A Definitive A2SD How to, the easy way (With Pics!)* - Hero CDMA Android Development

*There are many ways to setup an SDCARD for A2SD, but some people don't feel comfortable doing it in recovery, or their recovery doesn't support it, or they don't rely on recovery, or they are scared of the adb shell. This is a newbie friendly way that anyone can do..
What's a VERY easy way to setup your sdcard for apps 2 sd? With Linux!! (don't run in fear yet! Follow along with me!)
Some background to read first:
Backup all your stuff before hand!
Think of it just like if your repartitioning your hard drive. It's that simple.
OK! So here we go!
Setup:
Go here: http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
I suggest you select the 32bit option, and 10.10(latest) version. Click download
I also suggest unless you know how to use unetbootin, or how to burn an iso image(very easy) that you read the how to from that download page on doing so.
Links: cdburnerxp (if you don't already have a cd burning utility. I HIGHLY recommend it)http://cdburnerxp.se/en/home
unetbootin: (for booting from thumb drive) http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/
*Some older PC's (and I mean unless made within the last 3 years recent) have trouble booting unetbootin made live thumb drives, so if in doubt, just eat the 20cents you paid for that cd-r and get it right the first time.
1a. BACKUP EVERYTHING ON THE SDCARD!
Cannot stress this enough as the way we are doing this, you will lose EVERYTHING on your SD card. I am not responsible for your adhd!
Execute!
1.boot to ubuntu live cd *see your motherboard instructions on how to boot to cd if it does not automatically but usually when you boot it will give an option to "Change Drive Boot Order" or something similar, by pressing F8, F9,F10, or F11, but if you do not see this, and it does not automatically boot to the ubuntu live cd, go into your BIOS at startup of your computer (which varies depending on the computer/motherboard, but usually it's either the Delete key, or F1 at boot, and change your drive boot order to boot from cdrom first)
1a. Just boot into Ubuntu. It wont hurt ya! And heck you might like it! It doesn't mess with any files on the system unless you intentionally do so.
2.put sdcard in computer
3.go to System > Administration > Disc Utility
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4.
Select your sd card from the "Storage Devices" list on the left.
Select your sdcard volume
Click "Unmount Volume"
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5.
Select the volume again and select Delete Partition
***IF YOU HAVE NOT BACKED UP YOUR STUFF YOU WILL NOW LOSE IT!!!! BACK UP YOUR STUFF!!!***
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6.
Now you have a fully wiped SD Card. Congrats, not good for much at the moment
Ok, so now the magic happens. Select Create Partition
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7.
I put 512 just cause I was messing around but for a swap, I would do between 40 and 80mb. You don't have to name it, just make sure you select Swap Space from the partition type, and the size you want. Click Create. *DO NOT SELECT Encrypt underlying device. It WILL NOT WORK!* If you do that, your phone wont read it and well.. Then that would be just pointless now wouldn't it?
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8.
Notice it looks like a pie or a chart? See it's not hard at all now is it? It's pretty simple from here.
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9.
Select the "Free" partition space, and then select "Create Partition" again.
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10.
Uncheck "Take ownership of filesystem" because if you do, you probably won't have "Ownership" of the partition when you put it in your phone which would probably turn out to be a bad thing. Select type "Ext3" and select create.
You can do Ext2 or Ext4, but I have heard issues about Ext4 partitions, and Ext2 is kinda old ya know? I mean you can do it if you want, but I dunno what to say if it don't work (you can always repartition though)
As far as space, that's up to you. If you think you just need a tad of space available for downloading games and stuff, go with 40 to 100mb, but if your like me and want EVERYTHING (BUHAHAHHA!) Go with between 250 and 512mb. Keep in mind that when you activate a2sd, you may also want to copy over dalvik cache which will take up a fair amount of space. btw, I never was able to get close to 200mb taken up on this partition when I had a2sd running on my phone..
11.
Select the "Free Space" again from the Volume chart, and click create partition.
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12.
Now we are going to finish this off! For the Size, leave it be! It's the remainder of the drive, which is how much space is left after we have made the previous two partitions. Select the type as "Fat"(yes it is fat32, I don't think the disk utility handles old fat16 anymore..) and select create.
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13.
DONE! Now you have a happy sdcard ready to take on your Dalvik Cache, any programs you download AFTER setting up the card, flashing your rom, and or your swap if you activate it (different roms take different approaches to this but many activate A2SD automatically. Something else of note. 2.2/Froyo roms have built in A2SD-Like functionality that uses the fat32 partition, so the Ext partition is not needed).
Select "Safe Removal" and take out your sdcard and put it into your phone. Your now ready for takeoff
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***See your ROM's thread for details on how to activate swap, and move Dalvik cache to the sdcard after this is finished or if it activates automatically.***
14. If your reading this last line, your probably scratching your head thinking to yourself "How the hell do I get out of Ubuntu and back into my Windows system?!". It's simple. Click the Power Icon in the top right corner of the screen, and select "Shutdown" from the list. After it shuts down so far, it should spit the cd out. Take the disc out of the try, and press enter, and it will reboot the system, and you will wake back up in microsoft land and you can forget this ever happened

Nice guide Really good to have

is there a guide for those of us not affraid of using recovery somewhere?

Thanks for this! Also helps that i use Ubuntu anyways

xjayman said:
is there a guide for those of us not affraid of using recovery somewhere?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(Copied and Pasted from: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7021325&postcount=2)
A. backup your sd card to your computer. can't stress this enough, as partitioning will wipe the entire card.
B. Reboot into recovery
c. In android system recovery, select partition sdcard
d. In the partition sdcard menu, select partition sd
e. Follow the instructions on the phone to partition your sd card. You can optionally set a swap file while you are partitioning your sd card.
F. In the partition sdcard menu, select sd:ext2 to ext3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
G **skip**
h. Press the back button on the phone to go back to the main menu.
I. Put the a2sd file on the sd card (and all your other files you backed up earlier) by selecting usb-ms toggle and transfer the files to your computer.
3. In recovery, select flash zip from sdcard.
4. In flash zip from sdcard, select the a2sd package file you downloaded earlier. Press home to flash.
5. Reboot phone.
This actually seems a lot less scary then using a Live-CD! To each there own.

JusticeAA said:
(Copied and Pasted from: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7021325&postcount=2)
A. backup your sd card to your computer. can't stress this enough, as partitioning will wipe the entire card.
B. Reboot into recovery
c. In android system recovery, select partition sdcard
d. In the partition sdcard menu, select partition sd
e. Follow the instructions on the phone to partition your sd card. You can optionally set a swap file while you are partitioning your sd card.
F. In the partition sdcard menu, select sd:ext2 to ext3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
G **skip**
h. Press the back button on the phone to go back to the main menu.
I. Put the a2sd file on the sd card (and all your other files you backed up earlier) by selecting usb-ms toggle and transfer the files to your computer.
3. In recovery, select flash zip from sdcard.
4. In flash zip from sdcard, select the a2sd package file you downloaded earlier. Press home to flash.
5. Reboot phone.
This actually seems a lot less scary then using a Live-CD! To each there own.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you !

Thank you so much for this!
I used Superoneclick to root, so I didn't have the same partition options needed to create the extensions as noted in the other instructions in the recovery methods.
Appreciate it!

So I did the A2SD and have used it successfully for awhile now, I recently got a new card that is larger/faster and have already set it up for A2SD as well. Is there an easy way to transfer the apps from my first card to my new one without using linux? I did my partitioning in recovery.

indiscriminant said:
So I did the A2SD and have used it successfully for awhile now, I recently got a new card that is larger/faster and have already set it up for A2SD as well. Is there an easy way to transfer the apps from my first card to my new one without using linux? I did my partitioning in recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually no. The only way you can do that in windows is by using linux explorer or some other compatibility program to use windows to see ext partitions...

Thanks, I will just redownload everything later then using App Brain.

OK, I completed all steps but when I put the card in the phone or in Windows, it shows up as RAW and says I have to reformat.
I did everything twice just to make sure I did it correctly, but no go.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

neemypeemy said:
OK, I completed all steps but when I put the card in the phone or in Windows, it shows up as RAW and says I have to reformat.
I did everything twice just to make sure I did it correctly, but no go.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In windows, because of the ext partition it wont see those, however instead it would just ignore the ext partitions and just load the fat partitions....
You can reformat the remaining fat space in windows if you would like. It won't hurt the ext3 partition, but it shouldn't come up with any errors... Go ahead and reformat the fat partition in windows, and then see if the phone sees it (and make sure it's to the size you wanted).

When I try to reformat it only will let me reformat the swap file.
Here's a screen shot.
I've done the ubuntu steps twice, so not sure what I'm doing wrong, it's pretty straight forward.
First was formatted as swap, second ast the EXT3, third as FAT in Ubuntu.

neemypeemy said:
When I try to reformat it only will let me reformat the swap file.
Here's a screen shot.
I've done the ubuntu steps twice, so not sure what I'm doing wrong, it's pretty straight forward.
First was formatted as swap, second ast the EXT3, third as FAT in Ubuntu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is quite odd indeed.... Just to ask (and really JUST to ask) which version of windows are you using there? I know it had no bearing on it though... Which also is strange that it shows the rest of the partitions the way they are.. All but the last one should be shown as an "Unknown Partition". Did you use a Virtual Machine to do it? Could be the reason but I am not for sure...

Windows 7 64bit
I will give it another go!

Related

Help please! Lost SDcard Partition!

Hey fellow devs,
I have been trying to configure my partitions on my 4GB SDcard for around 7 hours now..... it's currently 4:43am CST and I've lost it.
I researched and researched to find out the best way to create the FAT32/EXT2 partitions for my SDcard and i believed i had it and now I'm left with only 2.2GB/4GB available to me from my FAT32 SDcard! I can't create an EXT2 partition anymore or another FAT32 because there is no space allocated. I've been using Partition Manager 9.0 for the process but I'm kinda really freaked out now. Someone please tell me that i haven't friend my SDcard.
What I have been working on is trying to get my apps & caches saved to my SDcard so i have save my internal memory and stay away from Lag spikes. I currently have JFv1.42_RC_33 Modded created by LucidREM. It is supposed to auto save all apps/caches to the SDcard but of course you have to first have the FAT32/EXT2 combo. Well i thought i had it so i went and flashed my G1 with that Modified build.
1. Formatted SDcard after having FAT32/EXT2 partitions created because i was trying to follow the new auto updated from another post by using Android SDK(ADB) and running appsToSD.bat which failed.
Note: I'm not sure but i think that is where i went wrong by formatting the SDcard after the partitions and not before.
2. Went for LucidREM's method right after.....
3. Powered down > Booted from Camera+Power > Updated from update.zip(JFv1.42_RC_33 Modded > Home+Back for reboot.
4. Got back to home screen and all my old stuff is still there. Apps and all because they were saved to the phone's internal memory(Phew)
5. Went to Terminal and did
a. $su
b. #copy.sh app
c. #copy.sh data (OPTIONAL)
Failed.
So lastly i decided to check my partitions in Partition Manager 9.0 and found that my EXT2 partition is completely gone and the 1.5GB memory went with it!!
So now I'm stuck with 2.5GB FAT32 SDcard. Can't rollback or create EXT2 since all primary slots are taken up.
I know this is a long post but I'm like at the end of my rope. I know my G1 is pretty safe but I have no clue about my SDcard.
Please Advise.............
P.S I'm gonna go to sleep now.....Lol..... 7 hrs is too long to be focused.....
Thanks Devs
Stringbeanz
[email protected]
beanz,
sleep deprivation is never a good thing when playing with partitions. first of all. Secondly, i feel your frustrations... i have been there recently. So here is where i offer help.
You are in a good spot because your g1 still has all the apps / data untouched
As far as the sd card goes. i would back up any information you have on it that you dont want to loose. here are a few tricks you can try.
- i dont know if your running Paragon Partition Manager from windows or not but i would make a bootable cd and run it from outside windows. it worked exponentially better for me that way.
-i would also suggest making your ext2 partition no bigger than 500mb. even if you download 100 apps you wont fill that up. and it seems to have less issues the smaller it is.
-also if your card is not a class 6 lucidRem doesnt advise moving the data.
hope this helps
Perdid0,
Thanks for your prompt response to my post. I have just a few Q&A to your response.
1. I am running Partition Manager 9.0 on Windows XP SP3
2. My 4GB SD card only has 2.2GB on 1 partition (FAT32)
3. I'm not able to add another partition such as an EXT2 because there is no primary spot available or allocated space. That is what Partition Manager 9.0 told me.
So.......
1. How do I check if my SD card is Class 6? App or prog?
2. Since I can't create a partition on it now is it trashed?
3. I'm thinkin just to wait and get a 16GB Class 6 or 8 if I find one.
4. But until then if I am able to undo the damage to my current one that would be great.
Thanks for ur help with my Questions.
Stringbeanz

Step by Step: How to partition ext2 with Paragon Partition Manager 9.0 - windows vers

HOW TO PARTION WITH PARAGON PARTITION MANAGER
**** YOU WILL LOSE ANY INFO ON THE SDCARD - PLEASE BACK UP IMPORTANT INFO PRIOR TO STARTING THIS PROCESS ***
**** these are instructions for Windows XP ***
***** if you are using Windows Vista - You need to change the permissions to Administrative in order for this to work - RIGHT CLICK ON THE START BUTTON AND GO TO ADMIN SETTINGS - even if you are the only user of the PC
have the sdcard in the card reader or in the phone mounted to the pc !!!!
OPEN PARTITION MANAGER...
CLICK ON PARTITION MANAGER IN THE LOWER RIGHT HAND CORNER..
then click on the line that represents the sdcard, and right click on it, and choose format partition.. name the volume label - fat32
then click format..
computer might hang for a minute or 2, and then a popup will come up and say click GREEN CHECK to apply changes..
click the GREEN CHECK IN THE TOOLBAR AREA..
you will then see another pop up show - apply changes, choose yes, then you will see OVERALL PROGRESS AND GEARS TURNING.. LET IT PROCESS AND TAKE ITS TIME.. DONT HIT CANCEL..
when its done the cancel button at the bottom will change to Close.. click it..
AND THE FIRST STAGE IS DONE...
NOW ITS TIME TO CREATE THE EXT2 PARTITION..
Now on the Left side of the screen click Create partition.. and a screen will now show Create New Partition Wizard... it lets you chose which drive to partition ( make sure you chose the sdcard - it will be the one with the smallest volume/size of the sdcard in gbs.. should be on the bottom )...
HIT NEXT
now a slider will appear where it says new volume....
move the slider with the mouse, and make it how big you want it.. for ext2 partiiton about 500mb to 1gb is plenty... 500mb is good size.. ( size wont be exact so get it close to the size you want..
WHEN DONE CLICK NEXT...
NOW IT GIVES YOU THE OPTION TO FORMAT THE PARTITION...
CLICK THE PARTITION TYPE DROPDOWN MENU AND CHOSE LINUX EXT2... AND GIVE IT A VOLUME LABEL OF ext2.
then click next...
PC WILL PROCESS AND HOURGLASS WILL SHOW WHERE THE MOUSE POINTER IS.. AND THEN A POP UP WILL SHOW - SAYING -
COMPLETING THE CREATE NEW PARTTITION WIZARD..
CLICK FINISH...
THEN IT TAKES YOU BACK TO THE SCREEN SHOWING THE DRIVES, AND WHAT YOU CREATED, AND THE OPTION AT THE TOP WILL SAY - APPLY ... choose apply
THEN IT WILL ASK YOU TO - APPLY PENDING CHANGES AGAIN, choose yes..
NOW YOU WILL SEE THE GEARS WORKING AGAIN.. LET IT RUN TILL IT SAYS complete..
*it will take a few minutes to process.. let it run...
you might get a pop up for the sdcard drive as a open folder on the pc just showing that its done, just go back to paragon and let it finish running...
once complete you will get a pop up saying SYSTEM RESTART IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE OPERATION.. CHOSE RESTART THE COMPUTER...
You will see a paragon manager screen, that will hang for a almost a minute, and then the bar will fill saying 100 percent complete, press any key to reboot the pc..
AS LONG AS THERE IS NO ERRORS, YOUR DONE..
FORMAT COMPLETE..
PARAGON WILL START UP ON ITS OWN, AND SHOW THE PARTITIONS AS BEING COMPLETE..
----
*****edit
Originally Posted by Androidandy
check that the ext2 partition is good by typing busybox df -h in terminal.
************************************************************EDIT *****************
If your having issues using paragon partition manager, and trying to make a linux swap partition, try these instructions for formating thru Cyanogens newest recovery
Formatting you SDcard
You only need to do this once folks..if you already have 3 partitions including linux-swap move to step 2
You need Recovery image 1.31 to do this folks!
To format card SD card with linux-swap WARNING!!! this will reformat you entire SD card!!
You can use the recovery console and parted to format SDcards with 1.31 folks, no more going through hassles you have the tools on you G1!...here is an example of how to do this in recovery console using parted
Example for 8GB card (specific value's may be slightly different use print to verify your total SDcard size~!
Reboot and enter recovery
Enter console
#parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
#print (to verfiy we know what size card we are dealing with, the details should be straight forward)
rm 1
rm 2
mkpartfs primary fat32 0 7584
mkpartfs primary ext2 7584 8127
mkpartfs primary linux-swap 8127 8159
#print (to verify we have the 3 partitions)
Example for my 4GB card
#parted /dev/block/mmcblk0
#print (to verfiy we know what size card we are dealing with, the details should be straight forward * then grab a calculator to figure the exact amounts... as shown below that is an example..)
rm 1
rm 2
mkpartfs primary fat32 0 3420
mkpartfs primary ext2 3420 3932
mkpartfs primary linux-swap 3932-3964
"End?" you need to place the last value for the linux swap eg.3964 for my 4GB card
#print (to verify we have the 3 partitions)
Next we need to "quit" parted and upgrade our ext2 partition to ext3
#upgrade_fs
Swap value is set to 30 currently, you can change this by modifying the "echo" value for swappiness in the a2sd.sh script
swap partition shouldnt be no larger than 92mb
ext2/3 partition shouldnt be more than 500mb ( more than that is too much )
( directions from a post by justanothercrowd )
Thank You, for a great post but, can you please fix this link *** word docx with screenshots - http://kaysesoze.wordpress.com/wp-ad...ttachment_id=4
When I signed in I received the following message "You are not allowed to edit this attachment." Again THANK YOU,
V/R
Biz
stuck
I installed paragon parttition manager 9 pro trial version after installtion I reboot and , it brought me to the blu paragon advance recovery screen...I notice I forgot to back up my sd card...but it won't let me out of this screen...tried rebooting it still brought me back to this screen...is there any solution for this problem....its gotta be something easy...I just don't know what to do to get back to my desktop.....HELP!!!!!!!!!PLEASE!!!
biz18434 said:
Thank You, for a great post but, can you please fix this link *** word docx with screenshots - http://kaysesoze.wordpress.com/wp-ad...ttachment_id=4
When I signed in I received the following message "You are not allowed to edit this attachment." Again THANK YOU,
V/R
Biz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for bringing that to my attention.. will try and fix it..
toconfuze1 said:
I installed paragon parttition manager 9 pro trial version after installtion I reboot and , it brought me to the blu paragon advance recovery screen...I notice I forgot to back up my sd card...but it won't let me out of this screen...tried rebooting it still brought me back to this screen...is there any solution for this problem....its gotta be something easy...I just don't know what to do to get back to my desktop.....HELP!!!!!!!!!PLEASE!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
during the paragon process it says do not interrupt it while it is formating, cause you pc can become unstable. and thats exactly what you did.. u might be able to press the esc button, i believe it gives that option at the bottom of the screen to exit it properly. but rebooting was wrong...
anytime u FORMAT any drive or card you will lose information, thats pc fundamentals... will add the issue about losing info to orig post..
was stuck
thanks a lot....fixed
Help
I know I am always running into problems. But i am freakin out about this and i don't know if this is the right thread to be posting this or maybe someone can lead me to other thread with this fix.
Question
First i partitioned my mini sd card using my G1 with paragon manager and when everything was done the computer restarts.
But the weired thing is that now when i mount my G1. My G1 is recognized by my computer but it does not show me the storage device on my computer folder or even prompt me with opening a folder for my storoge card. I am freakin out.
Things i tried.
1. Rebooted my phone
2. nandrroid backup restore
3. restarted my computer
4. changed minisd cards.
5. uninstalling the usb android driver and reapplying it
6. went to usb debug on the settings on the phone
nothing worked.
Thanks . Any help would do.
------------------------
Fix ******Update
It took me alot of time to figure this out. if anyone gets this problem just assign your sdcard a Letter. Example: E: Drive.
When i look at these tutorials it does not mention anything like that.
thanks anyways
stonefurry said:
I know I am always running into problems. But i am freakin out about this and i don't know if this is the right thread to be posting this or maybe someone can lead me to other thread with this fix.
Question
First i partitioned my mini sd card using my G1 with paragon manager and when everything was done the computer restarts.
But the weired thing is that now when i mount my G1. My G1 is recognized by my computer but it does not show me the storage device on my computer folder or even prompt me with opening a folder for my storoge card. I am freakin out.
Things i tried.
1. Rebooted my phone
2. nandrroid backup restore
3. restarted my computer
4. changed minisd cards.
5. uninstalling the usb android driver and reapplying it
6. went to usb debug on the settings on the phone
nothing worked.
Thanks . Any help would do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. did you do the fat32 first, then ext2 second ?
2. did you mount the sdcard to the pc ?
3. may show as F drive on your pc !!!
I used PM 10, it is very easy. However when the program wants to reboot it says there is an error, but I check that the ext2 partition is good by typing busybox df -h in terminal.
I've partitioned several cards now and they all work.
I found that doing a wipe then installing Lucid's rom.
I reinstall my applications from mybackup pro and downloading others from the market.
I test everything is working fine, then and only then I use the scripts that Lucid posted.
To recap ensure that busybox recognises the ext2 partition then wipe, install Lucids rom
Androidandy said:
I used PM 10, it is very easy. However when the program wants to reboot it says there is an error, but I check that the ext2 partition is good by typing busybox df -h in terminal.
I've partitioned several cards now and they all work.
I found that doing a wipe then installing Lucid's rom.
I reinstall my applications from mybackup pro and downloading others from the market.
I test everything is working fine, then and only then I use the scripts that Lucid posted.
To recap ensure that busybox recognises the ext2 partition then wipe, install Lucids rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for the info..
was looking for the commands to verify that the ext2 partition is done correctly, and of course it verifies that busybox is working also..
I'm having a large issue with my new Micro SD card.
When using PM and my MicroSD in an SD adapter it allows me to format and create partitions successfully JUST FINE with my Sandisk 2gb which is probably a class 2 or just not a class at all...it doesn't say on the card at all.
BUT I just bought a Transcend 8gb Class 6 HC card and when using the SD adapter the computer recognizes it just fine to open and view files...BUT Paragon says its "Invalid" and won't allow me to format, partition, or anything.
I have no idea what needs to be done differently. It works just fine in the phone and moving files but Paragon won't recognize it or allow it to be modified.
I need some help please!!!
First of I'm new to all this so I'm a nood and I need some help massively I have trying to make this ext2 partition on ubumtu for months and always get an error message and a lost and found folder in the ext2 partition. Found these directions and finally make the partition w/ no error messages. Fat32 1st then ext2 2nd type busybox command so I think its done right. So I try to mkdir /system/sd/app for marcus directions on apps to sd to use his apps to sd2 app and I get error /system/sd/app read only. Why is that so? I look in pargan partitioner were I made the parition and there both still there. I would be greatfull if anyone can help out a nood like me [email protected]. I have been trying to get this ext2 partiton for months and today thought I did it correct cause no error messages and boy was I wrong!! Please anyone help !!
Bronze G1 W/ JF 1.5 cupcake W/Areo
NO APPS TO SD1! HELP PLEASE
Saphire SLP
[email protected]
i like this tuturial, but one problem, doesnt work with vista 64bit -.-
im literally crying
So every time I try to format, my phone unmounts my damn card.
Any ideas?
worked for me on vista 64
missxoash said:
So every time I try to format, my phone unmounts my damn card.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using Paragon or windows?
missxoash said:
So every time I try to format, my phone unmounts my damn card.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im have the same problems as her, i dunno why
I am running vista 64 and paragon profesional. I can get it to format and can get the ext2, but I can not do anything with the card. I try and reformat the fat32 and give it a letter for a drive but it wont take or if i format it and then create the ext2 it gives the ext the drive letter(both cannot have a drive) What gives and in the meantime I have to use the 1gig because although paragon recognizes the sd card my pc does not!
so i've done everything in the tutorial. and even the coding for checking busybox.
it doesnt show the ext2.
and i tried running the lucid commands
and it says ext2 is not mounted.
i get all the way to the ext2 part the very last thing
like mount/dismount and i get a error
saying to close a program or restart pc
cant close program because i dont know what it is so i click retry same error
i restarted pc 2 times
still same thign tried reformatting all over again what am i doing wrong? thanks guys!
pr0cl1v1ty said:
i get all the way to the ext2 part the very last thing
like mount/dismount and i get a error
saying to close a program or restart pc
cant close program because i dont know what it is so i click retry same error
i restarted pc 2 times
still same thign tried reformatting all over again what am i doing wrong? thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are u using a sdcard reader ??

Question Noobe

I would like to know exactly what these do before i do them. sorry guys im a noobe..
Build:RA-magic-v1.2.3G
- wipe sd:ext partition
- Wipe SD:dalink-cache
- part sd:fat32+ext2+swap
- part sdnly fat32
- repair ext filesystem
- convert ext2 to ext3
- fix apk uid mismatches
- fix rotate
- USB Mass storage on
- USB Mass Storage off
Also how do you flash this recovery img from the Recover Flasher App, VS using CMD & fastboot.
jdubdieslo said:
I would like to know exactly what these do before i do them. sorry guys im a noobe..
Build:RA-magic-v1.2.3G
- wipe sd:ext partition
- Wipe SD:dalink-cache
- part sd:fat32+ext2+swap
- part sdnly fat32
- repair ext filesystem
- convert ext2 to ext3
- fix apk uid mismatches
- fix rotate
- USB Mass storage on
- USB Mass Storage off
Also how do you flash this recovery img from the Recover Flasher App, VS using CMD & fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wipe sd: ext partition- deletes your apps on your ext partiton
wipe sd: davlik-cache wipes your cache on your sd
part sd: fat32+ext2+swap makes the three partitions you need to run hero roms
parted sd: fat32 only- just partitions your memory card for a fat32 for stock roms like cyanogen
convert ext2 to ext3- does exactly what it says. makes ext2 to ext3
repair ext filesystem- do this after you choose to convert ext2 to ext3
fix apk uid mismatches- does exactly what it says
fix rotate- fixes auto rotate issues some roms have
usb mass storage on- allows you to access your fat32 part of your sd from the recovery
usb mass storage off- turns off the mounting of your sd from the recovery
to flash it using the recovery flasher app, just look at the unlockr's video and substitute the recovery image name for the one that is in the video. Voila.
Hope this helps
Applause...
Getting a straight answer sometimes is the most difficult part of installing a rom.
thelastgoodbrother said:
Applause...
Getting a straight answer sometimes is the most difficult part of installing a rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol thats very true but come on if you can't do the research to figure out the basic youll be posting another thread the next day but this time it'll be called "stuck on the g1 screen" lol sometimes not giving a straight answer may save their phone... but thats just my opinion
So use part sd: fat32+ext2+swap when useing hero rom... what if i use hero rom & go back to cyanogen can i leave it that way or do i need to parted sd: fat32 only? also if i did part sd: fat32+ext2+swap And then did part sdnly fat32 would it override the part sd: fat32+ext2+swap. another question i dont even know what ext 2 is so moving it to ext 3 would be? sorry guys im new at this.. just wanted to clarify this. is fat32 letting me store apps to sd? because i removed the sd card while phone was on & notices it froze; i put it back in removed & rrplaced battery and it was fine again.. also i noticed i part sd: fat32+ext2+swap again before i read your replies to see what it would do and everything on my sd card was goin..
also what is swap i saw an app that saved a swap file on sd..
thanks everyone for you help. loving the android community. as soon as i get some extra cash i will be donating to people that helped me make my android stand out from any one's android on my end of the computer. thanks
jdubdieslo said:
So use part sd: fat32+ext2+swap when useing hero rom... what if i use hero rom & go back to cyanogen can i leave it that way or do i need to parted sd: fat32 only? also if i did part sd: fat32+ext2+swap And then did part sdnly fat32 would it override the part sd: fat32+ext2+swap. another question i dont even know what ext 2 is so moving it to ext 3 would be? sorry guys im new at this.. just wanted to clarify this. is fat32 letting me store apps to sd? because i removed the sd card while phone was on & notices it froze; i put it back in removed & rrplaced battery and it was fine again.. also i noticed i part sd: fat32+ext2+swap again before i read your replies to see what it would do and everything on my sd card was goin..
also what is swap i saw an app that saved a swap file on sd..
thanks everyone for you help. loving the android community. as soon as i get some extra cash i will be donating to people that helped me make my android stand out from any one's android on my end of the computer. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are running a hero rom and want to go to cyanogen, you can leave the fat32+ext2+swap. Just make sure that you wipe your sd partition and davlik cache using the options in the recovery image. Do this every time you are flashing any new rom for that matter, whether it's a different hero rom or a stock rom.
Ext is the partition of your memory card that stores all your apps. This was necessary for the g1 because it only had like 80 mb of memory for apps. The mytouch has nearly 300 so apps2sd is not really necessary, but most custom ROMs include this anyway. Ext3 is what most of these ROMs operate on. Ext2 is an old outdated version that no one really uses anymore and ext4 is even newer than ext3 but is not really necessary.
Fat32 only does not let you store your apps on your sd. It does not have the ext partition to let that happen. I don't know why your phone froze when you took your sd card out. It shouldn't have. When you part your memory card, whether its just fat32 or the combo fat, ext, and swap your memory card gets wiped and formatted to whatever you have, so of course you will lose all your contents on the memory card. It wipes and reformats all 3 partitons, or just the one if you are doing only the fat32.
As for swap, this is necessary for hero. Hero phones have 288 mb of ram and the mytouch only has 192mb so if you don't have this, the phone lags so bad and hangs up and you get constant load screens. The app you saw is known as swapper. Yes it does put a swap file on your sd card, but if you go into advanced settings, it lets you use your swap partition of your memory card, which is what you should always choose.
Keep them questions rolling, I like being able to contribute whenever I can.
tazz9690 said:
If you are running a hero rom and want to go to cyanogen, you can leave the fat32+ext2+swap. Just make sure that you wipe your sd partition and davlik cache using the options in the recovery image. Do this every time you are flashing any new rom for that matter, whether it's a different hero rom or a stock rom.
Ext is the partition of your memory card that stores all your apps. This was necessary for the g1 because it only had like 80 mb of memory for apps. The mytouch has nearly 300 so apps2sd is not really necessary, but most custom ROMs include this anyway. Ext3 is what most of these ROMs operate on. Ext2 is an old outdated version that no one really uses anymore and ext4 is even newer than ext3 but is not really necessary.
Fat32 only does not let you store your apps on your sd. It does not have the ext partition to let that happen. I don't know why your phone froze when you took your sd card out. It shouldn't have. When you part your memory card, whether its just fat32 or the combo fat, ext, and swap your memory card gets wiped and formatted to whatever you have, so of course you will lose all your contents on the memory card. It wipes and reformats all 3 partitons, or just the one if you are doing only the fat32.
As for swap, this is necessary for hero. Hero phones have 288 mb of ram and the mytouch only has 192mb so if you don't have this, the phone lags so bad and hangs up and you get constant load screens. The app you saw is known as swapper. Yes it does put a swap file on your sd card, but if you go into advanced settings, it lets you use your swap partition of your memory card, which is what you should always choose.
Keep them questions rolling, I like being able to contribute whenever I can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ao since ext 2 is outdate we want to convert ext 2 to ext 3 then repair ext filesystemafter words.. so if you convert ext 2 to ext 3 is there only a ext 3 now or both ext 2 and it adds a ext 3? also what does dalvik mean? also i thought apps to sd was a big deal because if you switch roms all your apps are still there, but if you wipe ext partition then you lose the apps so the real reason is just for phone with low ram and cant store many apps at once.. intresting..and wats up with not wipe data/factory reset after installing roms? whats the reason behind that, i notice my IME keyboard is no longer there when i do that.. im trying to think of more questions lol. thanks a million.
jdubdieslo said:
ao since ext 2 is outdate we want to convert ext 2 to ext 3 then repair ext filesystemafter words.. so if you convert ext 2 to ext 3 is there only a ext 3 now or both ext 2 and it adds a ext 3? also what does dalvik mean? also i thought apps to sd was a big deal because if you switch roms all your apps are still there, but if you wipe ext partition then you lose the apps so the real reason is just for phone with low ram and cant store many apps at once.. intresting..and wats up with not wipe data/factory reset after installing roms? whats the reason behind that, i notice my IME keyboard is no longer there when i do that.. im trying to think of more questions lol. thanks a million.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you convert ext2 to ext3, there will only be ext3. It converts it from ext2, it does not make an additional partition. Davlik cache, if I am not mistaken is all your cache from your browser to google maps gets saved to your sd card as well instead of your phone memory. The apps2sd was originally for the fact that you keep your apps, but when flashing hero roms, it did not work for some reason and it resulted in boot loops. So that's why they say always format your ext if flashing from a different rom. For stock roms, I don't believe this would be an issue so you probably could go on without wiping your sd as long as you are moving from a stock rom to another stock. It will not work if you go from stock to hero, and vice versa. Wipe data/factory reset clears all the settings from your phone so you do not have any lingering settings stored on the phone from an old rom when you flash a different one. The only time that you do not need to do this is if you are flashing a newer version of the same rom. The IME is probably still there, it just got unchecked from the input method. Go to locale and text and recheck the "input" box and it should work again.
yeah it is safest way to wipe and reformat the sd card before flashing a new rom.
tazz9690 said:
if you convert ext2 to ext3, there will only be ext3. It converts it from ext2, it does not make an additional partition. Davlik cache, if I am not mistaken is all your cache from your browser to google maps gets saved to your sd card as well instead of your phone memory. The apps2sd was originally for the fact that you keep your apps, but when flashing hero roms, it did not work for some reason and it resulted in boot loops. So that's why they say always format your ext if flashing from a different rom. For stock roms, I don't believe this would be an issue so you probably could go on without wiping your sd as long as you are moving from a stock rom to another stock. It will not work if you go from stock to hero, and vice versa. Wipe data/factory reset clears all the settings from your phone so you do not have any lingering settings stored on the phone from an old rom when you flash a different one. The only time that you do not need to do this is if you are flashing a newer version of the same rom. The IME is probably still there, it just got unchecked from the input method. Go to locale and text and recheck the "input" box and it should work again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Previously I got a 2GB micro-sd card. so no problem for me to move my music, photos, videos and backup apps to my pc.
But i just bought a 8GB card 2 weeks ago and man, backup all before flashing a rom is pain in the a** . but can't help flashing this and that ROMs hee hee
so no choice. yesterday I flashed Eugene's supermagic rom. awesome!
cheers
tazz9690 said:
if you convert ext2 to ext3, there will only be ext3. It converts it from ext2, it does not make an additional partition. Davlik cache, if I am not mistaken is all your cache from your browser to google maps gets saved to your sd card as well instead of your phone memory. The apps2sd was originally for the fact that you keep your apps, but when flashing hero roms, it did not work for some reason and it resulted in boot loops. So that's why they say always format your ext if flashing from a different rom. For stock roms, I don't believe this would be an issue so you probably could go on without wiping your sd as long as you are moving from a stock rom to another stock. It will not work if you go from stock to hero, and vice versa. Wipe data/factory reset clears all the settings from your phone so you do not have any lingering settings stored on the phone from an old rom when you flash a different one. The only time that you do not need to do this is if you are flashing a newer version of the same rom. The IME is probably still there, it just got unchecked from the input method. Go to locale and text and recheck the "input" box and it should work again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so when going to another rom should you part the sd before or after the rom is loaded? and honestly im running out of questions.. i got one that is throwing me off.. i have my phone in fastboot and in device manager it show andriod bootloader (cant remember the exact device); i type in the cmd
cd desktop
cd fastboot
then the code for the custom splash and i get
< waiting for device > and it just sits there. nothing will happen. & my splash is still stock.. the file is at the rights bytes and i have the folder on my cd on the desktop and the driver i beleive is installed correctly on the cp. what am i doing wrong?
I think the Title should be Changed, Something Like Recovery-101. Know Your Phone.
Alot of great Info for New comers
jdubdieslo said:
so when going to another rom should you part the sd before or after the rom is loaded? and honestly im running out of questions.. i got one that is throwing me off.. i have my phone in fastboot and in device manager it show andriod bootloader (cant remember the exact device); i type in the cmd
cd desktop
cd fastboot
then the code for the custom splash and i get
< waiting for device > and it just sits there. nothing will happen. & my splash is still stock.. the file is at the rights bytes and i have the folder on my cd on the desktop and the driver i beleive is installed correctly on the cp. what am i doing wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Part the sd before you load the rom onto the phone. if it has apps2sd and you try to part your memory card after, you will get stuck at the splash more than likely because you are missing key components that are stored onto the sd, like all your apps for example that come with the ROM.
In fastboot, when it's plugged in, on the phone does it say "Fastboot USB"?
You might want to try to reupload the drivers for the fastboot. That may be why it's hanging. I never use fastboot through the desktop. I always use fastboot through the SDK folder on my C:\ drive. It always worked for me that way. For some reason I could never get it to work with the "cd destop" but thats just me.
tazz9690 said:
Part the sd before you load the rom onto the phone. if it has apps2sd and you try to part your memory card after, you will get stuck at the splash more than likely because you are missing key components that are stored onto the sd, like all your apps for example that come with the ROM.
In fastboot, when it's plugged in, on the phone does it say "Fastboot USB"?
You might want to try to reupload the drivers for the fastboot. That may be why it's hanging. I never use fastboot through the desktop. I always use fastboot through the SDK folder on my C:\ drive. It always worked for me that way. For some reason I could never get it to work with the "cd destop" but thats just me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i figured taht was the right order part sd then load rom because i did it and it worked lol, and since it worked i never tried it rom the part sd. so do cyanogen roms have app2sd? and does the cyanogen rom have a overclocker built in now because i tried to use my overclock widget and it doesnt work and the phone seems as if its running faster even with out my widget..
and yes it says fastboot usb & ive tried uninstalling & reinstall the drivers mutliple times and still get < waiting for device > so if i do it on the c:/ drive were do i place the fastboot folder? /c:/fastboot? and what would the code be?
cd c:/
cd Fastboot
thent he other code that i have saved at home the flash_splash one? i cant remember it.
one really dumb question. i rooted my pops mytouch lol because he was complaining about the mytouch stock because of numerous things. so i rooted it to 4.2.2 and out of all things he is now complaining about the stock ringtones.. lol. anyone know where to get the stock ringtones? if not its cool i told him id make sum ringers with ringdroid for him like the temptations and willie nelson lol.. thanks all for your support.
jdubdieslo said:
i figured taht was the right order part sd then load rom because i did it and it worked lol, and since it worked i never tried it rom the part sd. so do cyanogen roms have app2sd? and does the cyanogen rom have a overclocker built in now because i tried to use my overclock widget and it doesnt work and the phone seems as if its running faster even with out my widget..
and yes it says fastboot usb & ive tried uninstalling & reinstall the drivers mutliple times and still get < waiting for device > so if i do it on the c:/ drive were do i place the fastboot folder? /c:/fastboot? and what would the code be?
cd c:/
cd Fastboot
thent he other code that i have saved at home the flash_splash one? i cant remember it.
one really dumb question. i rooted my pops mytouch lol because he was complaining about the mytouch stock because of numerous things. so i rooted it to 4.2.2 and out of all things he is now complaining about the stock ringtones.. lol. anyone know where to get the stock ringtones? if not its cool i told him id make sum ringers with ringdroid for him like the temptations and willie nelson lol.. thanks all for your support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cyanogen's rom has dynamic apps2sd. If it senses that you have a partition, it will do apps2sd. If you don't have an ext, it will save it to the phone, so it will work that way too.
For the fastboot, do you even have your computer set up for the use of ADB and fastboot? Like having the latest SDK downloaded and set up for your computer? That might be why it says, waiting for devices. When you do cd fastboot, afterward type fastboot devices and see if in the cmd it says "HTC Bootloader" or "Android Bootloader" I am not sure which one it is.
As for the ringtones, here is the link for the download in Cyanogen's 4.2.2 threat http://n0rp.chemlab.org/android/audio-resources.zip That downloads a zip of all the stock ringtones. Just upzip the file and place it on the root of your sd card.
tazz9690 said:
Cyanogen's rom has dynamic apps2sd. If it senses that you have a partition, it will do apps2sd. If you don't have an ext, it will save it to the phone, so it will work that way too.
For the fastboot, do you even have your computer set up for the use of ADB and fastboot? Like having the latest SDK downloaded and set up for your computer? That might be why it says, waiting for devices. When you do cd fastboot, afterward type fastboot devices and see if in the cmd it says "HTC Bootloader" or "Android Bootloader" I am not sure which one it is.
As for the ringtones, here is the link for the download in Cyanogen's 4.2.2 threat http://n0rp.chemlab.org/android/audio-resources.zip That downloads a zip of all the stock ringtones. Just upzip the file and place it on the root of your sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats good to know. so if you ext 2 will cm use ext 2 & if you converted it will it use ext 3? also how can i tell what i have ext 2 or ext 3 other than knowing if i click convert to ext 3? i downloaded the SDK and used the usb folder when the computer was looking for drivers & it says it installed drivers successfully; so now when im in fastboot usb on my phone the computer in device manager shows bootloader (cant remember exactly what it says untill i get home); & when my phone is in recovery the driver shows ADB (cant remember the exact name till i get home also); and then i do the codes because my fastboot & sdk folders are on my desktop; when i downloaded the sdk folder i dont think i did anything with it as far as isntalling it, what does the sdk folder do? lol. sorry..
thanks for the ringtones my pops says mucho gracias.
jdubdieslo said:
thats good to know. so if you ext 2 will cm use ext 2 & if you converted it will it use ext 3? also how can i tell what i have ext 2 or ext 3 other than knowing if i click convert to ext 3? i downloaded the SDK and used the usb folder when the computer was looking for drivers & it says it installed drivers successfully; so now when im in fastboot usb on my phone the computer in device manager shows bootloader (cant remember exactly what it says untill i get home); & when my phone is in recovery the driver shows ADB (cant remember the exact name till i get home also); and then i do the codes because my fastboot & sdk folders are on my desktop; when i downloaded the sdk folder i dont think i did anything with it as far as isntalling it, what does the sdk folder do? lol. sorry..
thanks for the ringtones my pops says mucho gracias.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think any builds use ext2 anymore. They all either use ext3 or ext4. You have to make an ext2 first though, before you can convert it to ext3. Same goes for ext4, you have to have ext3 before you can upconvert to it. Just use ext3 just to be safe. If you go into "Parted" through the recovery image by typing in "parted /dev/block/mmcblk0" in adb shell, then typing 'print' it will show how big your fat32 is, it'll say which ext you have as well as your size, and the same for linux swap.
For a SDK, the folder stores the drivers needed for fastboot and adb in it. You should save it to the root of your C:\ drive because it makes things easier. I recommend you set up SDK using this thread guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=532719
Setting up the Android 1.5r2 SDK
Download the file from above
Unzip to your desktop
Take the "android-sdk-windows-1.5_r2" folder and move it to the root of your hard drive (C:\)
Right click on My Computer and click properties
Select the Advanced Tab or Advanced System Setting (Vista)
Select Environment Variables...
Press New
For Variable Name type: adb
For Variable Value type: C:\android-sdk-windows-1.5_r2\tools
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Preparing your phone for ADB
Go to Settings on your phone
Select Applications
Select Development
Make sure 'USB Debugging' is checked
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installing Drivers
Plug in your phone through USB and DO NOT MOUNT IT!!!!!
Your computer should see a new device and try to install Android 1.0 driver (If it doesnt, scroll down to the "Im not getting a notification of Android ADB when i plug in my USB" section)
Let it load
Once it cant find them select "Install drivers from my pc"
The drivers you need are in the Android SDK 1.5r2 folder (C:\android-sdk-windows-1.5_r2\usb_driver)
Depending on your OS pick x86 or amd64
You ADB Android Device should now be installed! Good Job
Those are basically what you need to look at.
jdubdieslo said:
I would like to know exactly what these do before i do them. sorry guys im a noobe..
Build:RA-magic-v1.2.3G
- wipe sd:ext partition
- Wipe SD:dalink-cache
- part sd:fat32+ext2+swap
- part sdnly fat32
- repair ext filesystem
- convert ext2 to ext3
- fix apk uid mismatches
- fix rotate
- USB Mass storage on
- USB Mass Storage off
Also how do you flash this recovery img from the Recover Flasher App, VS using CMD & fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't mean to hijack your thread OP, but I do have a question that I hope someone can answer. When partitioning the SD card, you choose the option I put in Bold. After that, could you use this link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=535914
To adjust the different sizes of the 3 partitions? I know that in order to run any Hero ROMS, your SD card has to be partitioned with at least 3 (fat32+ext2+swap) parts. This is the only part that still confuses me when it comes to adequately rooting.
If you are using ubuntu, you create the partitions you want, as well as the size. If you use the recovery image, you would just be adding an unnecessary step because it will just get deleted when you make your partitions again with Ubuntu.
tazz9690 said:
I don't think any builds use ext2 anymore. They all either use ext3 or ext4. You have to make an ext2 first though, before you can convert it to ext3. Same goes for ext4, you have to have ext3 before you can upconvert to it. Just use ext3 just to be safe. If you go into "Parted" through the recovery image by typing in "parted /dev/block/mmcblk0" in adb shell, then typing 'print' it will show how big your fat32 is, it'll say which ext you have as well as your size, and the same for linux swap.
For a SDK, the folder stores the drivers needed for fastboot and adb in it. You should save it to the root of your C:\ drive because it makes things easier. I recommend you set up SDK using this thread guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=532719
Those are basically what you need to look at.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if u have a ext 3 how do u get ext 4? Also wat is linux swap? And yea i didnt do all that im sure thats why i was getting < waiting for device >. I will let u know the outcome of the splash screen... thanx.
jdubdieslo said:
So if u have a ext 3 how do u get ext 4? Also wat is linux swap? And yea i didnt do all that im sure thats why i was getting < waiting for device >. I will let u know the outcome of the splash screen... thanx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want ext3, you have to go into parted like I stated in a previous post and create your partitions that way. From there, to upgrade to ext3, you type "upgrade_fs". You now have ext3. If you want ext 4, after that you would type
"tune2fs -O extents,uninit_bg,dir_index /dev/block/mmcblk0p2
e2fsck -fpDC0 /dev/block/mmcblk0p2"
That's just too much work for me. I am fine with ext3. If you want a more in depth explanation, go to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=534714&highlight=wipe+partition
Linux swap, I believe I explained in one of my early posts. The mytouch only has 192 mb of ram. The Hero's have 288 and so do the 32A board Sapphire phones like the HTC Magic and the Rogers Magic. Since we were unfortunate to get that low of Ram, if you try to run a hero rom without the linux partition, the phone will lag, freeze, and get load screens constantly. Using a linux swap partition makes it possible to run the Hero ROM's at a decent speed, though it will not be as fast as if you had the actual HTC Hero phone or a 32A Sapphire.

[Utility] ext4 data2sd for Froyo ROMs

If you are always low on program memory, this data2sd might be for you. It works with any Froyo for the G3.
Note: This won't wipe your data, but you should have a backup, just in case. First backup the phone to the SD card, then the SD card to your computer. Be cautious. I give no guarantee whatsoever. If your phone behaves funny, even eats your cat afterwards, I take no responsibility.
Note: starting with version 3, the new storage size will NOT be reflected in the Task Manager or in Titanium Backup. I'll see what I can do about it.
You need a rooted phone and an SD card, preferably 2 GB or more and class 6 or better (higher). data2sd doesn't make your phone faster. Much to the contrary: it extends your memory at the cost of speed. That said, if your SD card is of a class smaller than 6, this will work too. The slowdown, however, will be noticeable in some situations.
Three steps are needed. First, we need a kernel with built-in ext4 if you don't have one. Second, we bring the data2sd into its place. And third, we create an ext 4 partition with the desired size. Now follows a detailed description of these steps.
Step 1: Check your kernel
You need a kernel with built-in ext4 capability. The custom ROMs mostly have one. If you are running a stock kernel, you must install one, e.g. from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=978823 . Follow the installation steps detailed there. (Changing the kernel does not wipe your phone).
Step 2: Install data2sd
You now must install data2sd onto your phone. As long as you didn't modify your SD card (as long as partition #2 is not ext4), this will have no further impact on your phone.
Download data2sd.zip from below and unzip it. There's a single file in there: data2sd.sh. Use the tool that suits you best to transfer it to the SD card of your phone. With adb, you would do
Code:
adb push data2sd.sh /mnt/sdcard
Now either start a terminal emulator with a root shell or use adb again. With adb, you would execute
Code:
adb shell
Make sure you are root (the prompt reads '#'), else run "su". Now type in:
Code:
# sh /mnt/sdcard/data2sd.sh
You will see some lines about what is happening and a final confirmation.
That's it. Again, your phone will continue to behave as usual.
Step 3: Prepare your SD card
You can use any amount of program memory up to the size of your SD card, but be sure to leave some room for application data on the normal (#1, vfat) partition. As a rule of thumb, 0.5 GB of program memory will satisfy most needs, 1 GB is plenty.
If you're running Linux, prepare a second partition (must be partition #2) with the desired size. Use the usual utilities to do so. This includes gparted, but there are also other means. If you use gparted, you can follow the description for Parted Magic below.
If you have no access to a Linux computer, even not your friend's, your (probably) best choice is to run Parted Magic from a live CD. For this, go to http://partedmagic.com, and burn your CD. Instructions on how to do it with different burning tools are also there.
Step 3.1: Partition and format your SD card with Parted Magic (also applies to gparted)
The following describes the steps to partition your SD card with Parted Magic. You don't need to use this method - use the tool that suits you best.
I assume you have gparted or Parted Magic running and your SD card inserted into the card reader of your PC. Now select your card from the drop-down menu of available drives in the upper right corner. You better double check that you're on the correct drive (card). It will happily erase your system disk if told to do so.
Right click near top into the block designating your current partition #1. Select "resize". (I assume that your partition #1 is the only one. If not, delete the other partition(s)). Change the size to the total size of your SD card minus the desired size for program storage (/data). Confirm your selection.
There is now a gray block designating free space to the right of your first partition. Right click it and select "New". In the following window, leave the sizes as they are. Leave "create as" to be a primary partition, and change "file system" to ext4. Confirm your selection ("Add").
The gray block at the right has changed to a colored frame. Right click it again and select "Format as". Select "ext4".
If everything went well, you can now click on the green check mark in the icon bar near the top, confirm, and watch Parted Magic resizing your normal (#1, VFAT) partition and creating the new ext4 one.
4. Finale furioso
Now insert the SD card and reboot your phone. The Task Manager will report the new size in its rightmost tab, as do the other utilities like Titanium. All user apps and data should be in place. All will look like you have soldered in an extra chunk of internal memory. Despite not being directly visible, your program memory is resized to be the new partition. You see its size and its usage (in percent) by running
Code:
df
from adb or from a terminal emulator. Have a look at the subdirectories of /data displayed there.
As a final step, you can safely remove data2sd.sh from your SD card (/sdcard). It is not needed any more.
Q&A
* How can I remove my SD card while the phone is on?
You can't. Don't try. Always switch your phone off before you remove the SD card.​* How can I return to the state before data2sd?
Remove the SD card. All user data and apps will be there in the state you left them before you installed data2sd. The data2sd script you have installed simply does nothing as long as there is no ext4 #2 SD partition.
If you want to reuse the SD card, remove partition #2. This can be done with each partitioning tool, you don't need Linux.​• What about app2sd from Kyrillos 3.0? Is it compatible?
Yes. But "no" for the "no wipe" version which was offered for a short period of time. In the latter case, clear out the ext4 partition (important: do not forget the hidden .data2sd_initialized file) or simply reformat it before reusing it.​* It doesn't work. What can I do to help diagnose the problem?
See if the file /mnt/asec/data2sd/log.txt exists. If it does, have a look at it and try to make sense of it. If it doesn't tell you anything useful, add it to your error description in the forum here. If there is none, mention that in the description.​* What things must be considered if I flash a new ROM?
As always with such actions, make sure you have a backup. That said, just flash the new ROM and then install data2sd. When you reboot with the SD card in place, all user Apps and all data should be there. No restore from backup required.
Only in the rare case that the new ROM explicitly requires you to NOT restore your old data, e.g., from Titanium, you should reformat your ext4 partition (to clear it out) and proceed as advised by the ROM makers.​Versions:
2011-03-19 Initial release
2011-03-21 Version 2
- Updated for ROMs without /system/etc/init.d
- Simplified installation of the core parts
2011-03-23 Version 3
- Vibration bug fixed
- App2SD mode added: If the ext4 partition bears the volume label "app2sd" on a new blank SD, only /data/app is moved. This greatly reduces size benefits, but results in nearly no speed loss.
- Just run the data2sd.sh file (as described in step 2) to upgrade without data loss.
- Note: the actual size will NOT be reflected as described in the Task Manager or in Titanium.
Gosh this sounds so complex and risky! Isn't there a easier way?
☞★sent from my Galaxy3!!
♪drajax!! ♬♂ツ
drajax said:
Gosh this sounds so complex and risky! Isn't there a easier way?
☞★sent from my Galaxy3!!
♪drajax!! ♬♂ツ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash Kyrillos' v3.1 where's the script's allready built in...
It is less complex than it sounds. The description is just really very detailed. The details may sound confusing until you try it. And if you have access to Linux, it is really simple. We Linux users also have to use a different operating system when we flash our phones.
Alternative: Install Kyrillos 3.1. It contains the same data2sd and comes with a partitioning tool. But, as far as I can tell, you need to reformat the SD card's vfat part on the phone and lose the data there (not sure, however).
when i try to set permissions it says permission denied . Any help?
http://www.appbrain.com/app/move2sd-enabler-(root-only)/com.leinardi.setinstalllocation
Just one quick question....
I am having the stock JPM ROM... in that case do i need to have some new Kernel to use your data2sd???
I'll be using this!
Sent from my ACID Lestatious v1.4.5.5 Galaxy 3 FROYO
When i write down "/ # cd /system/etc/init.d/"
it says "sh: cd: can't cd /system/etc/init.d/"
What am i doing wrong???
Pinak.ahuja said:
when i try to set permissions it says permission denied . Any help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not in a root shell. Enter "su" as your first command.
next2devil said:
When i write down "/ # cd /system/etc/init.d/"
it says "sh: cd: can't cd /system/etc/init.d/"
What am i doing wrong???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know. Try this:
cd /system
cd etc
cd init.d
and report where it fails and if you are using adb or a terminal emulator. If it doesn't fail, continue with the line after the cd command.
Awesome work mizch!
We can refer to below link for partitioning of sd card to ext4 using adb
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=534714
Hi Mizch,
Thanks for the script. have few questions; requesting for an answer:
1. Once data2sd is done, will sd card be auto mounted on reboot?
2. I am running JPM with Apollo's data2sd (ext2 partition for apps 1.1GB). What will be the benefit of ext4 over ext2?
3. I understand that i have to remove apollo's lagfix and then apply ext4 data2sd. Is there a way, i can also apply lagfix?
Thanks
jaskiratsingh said:
Hi Mizch,
Thanks for the script. have few questions; requesting for an answer:
1. Once data2sd is done, will sd card be auto mounted on reboot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. And for the first boot, it gets initialized too.
2. I am running JPM with Apollo's data2sd (ext2 partition for apps 1.1GB). What will be the benefit of ext4 over ext2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reliability, especially in crash cases and generally when the phone is shut down without a clean unmount. Ext 4, being a journaling file system, tries to keep the file system in a consistent state whenever possible. ext2 does nothing like that. So, when you forcible switch off your phone by long pressing the power button, most likely you are continuing with a damaged file system whose errors accumulate from now on and will eventually become visible at some time later.
There's one drawback, however: ext4 has to write more data than ext2. ext4 must always write the information needed to reconstruct a consistent file system to its journal.
3. I understand that i have to remove apollo's lagfix and then apply ext4 data2sd. Is there a way, i can also apply lagfix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm correct, the lagfix converts /data (your program storage) to ext2. Since /data is now handled by data2sd and converted to eyt4 anyway, you cannot use lagfix any more. You need to remove it.
mizch said:
If I'm correct, the lagfix converts /data (your program storage) to ext2. Since /data is now handled by data2sd and converted to eyt4 anyway, you cannot use lagfix any more. You need to remove it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply mizch. If i have to check apart from data, if anything else is converted into ext2, how can i do that?
jaskiratsingh said:
Thanks for the quick reply mizch. If i have to check apart from data, if anything else is converted into ext2, how can i do that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have a look at the output of 'mount' or 'busybox mount'.
rm 02-app2sd for who use kyrillos ROM...i didn't do that command..but it seems works fine...what does it change if i use that command???
mizch said:
Don't know. Try this:
cd /system
cd etc
cd init.d
and report where it fails and if you are using adb or a terminal emulator. If it doesn't fail, continue with the line after the cd command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried what you mentioned.... but again it shows the same error. It works well till "cd etc". Then, for init.d it shows out the error.
It seems the location for init.d is different in my device
next2devil said:
I tried what you mentioned.... but again it shows the same error. It works well till "cd etc". Then, for init.d it shows out the error.
It seems the location for init.d is different in my device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Probably there is none. What ROM are you using? Is it a Froyo ROM and from where?

SD Card partitioning on MTD ROMs

Hi There
Can someone explain what he\she did to partition SD card, and make all apps get installed on it.
Please note :
1. I don't want to use Titanium backup for this usage. I don't have the paid version and I'm tired of doing this one app at a time.
2. I saw some guides on the net, but they were all for GB.
(partition the microSD on PC using minitool) -can we use ext4 on our MTD ROMs ? What is the 1st partition for ? and the 2nd ?
(install busybox and super user) - Is it still needed ? (MIUI for example has LBE as su).
(install Link2SD) - Is it always in memory ?
(reboot and put partitioned SD card)
(Define Link2SD)
3. I also saw swapper instructions but I can manage with 170MB free RAM memory I get after removing all unnecessary system apps, and I remember ppl saying then that it kills the SDCard very quickly.
If someone has a clear guide or instructions that he knows work, that will be nice.
Thanks in advance.
Step 1. Partition your SD card to have a sd-ext partition. This can definitely be ext2 or FAT16. Anything else depends on your kernel. Most of them do support ext3 and 4, but... start with something fairly basic.
Regarding recoveries:
TWRP has always failed for me on this, so I'd avoid that.
This may be doable in CWM. I've seen reference to that newer versions of CWM removed the partition option, so you might need to flash an ICS ROM with an older kernel, repartition, and then flash back to the one you want.
Also note that if you use CWM to repartition, your SD-card will be wiped. So do a backup first.
Step 2. Install Mounts2SD. Either from XDA or the Play Store. Even if you do take it from the Play Store to get update notifications, I highly suggest grabbing the recovery script from the XDA thread so that you can get back your shifted applications without needing to re-download and install M2SD, since it likes to be on internal which means... shifted off.
Step 3. Open Mounts2SD. Grant SU rights at whatever point it asks for it during step 3. Hit the menu button. Go to Application Settings. Install the Startup Script. Tell it to use the built-in busybox as well, so that you don't need to install anything or worry about it failing. Back out of the Application Settings.
Step 4. Press on the Wrench to go into the actual specific settings. I currently have forced Cache, 1% Storage Threshold, Applications are the only bit moved, the File System Check is on and using the Ext4 Driver, 128KB Deadline for Internal and 4096 with Deadline for External, and Safe Mode is disabled. But decide on what you want yourself, set it, go back to the Eye to see your current info.
Step 5. Reboot.
Step 6. Wait 1-30 minutes for it to finish moving all your stuff around.
Step 7. Unlock your phone, open Mounts2SD, and make sure everything looks pretty on that first 'Eye' info tab. If you like it then close Mounts2SD and keep going on your merry way. If you don't like it or you've done something like offload your data and now your phone is wretchedly slow, go to the Wrench, change your settings, go back to the Eye, and reboot again. Repeat until satisfied.
I thought it would be simplier.
A few more questions:
1. If I partition SD on PC, then I don't need any partitioning on recovery so it should work fine even on TWRP or advanced CWMs. Am I right?
2. Why do I need scripts for? Isn't the app enough?
3. Why should/could it possibly slow down my device? TB 'move to SD' for all doesn't slow my device what so ever.
4. How and where do I see what partition is used for what?
5. How much RAM does the app take?
6. Have you tried other apps link2sd or something CM has built in I think.?
Thanks.
sent from me
New answers to new questions.
1. Skip step 1 if you've done it on your PC. I just suggested recovery as that's easy... if you've made your sd-ext partition on the PC, step 1 is done.
2. No clue on Link2SD. I use Mounts2SD instead since it lets me set things. It probably does the same thing though and sets a init.d script that gets run during startup.
3. True. For some reason though having all your data moved to sd-ext makes our phone go to a crawl. Same if you move off the dalvik.
4. That's in Mounts2SD. No clue how you can see if you're using Link2SD.
5. For Mounts2SD, none while it's being used, since it just runs as a startup script. The app is just to control the script.
6. Not successfully. I had tried 5 or 6 different apps back a year ago or so when I first started playing with sd-ext and Mounts2SD was the best and free, so... never looked back after that. Now you can also do some system-flag tweaking if you want to donate, but the sd-ext stuff is all free.
I was able to successfully partition SD and use mount2sd on 4.3 SlimBean.
however, it was rather slow.
CM 10.1 and CM10.2 by DJL. did not allow me to partition nor did they recognize SlimBean's partition even if I replaced them kernel (to NilTMT).
I'm currently using CM10.1 which is stable as a daily driver and manually swapping apps with TB, I hate it, but this is the best combination I've come so far.
I sold my wife's SGS4G and upgraded her to SGS3 and hopefully in a year I will do the same. it had its moments, but on the bottom line it's a pretty ****ty phone with its lack of internal mem...but hey, it drove so many of us to go deeper and deeper trying to understand and made us more tecnolgical and solution oriented.
Mounts2SD worked for me on CM10.1, so not sure why it failed for you. Ah well.
A few things I have found...
Yes, you can partition on Windows, but you're really asking for trouble. It's not too bad download Ubuntu or the like and you can boot off a USB stick without touching your Windows install.
The TeamAcid kernels that I know of handle ext2/3/4 file systems. All kinds of arguments as to which are better. I personally use ext4 and don't find it obviously "slow" for the way I use my phone.
That said, what the boot scripts (which are part of a flashed "kernel" for the SGS4G) actually do with a "special" partition is another story. In some cases the first stages of booting will look for special partitions and mount them in pre-configured places. For example, the second partition of the removable card might be mounted on /sd-ext/ in many CyanogenMod ROMs. Many (most?) SGS4G ROMs don't have these "special" mount rules defined.
Moving an app to SD using the "native" approach just moves the app and none of its data to the SD card. It won't for example, move 25 MB of mail from /data/data to your microSD
Moving an app to SD (or anywhere else) doesn't keep it from generating its classes in /data/dalvik-cache -- It isn't "free" to have an app on SD as far as internal storage goes, even if it doesn't write any data.
Moving an app to SD will absolutely slow down your boot time. It does it by creating a file that contains a file system that then gets read and mounted at boot time. You can watch the parade of them getting mounted using adb logcat. It can take a minute or two to mount them all. Once mounted, that double layer of file systems shouldn't slow you down too much, since it is basically a read-only kind of thing.
Scripts are required since you need to be able to "fake out" the operating system as to where things are stored for anything (except if you just use the native app to SD method). In most cases you need new partitions mounted before the Android part of the OS starts running.
Some scripts are more robust than others.
TitaniumBackup (paid version) has a way to move data to an external partition. It works like a charm for me (64 GB Sandisk UHS-1 / Class 10 microSD). It was very tweaky for me to get it to recognize the ext4 partition the first time. It can bulk-move app data to the partition. I don't know which, if any, of the other scripts move the data to an external partition.
On my phone, an ext4 file system can be significantly faster than the internal yaffs, especially for write. Alas, it usually seems to be read that is a killer for most things in an well-written app. On my phone, yaffs can be faster than ext4 for short reads. Who knows how this would play out in real-world usage.
Other things that TitaniumBackup can do that help free up internal storage, at least in the paid version, are:
Dalvik cache cleanup
Integrate system Dalvik cache into ROM
Integrate update into ROM
Convert to system app
I can confirm Link2SD works where Mount2SD fails, which is an ext3 partitioned sd-ext on AOKP. it doesn't get any simpler than that.
sent from me

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