Develop Bugs

[Q] Ext2 required for SD card apps (AuraxTSense rom)?

Hi,
I'm confused about the right way to run the Desire with apps on the SD card. I'm running AuraxTSense with a FAT 32 formatted SD card.
I was able to ADB and run pm setInstallLocation 2, and I have the option tomove apps to the SD card, In addition, Titanium Backup and Apps2Sd reports that most of my apps are successfully located on SD card. Also, on the SD card, I see an "ASEC" directory that seems to contain most of my apps; I thought that this was an indication that the apps were located there.
However, it doesn't seem like moving apps to the SD card has worked properly. Whenever I install an app, it looks like it goes on the SD card, but I lose the size of the app from my internal memory. Also, when I uninstall, the corresponding amount of space frees up in my internal memory. I've verified this with the DiskUsage app.
Has anyone else noticed anything like this? Should I have created an Ext2 partition for apps to successfully install just to the SD card?

Hey there,
It seems as if you are just using Froyo's built-in apps on SD card function.
This just takes some of the files from the app and places them in .android_secure on the SD card, but large parts of the application may still remain in internal memory.
You can see just how much is left in your internal memory by scrolling to an app in Settings > Applications > Manage Applications. The "total" space taken in this screen is the space taken on your internal memory.
I'm afraid this is the best Froyo can do. If you have moved all apps to SD card you can and you're still running out of space, you may need to install a custom ROM with Apps2SD.
Hope this helps

aha.
Thanks, that cleared things up for me. I was puzzled when I did this
- checked cardiotrainer in 'Manage Applications', saw 2.5 mb total
- moved it to the phone, checked 'Manage Applications', saw 7.3 mb total
- moved it to SD card, saw 2.5 mb again
I didn't realize that the "total" was just the total in internal memory, and that only a portion of the app was getting moved.
thanks very much for the clarification.

craigcharlie said:
I didn't realize that the "total" was just the total in internal memory, and that only a portion of the app was getting moved.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "whole" of the app itself gets moved to SD card.
What does not get moved is:
1. The Dalvik cache entries
2. Any data stored in /data/data
Note that no version of "legacy" A2SD (i.e. those using an EXT partition on SD card) moves /data/data to SD card due to stability concerns.
Personally, I use Froyo A2SD, but compress the Dalvik cache using fusecompress.
Regards,
Dave

That's more great info, thank you.
After doing some research, I noticed that the AuraxTSense ROM supported Apps2Sd and Dalvik2Sd, both of which require an ext2 partition.
I decided to take the plunge and format my SD card to add an ext2 partition.
I used the following steps
- backed up everything to sdcard with titanium backup
- backed up all sdcard data to my pc
- used ROM manager to partition the card (512mb ext, 64 mb swap)
I've since rebooted and now my storage is reported at 122 mb, instead of 18
Simply put, this rocks. I've just copied all my data back to the SD card (including the ASEC folder, the apps I'd 'moved' to the card before relied on these files) and my apps seem to be working fine.
Now that I have all this space, I can actually move the more intensive apps back to the phone now, since this should increase performance.
thanks to all who answered, I hope this thread helps some people who were as frustrated as I was by the lack of space on this awesome phone!

foxmeister said:
The "whole" of the app itself gets moved to SD card.
What does not get moved is:
1. The Dalvik cache entries
2. Any data stored in /data/data
Note that no version of "legacy" A2SD (i.e. those using an EXT partition on SD card) moves /data/data to SD card due to stability concerns.
Personally, I use Froyo A2SD, but compress the Dalvik cache using fusecompress.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@foxmeister
Pls how do you do the fuse compress, need a guide.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

@scorror
Look at this thread here.
I suggest you read the entire thread, but post #29 contains the update zip relevant to the kernel on my device.
Regards,
Dave

Just another update to say that my phone is working great.
It's like a completely different phone. I thought that 2 or 3 FCs a day were normal. I haven't had one since I moved to this method.
I'd like to highlight that I unset pm setInstallLocation.
To be honest, I think that that caused many of my problems. I had several apps whose widgets kept disappearing after lock/reboot. after unsetting setInstallLOcation and reinstalling the offending apps, the widgets are no longer disappearing.
The phone seems faster as well. I read a comment some where that AuraxTSense might seem a bit slower if you didn't have an ext2 partition, and I have to say that in my experience this is definitely the case.

I partitioned my SD card for A2SD but i only see 1/10th of my partition?

I used my recovery (psfMod http://psfmod.klutsh.com/) to partition my SD card. I chose my EXT to be 1024mb (1gb) and my swap to be 0
when i booted back up, i only gained 100mb of internal phone memory.
Am i not undertsanding how A2SD works? I thought that if you partitioned your SD properly, the internal memory total will increase and everything moves on..
Am i doing something wrong?

Don't worry. You won't see that extra 1gig added to the internal memory but, when you install new apps, the internal memory shouldn't go down much as they are installed to the SD EXT.

Cool
Also, should i uninstall my apps and reinstall them so they get moved to teh SD? or does it not work like that?
Does it merge the iternal and now external partition together as one therefore not needing to move any apps/reinstall apps?

zoltrix said:
Cool
Also, should i uninstall my apps and reinstall them so they get moved to teh SD? or does it not work like that?
Does it merge the iternal and now external partition together as one therefore not needing to move any apps/reinstall apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No don't move to SD as you might get data loss. Internal/Telephone Memory now IS the SD (Ext)

elburna said:
No don't move to SD as you might get data loss. Internal/Telephone Memory now IS the SD (Ext)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no internal memory is not now the SD-Ext, all apps2sd+ does is create a symlink between /data/app/, the dalvik cache and the newly created /system/sd/app/ and /system/sd/dalvik cache (a.k.a) the Ext partiton, all application data and device data is still stored in /data/data/ taking up device space ..... but your right to say you dont have to move any apps ect

So right now i got internal memory (118mb or so?) + my now 1GB partition.
so i got 1118MB or so . cool

I dont think that you can fill up 1GB before the internal memory is full...

Isn't that the point though? the ext partition is additional space, so you no longer need to worry about the internal memory

Yes but as said a part of each app will still go to the phone. So internal *might* be full before EXT.

Ahh, makes sense. Now i know why installing the 10+mb skype app put 3mb on my phone
thanks

1 GB is probably too much. 512mb is the recommended size.

sbdags said:
1 GB is probably too much. 512mb is the recommended size.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it bad? or it jus wont get used?

About A2SD+

my a2sd storage is 683mb and internal storage is 63mb, what if my internal storage is full, what will happen, the left over file i install will go to a2sd storage? or it shows my internal memory is full and some apps need to be delete?

When internal memory is full you have to delete apps or if you have space on system partition left you can move them from /data/app to /system/app.
If you really want to install a lot of apps you might want to look in to changing your MDT partition or using Data2sd.

Bear in mind that you can also use cache cleaners to free up some space.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

then there's no point to get a a2sd+ partition more than 500mb right?

Is there a way to choose your apps to install to internal storage or a2sd+ storage?

You can make a partition of 512 MB, which should be suffice. If you plan on installing hundreds of apps, you may want to set your partition to 1024 MB.
You can choose to either install apps either to internal memory or partially (the app data) to external storage (sd card) in Settings > Applications > Manage Applications. Select the app, select 'Move to phone' or 'Move to SD card'. After installation of some apps, by default, will either install to internal memory or to the SD card.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Here's a question I wondered about A2SD...
When you connect phone to USB/PC and mount the SD card as mass storage then the phone can't use the SD. Any apps which were installed on the normal SD partition (using Froyo move to SD) would stop working.
Am I right in assuming that this isn't true for the rooted A2SD EXTx partition - As windows can't see the EXTx partition would I be correct in thinking the phone would still have it mounted correctly. Apps installed on there (SMS app etc) would continue to work when the SD was mounted by PC. I currently have my card formatted with an EXT3 partition, but I'm running a non A2SD rom.
I noticed that ChompSMS now has the standard 'move app to SD' available, but I assumed that doing so would prevent the SMS working if my phone connected to PC for file transfers.
Ta.

Yes ext will stay mounted.

Is there a way to keep security apps such as track and protect or protector on the internal memory? Otherwise they would be easy to disable by just removing the sd card.

Internal Storage?

In the Settings/SD & phone Storage, it shows
SD CARD
Total Space: 1.9GB
Available Space: 1.1GB
INTERNAL STORAGE
Total Space: 6.6GB
Available Space: 6.2GB
PHONE MEMORY
Total Space: 748MB
Available Space: 210MB
Is it possible to move my apps to INTERNAL STORAGE? I tried Link2SD and App 2 SD, but it doesn't allow me to move my apps to internal storage, only from phone to SD card. Thanks!

I don't think that it is possible to move apps to the internal storage. I'm not sure why there is such a huge space that is essentially useless on this phone. At any rate, the easiest way to fix any problem that you have been having is by buying a larger SD card. I know that it probably isn't what you wanted to hear but I think it is the easiest solution. I am not 100% sure but I think that the largest SD supported by the dinc is 8gb, I wouldn't mind being able to stick in a 16gb or 32gb and have all of my music readily available instead of using google play but GP is certainly a great alternative, especially with my grandfathered unlimited data I hope this helps!

I do believe CM7 has an option to switch what you use for internal storage.

If your getting the low space warning or just want to install more apps without getting it, then check out the ext4 mod. It moves your apps data from a tiny partition to a much larger partition giving you more room for apps. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1488351

cmlusco said:
If your getting the low space warning or just want to install more apps without getting it, then check out the ext4 mod. It moves your apps data from a tiny partition to a much larger partition giving you more room for apps. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1488351
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't a lot of the ROMs have that mod built in now?

nschiwy said:
Don't a lot of the ROMs have that mod built in now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes there are many that do.

The dinc should support up to 32 Gb sdcards according to the specs. I'm using a 16Gb card with no problems.
Also, as has been said, on CM7 you can switch the mounting of the internal storage (emmc) and the sdcard, so the phone sees the emmc as the sdcard. This would allow you to put apps on the emmc.
I must say it seems a bit odd how HTC set up the partitions on the dinc. It is good for one thing though - if your'e a ROM flashing addict, Boot Manager can install ROMS to the emmc. The emmc is faster than your average sdcard, so it works great.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm not sure, but is this ROM EMMC supported to switch to internal storage?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1267158
It says "EMMC PC mount works" but not sure if I could use this to store my apps in. If it is, do I just drag the apps folders into here?

Any replies would be greatly appreciated!

Guahan said:
Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm not sure, but is this ROM EMMC supported to switch to internal storage?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1267158
It says "EMMC PC mount works" but not sure if I could use this to store my apps in. If it is, do I just drag the apps folders into here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Emc pc mount means when you plug the phone to the pc and select disk drive the sd and emmc mount to the pc. I assume at one point the rom had issues doing so.
Chek out an app called link2sd. It can move apps to both the sdcard an emmc.

cmlusco said:
Emc pc mount means when you plug the phone to the pc and select disk drive the sd and emmc mount to the pc. I assume at one point the rom had issues doing so.
Chek out an app called link2sd. It can move apps to both the sdcard an emmc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Link2SD, it only shows MOVE TO SDCARD, not EMMC..

Guahan said:
In Link2SD, it only shows MOVE TO SDCARD, not EMMC..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the link2sd preferences there is an option to activate saving to emmc.

I see...
Native apps2SD settings > Install Location > Automatic, Internal, or External.
If I choose Internal, it will store the apps in the drive with the 6.6GB?
Update:
It's not saving the apps in the Internal Storage that has 6.6GB, it's either saving it on my phone or sdcard

Guahan said:
I see...
Native apps2SD settings > Install Location > Automatic, Internal, or External.
If I choose Internal, it will store the apps in the drive with the 6.6GB?
Update:
It's not saving the apps in the Internal Storage that has 6.6GB, it's either saving it on my phone or sdcard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm im not sure i havent used it since the ext4 mod came out.

What EXT4 mod? Does it do the same thing?
Is it this one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1488351
I'm not getting a low on space issue, just wanting to move apps to the 6.6 GB internal storage section.

Guahan said:
What EXT4 mod? Does it do the same thing?
Is it this one?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1488351
I'm not getting a low on space issue, just wanting to move apps to the 6.6 GB internal storage section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ext 4 mod moves the /data/data partition on to a folder on the l data partition giving you significantly more space to install apps. You.could mount the emmc as sd an vise versa then mobe apps to the sd card which is actually the emmc.

The link I put, is that it?

Guahan said:
The link I put, is that it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is.

Your 2GB is the MicroSD external card, mounted by CM7 as "SD Card", and is used by almost everything, including app storage.
Your 6.6GB is a partition of the eMMC internal card, advertised as an internal 8GB, mounted by CM7 as "/mnt/emmc", and used by almost nothing. Some people use it as a media drive and place their music, pictures, and videos here.
Your 748MB is a partition of the eMMC internal card, mounted by CM7 as "Internal Storage", and is used by the system and the apps. A 150MB partition within this partition called "/data/data" causes "low on space" problems, which can be fixed by uninstalling certain apps or using the Ext4 mod.
If you didn't upgrade your MicroSD card, and you don't use the eMMc for media, you could force CM7 to use the 6.6GB instead of the 2GB. CM7 usually has an option for this called "Use internal storage" but I can't find it on the CM7 builds for the Incredible. So I used the following procedure instead:
1. Copy all the files in your current SD card to the eMMc
2. Edit the vold.fstab file manually, or download it here: https://www.box.com/s/e66b71720ce28911167d
3. Copy the file over using adb or root explorer
adb
Code:
adb remount
adb push vold.fstab /system/etc/vold.fstab
root explorer
Code:
use PC to transfer vold.fstab to your SD card
open root explorer
copy the vold.fstab file
navigate to /system/
navigate to /etc/
mount as r/w
paste the file
4. reboot and enjoy

[Q] Internal storage space used for SD apps?

Hey,
As probably lots of you guys, I suffer from a lack of internal storage space (180mb, where 150mb was already taken after 2 hours of usage, having only installed 2-3 apps :s). As I want to avoid having to mount my SD in some tropical ways, I try to install as much as possible on the SD.
I however noticed that installing apps on SD also uses some internal storage? E.g. after installing Cut The Rope & Angry Birds, both apps +- took 30mb each on the SD, but also 5mb on the internal storage.
Is this normal?
Also, if you guys have any hints on how to decrease internal usage, you're welcome.. (already installed cache cleaners, no pics are on the internal storage, ..)
Thanks in advance!
Sven

the solution is to create a ext4 partition in sd card and use link2sd app available in play store, but after some time the memory will get full aswell.
another method is int2ext4 script that increase the internal storage and the internal memory will stay clean but you must have a good sd card atleast a class 6 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1716124
you must have a rooted phone to use these things

porozex said:
the solution is to create a ext4 partition in sd card and use link2sd app available in play store, but after some time the memory will get full aswell.
another method is int2ext4 script that increase the internal storage and the internal memory will stay clean but you must have a good sd card atleast a class 6 : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1716124
you must have a rooted phone to use these things
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks!
I've read some stuff on both options, isn't link2sd a more 'dynamic' & safe option? You can specify manually which app you run on your internal/sd, allowing you to keep the most important apps on the faster internal storage?
If you use link2sd & choose to link EVERY app to the external sd, wouldn't that also cause the internal memory to be +- empty?

link2sd is better but after some time the internal memory will get full.
if you install a ton of apps and games use int2ext4 (without the +)

Sven_Vl said:
Hey,
As probably lots of you guys, I suffer from a lack of internal storage space (180mb, where 150mb was already taken after 2 hours of usage, having only installed 2-3 apps :s). As I want to avoid having to mount my SD in some tropical ways, I try to install as much as possible on the SD.
I however noticed that installing apps on SD also uses some internal storage? E.g. after installing Cut The Rope & Angry Birds, both apps +- took 30mb each on the SD, but also 5mb on the internal storage.
Is this normal?
Also, if you guys have any hints on how to decrease internal usage, you're welcome.. (already installed cache cleaners, no pics are on the internal storage, ..)
Thanks in advance!
Sven
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it because link2sd just only link apk file not dalvik file and cache
porozex said:
link2sd is better but after some time the internal memory will get full.
if you install a ton of apps and games use int2ext4 (without the +)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because you just use link2sd like usually user do, there is more way you can do with link2sd that make you have more bigger storage
folow this Link2sd More Advanced. this trick can be use for stock too.
if you using link2sd than 2nd partition using fat32 file type :victory: