🎮 RetroPie Setup Checklist (Pi 2/3A to Sony Profeel)

1. ⬇️ OS Download and Flash

• **Download OS:** Get the **Raspberry Pi 2/3** image from the official RetroPie site: RetroPie Downloads.
• **Flash:** Use Etcher or Raspberry Pi Imager to write the image to your MicroSD card.

2. 🔑 SSH and Network Configuration (Headless)

*SSH must be enabled *before* first boot.*

• **Access SD Card:** Insert the flashed MicroSD card and access the **`boot`** partition.
• **Enable SSH:** Create an empty file named **`ssh`** (no extension) in the root of the `boot` partition.
  touch /Volumes/boot/ssh
• **Default Credentials:** User: pi, Password: raspberry

3. 📺 Video Output for Sony Profeel CRT

*Configure the Pi to use Composite Video.*

• **Access `config.txt`:** Open the config.txt file in the root of the `boot` partition.
• **Force Composite & Mode:** Ensure the following lines are set:
  • hdmi_ignore_hotplug=1 (Forces Composite)
  • sdtv_mode=0 (NTSC 480i/60Hz. Use sdtv_mode=2 for PAL 576i/50Hz)
  • sdtv_aspect=1 (Optional, forces 4:3)
• **Connection:** Use a **3.5mm TRRS to 3x RCA cable** from the Pi's A/V jack to the Profeel's **Composite (Yellow)** input.

4. 🕹️ ROM Loading

*Transfer games after the Pi has successfully booted and connected to the network.*

• **Access Shares:** From your computer, connect to the network share at \\RETROPIE.
• **Transfer ROMs:** Place ROMs (e.g., Defender, Pac-Man) into the correct system folder within the **`roms`** directory (e.g., roms/arcade).
• **Refresh:** Restart EmulationStation (Start Menu → Quit → Restart EmulationStation) to detect new games.

5. ✨ Auto-Load / Front-End

• **Auto-Load:** RetroPie is configured to **automatically boot directly into the EmulationStation** front-end. No manual configuration is required for this step.