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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

    Noob looking for help: Change emulators, graphics, and get things working :)

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    pisnessnes emulatorshaders
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    • J
      j00b
      last edited by

      Setup: Raspberry Pie 3, latest version of RetroPie
      Controllers: https://www.amazon.com/Zonmack-Gaming-Bluetooth-Controllers-Playstation/dp/B01HAXN6FA

      The issue I am running into: I downloaded and loaded an entire collection of SNES roms, some of them work and some of them do not and freeze the pie. I have to force restart it from the keyboard. The current emulator I am using is the default one that ships that.

      Is there anyone that can help me with the following:

      1. Change the SNES emulator to piSNES. How do I do this and where is it done?
      2. Figure out how to edit the graphics or improve the look and feel of the roms that I play for SNES. For example: Donkey Kong Country looked really pixelated and the resolution was bad.
      3. Try to walk me through to best setup for my house and what I am trying to do.

      I am a real noob with this stuff but am extremely technical. Looking for someone to help spend some time with me over Skype, or chat even to get things figured out.

      Thanks so much!!

      meleuM dankcushionsD 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • meleuM
        meleu @j00b
        last edited by

        @j00b said in Noob looking for help: Change emulators, graphics, and get things working :):

        The issue I am running into: I downloaded and loaded an entire collection of SNES roms, some of them work and some of them do not and freeze the pie. I have to force restart it from the keyboard. The current emulator I am using is the default one that ships that.

        For those which isn't working, you can check the /dev/shm/runcommand.log to get some clue about what's wrong.

        1. Change the SNES emulator to piSNES. How do I do this and where is it done?

        https://github.com/retropie/retropie-setup/wiki/runcommand#runcommand-launch-menu

        If the emulator you want isn't available at the runcommand menu you can check if you can install it via retropie_setup.

        I wouldn't recommend PiSNES for a noob, because it isn't a libretro emulator and it can be a pain to configure your controllers. But if you are sure you want it, go ahead!

        1. Figure out how to edit the graphics or improve the look and feel of the roms that I play for SNES. For example: Donkey Kong Country looked really pixelated and the resolution was bad.

        Try to enable video_smooth. It can be done via retropie_setup -> Configuration / tools -> configedit -> Configure Libretro options -> Video Smoothing

        1. Try to walk me through to best setup for my house and what I am trying to do.

        I am a real noob with this stuff but am extremely technical. Looking for someone to help spend some time with me over Skype, or chat even to get things figured out.

        I have a better idea: you can spend some time reading the wiki. ;-)

        Initial configs: https://github.com/retropie/retropie-setup/wiki/First-Installation
        SNES specific info: https://github.com/retropie/retropie-setup/wiki/Super-Nintendo-Entertainment-System

        Cheers!

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        • dankcushionsD
          dankcushions Global Moderator @j00b
          last edited by

          @j00b anything freezing your pi indicates a hardware problem. are you using a 2.5A power supply ?

          meleuM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • meleuM
            meleu @dankcushions
            last edited by

            @dankcushions when he says " I have to force restart it from the keyboard." I think "It's not an actual freeze."
            :-)

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            • J
              j00b
              last edited by j00b

              @meleu

              For those which isn't working, you can check the /dev/shm/runcommand.log to get some clue about what's wrong.

              This doesn't provide any information as it's blank and does not record anything it looks like. When I launch Aladdin on SNES it pauses and says "Press any key to continue..etc" and I have to ctrl+alt+delete on the keyword to restart the pie.

              Here is the command output I get when I SSH in:

              pi@retropie:/dev/shm $ pwd
              /dev/shm
              pi@retropie:/dev/shm $ ls
              pi@retropie:/dev/shm $ ls -a
              .  ..
              pi@retropie:/dev/shm $ ls -h
              pi@retropie:/dev/shm $ ls -ah
              .  ..
              

              There isn't any log file produced, I am not sure what to do at this point. Other games like Donkey Kong Country load just fine, but there are random games that it pauses when trying to load the game.

              I have a better idea: you can spend some time reading the wiki. ;-)

              I appreciate the links, however I have spent extensive time in the wiki and it's lacking lots of tutorials on how to setup and configure that Pi3 outside of the basics of getting it up and running. I am looking for someone who wants to take the time to help me out, thank you.

              @dankcushions

              anything freezing your pi indicates a hardware problem. are you using a 2.5A power supply ?

              It's not any of the hardware, I purchased a 2.5A power supply with my kit I got off Amazon, https://amzn.com/B01C6Q2GSY.

              rbakerR meleuM P 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • dankcushionsD
                dankcushions Global Moderator
                last edited by

                ok, then you need to provide us with more information. please fill out the entirety of https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • J
                  j00b
                  last edited by

                  Pi Model: Raspberry Pi 3 (RPi3) Model B Quad-Core 1.2 GHz 1 GB RAM, https://amzn.com/B01C6Q2GSY
                  RetroPie Version Used: retropie-4.0.2-rpi2_rpi3
                  Built From: retropie-4.0.2-rpi2_rpi3.img.gz
                  USB Devices connected: USB keyboard
                  Controller used: Zonmack Gaming (TM) (2 Pack) Wireless Bluetooth PS3 Controllers for Playstation 3 Double Shock, https://amzn.com/B01HAXN6FA
                  Error messages received: http://imgur.com/a/SU0CE
                  Log found in /dev/shm/runcommand.log (if relevant): no log file found
                  File: (File with issue - with FULL path)
                  Emulator: (Name of emulator - if applicable):
                  Attachment of config files: http://pastebin.com/GeKcLSMY
                  How to replicate the problem: Browse to SNES, go to Aladdin, press A and try to start the game

                  dankcushionsD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • rbakerR
                    rbaker @j00b
                    last edited by

                    @j00b said in Noob looking for help: Change emulators, graphics, and get things working :):

                    I appreciate the links, however I have spent extensive time in the wiki and it's lacking lots of tutorials on how to setup and configure that Pi3 outside of the basics of getting it up and running.

                    Is this real? What exactly are you trying to do that is not here on this site or the wiki already?

                    Your questions:

                    1. Change the SNES emulator to piSNES. How do I do this and where is it done?
                      https://github.com/retropie/retropie-setup/wiki/runcommand
                      ....amazingly, the example given is for the snes!!

                    2. How to edit the graphics or improve the look and feel of the roms that I play for SNES.
                      https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/2701/installing-shaders
                      https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/268/shaders-don-t-seem-to-have-effect-snes
                      https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/897/updated-crt-pi-shader/3
                      I could go on, just search for "shaders" or use video smoothing as described above. Or watch this and the millions of other videos on the subject:

                    3. I have spent extensive time in the wiki and it's lacking lots of tutorials on how to setup and configure that Pi3.

                    4. The raspberry Pi freezes.
                      Sorry, never seen that issue even when roms fail to load. The closest I have come is this:
                      https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/FAQ#why-does-shut-down-and-reboot-take-ages becasue you did say "I downloaded and loaded an entire collection of SNES roms".

                    5. Try to walk me through to best setup for my house and what I am trying to do.
                      You don't say what you are trying to do.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                    • dankcushionsD
                      dankcushions Global Moderator @j00b
                      last edited by dankcushions

                      @j00b said in Noob looking for help: Change emulators, graphics, and get things working :):

                      Error messages received: http://imgur.com/a/SU0CE

                      that's not a rom. looks like you're trying to run a temporary file probably from an incomplete transfer.

                      if you'd filled out this question we'd be sure:

                      File: (File with issue - with FULL path)

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • J
                        j00b
                        last edited by

                        @rbaker

                        The raspberry Pi freezes.
                        Sorry, never seen that issue even when roms fail to load. The closest I have come is this:

                        When I get to this screen in my screenshot I posted, pressing any buttons on my PS3 controller do nothing, and typing on the keyword just types out text in the bottom left of the screen.

                        @dankcushions

                        if you'd filled out this question we'd be sure:

                        Sure, no problem

                        This is me browsing the Super Nintendo roms list and selecting to play Aladdin, http://imgur.com/a/5YWeE

                        Screenshot of roms list for SNES: http://take.ms/Qh1Ae

                        pi@retropie:~/RetroPie/roms/snes $ pwd
                        /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/snes/Aladdin.smc
                        
                        dankcushionsD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • dankcushionsD
                          dankcushions Global Moderator @j00b
                          last edited by dankcushions

                          @j00b said in Noob looking for help: Change emulators, graphics, and get things working :):

                          @rbaker

                          The raspberry Pi freezes.
                          Sorry, never seen that issue even when roms fail to load. The closest I have come is this:

                          When I get to this screen in my screenshot I posted, pressing any buttons on my PS3 controller do nothing, and typing on the keyword just types out text in the bottom left of the screen.

                          @dankcushions

                          if you'd filled out this question we'd be sure:

                          Sure, no problem

                          This is me browsing the Super Nintendo roms list and selecting to play Aladdin, http://imgur.com/a/5YWeE

                          Screenshot of roms list for SNES: http://take.ms/Qh1Ae

                          pi@retropie:~/RetroPie/roms/snes $ pwd
                          /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/snes/Aladdin.smc
                          

                          that command wouldn't show the hidden file you attempted to load. this would:

                          ls -a

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • J
                            j00b
                            last edited by

                            @dankcushions

                            Look like I found it, http://take.ms/MgGoX

                            So from my earlier screenshot, it's not picking up any of the actual rom files but a hidden one? Any thoughts?

                            dankcushionsD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • dankcushionsD
                              dankcushions Global Moderator @j00b
                              last edited by

                              @j00b i would actually expect the 'real' roms to be there also, but probably after all the dot-prefixed ones in your list, as it sorts by alphabetical order and i guess symbols like ._ are shown first.

                              emulationstation should probably not display hidden (dot-prefixed) files to avoid this scenario, however now you know about them you can at least delete to save whatever space they are taking up.

                              J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • J
                                j00b @dankcushions
                                last edited by

                                @dankcushions said in Noob looking for help: Change emulators, graphics, and get things working :):

                                @j00b i would actually expect the 'real' roms to be there also, but probably after all the dot-prefixed ones in your list, as it sorts by alphabetical order and i guess symbols like ._ are shown first.

                                emulationstation should probably not display hidden (dot-prefixed) files to avoid this scenario, however now you know about them you can at least delete to save whatever space they are taking up.

                                Well that worked!

                                Any tips on how to decrease the lag time for a bluetooth ps3 controller?

                                rbakerR S 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • rbakerR
                                  rbaker @j00b
                                  last edited by

                                  @j00b said in Noob looking for help: Change emulators, graphics, and get things working :):

                                  Any tips on how to decrease the lag time for a bluetooth ps3 controller?

                                  Try changing CPU Governor to Performance in Retropie Setup.
                                  https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/711/cpu-governor-and-overclock-threshold

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • meleuM
                                    meleu @j00b
                                    last edited by

                                    @j00b about the runcommand.log:
                                    The /dev/shm directory is RAM based. It means that its content is deleted after a reboot.

                                    If you raspi3 "freezes" but accept the ctrl+alt+del input from keyboard, then it is NOT actually frozen. If it is connected to your LAN you can log into it via SSH and check the /dev/shm/runcommand.log and/or check other things...

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                                    • P
                                      PetroRie @j00b
                                      last edited by

                                      @j00b said in Noob looking for help: Change emulators, graphics, and get things working :):

                                      I appreciate the links, however I have spent extensive time in the wiki and it's lacking lots of tutorials on how to setup and configure that Pi3 outside of the basics of getting it up and running. I am looking for someone who wants to take the time to help me out, thank you.

                                      The Wiki is one giant tutorial on how to config every single configurable variable in RetroPie. To get rid of the pixelated graphics simple go to:

                                      /opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch.cfg

                                      and enable:

                                      video_smooth = true

                                      That did the trick for me.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • S
                                        SOSretro @j00b
                                        last edited by

                                        @j00b were you able to get the PS3 zomack controllers to work? I've been able to get the brand name ones to work, following the wiki, but the zomack ones just vibrate away when I plug them in.

                                        They are a great deal if it's possible to set them up. If you did, I would love to know the steps you took.

                                        A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • A
                                          amundell @SOSretro
                                          last edited by

                                          @SOSretro same here. Zonmack controllers just vibrate. Following to see if you find a solution.

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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