Develop Bugs

Help with sd ext partitioning

Ok so this all started when I switched from Cyanogen to Fresh 3.2. I used Amon Ra's Recovery to wipe and because it said to so a full wipe I figured I had to wipe evey option on Amon Ra's Recovery including sd ext. When I did That I got and error that said "Error: run "wipe ext" from abd!". I read somewhere that that wasn't going to be a problem so I continued loading the rom and it booted fine. I ran into problems later on when I tried installing Backbreakers. I got an error in the notification bar that said "installation unsuccessful". I later got the same message when trying to install Angry Birds. I've learned from other threads that those games should work fine on Fresh's roms. I now have the newest Fresh rom and still have the same problem. Just recently I found out that I shouldn't have wiped sd ext partition if I didn't have one setup. Now, I never set one up myself, but maybe one was setup automatically through one of the roms I had used. Now I want to fix the problem with my Sd ext partition (I know I'm not using The term correctly because I no nothing about it) and find out what it does. If anyone could help me understand what an sd ext partition is and how to solve my problem I would be very thankful.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

You can set it up in Ra recovery. It's very easy. Make sure you back up your sd card to your computer cuz partitioning will wipe it.
Download DarkTremor from HERE
Select Partition SD card from the recovery menu
The first option is for a swap file which we dont really need so set it to 0MB
The next is for your ext partition. 256MB should be plenty but if you've got a large SD card feel free to go higher.
After that's done, you can upgrade it from ext2 to ext3 which isnt necessary.
Boot up the phone or mount sd card from recovery and place the DarkTremor file you downloaded on your sd card and flash as you would a rom.
After the phone boots up you can open a Terminal Emulator and type:
su (then press enter)
You should see a # symbol. Now type:
a2sd cachesd
This will move dalvik cache to your sd card and free up even more memory. Just remember to wipe ext partition before flashing a new rom and I believe you'll need to flash the DarkTremor file again after you flash a new rom. Your ext partition will remain. Hope this helps. If you have any more questions most can be answered in the DarkTremor thread or feel free to PM me.

Wow thanks for the great info. I'm going to do this hopefully it will fix my problem. What is an sd partition for anyways or what does it do? I have the 6gb sd card that came with my evo goe much space should I put for my ext partition? Thanks for all of the help.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

StrummingLevi said:
Wow thanks for the great info. I'm going to do this hopefully it will fix my problem. What is an sd partition for anyways or what does it do? I have the 6gb sd card that came with my evo goe much space should I put for my ext partition? Thanks for all of the help.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ext partition is a physical memory area in your sd card which is formated the same as the internal memory of the phone. Not like the rest of the sdcard. The limits are set on the rest of the card so the stuff in the ext with it's sequential byte order won't be over-written by the pc-like low-high byte order of the rest. Stuff can be logically assigned to the ext partition by the OS. At startup a find is issued on the partition, if it's there then automatically Fresh's / tremor's ap2sd "program" puts portions of applications on the sdcard. You can manually augment what gets put into the ext partition by issuing commands. Aps2sd was important on devices with limited internal memory.

StrummingLevi said:
Wow thanks for the great info. I'm going to do this hopefully it will fix my problem. What is an sd partition for anyways or what does it do? I have the 6gb sd card that came with my evo goe much space should I put for my ext partition? Thanks for all of the help.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgot to mention, its recommended you use a class 4 SD card or faster. I'm not certain what the consequences are but when I ran a2sd on my G1 with a class 2, the phone would crash.
Sent from my SUPERSONIC

[Q] Can't make apps move to SD card

Heya,
Today I flashed a fresh Defrost 6.1a (Which is said to support A2SD+), Flashed Gapps. So far so good.
I took my 8GB SD card and partitioned it in Ubuntu using Gpareted. I set the FAT32 partition first, then a ext3 partition (512MB) second.
Ubuntu read both with accurate sizes.
I put the card back into the phone and looked "SD card & phone storage", it no said my SD card is only 6.89GB, but the Internal phone storage was still low.
I decided to check a little more with Titanium Backup, which surprisingly said that my ext3 partition is only 256MB and is half full (talking about a fresh ROM here).
Can someone point me to where I did wrong?
Maybe format using ext4?
Put the ext partition first?
Reflash ROM after partitioning?
TNX

I have never got A2SD working either. I think you need to install a script or something. Here is a post about A2SD. Also, Android 2.2+ supports moving apps to SD anyway.
If you want more space to install apps, you can install one of AlphaRev's HBoot templates which can increase the /data partition, that's if you have S-Off.
I couldn't be bothered farting around with A2SD and so I did that instead.

CoreOxide said:
Maybe format using ext4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it will not make it work and will only increase your memory card's wear.
CoreOxide said:
Reflash ROM after partitioning?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you flashed the a2sd enabled ROM on the device which didn't have memory card prepared? I always thought such enterprises would end in a boot loop. Flash it again if this is the case.
GoogleJelly said:
Also, Android 2.2+ supports moving apps to SD anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is not teh same thing!
erklat said:
How do you inspect if a2sd is working? Coz I think u r doing it wrong. Install Quick system info and check what it says under a2sd storage and if it slowly decreases when you install apps, which means it is working. You don't have to set default install location anywhere, the script does that for you.
What you are referring to here, is Froyo's built-in a2sd which requires the app to be optimized for app2sd, that's why only some of your apps seem to be on the SD card. Furthermore, it will transfer the apps to FAT32 partition, that you don't want for it to do since Android first loads apps which need to be loaded at startup, and afterwards it mounts the SD card, which will lead to some apps failing to start after boot.
a2sd tricks the phone into thinking that ext partition is it's internal memory. Froyo app2sd != a2sd script, don't confuse those two, they are not the same.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Q] noob question - created ext4 partition on SD, but how to use it?

Hi,
I've created an ext4 partition on my SD with the intention of using it to store apps on
I used the gparted method described in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1016084
Now I've flashed a couple of ROM's (Oxygen, Redux and CM7) but have no idea how I can put apps on it
Additional question:
1) if you do a data, cache/dalvik wipe will the apps on the ext4 partition also be deleted or will they remain on it so you can reuse them in another ROM
2) I've rooted and s-offed my stock rom, can I use the partition I've created here as well? and if so, how?
thx
B

berre said:
Hi,
I've created an ext4 partition on my SD with the intention of using it to store apps on
I used the gparted method described in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1016084
Now I've flashed a couple of ROM's (Oxygen, Redux and CM7) but have no idea how I can put apps on it
Additional question:
1) if you do a data, cache/dalvik wipe will the apps on the ext4 partition also be deleted or will they remain on it so you can reuse them in another ROM
2) I've rooted and s-offed my stock rom, can I use the partition I've created here as well? and if so, how?
thx
B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
on all 3 roms youve mentioned you tried, app2sd is automstically setup on rom install. so you are already using app2sd.
1. yes if you wipe dsata, it wipes your apps on ext 4 partition
2. and yes, your aready using your partition once your using a app2sd rom. specific roms allow you to push your dalvik cache to your partition but it is not reccommended as it can slow donw your phone.

LINKSLOVESANDROID said:
2. and yes, your aready using your partition once your using a app2sd rom. specific roms allow you to push your dalvik cache to your partition but it is not reccommended as it can slow donw your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
thx for the feedback, can I install app2sd on my stock froyo rom somehow?
I'm rooted and s-offed
Thx
B

extra test: I've installed Leedroid with app2sd
when I install an app from the market my internal memory decreases and I cannot move it to SD card
I've created a 500mb partition, should this be visible as "internal memory"?
cheers
B

Some apps still need some space from the NAND internal memory.

berre said:
I've created a 500mb partition, should this be visible as "internal memory"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. But if you download "Quick system info" from the market, you will see where it's written A2SD your external partition and its used space.

berre said:
extra test: I've installed Leedroid with app2sd
when I install an app from the market my internal memory decreases and I cannot move it to SD card
I've created a 500mb partition, should this be visible as "internal memory"?
cheers
B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are like me and want to install lots of apps app2sd is not good enough sorry I was on Leedroid superb ROM but I soon ran out of install memory because even if you move app2sd say you have 20mb app and move it to SD it will move like 16mb to SD and 4mb will still be on phone.
Best way is Data2SD I use startburst and have 2gb ext4 and my phone thinks it has 2gb internal memory
Make sure you backup and have a SD card class 4 and above some say class 2 fine I dont think so.

[Q] Using Link2sd correctly

Hey People,
As the title shows I have some questions about using Link2sd correctly.
First off my phone is rooted and is using a standard VM rom with most of the bloatware already removed and apps2sd built into the rom.
I am only using a 4 gig SD card that has 2 partitions.
In Link2sd SD(/mnt/sdcard) card shows total .97GB and SD Card 2nd Part (/data/sdext2) has total 2.84GB.
I think I have them backwards, should /mnt/sdcard be the larger partition since that is the one I have access to?
And what is the difference between Linking something to the SD card and just moving it to the SD card?
From what I have gathered when something is Linked to the SD card it gets moved to the /data/sdext2.
And if you just move it to the SD card it gets moved to the /mnt/sdcard partition.
When would you choose one over the other?
Thanks

Quick study Links2SD can move any app; A2SD can only move apps written to be moved to SD [/sdcard]. I prefer to use the ext2 or ext3 [/sdext] as much as possible for apps as its a native file system [android is a linux branch after all]. The fat32 can cause longer delays at boot time imo. I believe your partition sizes to be a good choice though. Your fat32 will fill up with nandroids, downloaded roms and mods, music, documents and such before you know it
Hope that helps.
Rob
Sent from my HTC_A510c using Tapatalk 2

I think your ext partition is to big for a 4gb sdcard, you may want to reduce it to 1gb or 2gb if you have plenty of apps. Let me tell you more about this link2sd, app2sd and data2sd so that you will understand better and be able to decide which is suitable for your phone.
As mentioned above, link2sd moves apps to your ext2/ext3/ext4 partition. But not only apps or the apk's, it also moves the dalvik, cache, and library files supporting the apps. The advantage of link2sd is the freedom to choose which of those you want to move. You can easily check or uncheck this options during the linking process.
Native app2sd moves apps to the fat32 partition (/sdcard). And it only moves the apk, leaving cache, dalvik and library files in the internal memory. If you have several applications moved in this manner, a certain portion of your internal memory is still being consumed.
There's also Data2Sd, it creates a link of the entire /data folder and moves everything to the ext partition. Logically speaking, your ext partition becomes your /data partition. The original data partition now becomes a useless space. The advantage of this is the size of your internal memory, which is only limited to the size of your ext partition. But there's also a disadvantage, to use app2sd you need a fast sdcard (category 6 and above is recommended) because everything is now residing on the sdcard which is normally slower than the built-in memory and may result to lagging on some applications.

I have a new SD cart I have partition it like the 1i use know
How do I copy all of my staff from one card to another? So that link 2sd will work with no problem?
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk 2

anhelogr said:
I have a new SD cart I have partition it like the 1i use know
How do I copy all of my staff from one card to another? So that link 2sd will work with no problem?
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I you mean the apps linked into your old sdcard, then do this:
1. Backup all your apps using titanium backup. The backup will be stored in your /sdcard under "TitaniumBackup" folder.
2. Use a card reader to copy that folder to your new sdcard.
3. Insert your new sdcard to your phone, then download and reinstall titanium backup.
It will automatically scan for backup up files in your sdcard and will allow you to restore all your apps.

Ok thanks s I will try this
Send from my Wildfire S Rom : Wildchild Lite v1. 1

Why is link2sd not finding my ext 2 particion ?
Is this because I used cwr to particion my SD card ?
I have made a 2gb ext2 with 512 swap I have linked a lot of apps to SD card but when I get the memory status I get the SD particion not detected
What can I do? The think is that the phone works fine
Send from my Wildfire S Rom : Wildchild Lite v1. 1

2GB is probably more that you'll ever need. I've always used 1GB and it has not yet run out.
Could you clarify what you mean when you say that you have linked a lot of apps but the SD partition is not detected?
Does Link2SD say that the apps are on the sdcard or the apps are LINKED to SD?

AceRoom said:
2GB is probably more that you'll ever need. I've always used 1GB and it has not yet run out.
Could you clarify what you mean when you say that you have linked a lot of apps but the SD partition is not detected?
Does Link2SD say that the apps are on the sdcard or the apps are LINKED to SD?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the problem is this when I open the link2sd a windows pops up and tells me to choose
Ext2 ext 3 ext 4 fat 32 if I choose ext 2 it say that it can't found the ext2 and I have to do a restart then it finds the ext2 and tells me to restart again if I do not turn the phone off there is no problem but if I turn the phone off at night I have to do this again:banghead: in order for the link2sd to find the ext2 partition if I go to link2sd settings storage use the 2end partition is not available only if I do 2 restarts
Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Tapatalk 2

Did you ever use data2sd or s2e or anything else which uses the sd-ext partition? It sounds like there might be a conflict between different startup scripts.
Could you open a root explorer (Or terminal or adb) and find the init.d folder.
On my CM9, the folder is at /system/system/etc/init.d
Post here a list of all the files inside that folder.

AceRoom said:
Did you ever use data2sd or s2e or anything else which uses the sd-ext partition? It sounds like there might be a conflict between different startup scripts.
Could you open a root explorer (Or terminal or adb) and find the init.d folder.
On my CM9, the folder is at /system/system/etc/init.d
Post here a list of all the files inside that folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I haven't use anythink
I have a new rom Installed with link2sd ready for use
I have a lot of free space the rom is what I wanted the only promplem is this :banghead:
The solution is never turn off my phone (I think this is no good for any phone )
Send using Htc Wildfire S
Rom Wildchild v1.1

anhelogr said:
No I haven't use anythink
I have a new rom Installed with link2sd ready for use
I have a lot of free space the rom is what I wanted the only promplem is this :banghead:
The solution is never turn off my phone (I think this is no good for any phone )
Send using Htc Wildfire S
Rom Wildchild v1.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got confirmation that the Link2SD/a2sd in this ROM are working just fine. Many users have reported that; and a few users have even told me that Data2SD also works just fine (I dunno... I only use Link2SD) with the only point being that you can't delete/uninstall any of the app2sd scripts that come bundled with the ROM. If you must use Data2SD (why??) then simply install it and you're off and running. Other than that, Link2SD should work just fine (it does for me and, literally, hundreds others).
I suspect this has to do with what/how you restored from Titanium Backup... or the fact that you partitioned with CWM. No offense, but CWM's strength is in backup/recovery, not partitioning (or even partitioning WIPING, if you read a few key posts on this forum).
I suggest you format with MiniTool Partition Wizard (lots of good tutorials on XDA). I'm using ext2fs myself and it works just fine (of course, ext4fs also works... I've tried it myself).
Good luck,

Tigger31337 said:
I've got confirmation that the Link2SD/a2sd in this ROM are working just fine. Many users have reported that; and a few users have even told me that Data2SD also works just fine (I dunno... I only use Link2SD) with the only point being that you can't delete/uninstall any of the app2sd scripts that come bundled with the ROM. If you must use Data2SD (why??) then simply install it and you're off and running. Other than that, Link2SD should work just fine (it does for me and, literally, hundreds others).
I suspect this has to do with what/how you restored from Titanium Backup... or the fact that you partitioned with CWM. No offense, but CWM's strength is in backup/recovery, not partitioning (or even partitioning WIPING, if you read a few key posts on this forum).
I suggest you format with MiniTool Partition Wizard (lots of good tutorials on XDA). I'm using ext2fs myself and it works just fine (of course, ext4fs also works... I've tried it myself).
Good luck,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I though the same that the problem is the partition method I use I will try the mini tool
Send using Htc Wildfire S
Rom Wildchild v1.1

I found the problem I was selecting ext2 for link2sd but when I use mini tool it said ext3 so I load up again the card start link2sd ext3 reboot and vouala all ok know I really enjoy my phone
Send from my HTC Wildfire S
ROM. Wildchild. v2. 0

[Qext4 partition problem

hi everyone,
i just rooted and installed the Cyanogen 7.2.0.1-bravo rom and partitionned my sdcard 16gb to a FAT32 partion and ext4 partition with 1gb.
the problem is the intern memory !! ( lack of space ), idk if i missed something or didn't installed a script ... i have app2sd already installed and i moved the most of the apps to my sdcard but the ext4 partion is not used and can't see it .
so what do i have to do ?
ps: i just istalled a2sdFroyo, but doesn't help or i didn't used it right ...
pls help

when you say "i have app2sd already installed" how have you done it?
how did you partition your sd card, should be done with gparted or 4ext recovery only. if you used something else, backup your sd and repartition.
to maximise space, s-off and change hboot to cm7r2, recommend guides here (read them slowly and several times to help your understanding)
then full wipe, install rom.zip again from scratch
to enable the A2SD, one method is to install an app like S2E which can move apps automatically to sd-ext, no need to 'move to sd'. you can keep dalvik cache on internal, and move it to sd-ext if you still run out of space. internal memory will always go down as stuff builds up on internal (data partition)
whatever rom you use, install an app like 'diskusage' to browse all your partitions in future, that way you can actually see where and how your space is being used

i followed the MiniTool Partition tuto to make partitions and then i installed normaly app2sd
why do i have to reistall the rom again ?

darko1x said:
i followed the MiniTool Partition tuto to make partitions and then i installed normaly app2sd
why do i have to reistall the rom again ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do not use minitool, this may be the reason why you cannot use the partition at all.
backup your sd card to pc first, then use gparted, there's a video guide from the link i posted
(make sure you have a nandroid backup, titanium backup of apps and backup contacts to google)
i am advising a full wipe because i don't know how you "installed normally app2sd". if you reinstall the rom from scratch without anything else, there is less chance of things going wrong. using S2E afterwards is easy.
if you want to set up this rom or any rom properly so you don't run out of space, you should understand where all your apks, data and dalvik are stored, and what the different hboot partition tables are. it's all in the guides i linked.

i installed app2sd after i finished with the rom and the partitioning of the sdcard, and it works without any problem
i istalled now S2E and i transfered the apps to the ext folder now i have 140Mb free space and i think it's working now becuase i sync with skype and facebook and i still have the same space in my internal memory ...
what do you think ?

darko1x said:
i installed app2sd after i finished with the rom and the partitioning of the sdcard, and it works without any problem
i istalled now S2E and i transfered the apps to the ext folder now i have 140Mb free space and i think it's working now becuase i sync with skype and facebook and i still have the same space in my internal memory ...
what do you think ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you install something like 'diskusage' you can KNOW if it is working...
i would still recommend s-off and change hboot to cm7r2. this will use space more efficiently, and you can install many more apps. just read the guides i linked. you can still learn a lot more

Hi. I think its working, from 1Gb i still have 700 Gb in green color.
Am i right ?
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda app-developers app

write down your free sd-ext space then install an app from the play store. Check the space again. If it had gone down your sorted.

darko1x said:
Hi. I think its working, from 1Gb i still have 700 Gb in green color.
Am i right ?
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
looks like it is working
with diskusage you can just zoom in on all your partitions including sd-ext, so if you see your app apk's there the script is working.
open diskusage again and select /system. i'm willing to bet that you're still on stock hboot. you will see a lot of free space on system partition, which is useless...
therefore still recommend (for the last time) to s-off and change to cm7r2 hboot. you seem to keep ignoring this and the guides...