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So, you are thinking 'not again the *** apps2sd n00b question', but here I am
I did some research on XDA and the rest of the internet though, but nobody seems to have this problem.
I have a rooted Desire with DeFrost 6.0. With it, it is very easy to install your apps on the SD-card. I have only 8 apps on the ROM itself, but those are widgets and apps with notifications like Facebook (notifications don't work if they are installed on de sd-card is my experience).
The rest of my applications are installed on the sd-card (around 80 apps). But the problem is that all apps also have a piece of dalvikCache on the ROM as well. You all know that of course. For instance, I installed Documents To Go (5MB) on the sd-card. It also has 5MB dalvikCache on the ROM, so thats double the price .
Now if people ask here 'is it safe to move the cache to the sd-card', most of you say 'unless you want to show off how much empty space you have on your phone, I would just keep it on the phone'. But I do not have any free space.
With DiskUsage I can see that I have around 150 MB of data: 26MB system data, 15MB free space (and he is already nagging the telephone is running out of space), and more than 100MB of applications, with most of it is dalvikCache.
So is this normal? Is 80 apps really the max you can have?
My biggets app is by the way Documents To Go (5MB), and I had to delete it. So I don't have very big apps.
Just want to know how much apps you guys have
Thanks.
How have you forced the Dalvik Cache to stay on the phone memory and why/how have you copied your widgets on your phone memory?
PS: Do you use an EXT3 Partition or the Froyo legacy A2SD?
It's not unusual to move dalvik cache as well as the app. You will need root though, and then just partition your sd-card and install a rom with a2sd+. The only /data/data will take up space on the phone.
UpSpin said:
How have you forced the Dalvik Cache to stay on the phone memory and why/how have you copied your widgets on your phone memory?
PS: Do you use an EXT3 Partition or the Froyo legacy A2SD?
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I didn't do anything to force the cache to stay on de phone. But it's normal the dalvikCache is on the phone memory right?
I use defrost 6.0 and in it you can go to settings > applications > manage applicatons, an you can move all your apps to the sd-card. I'm not sure what kind of A2SD that is.
I move any applications with widgets to my phone memory, because otherwise widgets don't work anymore if you reboot your phone.
@mortenmhp: But also a lot of people do not recommend to move the dalvikcache. Is it safe to do?
you're confusing a few things:
APPS2SD:
There are two methods used at the moment.
The Froyo method, made by Google, which you use at the moment. It installs the app on the phone memory and is able to outsource a small amount of data to the FAT32 partition on your SD-card. It does create failures with apps that use widgets or run in the background.
The A2SD+ method, integrated in DeFroST and almost every other custom ROM. You have to create an EXT3 partition on your SD card (use ROM manager for this) and then reflash the rom. After that it gets activated automatically. All apps and also the dalvik cache gets moved on the EXT3 partition on your SD card. You don't have to and you shouldn't move any apps around afterwards with the Froyo A2SD described above. Only some small data gets stored by the apps itself on the internal phone memory.
Moving the dalvik cache is safe. Maybe you confuse it with SWAP? Which isn't necessary on the HTC Desire.
ok, this is a little confusing
I'm running defrost
let's suppose that I installed the firefox app.
the diskusage tool tells me that it takes 13,4 MB in internal memory.
in applications settings, I have the option to move the app to sd card.
When I do this, my available memory does not change (102 mb)
Does that mean that firefox was already on the sd card ?
In that case how do I know what eats up my data storage ?
Thanks for precisions ?
Do you use A2SD+ together with an EXT3 partition.
If so, every app you install will get installed on the EXT3 partition on your SD-card together with the Dalvik cache, instead of your internal phone memory. If you move this app with the Froyo A2SD tool to the SD card then you'll move the app from the EXT3 partition to your FAT32 partition, stupid.
However, every app, while running, creates some temporary data files. Those files remain on the internal phone memory. And maybe Firefox mobile creates some huge data files, but the main app is installed on the EXT3 partition, now, because you moved it with Froyo A2SD, a small part is installed on the EXT3 partition and some part, the moved on the FAT32 partition. The created data remains untouched.
I had 106 MB free internal memory. Then I installed Firefox and still had 106MB free. I started Firefox, 103 MB free.
Diskusage tells me Firefox needs 2.81MB internal memory. 2.81MB of this is data.
In the Android app settings android tells me Firefox occupies 16.19 MB, 13.38 MB for the app, 2.81 MB data.
So those 13.38 MB are located on the EXT3 partition. If I move Firefox now, parts of the 13.38 MB get moved from the SD card to the SD card.
Ah, I get it now. Thank you very much. I did everything you said, so it should be ok now. So there is no need anymore to move apps, with widgets for instance, to the memory of the phone?
Thanks!
If you use app2sd with the ext partition now, then no, you don't have to move any app or widget around, and you shouldn't.
With Quick System Info you can check how much free space is left on your ext partition.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
My phone is rooted and I'm using OpenDesire (4.0.36) with Apps2SD. My phone has recently started telling me it can't receive text messages due to having low space. I opened Quick System Info and it's reporting this for the storage:
SD card storage: Total 3.21GB, Free: 1.61GB
A2SD storage: Total: 457MB, Free: 180MB
Internal storage: Total: 148MB, Free: 5.12MB
System storage: Total: 250MB, Free: 155MB
System cache: Total: 40.00MB, Free: 12.16MB
I presumed it was the internal storage that was the issue so I uninstalled a few apps which brought it up to 19.63MB free and things seem fine now. I'm confused though as I'm using Apps2SD so nothing should be being installed in the internal storage, should it?
I've got plenty of Apps2SD space left but I can't install any more apps if they're going to start using up my internal storage.
Can I find out what's using up my internal storage space?
Read up on how A2SD+ works. Either use search or start here. (feels like I'm repeating myself)
/data/data is probably using most of your space.
I did search and I had read that before but I knew it anyway. That's why I was posting because I knew that using A2SD shouldn't be using this much internal memory.
However, I noticed in the comments that someone was having the same issue as me and did a cachesdreset to sort it out. I've just opened up a shell on my phone using adb but the a2sd executable doesn't seem to exist. I looked in /system/bin and even did "find / -name a2sd" but it didn't find it.
I presume this means I have to install Darktremor Apps2SD? Presumably OpenDesire doesn't come with it.
For the a2sd script look in /system/etc/init.d
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
TheGhost1233 said:
For the a2sd script look in /system/etc/init.d
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Nope, not in there either. But I wouldn't really expect it to be as an executable shouldn't exist in the init scripts directory.
I'm sure it's not on my phone otherwise it would have been found when I did "find / -name a2sd".
I think you're right about it being my /data/data directory. I just changed to that directory and did "du -h" and it's coming out at 120MB which seems really big.
What is this directory exactly? Can I get away with deleting these files?
Doing "ln -al" in /data shows that the symlinks are set up for the app and dalvik-cache directories so I know that's all ok.
/data/data is mostly used for lib's that come with the apps you installed and cache, I presume cache can be safely deleted, but the lib's can't be deleted.
Have you ever tried do delete the cache, especially the browser cache. I don't know if on 2.2 it's the same but on 2.3 there is a option to clear cache if you go to settings-applications-manage applications, otherwise try a cache cleaner from the market.
Cool, thanks. I'll have a look.
Actually, I seem to remember that Quick System Info has a button for clearing cache from all the applications.
Is this safe to do? I presume I won't lose anything important?
Never done it so I don't know for sure, but I would be surprised if it would delete important files. If you want to be sure wait for a answer from someone how has done it before or make a nandroid.
Forgive me if this has been asked/answered before. I found similar threads related to the /system partition, but nothing related to the /data partition.
I'm running a custom ROM with A2SD (sd:ext)-- specifically, an ample 1GB partition on /system/sd. As you're probably aware, /data/app symlinks to /system/sd/app. Currently, I have 52MB free on /data, and 355MB free on /system/sd.
Here is my situation:
I have a large app (74MB) installed in .android_secure. Since I don't want apps in .android_secure (for my own personal irrelevant reasons), I would typically go into Settings->Applications (or TitaniumBackup) and actually move the app to the phone (which puts it into /data/app, hence /system/sd/app). The problem is that the system's move program that moves the app calculates the free space on the /data partition (52MB) instead of the free space in the finer destination, which is /system/sd/app (355MB), and ultimately rejects the move because it doesn't think there is enough free space (when there really is).
I was thinking of resizing the /data partition to "trick" the move program. But the only thing I can really steal space from is the /system partition, which isn't such a great idea. Seeing as my dalvik cache and app data takes up 350MB (or about 85%) of the /data partition, I'm further concerned I might eat up my /data partition, even without apps installed directly on it!!!
How have others dealt with this problem? I've seen some stuff about moving the dalvik cache to the sd card, though there are much better arguments AGAINST doing that.
Any help is much appreciated!
Related commands (FYI):
df -k - Shows the storage allocation and usage by partition
du -hs <path> - Calculates the free space (recursively) for given path. Note: it will not include any data within any symlinks.
Perhaps I don't understand the purpose of sd-ext/4ext/a2sd etc [I'm sure this is the case!]
I'm running the Aurora v3 rom - basically a sense2.1 with an ext partition. I cannot understand why I've 128mb free in /data after installing pretty much all my apps yet I'm getting insufficient storage errors; I can't install anything despite having a lot of /data free- it seems if my sd-ext if nearly full I can't use my /data?
1. The rom's files flash to /system, and a few to /data. As it's large, we partition the sd card with a 4ext part of say 342mb for overspill of the system/data files.
2. If we change the hboot (to cm7) such that the /system is smaller - overflowing into sd-ext - we get a larger /data partition for apps on the internal memory. (I've done this for for Oxygen/Redux roms and had over 340mb /data with no sd-ext.) Thus alpharev say's we'd get 287mb /data.
3. This rom installs apps to /sd-ext, and/or /data[?]; in Android's App usage I'm reporting 152mb used, 135mb free (the 287mb /data?); and 128mb free storage.
4. 4ext recovery reports 1.7mb free of 342mb for sd-ext - it's full. Which makes sense if apps install to /sd-ext, but why not fill the internal /data first? adb shell df -h gives:
Code:
Filesystem Size Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/mtdblock4 5.0M 796.0K 4.2M 16% /cache
/dev/block/mmcblk0p1 7.1G 4.5G 2.6G 63% /sdcard
/dev/block/mtdblock5 287.6M 159.3M 128.3M 55% /data
/dev/block/mmcblk0p2 331.3M 329.6M 1.7M 99% /sd-ext
/dev/block/mtdblock3 145.0M 122.8M 22.2M 85% /system
5. To me this means /data has 128mb free for apps; sd-ext is full with system files and apps - seeming to me that apps take space up on both /data and /sd-ext, duplicating space usage. Obviously I'm wrong on this but that's how I see my space disappearing lol Yet I cannot install any apps as I've insufficient storage.
6. Clearly I'm misunderstanding things after installing just 150mb apps and thinking I'd have 287mb of apps /data, not just /sd-ext: why shrink hboot's /system to make a large /data if the apps go to sd-ext?
7. I've not moved dalvik cache to sd as I thought I'd not need to given the seemingly large /data, and it's free amount. Clearly I can do so but why isn't my /data space available?
Sorry for long post and sounding dumb, I'm really trying not to be!
These Roms use sdext for both Rom and part of the apps and possibly dalvik too. Traditionally it would just be apps and maybe dalvik.
With these bigger roms, you need bigger ext to get the same. Yes when ext is full, you can't install anything. Maybe you need a bigger ext partition
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Thanks for the reply.
That's what I thought - I just cannot understand why I cannot use the free /data though; what's the point of changing to the CM7 hboot when your /data is limited to that of the sd-ext? Isn't it doubling up on storage use by apps, placing them in sd-ext and /data, and when one is full you can't utilise the other?
Sorry for sounding stupid, it just makes no sense to me.
btw I checked out your dGB, looks great. I do love miinimalist roms but also prize my Sense-720p'd camera!
No its not doubling up. The point is that /data/app and /data/dalvik-cache are symlinked to /sd-ext/app and /sd-ext/dalvik-cache.
However, /data/data where the libs, preferences and databases are, remain on /data/data
So when you install an .apk, it installs the app to /sd-ext/app, the dalvik is created on /sd-ext/dalvik-cache and the libs & db's etc will install to /data/data
If sd-ext is full, there is no where for the apk to go.
Thanks for clearing that up for me, I feel kinda stupid - I just couldn't get my head around it: why the nand wasn't being used for apk placement but I see they are split up and components spread over the combined sd-ext and /data. Thanks!
No probs. Not seen you on AF for a while?
OT
Android Forum? = xda? I've been offline a lot recently as this Indian Summer has made for some prime ultrarunning weather, but also takes a ton of time (by definition) although I've been rocking Redux/Aurora roms recently. Just been perusing the Desire forum today and there's been a ton of awesome rom progress since my last visit. I remember your help and work on Redux/thread/pm, great stuff. Still a beginner but it's very interesting learning this stuff, just also takes a lot of time for a non programmer!
Of potential note, 'found' a bug in gnu parted trying to partition out a 512mb 4ext sd-ext via 4EXTRecovery (madmaxx82 located it, I merely experienced it!) Always feels good to in a tiny way contribute
Dear XDA forum,
since a few roms i always get a "low on storage" warning, even after factory reset and flashing a new rom.
So i'd want to ask for a small summery of what storage there is inside the desire and on the sdcard and how to solve this problem
My sdcard is 16GB class 10. I didnt partition it manually (i think).
according to my desire it has effective 14.2gb.about 2gb are used and 4gb are free? that doesnt sound right.
so i guess its 2 partitions?
could anyone please tell me which mountpoint is which?
and how do i solve the low storage problem? do i need some a2sd script or do i have to more the internal storage to the sdcard?
which mountpoints do the scripts actarlly move?
i have no problem with repartitioning my sdcard. i was given to understand that u usually need a fat32 partition (for apps i guess) and an ext2/3 partition afterwards. some scripts even allow a swap partition at the end of the sdcard to be used as swap space. is that a good idea?
i know its a lot of questions :/ but i hope for some good answers :>
thanks & greetings,
soomon
my advice would be to backup your sd card and (re)partition using gparted, start from scratch because I don't know what your current configuration is, step 5 here
choose ext3/ext4 partition (max ~1.5GB) depending on rom requirements, most support ext4 and should be slightly faster. most roms don't need swap partition.
in simple terms, your space will get taken up by apps (apks), dalvik cache, app cache and app data. most custom roms will automatically move apks to your sd-ext partition. there are various different scripts which move the other bits around. generally it is better to keep app data on internal (/data partition)
regardless of which rom you choose, use an app like 'diskusage' to browse all your partitions, so you can work out where and how all your space is being use.
to maximise space you also need to be s-off and correct hboot for the rom (again should be stated within each rom thread, or search within it)
ok so the first partition on the sdcard will become my sd-ext which will replace the /data partition on the internal storage.
I guess is hould try data2sd then?
with a class 10 it should not get that slow and i get loads of space on that partition.
thanks for your help.
also use links2d,very usefull.....
hi again,
as i see in a terminal emulator by typing "df -h"
my data is 150mb and has 15mb left, so i guess i better moe the whole partition to the sdcard as i'd have to move all the apps to the sdcard anyway sooner or later.
my /system has only 5mb of 250mb left. is that a problem?
soomon said:
hi again,
as i see in a terminal emulator by typing "df -h"
my data is 150mb and has 15mb left, so i guess i better moe the whole partition to the sdcard as i'd have to move all the apps to the sdcard anyway sooner or later.
my /system has only 5mb of 250mb left. is that a problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
depends entirely what rom you're running if any, and what scripts it uses. basically you should be able to find some way to install many apps without running out of space (one of the main reasons for rooting in the first place ).
with your current setup, you could try something like link2sd to just move apps and dalvik to sd, see if you have enough space that way. you shouldnt have to manually 'move to sd', keeping them on 'internal' tricks them to sd-ext. (you can use something like 'diskusage' to check they're actually on the sd-ext)
the system partition is meant to be mostly full. free space on /system is wasted space.
you're still on stock hboot, which is why your data partition is so small.
if you install another rom, many of them have a smaller system size, so if you're s-off you can flash a different hboot to repartition your internal memory layout: your system size will reduce to roughly match your rom, and the saved space is converted into extra data space, see alpharev.nl for hboots.
e.g. if your rom system is 140MB, will fit nicely into cm7r2 hboot with 145MB system, and you get 287MB of data instead of 150MB. 287MB can be enough to store app data and dalvik cache if you don't have too many apps.
i refer you to these sets of guides for further reading, should explain a lot more, and better than i have...
thanks eddie,
i'm still s-on and stock hboot, but i use a custom rom: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1766550
i guess the problem is that LBE gues 4 and lookout together need over 22mb of space :/
i'll try link2sd then.
thanks!
hm.. when i try to install link2sd i get "insufficient storage available". that program is not even 1MB in size and i have 15mb of free space on the internal storage.. what can i do?
edit: i'll try to install it at home with an adb tool. maybe i have more luck with that.
follow instructions for a2sd with that rom (scroll down). this will move apps and dalvik to sd-ext automatically. or follow/search the thread for other methods, it's regularly discussed...
[not used link2sd, it should in theory do the same thing, but my advice would be to stick with the instructions as that's the recommended way if you really need/want to install link2sd...uninstall something else to make more space ]
ofc removing apps might help (althrough i only installed 2 or 3). but 15mb should be enough to install a 800kb software
gonna try to install some apps later after running a2sd.
thanks a lot man didnt see that information.