My Pi Zero isn't booting

Milan

I just got my pi zero, but it isn't booting. I checked if it still worked via a guide I read on the internet and it still works, so the problem isn't with the pi. The microSD is brand new, so that's not the problem either. The microSD is a SanDisk ultra 16GB. It shows up as 56.8 MB in file manager, is that because windows can't read the linux partition?

rbaker

@Milan Lots of help is available on this forum but we are not psychic.
https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

Milan

Pi Model or other hardware: 0
Power Supply used: Phone Charger (5V)
RetroPie Version Used: 4.1
Built From: retropie-4.1-rpi1_zero.img
Guide used: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/First-Installation/ and https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=58151

BuZz

@Milan What is the output rating of the charger ? Try another PSU. Also try writing the image again (did you decompress it etc ?), and try another sdcard also.

Milan

@BuZz Where can I find the output rating? I tried with a chromecast charger too, still nothing, I've also tried multiple SDs. How do I decompress the SD card? Thanks for helping out.

BuZz

@Milan It's written on the PSU. eg 5v 2a etc.

decompressing/extracting the image is detailed in the install intructions - https://retropie.org.uk/docs/First-Installation/#installation

Milan

@BuZz I'm not sure which value I'm looking for, so I'm just typing the whole thing
INPUT: 100-240V~50/60hz 0.2A
OUTPUT: 5.0V=550mA

Milan

@BuZz The other power supply is 5V 0.5A

rbaker

@Milan The problem lies with your supply. You do not have enough current.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/help/faqs/#powerReqs

Milan

@rbaker The pi zero isn't in that table, what kind of current do I need?

markyh444

@Milan 5v 2a

Milan

@markyh444 I found a 5.2V 2.4A one, that should work right? It still doesn't work though.

Dochartaigh

The Pi zero could very well be fried. There's no built-in poly fuse unlike the Pi 3.

I've had a couple be bad right out of the anti-static silver bag and returned them to the seller.

ivarwa

I think you have trouble with your img file on sd card,read the instructions on this site how to decompress and flash img.0,5a should boot a zero.

Milan

@ivarwa I have done that multiple times, with different operating systems, NOOBS gave me error writing system partition, but at least it booted then. Now the light doesn't even turn on.