dArkOSen 07312026
System Updates
- restored EmulationStation after dArkOS update
- restored dArkOSen system hotkeys after dArkOS update
- removed dArkOS update path (moved to /roms/backup/old scripts)
- renamed 'Update-dArkOSen' to 'Update'
- changed hostname to 'dArkOSen-r36'
- fixed fstab device path error
System Utilities
- added 'BatteryPlus Mode Switcher' to the Advanced folder BatteryPlus
- updated R36 Backup and Migration Assistant to apply Retroarch hotkeys in One-Click settings
- added 'Restore dArkOSen' to the Advanced folder
- restores dArkOSen's kernel and ogage (overclock and hotkeys) and @Jason3x's emulationstation
Emulation & Gaming
- added 'Dave's Retro Shaders 2.0' - major performance updates to the CRT and LCD shaders - no more lag!
- added Advanced Drastic NDS emulator (lifted from dArkOSRE, thanks go to @southoz)
- applied dArkOSRE style Retroarch hotkeys (Reset Retroarch Settings in Advance folder to apply)
- enable single press of Fn button to open Retroarch menu (systemd service)
Hotkeys
Retroarch Hotkeys
| FUNCTION | HOTKEY COMBO |
|---|---|
| Retroarch Menu | Function or Select for 2 seconds |
| Quit Retroarch | Start + Select |
| Pause | Select + R3 |
| Reset Core | Select + R2 |
| Save State | Select + B (Bottom) |
| Load State | Select + A (Right) |
| Prev State | Select + Y (Left) |
| Next State | Select + X (Top) |
| Fast Forward | Select + D-Pad Right |
| Fast Forward Hold | Select + D-Pad Down |
| Rewind | Select + D-Pad Left |
| Frame Advance | Select + D-Pad Up |
| Screenshot | Select + L3 |
System Hotkeys
- Fn or R3 (right joystick press) both act as the hotkey
- gamma hotkeys switched to D-Pad left and right
| FUNCTION | HOTKEY COMBO |
|---|---|
| Brightness Up | Hotkey + D-Pad Up |
| Brightness Down | Hotkey + D-Pad Down |
| Gamma Up | Hotkey + D-Pad Right |
| Gamma Down | Hotkey + D-Pad Left |
| Volume Up | Hotkey + R1 |
| Volume Down | Hotkey + L1 |
| Safe Shutdown | Hotkey + Power |
| Mute | Hotkey + L3 |
| Battery Level | Select + R3 |
| Toggle Wifi | Select + L1 |
| Toogle Bluetooth | Select + R1 |
Performance & Thermal Management
-
fixed boot race condition in CPU Manager/ZRAM service
-
thermal protection and the overclocked kernel:
The Three Checkpoints
-
70°C — "Slow down a bit"
The coach notices you're getting hot and says jog instead of sprint.
Barely noticeable, still moving fast. -
85°C — "Walk it off"
Now the coach makes you walk. Your top speed gets capped until you cool down.
This is where the real throttling kicks in. -
115°C — "Sit down, you're done"
Emergency stop. The system shuts itself off before anything gets hurt.
Who's Watching
- A temperature sensor checks in once every second.
- Based on what it reads, it tells the CPU: "you're allowed this much speed, no more."
Why It's Safe Without a Heatsink
Even with nothing cooling the chip, it physically cannot run itself past 115°C —
the kernel forces it to stop before that happens. -