EmulationStation crashing on boot after completing an update

PhilboBaggins

Pi Model or other hardware: Raspberry Pi 3b+
Power Supply used: 5V/2.5A DC power input
RetroPie Version Used (eg 3.6, 3.8.1, 4.1 - do not write latest):
Built From: My SD card has both kernel.img and kernel7.img
USB Devices connected: I’m running roms off a Corsair 128GB USB drive
Controller used: SNES USB gamepad (I think it’s 8bitdo but I’ve had it for a while). ROHS Mini Keyboard
Error messages received: Please see the “How to replicate the problem” section below
Verbose log (if relevant): N/A
Guide used: N/A
File: Unknown
Emulator: Not relevant as far as I know
Attachment of config files: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BfEehdFmqgJ9jTFj560iAgYKlkFgHPn4/view?usp=sharing
How to replicate the problem:

I received a raspberry pi 3 console two weeks ago and I've run myself into a snag. It was already set up with installed packages and ROMs and I ran into some trouble after trying to update the OS. I should mention that I followed the retropie documentation to scrape with Skyscraper prior to the update, just in case it matters. I did a Basic Install but now when I reboot I see a few errors on the boot up screen and am prompted to enter login credentials.

After entering the default login credentials, I get the following prompt.

When I click to QUIT it looks like emulation station has crashed, and I get this prompt:

I ran emulationstation --debug based on another chat but couldn’t figure out where to find the log file.

mitu

It's not clear which version of RetroPie are you using - you either got a pre-installed system or did a basic installation ? From the screenshot your provided, it looks like you're using an image based on an older RetroPie/Raspbian version (Raspbian Stretch), which is no longer supported.

The EmulationStation error message indicates there's an issue with the es_systems.cfg configuration file - did you modify this file to add/remove systems ?

I ran emulationstation --debug based on another chat but couldn’t figure out where to find the log file.

When you run with --debug, it should show any log message on the terminal from where you run it, the log file can be found in $HOME/.emulationstation/es_log.txt.

PhilboBaggins

@mitu Thanks a lot for the response.

you either got a pre-installed system or did a basic installation ?

I'm using a pre-installed version. The system was a gift I received at Christmas - https://www.retrogaminghouse.com/collections/multiplayer-retropie-emulators/products/retropie-emulation-console-video-game-system-130k
I tried the Basic Install because I thought it would update Raspbian, but it looks like that might have been a mistake.

it looks like you're using an image based on an older RetroPie/Raspbian version (Raspbian Stretch), which is no longer supported.

I think you're right. When I enter retropie-config, I get this message:

In case it helps, here's my setup screen:

The EmulationStation error message indicates there's an issue with the es_systems.cfg configuration file - did you modify this file to add/remove systems ?

I'm not sure if it was modified when I tried Basic Install or scraping, but I didn't touch it for any manual modifications.

When you run with --debug, it should show any log message on the terminal from where you run it, the log file can be found in $HOME/.emulationstation/es_log.txt.

After entering the debug command, the following message quickly flashed by the screen before going to the config file prompt from my last post.

When I clicked OK to quit the config file prompt, the following message flashed by quickly before displaying the "Emulation Station crashed!" prompt from my last post.

I tried $HOME/.emulationstation/es_log.txt like you suggested but got a permission denied message.

mitu

@philbobaggins said in EmulationStation crashing on boot after completing an update:

I'm using a pre-installed version. The system was a gift I received at Christmas - https://www.retrogaminghouse.com/collections/multiplayer-retropie-emulators/products/retropie-emulation-console-video-game-system-130k

Yeah, that's a scam. RetroPie is free software and the there's numerous scammers that sell it with ROMs included, which is not legal. We don't support such systems.

After entering the debug command, the following message quickly flashed by the screen before going to the config file prompt from my last post.

As displayed in the message, the systems configuration file is not correct, that's why EmulationStation is not starting.

I tried $HOME/.emulationstation/es_log.txt like you suggested but got a permission denied message.

That's a text file, it cannot be 'executed' as a program, hence the message. You can use less/more to view it, but it should contain the same info as displayed on the command line.

Install your system with the image from retropie.org.uk/download, we don't support 3rd party images sold with RetroPie/roms. You won't have this kind of issues.

PhilboBaggins

@mitu A scam, eh? Damn.

Install your system with the image from retropie.org.uk/download, we don't support 3rd party images sold with RetroPie/roms. You won't have this kind of issues.

Just so that I'm clear on next steps, and want to do this right, is my best option to re-format my SD card and install the latest image from retropie.org.uk/download? The documentation on the site looks pretty comprehensive, and I guess I'll have the benefit of learning how to do everything on my own.

mitu

@philbobaggins said in EmulationStation crashing on boot after completing an update:

Just so that I'm clear on next steps, and want to do this right, is my best option to re-format my SD card and install the latest image from retropie.org.uk/download?

Yes - installing the image provided will re-format/re-write the SDcard you currently have with a new image.

PhilboBaggins

@mitu Got it. Apologies if this last question shows my noob status, but can I install the image onto my SDcard using my Windows PC (using an SD card reader)?

mitu

@philbobaggins Yes, you can - it's explained in https://retropie.org.uk/docs/First-Installation/#install. Use the Raspberry Pi OS imager and it will download and install the latest RetroPie version on the sdcard.

PhilboBaggins

@mitu Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry ended up with some custom BS image, but at least I'll learn more by starting from scratch.