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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

    First installation and format of the Micro SD card

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    • D
      DJM
      last edited by

      Hello, I just received a Raspberry Pi 3 Starter Kit coming with a MicroSD card with NOOBS installed on it (I will use this Pi 3 just for RetroPie). Do I need to format the SD card first to delete NOOBS or I can just follow the "first installation guide" and copy the RetroPie image with Win32DiskImager (does Win32DiskImager do a format first?) ? Thank you.

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

        @DJM You cannot copy the retropie image, you have to write it to the card in it's entirety. It is important to format the card using the standard SD formatter first then use Win32 to "burn" the image.

        D 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • D
          DJM @rbaker
          last edited by

          @rbaker said in First installation and format of the Micro SD card:

          @DJM You cannot copy the retropie image, you have to write it to the card in it's entirety.

          I know, my question was if Win32DiskImager does a format of the SD card before writing the image.

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

            @DJM No, you have to format using the SD formatter first.

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

              @rbaker last I checked win32diskimager just overwrites the contents of the card in its entirety so a format may not be necessary, but generally I'll format just in case.

              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

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

                @herb_fargus Thanks, never tried it that way. I always format to ensure that the full size of the card is made available. Does Win32DiskImager know if you have a 32 GB card with a previous Retropie Install on? If so, I shall no longer format first.

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