Recalbox 8.0: (ERROR) : [SDL2] Fatal error initializing SDL2

[fh1105]

Hello!

I installed a fresh download of Recalbox 8.0-Electron on my RPi 3, and it leaves a black screen when booting.

It shows 'Experimental Pi' logo, but then it remains black.

The es_log.txt:

[2021/12/09 10:45:57.364] (INFO ) : [StaticLifeCycleControler] RecalboxConf instance created.
[2021/12/09 10:45:57.364] (INFO ) : [StaticLifeCycleControler] NotificationManager instance created.
[2021/12/09 10:45:57.366] (INFO ) : [MainRunner] EmulationStation - v 8.0-Electron, built Dec  1 2021 - 13:30:17
[2021/12/09 10:45:57.366] (WARN!) : [Locale] /usr/bin/locale/lang/en_US/LC_MESSAGES/emulationstation2.mo not found.
[2021/12/09 10:45:57.366] (WARN!) : [Locale] /usr/bin/locale/lang/en/LC_MESSAGES/emulationstation2.mo not found.
[2021/12/09 10:45:57.366] (WARN!) : [Locale] /usr/share/locale/en_US/LC_MESSAGES/emulationstation2.mo not found.
[2021/12/09 10:45:57.366] (INFO ) : [Locale] Using /usr/share/locale/en/LC_MESSAGES/emulationstation2.mo
[2021/12/09 10:45:57.405] (ERROR) : [SDL2] Fatal error initializing SDL 2

Any ideas are welcome!
Thanks!

[Scavy]

@fh1105 hi
Did you try to reupload the recalbox 8.0 image and to reinstall it ? Thanx.

[fh1105]

@scavy Yes, I actually downloaded it and installed it on a freshly formatted SD card. What does the error mean?

[davidb2111]

Hello @fh1105

Could you put the file recalbox-boot.conf from RECALBOX partition please (specifically, the case= attribute of that file)

David.

[Wizzard]

@fh1105 I guess you are using composite out. Please, check this solution, it worked for me
https://gitlab.com/recalbox/recalbox/-/issues/2059#note_752813367

[fh1105]

@wizzard said in Recalbox 8.0: (ERROR) : [SDL2] Fatal error initializing SDL2:

https://gitlab.com/recalbox/recalbox/-/issues/2059#note_752813367

Thanks for the advice! I am, however, using HDMI. I tried the two config file alterations provided in that tutorial, but that would cause the RPi to be not even connecting to the network after rebooting (and a black screen, oddly). I redownloaded the image from the Recalbox website, but the original problem persists. Strange!

[fh1105]

Thanks for looking into this, @davidb2111

recalbox-boot.conf is in /boot in my image, not in /recalbox – that's correct, right?

Here it is:

### /boot/recalbox-boot.conf
### This file holds configuration related to hardware/peripheral detection

# The `sharedevice` variable indicates where to find the SHARE folder/partition.
# It can have the following values:
#   INTERNAL      => the partition immediately following the partition mounted as /boot, on the same disk (e.g. `/dev/mmcblk0p2`)
#                    (this is the default)
#   RAM           => a temporary in-memory file system (tmpfs)
#                    (use at your own risks, specially on boards with low memory!)
#   ANYEXTERNAL   => any storage device other than the one the system booted on
#                    (use this when you have several USB keys/drives, but plug only one at a time)
#   DEV [FSUUID]  => the storage device with the [FSUUID] unique identifier
#                    (use this if you plug multiple storage devices together but want a specific one to hold SHARE)
#   NETWORK       => a network-mounted filesystem
#                    (see complementary `sharenetwork_*` directives below)
;sharedevice=INTERNAL

# Network mount directives define how network filesystem should be mounted.
# You can define as many as you like, they will be executed in order.
# You can even mix basic and avanced commands.
#
# 1. Basic use (NFS or SMB):
#
#   sharenetwork_<nfs|smb>=<SHARE|ROMS|SAVES|BIOS|MUSIC>@<remote host>:<remote directory>[:<mount options>]
#
#   Examples:
#     sharenetwork_nfs=SHARE@192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox
#     <or>
#     sharenetwork_nfs=ROMS@192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox/roms
#     sharenetwork_nfs=SAVES@192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox/saves
#     <or>
#     sharenetwork_smb=SHARE@192.168.0.1:Documents/recalbox:guest
#
# 2. Advanced use (custom commands, usually `mount`):
#
#   sharenetwork_cmd=<command to run>
#
#   Examples:
#     sharenetwork_cmd=mount -o port=2049,nolock,proto=tcp 192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox /recalbox/share
#     <or>
#     sharenetwork_cmd=mount -o port=2049,nolock,proto=tcp 192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox/roms /recalbox/share/roms
#     sharenetwork_cmd=mount -o port=2049,nolock,proto=tcp 192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox/saves /recalbox/share/saves
#     <or>
#     sharenetwork_cmd=mount.cifs //192.168.0.1/recalbox /recalbox/share -o guest
#
;sharenetwork_smb=SHARE@192.168.0.1:Documents/recalbox:guest

# The `case` variable enables presets for the given case (if supported by Recalbox).
# It will enable some out-of-the-box configuration for fixed peripherals like screens, pads, etc...
# Supported values:
#   GPiCaseV1:1   => RetroFlag GpiCase (version 1)
# Default: <unset>
case=PiBoy:1

# The `sharewait` variable defines the maximum time to wait for the SHARE partition to be mounted.
# This is usually used with USB drives (since they are infamously slow) or network mounts.
# Recalbox will regularly check if the device/host is ready to be mounted, up to <sharewait> seconds.
# Note: in `NETWORK` mode, Recalbox will wait up to `sharewait` seconds for *each* `sharenetwork_*` directive.
# Default: 7 for `DEV [FSUUID]` and `ANYEXTERNAL`, 20 for `NETWORK`
;sharewait=30

case=PiBoy:1

... that could be the problem?

[davidb2111]

@fh1105 said in Recalbox 8.0: (ERROR) : [SDL2] Fatal error initializing SDL2:

Thanks for looking into this, @davidb2111

recalbox-boot.conf is in /boot in my image, not in /recalbox – that's correct, right?

Here it is:

### /boot/recalbox-boot.conf
### This file holds configuration related to hardware/peripheral detection

# The `sharedevice` variable indicates where to find the SHARE folder/partition.
# It can have the following values:
#   INTERNAL      => the partition immediately following the partition mounted as /boot, on the same disk (e.g. `/dev/mmcblk0p2`)
#                    (this is the default)
#   RAM           => a temporary in-memory file system (tmpfs)
#                    (use at your own risks, specially on boards with low memory!)
#   ANYEXTERNAL   => any storage device other than the one the system booted on
#                    (use this when you have several USB keys/drives, but plug only one at a time)
#   DEV [FSUUID]  => the storage device with the [FSUUID] unique identifier
#                    (use this if you plug multiple storage devices together but want a specific one to hold SHARE)
#   NETWORK       => a network-mounted filesystem
#                    (see complementary `sharenetwork_*` directives below)
;sharedevice=INTERNAL

# Network mount directives define how network filesystem should be mounted.
# You can define as many as you like, they will be executed in order.
# You can even mix basic and avanced commands.
#
# 1. Basic use (NFS or SMB):
#
#   sharenetwork_<nfs|smb>=<SHARE|ROMS|SAVES|BIOS|MUSIC>@<remote host>:<remote directory>[:<mount options>]
#
#   Examples:
#     sharenetwork_nfs=SHARE@192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox
#     <or>
#     sharenetwork_nfs=ROMS@192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox/roms
#     sharenetwork_nfs=SAVES@192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox/saves
#     <or>
#     sharenetwork_smb=SHARE@192.168.0.1:Documents/recalbox:guest
#
# 2. Advanced use (custom commands, usually `mount`):
#
#   sharenetwork_cmd=<command to run>
#
#   Examples:
#     sharenetwork_cmd=mount -o port=2049,nolock,proto=tcp 192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox /recalbox/share
#     <or>
#     sharenetwork_cmd=mount -o port=2049,nolock,proto=tcp 192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox/roms /recalbox/share/roms
#     sharenetwork_cmd=mount -o port=2049,nolock,proto=tcp 192.168.0.1:/Documents/recalbox/saves /recalbox/share/saves
#     <or>
#     sharenetwork_cmd=mount.cifs //192.168.0.1/recalbox /recalbox/share -o guest
#
;sharenetwork_smb=SHARE@192.168.0.1:Documents/recalbox:guest

# The `case` variable enables presets for the given case (if supported by Recalbox).
# It will enable some out-of-the-box configuration for fixed peripherals like screens, pads, etc...
# Supported values:
#   GPiCaseV1:1   => RetroFlag GpiCase (version 1)
# Default: <unset>
case=PiBoy:1

# The `sharewait` variable defines the maximum time to wait for the SHARE partition to be mounted.
# This is usually used with USB drives (since they are infamously slow) or network mounts.
# Recalbox will regularly check if the device/host is ready to be mounted, up to <sharewait> seconds.
# Note: in `NETWORK` mode, Recalbox will wait up to `sharewait` seconds for *each* `sharenetwork_*` directive.
# Default: 7 for `DEV [FSUUID]` and `ANYEXTERNAL`, 20 for `NETWORK`
;sharewait=30

case=PiBoy:1

... that could be the problem?

Yes, that's the problem... There is a system recovery that starts after 3 unsuccessful system start. To trigger it you just have to power up the recalbox, wait 15 seconds, power it off (remove the plug) 3 times.
After that, it will enter recovery, delete PiBoy things and so on and it should boot.

[fh1105]

I changed that to

# case=PiBoy:1

but to no success, unfortunately.

/recalbox/var/log/messages

shows:

Dec 10 21:35:44 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.254230] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15143
Dec 10 21:35:44 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.264208] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15144
Dec 10 21:35:45 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.274228] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15145
Dec 10 21:35:45 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.284203] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15146
Dec 10 21:35:45 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.294195] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15147
Dec 10 21:35:45 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.304211] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15148
Dec 10 21:35:45 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.314212] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15149
Dec 10 21:35:45 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.324202] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15150
Dec 10 21:35:45 RECALBOX user.info kernel: [  156.334194] XPi Gamecon CRC Error: 0000 15151

(The buttons of my arcade cabinet are connected to the RPI's GPIO pins:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/DigitalLumberjack/mk_arcade_joystick_rpi/master/wiki/images/mk_joystick_arcade_GPIOsb+.png

)

Thanks for your help!

[fh1105]

@davidb2111 Oh wow, I'll try that!

[fh1105]

I think it didn't enter recovery, even though I did the power-off-power-on-15-second loop at least 4 times ... can I trigger it manually? Also, it doesn't seem to come back to the network (it's LAN connected, but I can't reach the 'recalbox' host from the network anymore).

The screen shows 'Experimental Pi' twice while booting, then remains black.

I do have a keyboard connected, which I could use to press something to interrupt the failing boot sequence?

Thanks! @davidb2111

[davidb2111]

@fh1105 said in Recalbox 8.0: (ERROR) : [SDL2] Fatal error initializing SDL2:

I think it didn't enter recovery, even though I did the power-off-power-on-15-second loop at least 4 times ... can I trigger it manually? Also, it doesn't seem to come back to the network (it's LAN connected, but I can't reach the 'recalbox' host from the network anymore).

The screen shows 'Experimental Pi' twice while booting, then remains black.

I do have a keyboard connected, which I could use to press something to interrupt the failing boot sequence?

Thanks! @davidb2111

Ok, so you have things connected to GPIO. That may be the reason.
Could you connect through ssh and execute:

/usr/bin/piboy-tester

David.

[davidb2111]

@fh1105
And to force boot without detecting case, you may:

1. set case=none:1 in /boot/recalbox-boot.conf
2. execute rm -rf /overlay/upper/*

and reboot

[davidb2111]

@fh1105
And finally, I've modified the code that detects the piboy. Could you please test it on your setup ?

Simply put piboy-tester in /tmp of your recalbox and run /tmp/piboy-tester and give me the output.

Thanks

[fh1105]

This post is deleted!

[fh1105]

@davidb2111 said in Recalbox 8.0: (ERROR) : [SDL2] Fatal error initializing SDL2:

/tmp/piboy-tester

Yes, this is it:

try 0, CRC error
try 1, CRC error
try 2, CRC error
try 3, CRC error
try 4, CRC error
try 5, CRC error
try 6, CRC error
try 7, CRC error
try 8, CRC error
try 9, CRC error
piboy not found

[fh1105]

@davidb2111 said in Recalbox 8.0: (ERROR) : [SDL2] Fatal error initializing SDL2:

@fh1105
And to force boot without detecting case, you may:

1. set case=none:1 in /boot/recalbox-boot.conf
2. execute rm -rf /overlay/upper/*

and reboot

I tried this, but still the screen remains black.

[fh1105]

Before the modified tester, the output was:

CRC error
198

[davidb2111]

Hi @fh1105

Great news, that helps me a lot. I will include a fixed piboy-tester that will not wrongly detect a PiBoy when something is connected to GPIO.

At the moment, you can cleanup overlay and set case=none:1 to disable autodection.
The fix will be included in the next release a few days (weeks)

David

[davidb2111]

@fh1105

Hum, what type of screen do you have ?
Could you please execute cat /sys/class/drm/card*/modes and put result here ?