ARpiCADE_5 - for Pi4 or Pi5

FrizzleFried · Post by **FrizzleFried** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 4:04 am

OK... I discovered if I TOUCH the sdcard after I run it in the cabinet... not just linux... but even just load up the Windows side and make a single change... I get the dreaded black screen of death. That said, my way around this was to put together my latest build... then create an img of it before I put it in the cab. If i need to make any changes... I then just load up the image ... make any changes... and since it's still before it ever ran in the cab... it works.

Now, the only thing I am doing in my cab is changing from horizontal to vertical mode... so my next test is going to be to put it back in to horizontal mode before removing the card to see if I can make changes and take it back to the cabinet without getting the black screen of death.

Post by **dee2eR** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 4:46 am

FrizzleFried wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 10, 2025 4:04 am
OK... I discovered if I TOUCH the sdcard after I run it in the cabinet... not just linux... but even just load up the Windows side and make a single change... I get the dreaded black screen of death.

Interesting... possibly to do with something Windows but it's hard to say. I don't have the same issues but I run Linux on my main desktop. Certainly not ideal.

FrizzleFried · Post by **FrizzleFried** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 4:52 am

OK... so I tested my theory. I moved back to horizontal mode before I powered down the cabinet then went inside... messed with a couple of things (a nut file and the config file)... went back out and fired up.

Instead of the black screen of death (black screen with full on 100% fan) ... I got something else...

At the top right of my vertical screen (top left if horizontal) there was some very small type that came out after a longer load (no full 100% fan)... this time it sat for a while I could type... I tried typing attract... it then loaded up (and eventually loads up no matter what I do it seems) a white screen with a login box in the middle ... a stretched oddly raspberry pie emblem...

Obviously my hypothesis wasn't successful but maybe it helps to figure out what goes on?

It makes these tests time consuming having to re-image each time...

FrizzleFried · Post by **FrizzleFried** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 4:54 am

Would it help you for me to create an image of the corrupted sd? If so... which would you prefer... the black screen of death vertical or the white login screen horizontal version?

FrizzleFried · Post by **FrizzleFried** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 5:35 am

Welp.... I just 'discovered' the whole "use 480i option in the backend system menu (where you change to vertical mode).

Um... why isn't that used by default? Once I enabled that... all of a sudden all my layouts fonts looked right again!

Post by **dee2eR** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 6:58 am

FrizzleFried wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 10, 2025 4:54 am
Would it help you for me to create an image of the corrupted sd? If so... which would you prefer... the black screen of death vertical or the white login screen horizontal version?

Do the black screen one. That is the more common thing happening, right?

I assume you know all the basics, safely eject the SD card and are not using Windows Notepad. Are you running Win 10 or 11? I have access to Win10 to test things but not 11 (no idea if it would make a difference). Also do you have Paragon installed to be able to see both partitions? (again, no idea if it would make a difference but I'm trying to get my head around whats happening)

Post by **dee2eR** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 7:08 am

FrizzleFried wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 10, 2025 5:35 am
Welp.... I just 'discovered' the whole "use 480i option in the backend system menu (where you change to vertical mode).

Um... why isn't that used by default? Once I enabled that... all of a sudden all my layouts fonts looked right again!

Can't remember why I did that offhand but I think the 480i geometry wasn't quite lining up with the non interlaced resolutions properly or I couldn't dial the curl out fully as I have less control over the 480i mode. Plus I know lots of people don't like interlacing due to their monitor flickering, my test bench PVM makes 480i look almost like 480p (not quite as sharp as 480p but there's not really flicker at all) but I've definately seen some arcade monitors that didn't look great with interlacing.

FrizzleFried · Post by **FrizzleFried** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 1:30 pm

Black screen is dependent on orientation it seems. Vertical orientation = Black Screen of Death. Horizontal orientation = Drop to some sort of prompt (with very tiny text prior to the cursor)....then eventually to a white screen with a login box in the middle with a squished image of the Raspberry Pi logo.

Next sdcard I corrupt I'll image and deposit on MEGA for you to take a look at.

I am using Windows 11 (likely not a problem) and yes, I am using Paragon though the card will corrupt just writing to the BOOT (windows) side and not even mounting the Linux drive. I use Notepad++ ... not sure if there is an Apple variant but one thing it's not is notepad.

I always "Safely Remove" drives... and whenever I used the Paragon software I'll always Dis-Mount the drive before I Safely Remove the drive.

I suspect all would be fine if I just ACCESSED the drive (how could it corrupt it that way?)... I think actually making a change is what corrupts it... but how/why I have no idea... but perhaps I'll test this theory by just moving my current card over to Windows to access the BOOT drive... no writing... just to see.

FrizzleFried · Post by **FrizzleFried** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 8:41 pm

Welp... testing complete and I am complete dumbfounded.

I started with a good image that worked. First thing I did was simply REMOVE the SD card ... then plug it back in ... because ... you know ... who knows.

Image survived... was able to load up to the menu...

I then powered off... removed the sd card... moved over to my PC... plugged the memory card in to my USB adapter that I use to access memory cards... plugged the usb adapter in and the BOOT drive came up. I then poked in to TWO folders...not touching or opening anything. I then safe removed the drive... and removed the memory card. I walked out to my gameroom and plugged the memory card in to the ARpiCADE... powered up and...

Yup... the Black Screen of Death... with 100% fan running and nothing else.

I have no answer as to how.

I'm going to image up this bad boy and put it on MEGA for you.

cool_factor · Post by **cool_factor** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:09 pm

That's exactly what I was experiencing as well, you just articulated it alot better than I did. I was so frustrated when I made that initial post.

ARpiCADE_5 - for Pi4 or Pi5

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