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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/Rasbian on one Pi 3/Separate cards?

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    • J
      jay81uk
      last edited by

      Now I have my SD card with Retropie installed on my Pi 3, am i able to remove the card and put a different card in that has Raspian installed?

      Basically, I want to be able to switch from using the Pi as a RetroPie, to then using it with a Raspian OS just by switching cards. Is this possible, or is the Pi configured for RetroPie now under the hood?

      Also, are you able to update the Pi 3 some how, like the bios/BT/WiFi?

      Thanks

      herb_fargusH 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • herb_fargusH
        herb_fargus administrators @jay81uk
        last edited by

        @jay81uk retropie is built on raspbian. if you are referring to the desktop environment lxde see here:

        https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/FAQ#where-did-the-desktop-go

        If you read the documentation it will answer 99% of your questions: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

        Also if you want a solution to your problems read this first: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • J
          jay81uk
          last edited by

          Yes the desktop version. I like things how they are though, so I was wanting Raspbian on a different card. Is that possible? To just switch cards with retropie on one and raspian desktop on the other?

          herb_fargusH P 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • herb_fargusH
            herb_fargus administrators @jay81uk
            last edited by

            @jay81uk You really shouldnt need two SD cards when you can have both on the same SD card but if you want two separate cards you can do that. this is the raspbian image: https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/ installed the same way as the retropie image.

            If you read the documentation it will answer 99% of your questions: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

            Also if you want a solution to your problems read this first: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • J
              jay81uk
              last edited by

              I have Noobs on a MicroSD card that came with my Pi so I was thinking of just switching cards depending on what I wanted to use? Or is it much easier to just boot into the desktop on the same card?

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • herb_fargusH
                herb_fargus administrators
                last edited by

                just depends on your preference. I prefer to keep them on the same card and just swap the boot options depending on which I prefer to boot up first. and noobs works fine too.

                If you read the documentation it will answer 99% of your questions: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                Also if you want a solution to your problems read this first: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • J
                  jay81uk
                  last edited by

                  @herb_fargus How do you switch? One video has the desktop option within the menu of retropie.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • J
                    jay81uk
                    last edited by

                    @herb_fargus haha just watching this and realised it was you!

                    herb_fargusH 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • herb_fargusH
                      herb_fargus administrators @jay81uk
                      last edited by

                      @jay81uk id follow the wiki page as its more updated than my ancient videos from 2.6- it will automatically add an option in the ports menu. for boot options see also: https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/FAQ#how-do-i-boot-to-the-desktop-or-kodi

                      If you read the documentation it will answer 99% of your questions: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

                      Also if you want a solution to your problems read this first: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • M
                        mondlos
                        last edited by

                        You could also use Berryboot to do a dual boot between Raspbian, RetroPie and many more if your Micro-SD Card is big enough.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • R
                          RetroResolution
                          last edited by

                          Another option (Linux is all about choice!) Is to use Raspbian as a base, installing RetroPie afterwards; this is how my system is s setup (along with Kodi Media Centre).

                          I wrote a guide to installing everything from scratch:

                          If a post has helped you, please encourage the author by up-voting via the ^ icon located in the bottom-right corner.

                          RetroResolution.com - Adventures in retro gaming on original hardware and via emulation with RetroPie on the Raspberry Pi.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • P
                            PaulCheffus @jay81uk
                            last edited by

                            @jay81uk

                            Hi

                            Yes you can and I do this with a card with Raspbian on and another with My weather station software so I can try things out without ruining my live environment.

                            Cheers

                            Paul

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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