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91 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
91 lines
3.9 KiB
Markdown
# Spreading Files over multiple drivers
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<img src="../../wiki_icons/pixelitos/folder-blue-games.png" width="50">
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## About Symbolic Links
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Spreading files over other:
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- Internal drives
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- External drives
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- NAS
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- Other
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Can be done with `Symbolic Links`.
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For more technical details - read more about [Symbolic Links on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_link)
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If you are used to a Windows environment `Symbolic Links` are NOT the same as `Windows Shortcuts`.
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A `Symbolic Link` act as the file was in the place you are linking to and the software will interpret it as such.
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We later plan to add tools for this in the `RetroDECK Configurator` to make it even easier.
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### 🛑 Symbolic Link: Warnings 🛑
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- You should not have RetroDECK open while creating the `Symbolic Links` as the games are loaded on launch.
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- 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.
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- If you are making changes to your `Symbolic Links` you must close down RetroDECK, make the changes and then relaunch it.
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### Other recommendations
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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.
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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.
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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.
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#### Steam Deck - Desktop Mode
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If you are on a Steam Deck, this needs to be done in `Desktop Mode`.
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## Creating Symbolic Links: Example Wii Games
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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.
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**Example problem:**
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You have several backups of Wii games you want to add to `~/retrodeck/roms/wii/`.
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Let's say that those backups are on an external called `2nddrive` drive in in a folder called `wii games`.
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So the path when you go into the folder from the Desktop GUI could be (in this example):
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`/var/mnt/2nddrive/wii games`
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### Creating from the GUI
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1. Go into your `~/retrodeck/roms/wii/` folder.
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2. `Right Click` on an empty space and press `Create New` - `Link to file or folder`.
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3. Press the open file browser button.
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4. Press `Folder`.
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5. Navigate to the `/var/mnt/2nddrive/wii games` folder (or where ever you store the games).
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6. Highlight the `wii games` folder and press OK.
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Now the Symbolic Link has been created and will show up in the ES-DE interface for RetroDECK.
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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.
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### Other files
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You can also link other files this way such as individual games instead of folders or save files etc...
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## Advanced Usage: Replacing entire systems or functions with Symbolic Links
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**Disclaimer: Not Recommended!**
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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.
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This is not something we recommend doing as upcoming updates to RetroDECK could cause link breakage.
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But if you like to tinker and experiment feel free to try it on your own.
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### The usecase
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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.
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**Example Wii:**
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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.
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