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Dual‐Boot Installation (Zen3 Wayland X11)

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Rion edited this page May 31, 2026 · 10 revisions

Important

Use this guide only if you need the Zen3 image.

Zen3 Dual-Boot exists so you can run Zen3 Wayland on an HD monitor (or Steam Deck built-in display) and X11 on a CRT, and switch between them with the HD/CRT Mode Switcher app.

If you DO NOT plan on switching between HD/Handheld and CRT monitors using the Mode Switcher ONLY a CRT, then Zen3 Dual-Boot is a waste of time and you should follow X11 Exclusive Installation instead

The HD/CRT Mode Switcher is also available on X11 Exclusive Installation. Dual-Boot is not required.

Caution

Dual-Boot requires stricter setup steps than X11 Exclusive. Unlike the X11-only path, you must set VIDEO OUTPUT to your HD display before connecting your CRT output. This prevents black-screen issues on Zen3 Wayland systems.

Dual-Boot Hardware Requirements

PC Requirements

Same as standard installation. See Batocera CRT Script Installation Guide.

Handheld/Portable Device Requirements

For handheld devices like Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and other portable systems with USB-C and DisplayPort Alt Mode support:

You will need adapter(s) to connect your handheld device's USB-C output to your CRT. DisplayPort Alt Mode support is required.

For complete adapter chain details, compatibility lists, and device-specific information, see Handheld & Portable Device Support

Key points:

  • Most modern handheld devices support DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C
  • A multi-step adapter chain is required (USB-C → DisplayPort → VGA → CRT)
  • On Steam Deck, DP-1 only appears in the output list when a display is plugged into the USB-C port

See the pre-installation checklist on the main installation guide, plus:

Step 1: Flash Batocera v43

  1. Download Steamdeck (download) batocera.org/download

    • Yes, you can use this on a PC as well

  2. Flash the Zen3 image using BalenaEtcher or similar

  3. Install the drive into your device

  4. Before powering it on, unplug the USB-C or other output to your CRT. Failure to do so may cause your HD screen to black out.

Tip

Steam Deck Users: You may need to go into the Steam Deck BIOS to boot Batocera from your drive.

Step 2: Disable Black-Out Screen

  1. Once Batocera has fully booted and you see the Emulation Station main page, press START to go into Main Menu

    • For PC users and not Steam Deck go to SYSTEM SETTINGS > MULTISCREENS > BACKGLASS > VIDEO OUTPUT and assign it to NONE
    • Exit back to the Emulation Station main page

  2. Go to SYSTEM SETTINGS > VIDEO OUTPUT and assign it to your HD Output

    • For Steam Deck users, this is eDP-1 (the built-in display)
    • You will see the screen blink and come back

  3. Exit back to the Emulation Station main page

    • Now you will be able to plug in the output to your CRT without the screen turning black

Step 3: Install Batocera-CRT-Script

Option A: Installation via SSH (Recommended)

  1. SSH into your Batocera system:

    ssh root@batocera.local

    (Default password: linux)

  2. Install the CRT Script via SSH using either command below:

    You can install the script using either of the commands below.
    They are functionally identical — just different URLs pointing to the same script.

    • Option 1 – bit.ly (short link): copy and paste into your SSH session:

      bash <(curl -Ls https://bit.ly/batocera-crt-script | sed 's/\r$//')

    • Option 2 – Pastebin (direct link): copy and paste into your SSH session:

      bash <(curl -s https://pastebin.com/raw/iC21J0W6 | sed 's/\r$//')

    Optional: scan the QR code on your phone to open the script link:

    QR Code for Mobile Installation

    This command chain downloads the latest version, extracts its contents, moves the folder, sets script permissions, preserves backups (if any), and runs the installer.

  3. The script will detect that your system is Zen3 Wayland and present two options:

    OPTION A - Let this script download the x86_64 X11 image

    • The script will download x86_64 X11 directly from Batocera Linux
    • Download Video Demo

    OPTION B - Transfer the x86_64 X11 image yourself

    • Download both files from Batocera Linux:
      • Desktop PC, Laptop, NUC and Intel-based Apple Computers (download & md5)
        • batocera-x86_64-43-*.img.gz
        • batocera-x86_64-43-*.img.gz.md5
    • Transfer both files to /userdata on your Batocera device
    • The script will verify the MD5 checksum and then extract the image for dual-boot
    • Install Video Demo

Option B: Manual CRT Script Transfer (Alternative to SSH)

If you prefer to manually transfer the CRT Script files instead of using SSH:

  1. Download the CRT Script via the bash command on a PC, or extract from the GitHub repository

  2. Access Batocera over your network via SMB: 📎 Batocera Network File Transfer Guide

  3. Drag and drop the Batocera-CRT-Script folder into /userdata/system

  4. Then proceed with SSH to run the script:

    cd /userdata/system/Batocera-CRT-Script/Batocera_ALLINONE
chmod 755 Batocera-CRT-Script-v43.sh
./Batocera-CRT-Script-v43.sh

Note: The dual-boot process will still use OPTION A or OPTION B (from Step 3 above) to obtain the x86_64 X11 image and MD5 file. This manual transfer is only for the CRT Script itself.

Step 4: PHASE 1 — Zen3 Wayland + X11 Extract

The script will now extract the x86_64 X11 boot configuration. Follow the onscreen prompts:

  1. If you chose OPTION A, the script will download and validate the x86_64 X11 image

    • It will run an MD5 check to ensure you have a supported version
    • Unsupported images will be rejected and the script will exit

  2. The script will begin extracting X11 boot files to /boot/crt/

    • This may take 1-2 minutes—be patient

  3. After extraction, you'll be asked if you want to keep or delete the downloaded image to save storage space

  4. You will be prompted that a shutdown is required

    • Shutting down may take up to 30 seconds (Steam Deck shutdown is slower, this is normal)
    • Wait until the fan is completely off and the screen is black

Step 5: PHASE 2 — Install Batocera-CRT-Script for X11 CRT Mode

After shutdown, power on your device. It will now boot in X11 mode. Follow these steps:

  1. SSH back into your Batocera system:

    ssh root@batocera.local

  2. Run the CRT Script again:

    cd /userdata/system/Batocera-CRT-Script/Batocera_ALLINONE
chmod 755 Batocera-CRT-Script-v43.sh
./Batocera-CRT-Script-v43.sh

Important

3. Follow the onscreen instructions for configuring your CRT output: See How to CRT Script Configuration

  1. You will be prompted that a shutdown is required

    • Again, shutting down may take up to 30 seconds for handheld devices

  2. After shutdown, power on your device

    • Wait 1 minute for the system to fully initialize
    • Then turn on your CRT Monitor

  3. You should now see Emulation Station on your CRT

Verify the configuration: Go to MAIN MENU > SYSTEM SETTINGS. You should see that VIDEO OUTPUT and VIDEO MODE are already set.

Handheld Device Output Names

  • eDP-1 = Handheld built-in screen (HD Mode / Zen3 Wayland)
  • DP-1 = USB-C DisplayPort output (CRT Mode / X11)

For complete handheld device information, output names, and troubleshooting, see Handheld & Portable Device Support

Summary: Dual-Boot at a Glance

  1. Flash Zen3 image and power on WITHOUT CRT connected
  2. Set VIDEO OUTPUT to HD output (eDP-1 for Steam Deck) in Emulation Station
  3. Plug in CRT output (now safe without blacking out HD screen)
  4. Run CRT Script via SSH
  5. Choose Option A (download) or Option B (transfer) for x86_64 X11 extraction
  6. Let script extract X11 boot files to /boot/crt/ and shutdown (Phase 1)
  7. Power back on in X11 mode, run CRT Script again
  8. Select CRT output (DP-1 for Steam Deck) and configuration profile (Phase 2)
  9. Reboot when script completes
  10. Verify VIDEO OUTPUT & VIDEO MODE are set
  11. Emulation Station should appear on your CRT

Troubleshooting

Black Screen on HD Display After Plugging in CRT

You skipped Step 2. Go back and set VIDEO OUTPUT to your HD output (eDP-1 on Steam Deck) before connecting the CRT cable.

Stuck in Black Screen (Handheld, CRT Mode, No CRT Connected)

  1. The built-in display will appear black (CRT timings don't work on LCD)
  2. SSH in and manually edit the boot configuration, or use USB recovery
  3. See Handheld & Portable Device Support for device-specific troubleshooting

DP-1 Not Listed During Script

On Steam Deck and similar handhelds, DP-1 only appears when a display is plugged into the USB-C port. Connect your adapter chain before running the script in Phase 2.

Return to: Batocera CRT Script Installation Guide

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