Reaper1187 said
I loaded this image, it started up ok. But now it's in a never ending EXT4-fs error (device sda 2), after a couple minutes after booting. Asked for help on the RetroPie Official FB page and haven't gotten a response yet for how to fix this.

Also commented on Kio DieKen's youtube review of this image, his response was basically that if you don't use a Samsung T5 or T7 you're out of luck.

If there is a way to fix this, I'd love to know considering it took more than 5 days to download.  

I heard that there were issues with drives that were not at least 3.1. Is your drive usb 3.0? Could that be the issue? Also do you have the drive plugged into the bottom right blue port?

I am also seeing this issue.

I also bought the Sandisk 1TB disk (SDSSDA-1T00-G26) so should be okay.

However, I get the error "ext4-fs error sda2 ext4_mb_generate_buddy 744 group 63" after booting with a blank screen for a few minutes and the activity light on the usb adapter flashing away.

As mentioned above by datank45 I think my error was purchasing the adapter.

I bought the StarTech.com SATA to USB Cable - USB 3.0 to 2.5 (USB3S2SAT3CB) when I should of bought StarTech.com USB 3.1 to 2.5" SATA Hard Drive Adapter - USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gbps with UASP (USB312SAT3CB)

Both adapters are not expensive so not sure why I ordered the slower one.

The USB 3.1 should arrive tomorrow so will give it another go then.

Thanks for mentioning datank45.