Help with Building Latest BlueRetro v24.04.1 for ESP32-S HW2

[More10S]

Hi Konwektor / BlueRetro Team,

First off, thanks for all the amazing work on BlueRetro — it’s a fantastic project!

I’m trying to build the latest release (v24.04.1) for my ESP32-S (HW2) to get the power trigger feature using the /configs/hw2/ogx360 sdkconfig. Unfortunately, I’ve run into multiple build issues with ESP-IDF v5.1.2, including missing headers like esp_timer.h and unresolved functions like nvs_entry_find_in_handle.

I’ve tried various ESP-IDF versions (4.4.2, 4.4.4, 4.4.8, 5.1.2) and followed the instructions, but I haven’t been able to get a clean build or a working .bin. I noticed there’s no precompiled binary provided for this latest version, and I’m wondering if this is due to known stability issues or if I’m missing something in the build process.
It runs on Windows 10 under admin rights.

Could you please provide guidance on:

The recommended ESP-IDF version and environment for building v24.04.1 successfully?

Whether a precompiled .bin for ESP32-S HW2 might be made available?

Any patches, config tweaks, or common pitfalls I should be aware of?

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. I've been strugling to get it to work for a couple of days.
It's been a fun build.
Thanks again for your time and the great project!

Best regards,
More10

[More10S]

Hi again.
I've been stuck on this. So a break was a good thing. I think I got to focused on this sentence: "This can be compiled the same as BlueRetro.
Copy /configs/hw1/ogx360 to Your /Blueretro/sdkconfig start esp-idf (v5.1.2) and rund "esp.py build".

I was focused on the release date of the firmware it was based on and the release date of the ESP-IDF version. I did actually also try with v5.2.2 without any luck. I've have to say if it's not clear but my experince with this is not the greatest, but I find it interesting. I think I started going backwards on the versions in the hopes to find better compatibility.

Either way, I looked over at the official Blueretro github to see if there was any more information I could find there. And version 24.04 seems to be updated with 5.3.0.

So long story short, I did a clean install off 5.3.0, and it worked like a charm.
Thank you again for this awesome project, really enjoying it.

Best regards,
More10

[konwektor]

Great that you made it.
Compilation problem was like you said ESP-idf version. When I am releasing new version of this fork , based on BlueRetro xxx then idf need to be also same as for orginal BR build. Need to update info about that.
BTW: power trigger function need to have separate power source for esp32, standby from ogxbox is too week for that (ogxbox standby is about 100mA, esp32 takes about 160mA) causing esp32 reseting.and other issues. Info need to be updated.
I did internal version based on BR 24.10(still experimental)powering esp32 from usb ports, but without powering on, only possible to power off console, working already on docs about it, for a very long time ...
I am sorry that i could not answer earlier.
My work forcing me to stay away from home for 3 weeks and more, in this time i dont touch anything related to this project. Also this is the reason why I update the project so rarely.

Thank you for your feedback

[More10S]

Hi, and thank you for your reply.
When I was trying to figure out this build. I was looking into how to power the esp32 with the xbox in standby. I have earlier used a buck comverter on a PS2 slim build I did. But the only rail active on the PSU is the 3.3VSB (I have v1.4) and it does not provide enough power for the esp32. I went with a HLK-PM03 that I connected after the main fuse and placed it on the PSU board(Just enough space). This worked great for me, I can power on/off remotely.
Everything that is not on the motherboard it self(HLK-PM03 and controller LED's), I have a plug solution, so it can be plugged out under disassembly. I used current trigger solution for wired controller detection.

I wan't to share a little experience with this, because I ran into a little problem. Me and my girlfriend have been playing through Halo together with DS4 controllers. But almost everytime after about an hour, everything regarding the ESP32 hangs. Inputs, controller connection etc. I had to reset the ESP32.
I did have a TXS0108E as level shifter, and read that this was not the best solution for this application, so I removed the chip and rebuild it to the type of transistor. This did not change the behavior. It was a problem rooting in the BlueRetro firmware that has been resolved in later version. I used the compare feature here on GitHub and tried to apply the changes from the newer firmware manually. Well somehow this would compile (got labeled as "dirty") and it fixed this issue. Not sure if I messed something up, but have not experienced any other issues thankfully.

I wan't to thank you again for this great work, it has been really fun for me to revisit this great console with the comfort of wireless controllers.
I put some images from the build below, keep in mind some changes has been done since these pictures where taken, but it's not far off how it looks today.

Best regards,
More10

[konwektor]

Wow, I am impressed.
You dit it with only partly done hw info - respect.
Please be aware that hw2 design published here is a very experimental.

You could share with others and put it in "show and tell" if you want. Every feedback is needed.

About pwr supply - from begining i got same idea.- using second small AC to DC psu.
I did also some simple tweak of 3,3V stand by, boosting output current to max 500mA, but it forcing PSU to work almost on border for 3V3STBY rail. Quite risky, so I didnt publish it (for now), to avoid blaming me in case of somebodys PSU dead. Prototype is prototype.
.
Issue with Ds4 controllers - can you tell me what version of darthclouds BR and /or what commit fixed this issue? - i am not able to test every changes alone, so I didn't know about it - again : any feedback welcome.

Every compilation of BR will show "dirty" if some changes in code are made outside github repo, only clean cloned repo shows "Blueretro v.XX".

what version of this fork dif you used 24.04 or 24.04.01? Same with Ogx360 - compiled binaries from here or from /konwektor/ogx360 ?
With more details provided I can help/warn you about some hw/sw issues I have found in mine published versions till now .
I got a lot other questions about behavior of your hw2 build, If you got time and wanna help Catch me on discord.

[More10S]

Hi, thank you.
To answer some of the questions, let me try to summerize the build quick.
I did use the fork 24.04.01 and for the ProMicro boards I used the one from "/konwektor/ogx360".
Regarding the update I did in the case of the DS4 issues, I used the latest release from DarthCloud v25.04. It states the following in the notes under bug fixes: "Fix crash when using multiple PS4 & Xbox controllers."
I think I did the following, I used DarthCloud's version and implemented your files and changes with the help from GitHub:
darthcloud:master...master

I followed this as a base for the build: https://github.com/konwektor/BlueRetro/blob/master/HW/HW2/BrOGX360_11_24.pdf
I did some tweaks to the code in the firmware, as the GPIO for LED P3 and P4 if I remember correctly was diffrent from the schematic.
I also changed the macro for changing output mode, as it interfered with the IGR functions in UnleashX (I have PAL xbox and wanted to try 720P).
I also decided to use a PMOS(With pull up) to pull down the 3V3 line for the power button, so I could seperate the Xbox's 3.3VSB from the ESP32. All GND are ofcourse connected, but it seemed safer to me at the time. Only negative thing I have occasionally experienced with that solution is that when I have the Xbox disconnected from the mains(socket) and reconnected it, it would turn on. My thoughts on this is that either the pullup from the HLK-PM03 to the PMOS is slower than the 3.3VSB rail from xbox's PSU, or the ESP32's GPIO is not floating correctly at power up.

Again I want to comment on how cool I find this project.
Regarding if I have time and wanna help:
If you believe I could help with anything, as feedback or something. Sure! I have some time later this week. How do I catch you on discord? Are you on a specific server?

Best regards,
More10

[konwektor]

Hi More10S.
It is really Nice that you are ready for help, I appreciate it very much. any information provided can be helpful.
On discord I am moslty around servers related to xbox, like xbox-scene for example.
https://discord.gg/xbox-scene
Wright now I am kind of busy, but lajter tooday, or this week , if you could find some time would be be great.
BTW I am living in europe - better if you know before, in case if you stay on other time zone,

If you don't mind, I'll close this discussion and move into "show and tell".
Or maybe not, it is completly up to you.

Greets Konwektor