mirror of
https://github.com/RetroDECK/Wiki.git
synced 2024-11-23 22:25:41 +00:00
91 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
91 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
# Spreading Files over multiple drivers
|
|
|
|
<img src="../../wiki_icons/pixelitos/drive-harddisk.png" width="50">
|
|
|
|
## About Symbolic Links
|
|
|
|
Spreading files over other:
|
|
|
|
- Internal drives
|
|
- External drives
|
|
- NAS
|
|
- Other
|
|
|
|
Can be done with `Symbolic Links`.
|
|
|
|
For more technical details - read more about [Symbolic Links on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_link)
|
|
|
|
If you are used to a Windows environment `Symbolic Links` are NOT the same as `Windows Shortcuts`.
|
|
|
|
A `Symbolic Link` act as the file was in the place you are linking to and the software will interpret it as such.
|
|
|
|
We later plan to add tools for this in the `RetroDECK Configurator` to make it even easier.
|
|
|
|
### 🛑 Symbolic Link: Warnings 🛑
|
|
|
|
- You should not have RetroDECK open while creating the `Symbolic Links` as the games are loaded on launch.
|
|
- When you have successfully added a `Symbolic Link` to RetroDECK and got it working, remember to never unplug / disconnect the drive while RetroDECK is running.
|
|
- If you are making changes to your `Symbolic Links` you must close down RetroDECK, make the changes and then relaunch it.
|
|
|
|
### Other recommendations
|
|
|
|
On the drive you want to add to RetroDECK. it is recommended to create a folder or folders games per system, so you don't need to create `Symbolic Link` for each game. But rather just make a link to the folder.
|
|
|
|
If you want to spread games for one system over a multiple of drivers with `Symbolic Links` you can do so, but naming the folders so you understand what drive they are coming from could be a good recommendation.
|
|
|
|
Each folder added will then be interpreted as a subfolder within RetroDECK's ES-DE interface under the system you have added the `Symbolic Link` to.
|
|
|
|
#### Steam Deck - Desktop Mode
|
|
|
|
If you are on a Steam Deck, this needs to be done in `Desktop Mode`.
|
|
|
|
## Creating Symbolic Links: Example Wii Games
|
|
|
|
This example will be written from the standpoint of the KDE Desktop environment used by SteamOS and many others systems. If you are on Gnome/XFCE or any other desktop environment the procedure should be similar else consult your desktop environment website.
|
|
|
|
**Example problem:**
|
|
|
|
You have several backups of Wii games you want to add to `~/retrodeck/roms/wii/`.
|
|
|
|
Let's say that those backups are on an external called `2nddrive` drive in in a folder called `wii games`.
|
|
|
|
So the path when you go into the folder from the Desktop GUI could be (in this example):
|
|
|
|
`/var/mnt/2nddrive/wii games`
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Creating from the GUI
|
|
|
|
1. Go into your `~/retrodeck/roms/wii/` folder.
|
|
2. `Right Click` on an empty space and press `Create New` - `Link to file or folder`.
|
|
3. Press the open file browser button.
|
|
4. Press `Folder`.
|
|
5. Navigate to the `/var/mnt/2nddrive/wii games` folder (or where ever you store the games).
|
|
6. Highlight the `wii games` folder and press OK.
|
|
|
|
Now the Symbolic Link has been created and will show up in the ES-DE interface for RetroDECK.
|
|
|
|
When you navigate to wii game section the `wii games` folder should be accessible from the ES-DE menu as a subfolder with all the games.
|
|
|
|
### Other files
|
|
|
|
You can also link other files this way such as individual games instead of folders or save files etc...
|
|
|
|
## Advanced Usage: Replacing entire systems or functions with Symbolic Links
|
|
|
|
**Disclaimer: Not Recommended!**
|
|
|
|
Do not do this unless you really really know what you are doing and this might be a hit or miss depending on your system.
|
|
|
|
This is not something we recommend doing as upcoming updates to RetroDECK could cause link breakage.
|
|
|
|
But if you like to tinker and experiment feel free to try it on your own.
|
|
|
|
### The usecase
|
|
You could in theory delete a system folder lets say `~/retrodeck/roms/wii/` or even a `~/retrodeck/roms/saves/wii/` or `~/retrodeck/roms/states/wii/` or what ever folder or subfolder under `~/retrodeck/` and put is as a symbolic link to another place.
|
|
|
|
**Example Wii:**
|
|
|
|
Create a symbolic link from `~/retrodeck/roms/` to a folder on an external drive called `wii` and only have those games stored on an external drive permanently.
|
|
|