with the expansion card), SD card, etc. and two SN30 Pro+ controllers.

RetroPie, I believe, is installed properly. Everything says OK on boot. I get to the welcome screen. My controllers are plugged in via USB to the Pi. The welcome screen states it detects two controllers. Yet, when I push the buttons to configure them nothing happens.

I suspect that despite being plugged in, the system still has to be set up for Bluetooth. That, I don't know how to do.

Everything I see shows going to the Bluetooth menu from RetroPie after it's been set up. I haven't gotten that far. I can get to the command line, but I don't think that is where I want to be. I haven't even gotten the ROMs onto the card yet as I thought I needed to get the controllers setup.

So, I am at a loss as to how to proceed. I would GREATLY APPRECIATE some handholding. Thank you very much for helping a newbie.

DreamcastKid

@frolickin

https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Bluetooth-Controller/

Frolickin

@dreamcastkid

Thank you. I've nagivated to the Bluetooth menu. When I get to the Secuirty Mode screen and select 1 DisplayYesNo I receive a Traceback bunch of text that ends with:
org.bluez.Error.Failed: Input/output error

No idea what any of this means.

Frolickin

After playing around, I did get this thing paired. I had to get the controller into pairing mode. Once I did, all went smoothly.

Still not where I want to be on the setup, but I have preogressed. :) That's why we do this, yes? To learn! I'll get there!

simpleethat

@frolickin just keep at it. The documentation is very useful and the forum is full of information and several people happy to help you out.

And welcome to the forum (and this fun hobby).

Frolickin

@simpleethat Thanks. I have Retropie up and running with two Bluetooth controllers. I've been playing Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Crackout all afternoon. I am no gamer and I still stink after all these years. But it's fun and more importantly, my children will love this!

I cannot thank all those who have worked on this project. I watched YouTube videos, read blogs, the official documentation, and discussion threads all over. From it all someone who truly didn't know what he was doing was successful. I'm a happy camper tonight.

BuZz

@frolickin Thanks for the kind words, and glad you have everything up and running.