Develop Bugs

[Q] What does partitioning do?

I've seen posts mentioning partitioning but what is it?
and what is the Swap size?
and does it really improve speed and such?

If you want to use link2sd or similar then you need at least two partitions on your sd card, I have a 1gb ext4 and 512mb swap. The ext4 is for link2sd which, to simplfy it, uses part of your sd card as an extension of internal memory meaning an ability to install more apps or leaving more internal memory free; the swap partition is for linux swap, which won't make a huge difference, maybe only noticable if you use your phone heavily.

sinkster said:
If you want to use link2sd or similar then you need at least two partitions on your sd card, I have a 1gb ext4 and 512mb swap. The ext4 is for link2sd which, to simplfy it, uses part of your sd card as an extension of internal memory meaning an ability to install more apps or leaving more internal memory free; the swap partition is for linux swap, which won't make a huge difference, maybe only noticable if you use your phone heavily.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After seeing this thread I've installed Link2SD & wondered what the best way to Partition my SD Card was. Should I use a Linux distribution or the Partitioning feature in CWM?
Roland
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

Using cwm will wipe your sdcard. Use Linux, or on windows use partition wizard.
sinkster©

sinkster said:
Using cwm will wipe your sdcard. Use Linux, or on windows use partition wizard.
sinkster©
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll be using a new 32GB SD Card as my current 8GB one will not get much mileage with apps, app data and other files.
Roland
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

I'm using the Link2SD and I can move system apps to the partitions, but is this safe to do?
Like if I plug in my USB to my pc and I have an important app in teh partition will it just crash my phone?

Android will only unmount the first partition. The second partition (which is used by Link2SD) will not be touched, so everything is safe.

Would moving everything off the internal memory save battery? or would it have no effect?
and if the SD cards read and write speeds are faster than the internal memory would that make it faster?

If you have an sdcard that has faster r/w speeds than internal memory then yes. If that's possible...
sinkster©

I've tried using ext2,ext3 & ext4 and link2sd says its not a compatable file system and even fat32 doesn't even work. What am I doing wrong?
Roland
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

With mine, cwm made a ext3
Is your phone rooted? Links2SD needs root permission
Here's the guide I used

SevenD2 said:
With mine, cwm made a ext3
Is your phone rooted? Links2SD needs root permission
Here's the guide I used
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is rooted, & CWM can't even create an ext partition.
Roland
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

Rolandh said:
My phone is rooted, & CWM can't even create an ext partition.
Roland
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the Guide, you can use MiniTool Partition Wizard to get the partition on your pc

SevenD2 said:
In the Guide, you can use MiniTool Partition Wizard to get the partition on your pc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I've used. I've come to the conclusion that it's down to the Class 10 32GB SD Card that I'm using.
Roland
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

Which kernel are you using? Stock gb kernel doesn't support partitions, ics only ext2. For full partition support you need Doomkernel for gb/ics or Arcknight.
sinkster©

sinkster said:
Which kernel are you using? Stock gb kernel doesn't support partitions, ics only ext2. For full partition support you need Doomkernel for gb/ics or Arcknight.
sinkster©
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using Stock Sony Kernal with ICS. I tried unlocking boot loader, but got bored of waiting ages for Android SDK to install.
Roland
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

It's a pain in the arse, and unless you're unhappy with the way your phone performs probably better sticking with the stock rom.
sinkster©

sinkster said:
It's a pain in the arse, and unless you're unhappy with the way your phone performs probably better sticking with the stock rom.
sinkster©
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. I've trimmed my phone back to virtually the Stock Android that the GNex uses with just the Sony customization that I need like Calendar, Contacts & Dialer, LiveWare Manager, Track ID, Facebook Inside Xperia, Sony Theme & Xperia Gallery, & I'm pretty happy with it at that, compared with the pain of having to wait an eternity for Android SDK to install.
Roland
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

[Q] internal storage/system storage

so i have been removing unwanted system apps with apps2sd, but i havent gotten barely any storage back? So i looked in the manage apps section of ROM toolbox and found that under system apps there is system storage, and under internal there is internal storage. Is there any way to merge the two to get more space?
Sent from my HTC_A510c using XDA

Alaadragonfire said:
Hey there I used to face this problem as you, what you have to do is open the terminal and right in it the following :
su
Then hit enter it will give you access as a super user then type:
a2sd cachesdreset
Now it will move all your dalvik-cache to the ext partition
And you will have around 90 mb free on your internal
Hit thanks if it helped you
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I try this one also...thanks for the info

I noticed it said partition? Does this mean i need to partition my sd card? Because i have been holding off on that until i back my sd card up.
Sent from my HTC_A510c using XDA

Yea you have to make 2 partitions one is fat32 and the other is ext2 but back everything on the memory card first
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using xda premium

Alaadragonfire said:
Alaadragonfire said:
Hey there I used to face this problem as you, what you have to do is open the terminal and right in it the following :
su
Then hit enter it will give you access as a super user then type:
a2sd cachesdreset
Now it will move all your dalvik-cache to the ext partition
And you will have around 90 mb free on your internal
Hit thanks if it helped you
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My 2GB SD Card has 3 partitions, the 1st is FAT(810mb), the 2nd is EXT2(510mb), and the 3rd is SWAP LINUX(512mb). When I typed the command above I saw a couple options checked in square brackets:
[x] No a2sd.swap environment variable found
[x] Problem detected: Darktremor Apps2SD may not have ran
[x] EXT partition is not mounted. Cannot continue.
Is there any way to fix it? Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

What is the ROM you are using? it seems it doesn't support a2sd anyway go to the play store and download an app called a2sdgui then open it and go to info tab check if it show your ext partition and swap if it does go to tab dalvik and press on move dalvik to sd ext then it will reboot and its gonna take some time to boot as well don't worry once it start go to storage info and your internal storage should be around 90 mb or more
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using xda premium

if you r using custom rom and it support Data2sd then istall data2sd.. after the partition creation...

Alaadragonfire said:
What is the ROM you are using? it seems it doesn't support a2sd anyway go to the play store and download an app called a2sdgui then open it and go to info tab check if it show your ext partition and swap if it does go to tab dalvik and press on move dalvik to sd ext then it will reboot and its gonna take some time to boot as well don't worry once it start go to storage info and your internal storage should be around 90 mb or more
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do I see my ROM?
I downloaded the app as you said and looks like it is working now, but when I press the "Swap is deactivated!" button in the first tab, it doesn't turn on. I formatted my 2SD card in CWM
EXT Partition: 512MB
SWAP: 256
Now , back on my PC, it shows that my card has only 1.12GB size. I don't know how to put my swap to work. Any idea would be great appreciatted.

Completely Format the SD card.. with any LLF(Low level Format) tools. It Just erase the partition Info and make it fresh. then Just use Partition manager such as Minitool, Easus partition to create FAT, ex3 or ex4, the swap. Then do the same process.

balakrishnan111 said:
Completely Format the SD card.. with any LLF(Low level Format) tools. It Just erase the partition Info and make it fresh. then Just use Partition manager such as Minitool, Easus partition to create FAT, ex3 or ex4, the swap. Then do the same process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I formated only the last partition, which is the swap partition, using Mini Tool Wizard Partition Home Edition, and it still not working. I am afraid to format the whole card because I don't know how to recover all the apps that I already downloaded and installed. Would you know to do it? I got a back up in my PC hard drive. Only moving the files into back the card is not enough because I can't see it in my phone.

Portugah said:
I formated only the last partition, which is the swap partition, using Mini Tool Wizard Partition Home Edition, and it still not working. I am afraid to format the whole card because I don't know how to recover all the apps that I already downloaded and installed. Would you know to do it? I got a back up in my PC hard drive. Only moving the files into back the card is not enough because I can't see it in my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use root explorer to copy the apk files of your downloaded applications.u can find that in data/apps.....
Sent from my Wildfire S using XDA

How do I change my ROM? which ROM do you recomend for my Device? WILDFIRE S Metro Pcs?
---------- Post added at 09:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 PM ----------
Alaadragonfire said:
What is the ROM you are using? it seems it doesn't support a2sd anyway go to the play store and download an app called a2sdgui then open it and go to info tab check if it show your ext partition and swap if it does go to tab dalvik and press on move dalvik to sd ext then it will reboot and its gonna take some time to boot as well don't worry once it start go to storage info and your internal storage should be around 90 mb or more
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I change my ROM? is there any tutorial? which ROM should I use?
---------- Post added at 09:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 PM ----------
Can I change my ROM and install a better one? Which ROM should I use? is there any tutorial?

There aren't tutorials on what ROM you might choose. There is probably a sticky that list the ROMs with links to threads. You can go to the various threads, read, and make an informed choice... Or keep asking for ppl's opinion. You will find ROMs vary and you may prefer one for say the pretty widgets; Another might want a minimalist ROM. Not really a best rom; there is only what you feel is best for you.
Rob
Sent from my HTC_A510c using Tapatalk 2

Stupid Link2SD problem

Hello Guys, i need help.
I followed this guide to create a Link2sd system.
http://www.xperiablog.net/2011/12/12/link2sd-guide-never-worry-about-internal-memory-limits-again/
Link2SD Partition is FAT32 primary, other one is also FAT32.
My problem is, after moving my apps i have a lot of free space in internal memory. After the reboot, which takes some time, some apps are missing, and i have no free space anymore in my internal memory. What am i doing wrong? I´ve wiped dalvik cache through CWM, but that didn´t help. However, I can restore old system through CWM Backup, but i want a system with working Link2sd.
Using .69 rom.
Any tips?

UNCUT88RAW said:
Hello Guys, i need help.
I followed this guide to create a Link2sd system.
http://www.xperiablog.net/2011/12/12/link2sd-guide-never-worry-about-internal-memory-limits-again/
Link2SD Partition is FAT32 primary, other one is also FAT32.
My problem is, after moving my apps i have a lot of free space in internal memory. After the reboot, which takes some time, some apps are missing, and i have no free space anymore in my internal memory. What am i doing wrong? I´ve wiped dalvik cache through CWM, but that didn´t help. However, I can restore old system through CWM Backup, but i want a system with working Link2sd.
Using .69 rom.
Any tips?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't use fat32, ext4 is much better
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk 2

fma965 said:
I wouldn't use fat32, ext4 is much better
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, ext4 is what I use also, helps a lot.
Sent from my R800x using xda app-developers app

brsingr said:
Yes, ext4 is what I use also, helps a lot.
Sent from my R800x using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use ext4 too, it's awesome!
Sent from my Xperia Play!

Okay, when it seems to be this problem then i´m using ext format. But ext4 can only be used with some kernels, doomlords one right?But i thought it´s some kind of dalvik cache problem. I read that some people on a german forum pointing of that. But anyways, i´ll try ext3, want to see if it works better.

Now i know what the issue was: You can link max.10 apps at once, than you need to restart phone. Guess that was the problem. I linked too much apps at once and dalvik cache had a problem with it. But thx anyways for responding.

UNCUT88RAW said:
Okay, when it seems to be this problem then i´m using ext format. But ext4 can only be used with some kernels, doomlords one right?But i thought it´s some kind of dalvik cache problem. I read that some people on a german forum pointing of that. But anyways, i´ll try ext3, want to see if it works better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FYI, ext4 works on Doom kernel v14 for Gingerbread and on the Lupus kernel for ICS beta (I tried these)
Sent from my Xperia Play!

Low memory at boot
I have an odd problem ,,, Upon boot my phone has very low internal memory and I get an error.
About 1 to 2 minutes after boot, all of a sudden I get a large chunk of it back ... is something corrupt in my LINK2SD setup ?
The internal memory is so low at boot sometimes that it starts to F/C apps and sometimes doesn't even load the SIM card ...

Lib, dex files ?
... it seems to be the linking of LIB & DEX files upon boot, if I turn the option off within LINK2SD the memory stays low, if I switch it on and reboot then after about 100 seconds the memory comes back ...
Does this mean I will always 'owe' back the internal memory from LINK2SD ?
I thought LINK2SD symlinked to the files, which to my understanding was just a small shortcut places on the internal pointing back to the EXT partition
When the memory drops low at boot, it makes things FC error

When I link the lib and apk files, Link2SD works grandly. Maybe it's the dex files that's causing issues? Or maybe you chose the wrong file system when you first ran Link2SD?

[SOLVED] link2SD partition size

Hi All,
I have the R800i running the following
Android Version: 2.3.4
Build Number: 4.0.2.A.0.42
I am about to update firmware to .79 and flash DoomKernel v14 and JokaWild Rom but want to install link2SD, I have a 64gb class 10 sandisk SD and wondered if anyone could advise what size I should make my 2nd partition.
Also should iIformat this partition to FAT32, est.2, ext.3, or ext.4?
Thanks in advance!

Re: link2SD partition size
I made a 1.5gb partition as ext2 on my 32gb sd. Installed loads of games and used about half of that space
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

BensJammin said:
I made a 1.5gb partition as ext2 on my 32gb sd. Installed loads of games and used about half of that space
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is this what people recommend?
1.5gb partition formatted to .ext2

Re: link2SD partition size
It depends how many apps you have. I have around 174 apps linked and this is how my storage is:
I've had to increase the size of the partition multiple times
Sent from my R800i using xda-developers app.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

UndisputedGuy said:
It depends how many apps you have. I have around 174 apps linked and this is how my storage is:
I've had to increase the size of the partition multiple times
Sent from my R800i using xda-developers app.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
very nice! by your attached pic, that is what i'm after. unfortunately, i can't get my 64gb microSD card to create a 2nd partition properly. which file system did you select for the 2nd partition? also, what ROM and Kernel are you using?

I think I am using ext2. I used Minitool to create the partition. When that screenshot was taken, I was using Xperia NXT and DoomKernel.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

Hi, I have a 32GB sd card and I want to install lot of games on it (ie. 1 game has 1.5gb, the other 1gb...) so I was wondering if i can partition 15GB for apps (the Ext2 )and the rest (Fat32) for Data, pics...

Younesbkl said:
Hi, I have a 32GB sd card and I want to install lot of games on it (ie. 1 game has 1.5gb, the other 1gb...) so I was wondering if i can partition 15GB for apps (the Ext2 )and the rest (Fat32) for Data, pics...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can, but a 15GB partition is excessive if you're simply linking apps there. You'd want your Fat32 partition to be larger as that's where the game data goes, the link partition would likely be fine at 3GB
Sent from my R800i using xda-developers app.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.

Make bigger partition.

Hi I currently have 512mb partition how do I change it to 1gb thanks. I'm using 4ext recovery.
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium

dodge67 said:
Hi I currently have 512mb partition how do I change it to 1gb thanks. I'm using 4ext recovery.
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know how to make partitions with 4ext. You cant do it without losing data. Unless you use gparted
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda app-developers app

I recommend to backup your sd card to pc first.
Then backup your sd-ext partition within 4ext if you have a stuff on the partition.
Within 4ext there should be an option to format sd partitions, then repartition with 1gb. Consider increasing it to 1.5gb if you have spare fat32 space and want to install even more apps.
Finally restore sd contents from pc and sd-ext from recovery.

Thanks guys. I thought I might be able to just increase it without doing anything else but obviously can't. Thanks again.
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium

dodge67 said:
Thanks guys. I thought I might be able to just increase it without doing anything else but obviously can't. Thanks again.
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can just increase it without losing data.
What were you expecting?

Thought could do it in recovery without needing anything else.
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium

dodge67 said:
Thought could do it in recovery without needing anything else.
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In 4ext, you can use the "keep fat32 partition". It will save your data.

dodge67 said:
Thought could do it in recovery without needing anything else.
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can as above, I just recommend backing things up before just in case

how big can you make the EXT4 partition?
Hi Guys,
I am using a rather old ROM (LeeDroid) and I already increased the EXT 4 to 1Gb.
However, the phone still got full with apps.
Now I bought a bigger card, increased the EXT 4 to 2 GB, but the phone (or ROM) doesn't seem to recognize it...still cant install new apps...
Are there limitations I don't know? Is there a max size of the EXT4?
Thanks for any help...
eddiehk6 said:
I recommend to backup your sd card to pc first.
Then backup your sd-ext partition within 4ext if you have a stuff on the partition.
Within 4ext there should be an option to format sd partitions, then repartition with 1gb. Consider increasing it to 1.5gb if you have spare fat32 space and want to install even more apps.
Finally restore sd contents from pc and sd-ext from recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

pbeutler said:
Hi Guys,
I am using a rather old ROM (LeeDroid) and I already increased the EXT 4 to 1Gb.
However, the phone still got full with apps.
Now I bought a bigger card, increased the EXT 4 to 2 GB, but the phone (or ROM) doesn't seem to recognize it...still cant install new apps...
Are there limitations I don't know? Is there a max size of the EXT4?
Thanks for any help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theres no actual maximum limit, but it highly recommended that you dont make the ext partition more than 1.5gb

OK, thanks, I will reduce it, but is that why the phone doesnt see the increase?
The change I made didnt make ANY difference...
chromium96 said:
Theres no actual maximum limit, but it highly recommended that you dont make the ext partition more than 1.5gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

pbeutler said:
OK, thanks, I will reduce it, but is that why the phone doesnt see the increase?
The change I made didnt make ANY difference...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can't just swap cards. have you restored restored the ext4 partition from the old card to the new card?
also depends which leedroid rom you are using. you can get much more space by changing hboot and installing the data++ version of his HD port, read the FAQ. this approach requires s-off.
you don't see the increase because a2sd won't report internal memory as "internal + ext". apps get moved to ext automatically. keep them on internal will trick them to sd-ext, i.e. don't manually 'move to sd'
you can use more of the ext space by also moving dalvik to sd-ext, search the leedroid threads on in that FAQ for flashable dalvik to sd zips. there will always be a limit depending on how many apps you install.
i always recommend using an app like 'diskusage' to browse all your partitions, that way you know exactly how they are filling up

Chief,
Thanks for your responses so far... I am thinking to "upgrade" but the LeeDroid 3.3.3 Data ++ ROM is no longer available to download it seems..
Any idea where I might find it?
Thanks again.
eddiehk6 said:
you can't just swap cards. have you restored restored the ext4 partition from the old card to the new card?
also depends which leedroid rom you are using. you can get much more space by changing hboot and installing the data++ version of his HD port, read the FAQ. this approach requires s-off.
you don't see the increase because a2sd won't report internal memory as "internal + ext". apps get moved to ext automatically. keep them on internal will trick them to sd-ext, i.e. don't manually 'move to sd'
you can use more of the ext space by also moving dalvik to sd-ext, search the leedroid threads on in that FAQ for flashable dalvik to sd zips. there will always be a limit depending on how many apps you install.
i always recommend using an app like 'diskusage' to browse all your partitions, that way you know exactly how they are filling up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse