Develop Bugs

Low internal memory after flash ?

Hi,
Just started to try out all the great custom roms on this site,
everythings ok except for one thing:
Internal memory after flash.
I see that other users are getting upp to 140MB after flash and reboot,
but im not even near that amount of memory, usually, im getting around
70-80 MB after flash, no matter which rom i flash.
(except for Pays roms where im getting around 135MB)
Am i missing something?
I always wipe everything before flash and always do a second reboot
after first initial setup.
Thanks

u must partition ur sd card to get full internal memory
with rom manager u can partition ur sd card but search and read before install

mobilkungen78 said:
u must partition ur sd card to get full internal memory
with rom manager u can partition ur sd card but search and read before install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks
But, how come i can get +135MB using Pays rom but not others?
What differs?

Bromsoket said:
Ok, thanks
But, how come i can get +135MB using Pays rom but not others?
What differs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you perform a full wipe of the caches before flashing each ROM?

MasDroid said:
Did you perform a full wipe of the caches before flashing each ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, always full wipe before flashing.

Bromsoket said:
Yes, always full wipe before flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which ROM did you try that had low internal storage?
I know from personal experience, I had around 78 MB with DJ Droid's v1.0 R1 (BETA) release before installing the Apps2SD+ patch (not required now as v1.1 has it incorporated into the ROM), which increased the internal storage amount to from 78 MB to 142 MB.

MasDroid said:
Which ROM did you try that had low internal storage?
I know from personal experience, I had around 78 MB with DJ Droid's v1.0 R1 (BETA) release before installing the Apps2SD+ patch (not required now as v1.1 has it incorporated into the ROM), which increased the internal storage amount to from 78 MB to 142 MB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried them all, incl. DJ Droid's.
Only rom's that gives +135MB is Pay's and HTC stock.
I dont use APP2SD and i have not partitioned my sd card, is it required
to get full internal memory?
If yes, how come Pays and Stock HTC stock roms gives full internal
memory without partitioning the SD card?

Bromsoket said:
I've tried them all, incl. DJ Droid's.
Only rom's that gives +135MB is Pay's and HTC stock.
I dont use APP2SD and i have not partitioned my sd card, is it required
to get full internal memory?
If yes, how come Pays and Stock HTC stock roms gives full internal
memory without partitioning the SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not too sure why you are getting more internal memory in Pays ROM...
Does his ROM have A2SD or A2SD+?
If it's just A2SD, then that only send apps to the SD card. With A2SD+, that keeps the apps the Dalvik cache on internal memory.
Some ROMs specifically state that you need an ext partition, and because you have not created one, that's is most likely why you are not seeing the 'true' amount of internal memory maybe? I would think for this reason, the Apps2SD script included into these ROMs expect you to create an ext partition otherwise it would not work as it should.
You can create a partition in ROM Manager and it is very easy to do, so i would suggest you try creating one, perform a full wipe, and then install a ROM again to see what it shows for the internal memory amount.

MasDroid said:
Not too sure why you are getting more internal memory in Pays ROM...
Does his ROM have A2SD or A2SD+?
If it's just A2SD, then that only send apps to the SD card. With A2SD+, that keeps the apps the Dalvik cache on internal memory.
Some ROMs specifically state that you need an ext partition, and because you have not created one, that's is most likely why you are not seeing the 'true' amount of internal memory maybe? I would think for this reason, the Apps2SD script included into these ROMs expect you to create an ext partition otherwise it would not work as it should.
You can create a partition in ROM Manager and it is very easy to do, so i would suggest you try creating one, perform a full wipe, and then install a ROM again to see what it shows for the internal memory amount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Pays roms have A2SD/A2SD+.
Ill create a partition and reflash different roms, ill be back with some results.
Thanks for the help

The reason your not getting FULL internal space is the dev's are not odexing the rom to help theme makers.
You do NOT need a ext partition at all.
I odex all the rom's I flash myself and have at least 120MB free internal space, I dont use a ext partition at all.
Please stop relying on EXT partitions and APPS2SD+ etc, it is not needed at all on a Froyo build.
Set Froyo's install location to Externel and move widgets back to internal, then you have as much space as you need.

Klutsh said:
The reason your not getting FULL internal space is the dev's are not odexing the rom to help theme makers.
You do NOT need a ext partition at all.
I odex all the rom's I flash myself and have at least 120MB free internal space, I dont use a ext partition at all.
Please stop relying on EXT partitions and APPS2SD+ etc, it is not needed at all on a Froyo build.
Set Froyo's install location to Externel and move widgets back to internal, then you have as much space as you need.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and how do i odex the rom?? i dont want to use apps2sd and partition my sdcard

I'm just finishing off a script that will odex any none odexd apks in /system/app
Will get it posted today.

I have got the same problem too. After flashing a new custom rom I start with 25mb of internal storage.
I always perform a full wipe. But when I have installed the new rom, I still have history on my mobile. So it looks like the wipe does not perfom correct and stuff is left behind on the phone.

Apps2SD+ but limited space?

Hey guys,what's up?
So...I am running AuraxTSense 8.0 on my phone and have made an ext4 about 600Mb partition for Apps2SD.Recently I installed Pocket Legends on my phone along with some other games and all was ok.However,yesterday I tried to update Pocket Legends from the Market and it said that there is limited space on my phone and it cannot update.I then checked in my settings and I had 23 Mb free on my phone.I tried moving all apps to SD with Titanium Backup(excluding Launchers and widgets) and it persists that I only have that much space.What is going on?
Also,when choosing to install apps on external storage in Spare Parts,does it mean Apps2SD+ partition or froyo Apps2SD?

C'mon,no one yet?

tolis626 said:
C'mon,no one yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont have this problem anymore, i have lots of apps installed and still have 1.6GB of internal storage lol

AndroHero said:
i dont have this problem anymore, i have lots of apps installed and still have 1.6GB of internal storage lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah,I know.You're using the data2SD thing.I've seen you in that thread.Bastard!
I however am using the good old apps2ext,with an ext4 partition.What about that?
Thanks for the reply btw!

I've been having much the same problem.
It would seem that no matter how many apps I move to the SD card, I don't actually get all that more free space on the phone.
A 'df' in the terminal shows me that I've got plenty of space in /system, but /data is nearly full. Nearly half of that is in /data/dalvik-cache.
So I wiped the dalvik cache from recovery and now it's okay again.. for the time being.
Maybe PocketLegends requires a lot of space in /data? Or something was wrong with the update?

ok guys heres the deal, when you use apps2sd what is does is create a symlink between /data/app/, the dalvik-cache and the ext partition on your sd card. the downside of this method is, /data/data/ remains on your phone, /data/data. holds all your settings, app data and other things, and this is where your space is going, one great way for s-off users to improve there situations, is to change the MTD Partitions on there device, basically taking space from /system and /cache and adding this to /data, you can reclaim and extra 50mb+ using this method

Thanks for explaining, AndroHero.
Right now, I have it set with 250 MB /system, 147 MB /data and 40 MB /cache.
I suppose if I'm running out of space on /data but not on /system, then I could repartition again.

martijn_bakker said:
Thanks for explaining, AndroHero.
Right now, I have it set with 250 MB /system, 147 MB /data and 40 MB /cache.
I suppose if I'm running out of space on /data but not on /system, then I could repartition again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your really stingy with /system and remove all the htc apps and widgets you dont use, you can get /system down to 170-180mb that would give you 70-80mb of space back, heres another good tip, there is no point having flash player in /system as its always going to be updated, if you remove installflashplayer.apk from /system/app/ and the associated libflashplayer.so in /system/lib/, that gives you and extra 15mb straight away

AndroHero said:
if your really stingy with /system and remove all the htc apps and widgets you dont use, you can get /system down to 170-180mb that would give you 70-80mb of space back, heres another good tip, there is no point having flash player in /system as its always going to be updated, if you remove installflashplayer.apk from /system/app/ and the associated libflashplayer.so in /system/lib/, that gives you and extra 15mb straight away
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say it's easier to use the data2sd trick

Absolutely..
WTB 16GB Class 10 SD

martijn_bakker said:
Absolutely..
WTB 16GB Class 10 SD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should refrain from making a partition bigger than 2GB for DATA2SD. Issues have been reported, specially with market.
Read thoroughly the DATA2SD thread to gather all informations

[Q] Android development newbie here with a couple questions

1) I have an ext3 partition on my SD card, which means my Desire is A2SD/A2SD+ compliant right? But whether A2SD or A2SD+ is in effect depends on the ROM I'm running - am I right to say this?
2) What exactly is Hboot? I seem to recall having read somewhere that Hboot is an alternative to A2SD... can anybody clarify? (And before you start flaming that there are a thousand and one topics on this already, I tried searching, but search was down)

1. Yes that's correct.
2. Hboot us essentially a different set of partitions for your desire's system. Currently your desire has internal memory split into 250mb system, 150mb data and a cache partition. The rom goes in system, apps in data. If the rom is small (aosp roms are smaller than sense due to the lack of sense which takes up tons of space) you can flash a different hboot which will change the layout of your phones internal memory. N1 table for instance has about 175 for system and a larger data partition, while the oxygen hboot has a tiny (90mb) system partition and a massive (300 odd mb) data partition negating the need for a2sd+ at all.
Hope that helps
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

lick_the_fish said:
1. Yes that's correct.
2. Hboot us essentially a different set of partitions for your desire's system. Currently your desire has internal memory split into 250mb system, 150mb data and a cache partition. The rom goes in system, apps in data. If the rom is small (aosp roms are smaller than sense due to the lack of sense which takes up tons of space) you can flash a different hboot which will change the layout of your phones internal memory. N1 table for instance has about 175 for system and a larger data partition, while the oxygen hboot has a tiny (90mb) system partition and a massive (300 odd mb) data partition negating the need for a2sd+ at all.
Hope that helps
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Super informative, better than I could have hoped for Thanks!
Anyway I'm going to flash CM7 now, but on my previous ROM (GingerVillain), I'm pretty sure A2SD/A2SD+ was working fine, but in Titanium Backup it shows that my internal data partition was pretty congested. Any ideas?

fterh said:
Super informative, better than I could have hoped for Thanks!
Anyway I'm going to flash CM7 now, but on my previous ROM (GingerVillain), I'm pretty sure A2SD/A2SD+ was working fine, but in Titanium Backup it shows that my internal data partition was pretty congested. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert and don't fully understand how a2sd+ installs apps etc. I don't know if it uses phone data first and then ext partition or what.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

fterh said:
Super informative, better than I could have hoped for Thanks!
Anyway I'm going to flash CM7 now, but on my previous ROM (GingerVillain), I'm pretty sure A2SD/A2SD+ was working fine, but in Titanium Backup it shows that my internal data partition was pretty congested. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup doesn't always show the correct info when it comes to available memory.
On gingervillian you have to use a dalvik-cache to ext script to create space on the internal memory, if you didn't do that then it can fill up quickly.

lick_the_fish said:
I'm no expert and don't fully understand how a2sd+ installs apps etc. I don't know if it uses phone data first and then ext partition or what.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a2sd+ uses the ext partition on you sd card to move the apk file of applications. however, there are still some parts of the app, mainly the dalvik cache, which remain on the data partition in your phone's internal memory; that's why your internal storage still decreases, even when using an a2sd+-enabled ROM. there are some scripts which will move this dalvik cache to the sd card as well, but be sure you read carefully before applying and pay close attention to whether your card is fast enough so as not to generate performance issues (generally, you would need at least a class-4 card, with a class-6 or higher being recommended)

[Q] Desire have not enough space

Hi everybody!
I've a Desire with stock rom 2.3 (and no root yet) and it worked fine until last week.
If I try to install a new app I receive an error about free memory space. I've already try to move all apps to sd but nothing, I can't install anything.
I've try also to do an hard reset and fully wipe/factory reset (from recovery) and for a while it seems to works, but if I install some apps the problem come back.
Why? What can I do?
A friend suggest that maybe there are some directory in filesystem from older app (now unistalled) and, since I haven't root permession, I can't remove them. With root permission can I fix it?
Thanks!

I flashed a custom rom on my desire which used the sd card as internal storage. Problem solved.
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9505 met Tapatalk

Read this guide to s-off, and install a custom recovery
Use this guide to create a 1gb ext4 partition on your sd card. No swap.
Download a custom rom from the htc desire dev section and flash it. I would recommend milwilds redux rom. It will automatically install apps to the parittion and you will have space.

thanks for reply!
I'd like to fix this problem without flash new rom, eventually with root only. It's possible?
When I bought this there was space enough, why now I haven't? Factory reset does not erase all partition and sistems directories?
Thanks!

Also, before you flash the Rom, best to flash recommended hboot if necessary, read the first post or search each thread.
This way you use your internal memory more efficiently.

deshex said:
thanks for reply!
I'd like to fix this problem without flash new rom, eventually with root only. It's possible?
When I bought this there was space enough, why now I haven't? Factory reset does not erase all partition and sistems directories?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset only deletes user data.
When you bought it, you didn't have apps installed, and probably apps were smaller back then.
What are you trying to say? That you want to flash a stock rooted ROM?

abaaaabbbb63 said:
Factory reset only deletes user data.
When you bought it, you didn't have apps installed, and probably apps were smaller back then.
What are you trying to say? That you want to flash a stock rooted ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope.
All my apps were installed somewhere in filesystem (maybe in /system?). My question is: when I do a factory reset, what I'm going to erase? Only user data in user directories, or all content of every system directory? (of course, not system files).
I'm only trying to understand why when I bought the phone I've a "lot" of space for my app and now, after a factory reset, I've not enough free space to install more then 2/3.
Example: I wipe/fr, reboot and config the phone; then I try to install Ruzzle (16Mb),Whatsapp (9Mb) and FB(18Mb). Now if I try to install any other apps I get the alert message of free space. Same error if I try to record a video or take a photo.
I think there is something wrong..
I hope that you can read and understand what I'm writing, my english is a little rusty

deshex said:
Nope.
All my apps were installed somewhere in filesystem (maybe in /system?). My question is: when I do a factory reset, what I'm going to erase? Only user data in user directories, or all content of every system directory? (of course, not system files).
I'm only trying to understand why when I bought the phone I've a "lot" of space for my app and now, after a factory reset, I've not enough free space to install more then 2/3.
Example: I wipe/fr, reboot and config the phone; then I try to install Ruzzle (16Mb),Whatsapp (9Mb) and FB(18Mb). Now if I try to install any other apps I get the alert message of free space. Same error if I try to record a video or take a photo.
I think there is something wrong..
I hope that you can read and understand what I'm writing, my english is a little rusty
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A factory reset will wipe /data, dalvik cache and /cache.
When did you buy your phone? I remember that, when I first bought my Desire, facebook was only 8mbin size, and moved to sd, it only took 2 mb of internal memory. Plus, large apps require large dalvik cache. That's why your memory gets filled so easily.

You can resolve easily and keeping your stock ROM (but you'll need a FAST microSD card, my 32GB is class 10):
1) Root and s-off your device
2) Format your microSD with an EXT2, EXT3 or EXT4 partition of 1GB, then the rest as FAT32 (you can do it directly from phone using the 4ext recovery, or you can format the card from PC using a tool for partitioning which supports linux formats... I don't know if I can mention names in this thread).
3) Install INT2EXT or INT2EXT+ from recovery.
4) You'll have 1GB internal memory with no out-of-space problems.
That's all

Stock kernel doesn't support ext4 nor ext3, use only ext2 if u want to keep it.
Anyway, I believe that supernova ROM would be a much better option, it's basically stock GB made by HTC with some tweaks and script for more space.

Thanks for replies!
I still do not understand why I've no memory for apps after a factory reset; if I wipe all data, I restore all space, like when I bought the phone. Ok, apps are bigger than 2 years ago, but not so bigger that with 3 apps I occupy all space!
Anyway I'm considering to upgrade to a newer version; if I must give root permission, install tools, repartition sdcard and so on, I might as well to flash a newer version.
Curiosity: are there filesystem directories that are not intrested from a wipe? Differently, which directories will not wiped during a factory reset?
Thank you very much!

deshex said:
Thanks for replies!
I still do not understand why I've no memory for apps after a factory reset; if I wipe all data, I restore all space, like when I bought the phone. Ok, apps are bigger than 2 years ago, but not so bigger that with 3 apps I occupy all space!
Anyway I'm considering to upgrade to a newer version; if I must give root permission, install tools, repartition sdcard and so on, I might as well to flash a newer version.
Curiosity: are there filesystem directories that are not intrested from a wipe? Differently, which directories will not wiped during a factory reset?
Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes what your seeing is caused by the apps being a lot bigger now. Facebook is a lot bigger.
And its impossible for your apps to be going to system. You'll have to root and use a2sd
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda app-developers app

dethrat said:
yes what your seeing is caused by the apps being a lot bigger now. Facebook is a lot bigger.
And its impossible for your apps to be going to system. You'll have to root and use a2sd
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've install over 40 apps until this problem, including big app like FB.. strange things...
So, how much memory I have?
Rom 4.x for desire has a different partitions? If I just flash a new rom (like 4.0/4.1), will I fix this problem?
Thanks!

deshex said:
I've install over 40 apps until this problem, including big app like FB.. strange things...
So, how much memory I have?
Rom 4.x for desire has a different partitions? If I just flash a new rom (like 4.0/4.1), will I fix this problem?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need a rom with an a2sd script, regardless of it being GB, ICS or JB.

Good, I will search in subforum for a new rom.
Maybe it's a bit OT, but JB rom are stable enough for daily use? Can you suggest me a JB rom with a2sd script? (or even ICS, if JB is not stable enough).
Thank you!

I use jb as a daily driver. The ROM in my sig is the most stable jb ROM I've tried. It has very few soft reboots and has decent speed. It also has a2sd. (Activated through terminal after flashing rom)
However if you really need stability, speed and reliability I would highly recommend using gingerbread. Mildwilds ROMs are great and most of them have an a2sd script as well, which is automatically activated. Try the one based on redux.
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda app-developers app

I have a similar problem to this. I own a HTC Desire that is rooted, with Clockworkmod recovery environment, and I got it running Cyanogen mod 7.2.0.1.
So I was reading around this problem, and there are several solutions. It seems the most foolproof way is to format your SD card and partition it so that you have an EXT3 partition, and a FAT32 partition as has already been suggested here.. This way you can use an app to fool your phone into thinking that it has the EXT3 partition of the SD card to use for internal storage as well as the 150MB of internal storage it comes with. I had an 8GB SD card so I did a split of 2GB for the EXT3 partition, and 6GB for storage of music, photos, etc. etc. I followed this handy guide to do it, and it worked a treat: (sorry, have been unable to post an external link as I'm a new user.. maybe I can post this later).
When I rebooted my phone, sure enough, it showed 2GB+ of internal storage, and I can install all the apps I want. However, I'm experiencing apps hanging and crashing all the time, and I know it was caused by this most recent change. Prior to this, Cyanogenmod was running just fine! I've read a bit more into since doing this, and a lot of people reckon you shouldn't use more than a 512MB SD card partition, as anything over this causes performance issues. Others disagree, and think that anything 2GB or below should be fine. Presumably the apps hanging/crashing is because there is fragmentation of data between the SD card EXT3 partition and the actual 150MB internal storage.
It's frustrating, as other than this the phone is still a very decent handset despite it's age... it's really the storage letting it down. Before I try factory resetting (again!) and going back and trying a 512MB partition, (or just going back to having only 2 apps installed!), has any one else had experience of this?
Any help very much appreciated.

kmanpilkers said:
I have a similar problem to this. I own a HTC Desire that is rooted, with Clockworkmod recovery environment, and I got it running Cyanogen mod 7.2.0.1.
So I was reading around this problem, and there are several solutions. It seems the most foolproof way is to format your SD card and partition it so that you have an EXT3 partition, and a FAT32 partition as has already been suggested here.. This way you can use an app to fool your phone into thinking that it has the EXT3 partition of the SD card to use for internal storage as well as the 150MB of internal storage it comes with. I had an 8GB SD card so I did a split of 2GB for the EXT3 partition, and 6GB for storage of music, photos, etc. etc. I followed this handy guide to do it, and it worked a treat: (sorry, have been unable to post an external link as I'm a new user.. maybe I can post this later).
When I rebooted my phone, sure enough, it showed 2GB+ of internal storage, and I can install all the apps I want. However, I'm experiencing apps hanging and crashing all the time, and I know it was caused by this most recent change. Prior to this, Cyanogenmod was running just fine! I've read a bit more into since doing this, and a lot of people reckon you shouldn't use more than a 512MB SD card partition, as anything over this causes performance issues. Others disagree, and think that anything 2GB or below should be fine. Presumably the apps hanging/crashing is because there is fragmentation of data between the SD card EXT3 partition and the actual 150MB internal storage.
It's frustrating, as other than this the phone is still a very decent handset despite it's age... it's really the storage letting it down. Before I try factory resetting (again!) and going back and trying a 512MB partition, (or just going back to having only 2 apps installed!), has any one else had experience of this?
Any help very much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well,I don't use gingerbread anymore.but I can say that you can't experience a good performance to use both internal and external (sd-ext) partitions to use and install your apps. better choice is to use one of them.use default a2sd of rom,or use another script to install apps only in sd-ext partition. I have used and tested a lot of roms (GB-ICS-JB) and I can say in my experiences, that you don't have problem to use an sd-ext partition with about 1.5 - 2 gb size.you can see the recommendation of devs in first post of topics, and they tell us what is the minimum-maximum size for the best performance. sorry,i can't search and give you the links,but I just had a really good smoothness and speed with some scripts that you can try them: like mounts2sd, ad2sdx,... you can find link of them with search. and you can use cm7 int2sd version...but it has a bigger size than normal cm7. here is this topic : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1357257

@kmanpilkers
Which guide did you use to partition, should be done with gparted or 4ext recovery.
-Ext4 should also be slightly faster than ext3.
-Anything up to 2gb is sufficient. Don't know where you read about limiting it to 512mb. The whole idea is to be able to install more apps on the partition, 512mb will fill up a lot quicker than 2gb...
-you can use space more efficiently by s-off and changing hboot, so you have more than 150 MB of internal. You are currently on stock hboot and have a lot of free wasted space on your /system partition
-depending on your Rom, stick with a single a2sd script, it may be built in or need to be activated, read the Rom thread. Then let it do it's job to move apps to the partition

chromium96 said:
Read this guide to s-off, and install a custom recovery
Use this guide to create a 1gb ext4 partition on your sd card. No swap.
Download a custom rom from the htc desire dev section and flash it. I would recommend milwilds redux rom. It will automatically install apps to the parittion and you will have space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I've been searching for some time

[Q] Wiping ALL data?

Galaxy s3 T999 tmobile phone.
Liquid Smooth ROM. - Amazing rom btw. I cant thank those folks enough for their brilliant work
TWRP for recovery
Ive done numerous dalvic/system/cache/data wipes through twrp in preparation for new roms. But my INTERNAL 16 gb SD card always shows that i have around 12GB USED. thats with no personal apps installed
Heres my question. How do i remove all unnecessary data thats hogging up space. I want a CLEAN space to work with!
I do have 4 twrp recovery files (4gb worth of data?) stored in there. Im assuming the system uses about 3 gb's. plus the gapps and liquid rom are only 194 mb combined. So that accounts for maybe 7 or 8 gb
So how do i do a totally clean wipe without losing twrp, recovery files AND root!
the only wipe option ive never used is USB-OTG. (USB On The Go?) No idea what it is or what it does. so i never messed with it. Ive read that it acts like a driver of some sort to allow usb devices to communicate with each other..
Ive also never gone into the Format data section of twrp out of fear that i might wipe the wrong things and render my phone useless
One article i read said that i might have to revert back to stock? im hoping thats not so. And do a factory wipe. Is that different from TWRP's functions? Im assuming that i would lose root.
they said din flash to stock
Odin master clear (or wipe SD from settings)
*2767*3855# on the phones keypad ...(i think codes in general only work on stock TW)
Do i have to format the sd card? would i lose important partitions that would delete the recovery system?
any ideas? i considered opening a partition wizard app to see the different partions on the internal sd card.

I'm no expert on this, but I think that Liquid Smooth has a place in Settings to let you view the space allocation of the storage in your phone and external SD card.
Go to Settings > Storage (or something similar) and take a look at how much space is being allocated of each of the different types of data. It might give you a better idea on what might be taking up that additional ~4GB of space.
If you can, provide us with a screenshot of the Storage screen. If not, you can just type them here so we can better understand what might be going on.

Back up internal sdcard to your computer.
Wipe data/factory reset.
Wipe /data/media.
You can do this through TWRP. Won't lose anything except contents of your internal sdcard. Which is why you back it up first.

Don't forget the formatting of the filesystem does this. Just like windows a 100gig hard drive formats to a smaller amount.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2