There seems to be a lot of (out)dated information on the web about Android and sd-card formats. Would somebody please point me in the right direction (link to Google, CM Wiki, some other authority, or your own personal experience)?
Should I format my (entire) sd-card to ext2?
Can I format the entire card to ext2? (Is it supported by CM, AOSP, AOKP?)
Does the answer to the above questions depend on the rom in use?
I'm aware of the difference between ext2, 3 and 4. I'm mostly wondering if it's still required to have at least on primary fat partition, and whether that trade off is worth it.
Thanks.
i wouldnt do that since you dont have a SD card for the nexus.
you could ruin the entire partition and then you have a paperweight.
Zepius said:
i wouldnt do that since you dont have a SD card for the nexus.
you could ruin the entire partition and then you have a paperweight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. Thanks for pointing that out to me. I'm about to get my Nexus. (I'm preparing for it, in part, with this post.) I somehow overlooked that it doesn't support SD cards.
Related
Would it be possible to cook a ROM to put the persistent storage on the Storage Card and then just be sure to NEVER ever remove the card? Then utilize the NAND on the flash ROM and the NOR on the internal ROM (with XIP)
Here, http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/archive/2006/03/16/552996.aspx
Mike Caligaro mentions on an MSDN thread:
"it's possible to mount the internal storage on an SD card. We did this during WM5 development to let us do work on a device that didn't have enough flash available. However, the system can't handle it's persistent storage being removed on the fly. If you were to have your storage mounted on an SD card and you ejected the card, the system would crash. That was acceptable for development, but we'd never make end users put up with it."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't the same setup that his development team made, be made with the tools available here?
So, my question is:
Is there a way to cook a ROM to make use of both forms of flash ROM, both NAND (on card) and NOR (onboard) thereby taking advantage of the fast erase speeds of the NAND and, the fast read speeds and XIPing ability of the NOR (with the caveat of NEVER EVER being able to remove the card)
Appreciate any help in understanding this. Thanks.
wow, i second curiosity on this idea. wish i had more ideas to help implement it...
With 2 cards slots on the 4700, and then have one set to NEVER remove and use the other normally. Don't know if it's possible. The dev team put the internal storage on a card but what about the rest? MikeCal talks about the Treo like that.
MikeCal said:
NAND has some advantages over NOR, but NOR has other advantages over NAND. NOR is much better to execute code from, and NAND is much better to store data in. The ideal is to have the system code stored in NOR and the user data stored in NAND. That, by the way, is what the Treo 700w did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi All
Firstly, huge apologies if this has been answered already. I have searched a ton of threads and none really explain exactly what I need to know...
Secondly, I am in no way aware of how any coding or development works on the desire or any android device for that matter so my knowledge is only from what I have personally done to my device:
S-ON (dont have the balls to attempt this!)
Currently I am running RCMixHD ver 0.14. This ROM includes a script which (so I understand) activates the data2ext, and creates this within my ext partition. Now I have read a few threads and posts about possible corruption with this, and so I have a question?
Can I simply copy the entire contents of the SD card to my PC, and then in the event of the SD card becoming corrupt, copy it to a different SD card, pop it back in the phone and then carry on?
Also I am considering a bigger SD card than the 4gb one I have, could this method also be used to transfer everything onto the new SD card without wiping and losing every app and photo etc.
Apologies for the semi-noob post, but I want to be clear before I do any potential damage to my phone!
Thanks
Yes and Yes but i dont know if u need S-Off for data2sdext.
But switching to S-Off is not a real problem or really dangerous! Done this on many phones!
lick_the_fish said:
Hi All
Firstly, huge apologies if this has been answered already. I have searched a ton of threads and none really explain exactly what I need to know...
Secondly, I am in no way aware of how any coding or development works on the desire or any android device for that matter so my knowledge is only from what I have personally done to my device:
S-ON (dont have the balls to attempt this!)
Currently I am running RCMixHD ver 0.14. This ROM includes a script which (so I understand) activates the data2ext, and creates this within my ext partition. Now I have read a few threads and posts about possible corruption with this, and so I have a question?
Can I simply copy the entire contents of the SD card to my PC, and then in the event of the SD card becoming corrupt, copy it to a different SD card, pop it back in the phone and then carry on?
Also I am considering a bigger SD card than the 4gb one I have, could this method also be used to transfer everything onto the new SD card without wiping and losing every app and photo etc.
Apologies for the semi-noob post, but I want to be clear before I do any potential damage to my phone!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you have all your apps, clockworkmod recovery should backup all your ext partition. If you want an extra backup, boot in recovery and mount sdcard + ext, then do a tar of you ext partition and save it to you sdcard (something like cd /sd-ext tar czvf /sdcard/ext.tgz *)
Your ext partition will then be saved.
hi all,
I'm planning to flash a custom rom for the first time. Since I like HTC Sense, RCMixHD seemed like a good choice? (Is it?)
My phone is already rooted and via rom manager i have clockworkmod. I also made a backup via the recovery.
Now is my question: what is the difference between the two versions of the rom? Is one better than the other? And what exactly do I have to do with the sd-card to make it work correctly?
Thank you in advance,
Floris
A2SD+ - apps and app data moved to the SD card
Data2SD - ALL data is moved to the SD card
Quite simple really! Data2SD is better for storage BUT add strain to your SD card. Plus, you need a fast SD card for it to be worth while (Class 6 upwards)
thank you for such a quick reply!
Now I know I should chose the A2SD+ version since (for the time being) I only have the preinstalled memory card.
Now the only thing I have to do is partition it correctly?
Thanks!
Floris2310 said:
Now the only thing I have to do is partition it correctly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
10charrr
I've watched a video in which they use gparted to partition the sd-card. However they say in the video they think you need to create a fat16 partition for sdcards lower than 4gb and fat32 for larger cards.
Like it said, I use the preinstalled 4GB card. Should I use fat16 or fat32?
Also, in the RCMixHD topic, you can download a lot of different versions of the A2SD+ rom. I believe with different kernels and the first one is 2.0x1. I have downloaded the 2.0x1 version. Is that okay?
thanks!
Floris2310 said:
I've watched a video in which they use gparted to partition the sd-card. However they say in the video they think you need to create a fat16 partition for sdcards lower than 4gb and fat32 for larger cards.
Like it said, I use the preinstalled 4GB card. Should I use fat16 or fat32?
Also, in the RCMixHD topic, you can download a lot of different versions of the A2SD+ rom. I believe with different kernels and the first one is 2.0x1. I have downloaded the 2.0x1 version. Is that okay?
thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never heard of that and can't think of any reason why you should create a fat16 partition.
I'd keep the fat32 partition, resize it (make it smaller), and create a 500mb ext3-partion at the end. (thats what I did months ago and everything works nicely)
Sry I cant help you with the rom-question, I don't use a hd-rom.
many thanks for the reply. Will try the rom and see Thanks for the help!
Due to size limitations (GPads only coming in 16gb varieties) I am beginning to run low on space on my Gpad (v500 running cm11). However I have a 64gb microSD card and I would like to use this as much as I can to conserve space on the internal memory.
There are a few ways to solve this but I not fully know how to do this.
Firstly, is it possible install apps to microSD card? If so, how? I know some devices support this and some do not. My phone for example does not but I have heard that some people have had success with this.
Next, there are some rather large folders on my internal storage that I would like move to my sdcard however the apps that use those folder can only read them where they are currently located (cmupdates, ebooks, etc).
I read about symlinks and managed to make a few but the only place I was able to make a symlink was to /data/media/0. But the changes to that do not show up the apps which I believe read either /sdcard or /storage/emulated/0. And for my SDcard I can get to it either in /mnt/media/sdcard1 or through /storage/sdcard1.
I tried and succeeded in making a link between /mnt/media/sdcard1/eBooks and /data/media/0/eBooks however the link does not show up in /sdcard or /storage/emulated/0 and it does not show up in the apps, leading me to believe that is where the apps read the sdcard from.
If anyone can answer the above two questions or give any other suggestions for maximizing available space on my internal card please let me know.
Thank you!
I think most of your issues could be resolved with Link2SD (under 10 posts, can't post a link to Google Play).
You can also use an app called Foldermount. It's only $.99 ( if I recall correctly) for the unlocked version. This allows you to move any folder to SD card. I like it as it guides you thru the way and will move the data for you as well. Latest version has been updated to allow apps from play store to install properly. Well worth the $1 price.
mzfckr993 said:
I think most of your issues could be resolved with Link2SD (under 10 posts, can't post a link to Google Play).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cbb77 said:
You can also use an app called Foldermount. It's only $.99 ( if I recall correctly) for the unlocked version. This allows you to move any folder to SD card. I like it as it guides you thru the way and will move the data for you as well. Latest version has been updated to allow apps from play store to install properly. Well worth the $1 price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys! Looks like using these two combined I can get exactly what I wanted. I'll use link2SD to put apps on the SD card and Foldermount to move the other folders I want moved.
Thanks again!
Can you let me know if this works for you? I can't get mine to read or write my SD card at all! I can't even move a picture from my Box cloud account to the SD card. Are you experiencing this? Or did I get a bad unit?
1barlog17 said:
Can you let me know if this works for you? I can't get mine to read or write my SD card at all! I can't even move a picture from my Box cloud account to the SD card. Are you experiencing this? Or did I get a bad unit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These solutions did work for me, I am still tweaking to get it the way I like it especially since every time I update my Rom Link2SD has to generate new scripts. I can ready and write to the SD card just fine and I could before I started using this as well. I am not sure why you aren't able to write to your sd card. Could it be a bad SD card? Try plugging it into your computer.
I've tried 2 different SD cards both of which I can move files to and from on my computer. So I know it's not the card. I'm thinking maybe I should exchange it out for another day one...
1barlog17 said:
I've tried 2 different SD cards both of which I can move files to and from on my computer. So I know it's not the card. I'm thinking maybe I should exchange it out for another day one...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably... That sounds like a device issue not card.
How are the cards formatted?
The ROM you are using may not support the format.
1barlog17 said:
I've tried 2 different SD cards both of which I can move files to and from on my computer. So I know it's not the card. I'm thinking maybe I should exchange it out for another day one...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
C0BRA01 said:
How are the cards formatted?
The ROM you are using may not support the format.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure I just put the card in my computer and clicked format SD card. I'm not rooted or running any special ROM, it's completely stock out've the box.
Well, if you did it from your PC, it may be formatted NTFS, and you need them formatted FAT 32. Get it here; http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html Not only allows formatting almost any format xFAT, Fat32, NTFS, etc.. and you can partition them also which is not supported by Windows, but IS supported by most Android ROMs. I doubt there is anything wrong with your device.
1barlog17 said:
I'm not sure I just put the card in my computer and clicked format SD card. I'm not rooted or running any special ROM, it's completely stock out've the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
C0BRA01 said:
Well, if you did it from your PC, it may be formatted NTFS, and you need them formatted FAT 32. Get it here; http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html Not only allows formatting almost any format xFAT, Fat32, NTFS, etc.. and you can partition them also which is not supported by Windows, but IS supported by most Android ROMs. I doubt there is anything wrong with your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip, this makes me feel a little better about my purchase, I'll give it a try. I'm also thinking of buying a 64gb San Disk card and hopefully it will just work with a brand new one.
These solutions did work for me, I am still tweaking to get it the way I like it especially since every time I update my Rom Link2SD has to generate new scripts. I can ready and write to the SD card just fine and I could before I started using this as well. I am not sure why you aren't able to write to your sd card. Could it be a bad SD card? Try plugging it into your computer.
Lucien2 said:
These solutions did work for me, I am still tweaking to get it the way I like it especially since every time I update my Rom Link2SD has to generate new scripts. I can ready and write to the SD card just fine and I could before I started using this as well. I am not sure why you aren't able to write to your sd card. Could it be a bad SD card? Try plugging it into your computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been trying to fix the issue with Rom updates and link2sd. You have to provide the Rom (in my case cyanogenmod) a backup script so it can back up the files. I am planning on figuring it out at some point but if you get it before I do would you mind posting your script? Thanks!
Sent from my VS870 4G using XDA Premium HD app
colwellkr said:
I have been trying to fix the issue with Rom updates and link2sd. You have to provide the Rom (in my case cyanogenmod) a backup script so it can back up the files. I am planning on figuring it out at some point but if you get it before I do would you mind posting your script? Thanks!
Sent from my VS870 4G using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So a follow up with this, I was able to get a script working. I don't know if this feature is unique to cyanogenmod or not but any script in /system/addon.d will execute itself during a rom install and be restored automatically if it was wiped. So using 50-cm.sh as an example I made a script called 11-link2sd.sh to perform the backup of the mount script for link2sd which is located in /system/etc/init.d/11link2sd.
I then had insert this script and my mount script into a cyanogenmod update and flash it in. But after that I tried flashing an update of cm11 to test it and it worked! Attached is my script which should also work for anyone who is able to flash it into their /system/addon.d folder.
Hello all,
I got myself a 128GB micro sd off Amazon. I was wondering if anyone had tried out a different filesystem than what is on the card as standard.
As standard it comes with Exfat, would something like ext4 be a good improvement?
Help and advice would be great, thanks =)
I think you should try this official tool from SDA to format your card the best possible. https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/
I just usually let the phone format it for me, and go from there. Never had a problem that way.
dratsablive said:
I just usually let the phone format it for me, and go from there. Never had a problem that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 same here the only difference between the two (fat32 and ext) is that one allows the transfer of files over 4GB. Iirc anyway. Just not sure which.
Thanks everyone =)
Will let the phone do the deciding
Just do ExFat. it allows for large files to be stored (backups) and has very quick read and write speeds as compared to Fat32.