Can't move some files, can't create some folders - Nexus 5X Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I don't know how else to describe this issue I'm having:
Essentially sometimes I cannot create new folders, either in an explorer app (ES File Manager, Explorer (free, not Root Explorer), or other file manager) or when connected to my computers via USB. Sometimes I can do both. Similarly, sometimes I cannot move files from one directory to another, both using file manager or when connected to computer over USB. It seems random, I think?
An example of this is I downloaded a PDF file from SharePoint using Chrome. The file is downloaded to the /Downloads directory by default. I wanted to move this to a different directory (/Documents), but the cut+paste operation failed. ES File Manager says the operation can't be completed, Explorer just sits there and doesn't say anything. When trying to do the same thing over USB connection, Windows just sits there saying the device is busy, and it'll sit there indefinitely. But an OGG file I downloaded from Dropbox was free to be moved to and from several directories when I was testing file operations.
Basically it's like my device doesn't want to play nice with files and folders. I tried doing a factory reset, but that didn't seem to help. Do you think completely reformatting the phone (as in fastboot format userdata, and a fresh ROM + kernel install) would help? It seems drastic, but at the same time being unable to move files and folders is very strange and likely hard to pinpoint the culprit.
I'm rooted (using traditional SuperSU root) running Pure Nexus 12/01/2015 ROM and ElementalX 0.07 kernel (Enforcing disabled). I doubt any of those 3 factors are the cause of it, but every detail might help, right?
Update: It looks like a permissions issue. Please see post below.

OK an update to this, I discovered that some folders that I thought I had deleted using ES File Manager are still showing up in USB storage when I'm hooked up to a computer. That is to say that what I see using a file manager versus what I see while connected to a computer are different.
Further to this, I am now getting "Permission denied" by the file managers when I try to copy and paste anything from anywhere to any other place. I have booted into TWRP to run Fix Permissions already. It looks like everything now has rwxrwx---, which means to me 770? It should be 775, no?
Any ideas what might be causing this permissions issue?

daver68 said:
OK an update to this, I discovered that some folders that I thought I had deleted using ES File Manager are still showing up in USB storage when I'm hooked up to a computer. That is to say that what I see using a file manager versus what I see while connected to a computer are different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For this, I read somewhere that the latest ES File app has a recycling bin for when you delete apps. So, that needs to be emptied too.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

SlimSnoopOS said:
For this, I read somewhere that the latest ES File app has a recycling bin for when you delete apps. So, that needs to be emptied too.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did indeed clean out the Recycle Bin (and subsequently disabled it), but the problem persists. But thanks for pointing that out!

OK, an interesting discovery:
If I am on my device and using ES File Explorer and if I am in the path /storage/emulated/0/* then I am unable to copy/move files and directories, as I've described above.
If I am on my device and using ES File Explorer and if I am in the path /sdcard/* then I am unable to copy/move files and directories, as I've described above.
If I am on my device and using ES File Explorer and if I am in the path /data/media/0/* then I am able to do anything I damn well please.
Now this makes a bit of sense to me, given the permissions for each directory. For example, when viewing the permissions of a file or folder when in /sdcard or /storage/emulated/0, I can only see the permissions as "Readable: Yes, Writeable: Yes", but I cannot change said permissions. However, when I view the permissions for something when under /data/media/0 then not only can I see the explicit permissions "rw-rw-r--" I can also change it if I wanted to.
I suspect this might be more than just the ROM. Perhaps I did not flash the system.img correctly when I first went through the process? Is this possible?

Related

[Q] How do I install a bootanimation?

Ahoy! Simply put, I'd like to install a new boot animation on my rooted HTC Desire HD running Android Revolution HD 3.0.
I've searched how to do this but I don't exactly understand.
I understand that I can 'push' the new bootanimation.zip to data/local via ADB, but some guides/installation tutorials have simply said 'copy bootanimation.zip to data/local.'
I'd much prefer to be able to simply copy the .zip to data/local and not have to deal with ADB as I have not yet used it, but how do I do this? Am I misunderstanding?
I thought 'copy to data/local' would be as simple as using for example, Astro File Manager and copying the new bootanimation.zip from my SDcard to data/local, however there is no 'local' folder inside of the 'data' folder and the option to create a new folder is greyed-out.
Long story short:
What's the simplest method of installing a bootanimation?
Can I simply 'copy bootanimation.zip to data/local?' If so, how?
If I have to use ADB to install the bootanimation, what is the exact process of doing this?
I'm sure this has been asked before, but my searches confused me more than cleared anything up. Thank you for any help in advance!
You need a program like root explorer(es file explorer with root access should work too) for the copy/paste method because the bootanimation.zip isn't stored at your sd card but at the phones internal memory.
At the root of your phone you should see folders like sdcard, dev, root and many more. One of them is called data. In this folder there is one called local. There should be a file called bootanimation.zip. just replace this file with your bootanimation.zip.
Normally it can't damage your phone when your bootanimation has a wrong format or whatever. If the new file is broken, you'll get a black screen instead of an animation but the phone will boot anyway
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
I see the folder you're talking about in both Astro and ES File Viewer, but this 'data' folder is empty by default. There's no bootanimation.zip and there's no 'local' folder.
I'm confused.
take a look at /system/media
Denavar said:
I see the folder you're talking about in both Astro and ES File Viewer, but this 'data' folder is empty by default. There's no bootanimation.zip and there's no 'local' folder.
I'm confused.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use ES File Explorer, and make sure that you enable root mode in settings. Use hiapk mode. Also remount /system and /data, that option is also in the settings.
jkoljo said:
Use ES File Explorer, and make sure that you enable root mode in settings. Use hiapk mode. Also remount /system and /data, that option is also in the settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. This worked perfectly. I wasn't aware I needed to do this. Thanks again.
Edit: I've encountered another problem. Whenever I now attempt to access my SD card via ES File Explorer, I get the error "SD Card Unmounted or not present." How do I rectify this? It works fine in Astro.
Edit 2: I attempted to unmount /system and /data simply by unticking the option in ES (i'm really only just starting to delve into this sort of thing now and don't know what I'm doing.) and it says 'failed to mount'. How do I fix this also? ;P
Edit 3: Re-installing ES File Explorer fixed the above two issues, but I assume it will do the exact same thing again. For the time being and a short fix, is re-installing the app each time OK? I don't exactly know what 'failed to mount' or 'SD Card unmounted or not present' errors mean. I get the idea, but I'm not sure if they're really doing any damage.
I found my original boot animation in '/system/customize/resource/' and replaced with a custom one. Worked!

[Q] USB connection issue/Files and Folders Invisible

Hi everyone, I'm having a real problem when connecting my LTE GNexus to the computer. I wanted to copy the TitaniumBackup folder to my desktop then replace it with the one I copied over from my old Droid Incredible, but when I look at the TitaniumBackup folder on the internal storage of my Nexus, it shows as empty, containing zero files. This is impossible, as I've done a backup already and even checked with ES File Explorer that all of the backup files ARE in fact present within the folder. However, the folder appears as empty on my PC and when I copy it, only copies an empty folder.
Furthermore, I then deleted the ENTIRE TitaniumBackup folder via ES, and the computer then showed the folder was gone (so it it's not like it's not reacting to changes made). I then redid the backup, which recreated and populated a new TitaniumBackup folder, but when I plugged it back in to my PC, the new folder didn't even SHOW UP. So now I have an entire folder that for some reason is completely invisible to the PC.
I don't know if this an issue caused by the Nexus or ICS specifically, the MTP protocol it uses to connect (instead of USB mass storage), or maybe even Titanium Backup. All other folders appear to be visible and the files inside are present (to my knowledge). What in the world is going on?!
PS: Please don't just give me a workaround for the current situation like "just upload it to Dropbox". I need to know how to fix this bigger issue for future use. Though if someone could recommend to me a way to upload whole folders to the cloud somewhere (Dropbox, Gmail, anything that allows me to pull it down via a PC) that would obviously be appreciated, as every app seems to only want to upload individual files, even the new DB. THANK YOU!
Hi,
I just had the same issue with the TitaniumBackup folder not showing up in windows explorer after the first backup.
Restart of the phone helped!
Cheers
Simon
its MTP, this has been bugging me too, but for now i got a workaround (i know...)
get SDrescan, its free. it will force your phones media storage to rescan your files. once you do, you'll see your files appear in the explorer. rebooting your phone also triggers this
Thanks everyone! Man, MTP sucks...
cancerouspete said:
its MTP, this has been bugging me too, but for now i got a workaround (i know...)
get SDrescan, its free. it will force your phones media storage to rescan your files. once you do, you'll see your files appear in the explorer. rebooting your phone also triggers this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SDRescan did not work for me. Sits there forever saying "preparing" (I did let it sit for 30 min).
So, is there any solution for that?
Missing many files/folders on MTP.
This is really ****ting me up the [email protected] wall. I've trie everything, even sdrescan does **** all. Why does this issue exist and why the **** has't it been fixed
Using wifi, I've worked around it by using some of the features in AirDroid (sets up a web server on your GNex and you can login via a web interface on your PC). File Expert can also talk to windows shares on the same wifi network, I've used this to move around some large files as well.
I'm also having this issue, I've already tried fix permissions in recovery, did a symlink (not sure if I did it correct though) and now I'm trying sdrescan.
I'm thinking of going back to cyanogenmod backing up my entire sdcard to pc flash jelly bean and put back every file...
Cause pictures I've taken with Jelly bean are showing up in the gallery and via usb, so i'm guessing copying everything back to it will do the trick.
Most annoying thing is I can flash a new rom whenever and where ever I want and be able to fix my issues, but this sdcard thing is way out of my league...
I find a solution here :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28606823&postcount=21
Hope it fixed the problem, I had exactly the same one
Easy workaround : in the app X-plore file manager, long-press on your TitaniumBackup folder, choose "Create Zip", then Ok (doesnt matter where you put the zip, you will cancel/delete it soon)
VoilĂ ! My files appeared instantly in Windows as soon as X-Plore started creating the zip file. So, cancel that dialog, and enjoy your titanium backup files.
vacuum007 said:
Hi,Restart of the phone helped!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Restart phone as previously stated. Worked for me too. :good:
Reboot didn't worked for me.
I tried through ES File Explorer to copy the Titanium folder in my computer via LAN.When it started copying files, then the folder magically showed its content.Then transferred via MTP as it's a lot faster than 802.11g.
Hope someone finds it helpful.

Can't delete folder?

How the hell can i delete a folder that can't be seen via PC connection but i can see it using es file explorer?
I can't delete it using ES even with root enabled....
zerozoneice said:
How the hell can i delete a folder that can't be seen via PC connection but i can see it using es file explorer?
I can't delete it using ES even with root enabled....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depending on where it is you need to mount it first. Which folder are you trying to delete?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
I had a folder that became corrupted (repeatedly interrupted game data downloads, I think). I was unable to delete it (even as root) and received an Access Denied error. I was able to rename the folder (so it wouldn't conflict anymore) and delete the majority of its contents (still received the Access Denied error on a file or two). I eventually had to do a full wipe via fastboot -w to get rid of the corrupted files.
had the same problem. had to reflash su.zip and it worked. can't explain it though. just reaching at straws
matt30 said:
Depending on where it is you need to mount it first. Which folder are you trying to delete?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's the folder created by the Photaf application.
i uninstalled the app and the folder is still there...permissions are writable, not hidden...
i can rename it, but can't delete it....and the subfolder within it as well...
i remember it happened once before and the only way to get rid of it was to reinstall the ROM (AOKP). Once installed, i could delete the folder.....
Try reinstalling the game and using settings/application/name of game clear data
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
bwcorvus said:
Try reinstalling the game and using settings/application/name of game clear data
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no effect, still can't be removed
LE: WTF, i just plugged in the phone into USB for charging and i saw the folder?! It deleted just fine?
Damn weird didn't do anything different than yesterday when i couldn't even see the folder via PC...
Thank you!
My Asus Transformer (TF101) hasn't been able to download anything to the Download folder for months now. Even Opera (which I installed just to try and fix this) could only download to a different folder. I did what you said, plugged it into the computer and first renamed the folder with ADB but couldn't create a new Download folder. "File already exists." Lies. Windows Explorer said it was still there as Download so I deleted it in Explorer and created a new folder named Download. The create failed but Android said it was there and Voila! I can download again. Very weird, but not ready yet to reformat in fastboot. Thanks guys!
If you're rooted you may be able to delete the files from /data/media, which is the true location, instead of the visual SD that you are seeing.
Could also be a file ownership issue.
Using a terminal emulator, use the following command to list ownership and permissions:
ls -l
(Lower case letter L, not i or 1)
Most of the files and folders should show up as media_rw, but the problematic ones may show up as numbers. To fix them, boot into CWM recovery, plug in the USB cable, go into adb shell. Also make sure that /data is mounted in the CWM mounts menu. Then:
cd /data/media
chown -R media_rw.media_rw *

ViPER4android will not let me delete its folder with root explorer

Flashed Jedi ROM to use the Samsung camera to film videos and when I went back to my daily driver ROM cm11 I see this folder in my internal storage. No file explorer will delete it successfully however the app root browser will say it has deleted successful but the file remains. Same for for when I plug it into my win7 PC. The folder contains sub folders one labeled kernel. Like I said nothing will delete this file.
Any ideas on this? Seems to not disrupt the phone but it's the fact that it will not delete that's upsetting me.
Thanks for your help.
Very strange. I wasn't able to delete it using ES File exp. but was able to using Root Browser associated with this. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.liberty.toolbox
Could copy all folders except V4A to your PC and then try to erase the internal memory and reload if nothing else

Can't see files in certain directories (including DCIM) over file transfer (MTP)

Hello, today I plugged my phone in to try and transfer some photos I'd taken earlier, and to my surprise could not see the photos in the DCIM folder. Using FX File Explorer I can explore that folder just fine on the device itself, and see everything.
This problem seems to be affecting several folders, but not all of them. Sometimes it affects different files in the same folder differently. For example, I have some .pdf and .apk files in my Download folder, which I can see on my phone, but on my PC I can only see some other files in that folder, including a .zip file. The issue appears to be based on the date the file was created, as outlined in this post in Google Support forums. I had no success with the cache-clearing of External and Media storage system apps outlined in that thread. I had success with being able to view all my /Downloads/ folder items by putting them in a subfolder and then bringing them out again into Downloads. The trick did not work with the DCIM folder for some reason.
I am rooted, but this issue has persisted through at least one re-flash of a stock image (I just updated to the newest July build without wiping all my data).
The only thing I can think of is that I ran this command to change the permissions of /su/bin when I was trying to get Android Pay working and perhaps that screwed something up? But wouldn't that be reset after the stock image was flashed anyway? Or would I need to wipe to do that? And even so, it still doesn't explain why it only affects certain files and folders.
Thoughts on things to try? Is there any way to undo that chmod command? FX File explorer says my current permissions on that folder is 0755, could that even be causing the issue? Apparently the change to 751 failed.
The issue persists using different USB cables and ports on my PC.
Did you have any luck figuring this out. I am having a similar problem as well.
I have always been able to transfer music from my computer to my nexus5X's Music folder with no problem. Today, something isnt working right. When I plug the 5X into my computer and select File Transfers, I can see all my files on the 5X. When I select the Music folder, it opens but only shows 237 songs. When i look at the folder on the 5X is shows 1016 songs. For some reason when connected to the computer it cant see all the files in the music folder. Also, when I try to copy a file to the music folder windows give me an error and says "The device has stopped responding or has been disconnected" If i try to copy is somewhere else on the 5X it works. I just can send it to the music folder. What can I do to fix this?
I actually noticed this before the update to 7.0. I used TiBU but the folder was not there. Using root explorer I can see the folder. I placed the Titanium Backup folder into another folder and then I could see it via the PC.
I uses a usb 3.0 port on the PC , have not tested 2.0 atm.
This is a typical MTP bug, just find & clear 'Media Storage' system app data, reboot. Dont connect PC before media scanner service finished.
You will lose media playlist, though.

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