Black screen and input issues with Retroarch

[dmaker]

I've always avoided Retroarch in the past due it's reputation for complex setup. I don't really find the setup to be all that complicated. However, it is not working for me. 

 

My two main issues are:

Black screen: whenever I load a rom, I just get a black screen that needs to be backed out of. 

Input: it auto detects my Nvidia Shield gamepad, but I also have a Logitech K830 that I would like to use. It will not recognize that and mentions something about fallback and then I have no input and I have to force my way back to android tv home screen.  I've tried, but I can't see how to setup my Logitech keyboard.

 

This is mame 235 with a mame 0235 roms.  The roms work fine if loaded from within Retroarch, but not Launchbox.

 

 

[dmaker]

I'm leaving shortly for a long weekend, so if someone responds and I don't reply, I am not ignoring your response, just gone away for a few days.

 

[Jason Carr]

@dmaker Just tested launching the arcade platform on my Shield with no issues, so it's probably a configuration issue. Usually it's just caused by a non-matching core, or a core that's not installed. What core do you have selected in LaunchBox?

Unfortunately I don't have that controller to test with, so I don't have any ideas on that.

[dmaker]

I have the default mame core loaded...android.so or something..

 

[Jason Carr]

There are multiple options of those MAME arcade cores. It's worth checking exactly what you have selected.

[dmaker]

It's the one with no date. I think there are only about 4 that come with Retroarch Plus, and I have not added any others.

 

[Jason Carr]

There are two versions of "the one with no date". The old name and the new name. So that may still be the issue.

[dmaker]

Thank for the suggestions. 

I think I am going to put my Android Launchbox efforts on hold for now. I got a feel for it, which was nice, but have decided to focus on Windows for my Launchbox/Bigbox fun for now. 

I have two options connected to my Sony Bravia X90J:

1) Nvidia Shield TV (2017)

2) Windows 10 PC with 32 GB of RAM, Core i7-6820HK, 1.25 TB of SSD (2x Nvme and 1x 2.5 "), and an Nvidia GTX 980. Also, Bigbox is a fantastic front end. 

 

Obviously, option 2 has way more horsepower than option 1. But for me, I'm only usually interested in emulating classic 80's arcade game and 8bit and 16-bit systems. So I don't really need a lot of power for those activities. I was really wanting an all in one kind of experience, and was always longing for a functional version of Launchbox on Android TV.  But I then realized that I prefer playing on the Win 10 machine. I have an Xbox controller connected and a Logitech keyboard/mouse combo with backlight (K830). 

I also recently moved away from stand alone emulators and installed Retroarch on the Windows 10 PC. I am a total RA convert now! Loving it!  A common set of button mappings, save folder, everything launches full screen, etc, etc.  So, so, so happy with Retroarch right now. 

 

 

The Windows 10 solution is easier to tinker with (via RDP), a more familiar OS environment for me, and I can import my GOG and Steam games as well.  So for now, going to just focus on gaming on that device vs the Shield. I might as well keep all my gaming under one roof and my Kodi/Plex,Netflix, etc under a different one. 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by dmaker