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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

    Ubuntu 20.04 ES start problem

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    ubuntu 20.04
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    • G
      GuyManDude
      last edited by GuyManDude

      Hi all, I have tried installing server, desktop and mini versions of Ubuntu 20.04 and every time I try to start emulationstation it throws this same error:

      Aug 10 17:37:18 lvl0: Error initializing SDL!
      No available video device
      Aug 10 17:37:18 lvl0: Renderer failed to initialize!
      Aug 10 17:37:18 lvl0: Window failed to initialize!

      I am using these instructions:
      https://markontech.com/linux/install-retropie-on-ubuntu/

      I have also tried installing on an INtel NUC i5 and a Lenovo ThinkCenter i7 to no avail. Are these instructions missing some steps maybe?

      Thanks for your time.

      BTW, Ubuntu runs fine on the hardware.

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      • mituM
        mitu Global Moderator
        last edited by

        @GuyManDude said in Ubuntu 20.04 ES start problem:

        I have also tried installing on an INtel NUC i5 and a Lenovo ThinkCenter i7 to no avail. Are these instructions missing some steps maybe?

        Installing the desktop maybe ? Are you starting EmulationStation from a desktop environment or from a command line/SSH sesson ?

        G 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • G
          GuyManDude @mitu
          last edited by

          @mitu I start it from the command line but it's the same whether I use server or desktop or mini.

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          • mituM
            mitu Global Moderator
            last edited by

            On a PC, you should start ES from a desktop session, not from a command line/terminal. Use the RetroPie application shortcut added by the installer to start it.

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            • G
              GuyManDude @mitu
              last edited by

              @mitu If i take that approach, will I be able to make it autoboot into ES with some more tweaking?

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              • mituM
                mitu Global Moderator
                last edited by mitu

                Yes, why not ? You can set EmulationStation to autostart when the desktop is started from the configuration - https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Debian/#configure-retropie.

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