[SOLVED]Can't get official PS3 controller working on RPi3 with dongle

[slakka]

I'm trying this on a Raspberry Pi 3 with 2 different bluetooth dongles, one generic "BT2.0" and one "Broadcom CCBT2035BDGP23-2", and a genuine Sony DualShock 3 controller. I am aware of the problems with the built in bluetooth, is there a way I can be sure Recalbox is using the dongle and not the built-in bluetooth? Note that I can pair an 8bitdo NES30 Pro and it's fully functional, not sure if that verifies I am using the dongle and not the built-in. I have tried without USB controller or keyboard/mouse as well just in case they were somehow interfering.

Here are the details of each bluetooth dongle.

Generic BT2.0
http://pastebin.com/vVsxLkgK

Broadcom CCBT2035BDGP23-2
http://pastebin.com/Qi20CmFc

I checked for these in my config file as well, both were present:
controllers.ps3.enabled=1
controllers.ps3.driver=official

Throughout this process, the Recalbox GUI never responds to the PS3 controller, even when plugged in with USB. The controller seems to successfully pair via bluetooth but again it never actually functions. If I then set Main Menu->Controller Settings->Input P1 to the PS3 controller and launch a game, the controller still doesn't function.

1. Connect controller via USB, all LEDs blink slow, wait 10+ seconds

2. Disconnect controller from USB, all LEDs turn off
   [ 1161.324258] usb 1-1.5: new full-speed USB device number 7 using dwc_otg
   [ 1161.493498] usb 1-1.5: New USB device found, idVendor=054c, idProduct=0268
   [ 1161.493511] usb 1-1.5: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
   [ 1161.493517] usb 1-1.5: Product: PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller
   [ 1161.493524] usb 1-1.5: Manufacturer: Sony
   [ 1202.566120] usb 1-1.5: USB disconnect, device number 7

3. Push controller home/PS button, all LEDs blink fast and never stop blinking fast until my next step, this is where my experience differs from the Recalbox instructions
   [ 1218.987136] input: PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller as /devices/virtual/input/input4

4. Connect controller via USB again, fast blinking stops and then #1 LED stays lit
   [ 1419.915759] usb 1-1.5: new full-speed USB device number 8 using dwc_otg
   [ 1420.202507] usb 1-1.5: New USB device found, idVendor=054c, idProduct=0268
   [ 1420.202521] usb 1-1.5: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
   [ 1420.202528] usb 1-1.5: Product: PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller
   [ 1420.202534] usb 1-1.5: Manufacturer: Sony
   [ 1420.419818] input: Sony PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller as /devices/platform/soc/3f980000.usb/usb1/1-1/1-1.5/1-1.5:1.0/0003:054C:0268.0006/input/input5
   [ 1420.420314] sony 0003:054C:0268.0006: input,hiddev0,hidraw4: USB HID v1.11 Joystick [Sony PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller] on usb-3f980000.usb-1.5/input0
   Under Main Menu->Controller Settings->Input P1, the PS3 controller does appear so I guess that means it's paired?

5. Disconnect controller from USB, #1 LED stays lit (paired?) but controller never works

6. If I shutdown Recalbox, the PS3 controller shuts off

I have seen a lot of posts about problems of different kinds with PS3 controllers but didn't find a solution for mine.

[Substring]

you need controllers.ps3.enabled=0 to make your pad work on usb

you shouldn't replug after. If i'm not mistaken, the leds will never stop blinking once successfully paired and recognised as a BT pad

[slakka]

@Substring said in Can't get official PS3 controller working on RPi3 with dongle:

you need controllers.ps3.enabled=0 to make your pad work on usb

you shouldn't replug after. If i'm not mistaken, the leds will never stop blinking once successfully paired and recognised as a BT pad

Well I want to make it work wireless so I should leave controllers.ps3.enabled=1 correct?

Whether I proceed to replug after the point where the instructions would say to stop hasn't made a difference, it never worked regardless while the LEDs were blinking fast. I only discovered that the replug would make the #1 LED stay lit beacause I was messing around trying various things to get the controller working.

To check again I just did it now from a clean power on, followed the Recalbox manual's instructions and stopped at the point where I press the Home button and all LEDs blink fast. Same result, the controller does not work.
[ 103.648925] usb 1-1.5: new full-speed USB device number 5 using dwc_otg
[ 103.818185] usb 1-1.5: New USB device found, idVendor=054c, idProduct=0268
[ 103.818201] usb 1-1.5: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
[ 103.818208] usb 1-1.5: Product: PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller
[ 103.818215] usb 1-1.5: Manufacturer: Sony
[ 115.189762] usb 1-1.5: USB disconnect, device number 5
[ 117.771989] input: PLAYSTATION(R)3 Controller as /devices/virtual/input/input0

Maybe I need to go find a verified compatible bluetooth dongle? Because I had success with the 8bitdo controllers I figured the dongles I have are compatible.

[slakka]

@slakka said in Can't get official PS3 controller working on RPi3 with dongle:

Maybe I need to go find a verified compatible bluetooth dongle? Because I had success with the 8bitdo controllers I figured the dongles I have are compatible.

I got a compatible dongle and it's working now, guess there are some dongles that are compatible with some controllers but not others. Thanks for the quick reply.