Database Info

Can't mount sd card

Hi there I have a problem
My problem is that i've just root'ed my HTC Desire (I think?)
But my Desire won't boot right.. It only boots to recovery mode...
If i try to install an update.zip with clockwork it says can't read sd card
Pretty much anything i do on clockwork it says "E:Can't mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p1 (or /dev/block/mmcblk0) (No such file or directory) E: Can't mount SDCARD:"
I have also tried adb but it says device not found
My computer registres my Desire when i plug it in but it doesn't recognize it..
What shall i do next?
Ps. I am running windows 7 x64
Sorry for any spelling errors i hope you understand and are able to help me

I had a similar problem. Try booting into clockworkmod recovery, connect your phone to your PC and select mount USB (or something like that) from the partitions menu. This should give you access to your SD card on your PC. Next, backup the contents of your SD card and then delete all partitions. I used gParted but i guess you can use disk manager in windows. One deleted, don't format the card or anything, just reboot the phone and hopefully you should boot up OK. Now you can format the SD card from within Android. Before you do all this is might be worth removing your SD card and seeing if you can boot up OK without it.

Thanks for reply
When I choose to "mount usb storage" nothing really happens it is not getting recoqnized
The phone won't boot without sd-card
Do you or anyone else know if you can sync your desire from recovery mode?

One step further
Okay i now got one step furter
My phone can now start up, but it still can't registre sd card
It just says sd-card removed
Any ideas

have you tried the "mount usb" option again? Although nothing appears to happen on the phone, you should be able to access the card from your PC. it worked for me in both Win7 and Ubuntu. Other than that I can't think of anything else apart from trying a different SD card.

I can't choose mount usb storage any more.. I can't get into clockwork
Now, when i press recovery I get into a black screen with at red triangle and i can choose from 3 or 4 things, inluding wipe and apply udate
I've allready tried a diffrent sdcard

Similar problem but extra issues
Searched for hours and been in a live chat a number of times and posted on another forum but can not find specific solution.
I wanted to install this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=789830 HD rom so I partitioned my sdcard (successfully, to ext3 1.5gb, 33mb linux swap, rest fat32) and started wiping via ClockworkMod recovery.
That is when I ran into problems.
Now I can not mount my sdcard - "E:Can't mount /dev/blocl/mmcblk0 (or /dev/block/mmcblk0p1) (invalid argument) Error mounting SDCARD:!"
When I reboot, it just loops.
WinXP will detect my device via adb (when in recovery) but can't see the sdcard.
I had never used fastboot, so I am not sure if I am typing commands correctly.
Htc Desire 2.2 GSM * Uk 3 network * 8gb class2 sdcard * Bravo pvt1 ship S-off Alpharev * Clockwork 2.5.0.7 * HBOOT 0.93.0001 *
Was on Teppic's rom with init.d support http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=773997
Any help would be very much appriciated.
I hope I haven't missed an obvious or relavent thread.
EDIT
Tried sdcard from Nokia6500 but Desire won't mount that either.
When I go into fastboot and plug in my usb, I do get "FASTBOOT USB" come up, so why would cmd "fastboot devices" not detect my phone? In recovery, cmd "adb devices" it does detect it.

I don't mean to be a pest but i doubt any of us can live without our desire's
BUMP

I have the same problem when i make ext etc. for me helps putting card into another phone with android and format it
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

I have no other android device but...
I have managed to get fastboot cmd's to recognise my device.
Just need to figure how to flash my phone but I dont really want to take any backwards steps in terms of flashing a recovery.
Would like to flash my last set-up if it is possible.
Wish me luck lol
EDIT
Sorted....ish
Long short cut short is:
sdcard reader, reformatted to all fat32 with Paragon hard disc manager 8.
copied rom zip to sd.
full wipe with clockwork recovery.
Then inserted sd and installed zip from sdcard.
booted.
smiled again, even though its a practically stock rom.

ok i just waited and it finally booted up normally and went under sdcard and erased all that data this removes the partitions

[SOLVED] Clockwork can't mount SD Card

Hello fellow Transformers,
I've flashed Clockwork recovery and I have root access but when I try to flash a custom ROM I get "E: Can't mount /sdcard".
Tried reflashing the recovery img, tried manually mounting the /sdcard ... same error.
I used this thread to gain root access + flash recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125714 .
I don't have a microSD card so the /sdcard I'm talking about is the internal 16GB one.
Hope it's even mountable... or do I have to use a microSD card?
Would appreciate any help!
Thanks!
Edit: tried a microSD card - won't mount as well

That root method seems to be pretty unreliable, judging by all the comments in that thread. Try flashing this version of CWM and try your custom rom again:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1093818
If that still doesn't work, I'd say you should unroot and then try one of the more reliable rooting methods.

kingwp1 said:
That root method seems to be pretty unreliable, judging by all the comments in that thread. Try flashing this version of CWM and try your custom rom again:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1093818
If that still doesn't work, I'd say you should unroot and then try one of the more reliable rooting methods.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
I saw that thread but how can I flash this Clockwork img if I can't mound SD card? can I use fastboot boot recovery ?

Hah! Good point. You got me there...
Do you have another microSD card laying around? As far as I know CWM requires you have the files on a microSD, not the internal SD.

This is the method that I used and had no issues with:
http://asustransform.com/forum/index.php?/topic/19-how-to-root-your-asus-transformer/
You could try re-rooting your device. This method requires you to downgrade your firmware, though.

Thanks , i'll try the rooting method you did.

Try another microsd card first. I've seen people in other threads with this problem, and a different card did the trick.

Did you find a fix for this? I did a factory reset twice and re-rooted twice via the guide above. Also tried a differnt root method. Tried 3 different SD cards and reformatting them to fat32 (also tried fat and ntfs just in case ) none of them will mount in CWM recovery??
My tf will recognize the SD card when booted but not in clockwork. Im using the "standard " CWM as I can't flash the modded version. Anyone please!! I'm stuck on 3.0.1

Therev29 said:
Did you find a fix for this? I did a factory reset twice and re-rooted twice via the guide above. Also tried a differnt root method. Tried 3 different SD cards and reformatting them to fat32 (also tried fat and ntfs just in case ) none of them will mount in CWM recovery??
My tf will recognize the SD card when booted but not in clockwork. Im using the "standard " CWM as I can't flash the modded version. Anyone please!! I'm stuck on 3.0.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Used the nvflash method, which flashes the modded CW, and bought a simple 4gb microSD card and it worked great.
Make sure your sd card is formatted to FAT32.

Thanks for the quick response. nvflash it is then. forgot that's used for more than just unbricking

Therev29 said:
Thanks for the quick response. nvflash it is then. forgot that's used for more than just unbricking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck

Well, I was able to nvflash the modded cmw and prime 1.4 which was my primary goal but even this cwm won't mount the removeable or internal sd for me (still not sure which one mounts) reformatted 2 different cards to fat32 on my pc even tried formatting on the tf still nothing. Any other ideas ?

Therev29 said:
Well, I was able to nvflash the modded cmw and prime 1.4 which was my primary goal but even this cwm won't mount the removeable or internal sd for me (still not sure which one mounts) reformatted 2 different cards to fat32 on my pc even tried formatting on the tf still nothing. Any other ideas ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case, assuming you did everything, I suggest RMA... It should work so if it doesn't, maybe there's a fault with the sd card slot...
The best test is to take a microSD card that works for someone else on the Transformer and test it on yours, but it's hard finding someone with the same tablet next to you I guess...

That's what I don't get. It mounts fine when the tf is on, mount no problem on my other devices, they just wont mount for cwm on the tf. I'm gonna mess around a bit more to see if anything else works. I have some light screen bleed so it would give me a reason to return if I end up needing to go that route. Thanks again for the suggestions !
Edit: not sure why but CWM recognized the sdcard when I partitioned it, then I was able to mount it and do a backup. Still a little confused that it would recognize/mount the SD to partition but not to install or backup. But it works now

Therev29 said:
That's what I don't get. It mounts fine when the tf is on, mount no problem on my other devices, they just wont mount for cwm on the tf. I'm gonna mess around a bit more to see if anything else works. I have some light screen bleed so it would give me a reason to return if I end up needing to go that route. Thanks again for the suggestions !
Edit: not sure why but CWM recognized the sdcard when I partitioned it, then I was able to mount it and do a backup. Still a little confused that it would recognize/mount the SD to partition but not to install or backup. But it works now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear that!
I have screen bleeds as well but very small one and I didn't even notice them until I saw that "Screen bleeds" thread so I'm not going to return it for now... if it'll get worse I will.

It Works!
Thanks to jcarrz1 reply to my post in Clockworkmod recovery 3.2.0.1 roach-tf101-r1 I found the solution to my SD Card not mounting. It was indeed solved by first Partitioning my external SD card. After that CWM mounts the SD card just fine and uses any files I have stored there.

i have the same problem
can u explain what are you exaclty doing to fix it ?
edit : FIXED !

Mount Error Fixed
After battling with the error of the Clockworkmod recovery not been able to mount the SD Card for days, I was finally able to get this to work by formatting the SD Card using the SDFormatter. It can be downloaded here
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/
After installing the SDFormatter, formt the card accepting the default settings.
Good luck

RE: Mount Error Fixed
adixmail said:
After battling with the error of the Clockworkmod recovery not been able to mount the SD Card for days, I was finally able to get this to work by formatting the SD Card using the SDFormatter. It can be downloaded here https www sdcard org/downloads/formatter_3/
After installing the SDFormatter, formt the card accepting the default settings.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had to flash with the SE PC Companion first to be able to mount and select debug, but it worked!

Nice
Mefna said:
I had to flash with the SE PC Companion first to be able to mount and select debug, but it worked!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice.
Glad to hear that you got it to work.

Official CWM Recovery 5.0.2.7

As Undeads thread has been closed, I needed to start again.
Basically when flashing the new 5.0.2.7 recovery with any method, via Rom Manager or ADB Fastboot the recovery just doesn't work proper.
My sdcard can't mount, hence I can't navigate nor install any roms?
Performing backups & restores don't work for me either.
I've had to roll back to 4.0.0.9, annoying because I want to try out Blues Bulletproof.
Please someone what is the definitve solution to getting the officion CWM recovery to work as I'd expect.
I've even tried a :
fastboot erase system -w
before fastboot flash recovery 'recoveryimage'.img
Rolling back to 4.0.0.9 allows me to do everything as per usual in recovery, but not with 5.0.2.7
I'm really quite baffled with this

1 - Download the recovery via real computer.
2 - Plug in your doubleshot, transfer to sdcard main directory.
3 - Disconnect from computer, use a root file manager (root explorer preferred) to copy the image from /sdcard to /data/local
4 - Open up terminal emulator.
5 - Type:
Code:
su
6 - Then type:
Code:
dd if=/data/local/recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.7-doubleshot.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p21
*Make sure all letters are lowercase. You will have to juggle the hardware/software keyboard to get the first "i" after "dd" to be lowercase. Try typing a few characters past it, then using the trackpad to move the cursor back to it. Keep trying the hardware and software keyboards until it sticks as a lowercase "i"
7 - Let it transfer, then exit terminal emulator.
8 - Reboot into recovery, should be good.
**Note - pay close attention to the file name for the image. What Undeadk9 typed into his guide is wrong, what I typed here is correct.
Post if you have any further issues.
Edit:
"if" stands for "input file".
"of" stands for "output file".
dd
One thing I love about the official clockwork recovery is the ability to mount the sdcard while plugged into the computer, and drag and drop files to and from the sdcard while the doubleshot is in recovery mode.
Good luck, hope to see it working for you soon.

Thanks, but still same issues
Hi Blue,
I'm still getting the same errors dude.
I just tried your method, hence I've now tried to install the new recovery with all 3 methods (adb fastboot, rom mamanger and this dd terminal command.)
They all flash/install correct, and when rebooting into recovery each time it looks fine.
But when I try to navigate to 'sdcard' (install zip from sd card/choose zip from sd card... i get "E: Cant't mount /sdcard/"
When I go to mounts & storage/mount sdcard, again I get "Error mounting /sdcard!"
When I attempt a backup, I get this "Can't mount backup path."
I hope you can decipher my mayhem here...... very weird!
Maybe it's my sdcard - however, it works as perfect on modaco 4.0.0.9, I'm unsure on whats going on here
Blue6IX said:
1 - Download the recovery via real computer.
2 - Plug in your doubleshot, transfer to sdcard main directory.
3 - Disconnect from computer, use a root file manager (root explorer preferred) to copy the image from /sdcard to /data/local
4 - Open up terminal emulator.
5 - Type:
Code:
su
6 - Then type:
Code:
dd if=/data/local/recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.7-doubleshot.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p21
*Make sure all letters are lowercase. You will have to juggle the hardware/software keyboard to get the first "i" after "dd" to be lowercase. Try typing a few characters past it, then using the trackpad to move the cursor back to it. Keep trying the hardware and software keyboards until it sticks as a lowercase "i"
7 - Let it transfer, then exit terminal emulator.
8 - Reboot into recovery, should be good.
**Note - pay close attention to the file name for the image. What Undeadk9 typed into his guide is wrong, what I typed here is correct.
Post if you have any further issues.
Edit:
"if" stands for "input file".
"of" stands for "output file".
dd
One thing I love about the official clockwork recovery is the ability to mount the sdcard while plugged into the computer, and drag and drop files to and from the sdcard while the doubleshot is in recovery mode.
Good luck, hope to see it working for you soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I had similar problem, was something stupid. Think usb was still mounted or something. Not plugged into pc, right?
Sent from my RubiX CubeD MT4GS using Tapatalk

if you are using an older version of a rom you have to mount system and data.
Try mounting those and then trying to install from an sd.
If I were you I would do a full wipe /formatsystem/data/dalivk/sdcard. Backup the important things on the sd card to the computer and start fresh with an updated rom and a clean sd card.
You could always try swaping your sd card out but i dont think its the problem. The older roms make running the NEW CWM much more difficult than it should be.
I am not sure it appears you are trying to get an older ROM to run with the new CWM.

dillalade said:
Installed new recovery through rom manager, to 5.0.2.7 and rebooted into recovery.
All seems well.
BUTTTTTTTT when i tried to do a backup of my current virtuous rom i get an error: "can't mount target path"
And then when testing the restore i get an error: "can't mount path /sdcard"
And when testing the wipe & format options, instead of the traditional Yes or No.... I now have like 10 No options and 1 Yes option.
Something seems bogus, ive reinstalled the recovery twice but same effect.
Anyone??
Whats happened to my recovery guys???
Sent from my myTouch_4G_Slide using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dillalade said:
I went back to 4.0.0.9 and I can backup/restore again.
Something with the latest recovery doesn't allow my device to mount and see/work with my sd card..... any advice people?
Where can i get the img file so i can try to flash after a fastboot erase wype.... However i dont see how everyone else has it working and mine mashed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pmcqueen said:
so am I the only one who literally can't get this recovery to work at all? perhaps I should contact koush and get him a log... basically, it won't mount my SD card. sd card is not defective as I can mount it fine through modaco recovery without any issues.
I guess I could try formatting the card and then trying the official CWM recovery again, but until then I'm just sticking with the modaco version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pmcqueen said:
No one with sd mounting issues yet? I'm surprised. I think I know what the problem is though... will update shortly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Conlculsion...?
I'm sure I saw it around here somewhere, hell if I know where off the top of my head. I am pretty sure it involved formatting the sd-card if memory serves right.
I have to go, will be on the road for a bit then tied up with the family of my Lady for a bit, so not sure when I can check back in.
Hopefully pmcqueen happens to see this and posts the missing info that was not updated...
I realize I quoted you from the other thread, so this issue has been hanging for you for a while? We need to figure out how to solve it - wish I could be more focused on your problem at the moment.
Try formatting your sdcard through Clockworkmod.
If you can't try powering off the phone and formatting the card directly in your computer.
It sounds like you have Clockworkmod successfully updated to the 5.0.2.7 version, but now reading the sdcard is the problem.
Can you try a different MicroSD card, do you have another one?

What ROM are you using? Becaause anything that dates before the official ROM.manager release date was unmounted. Basically there was a feature that the new ROM doesn't have. Undeadk9 confimed this in that thread. Everything you need to know is there. They go into full detail as to why it wasn't working. Even decided to open a full wiki about why. Did you even read it?
Basically you have to manually mount. Also in the rom try scrollong down and keep going until it unlocks.
Sent from my mt4gs

Not sure if you already tried this, but if you haven't, try doing:
Get the SD Formatter here and format your sd card (use a card reader if necessary).
Use quick format, but make sure "Format Size Adjustment" was off (all available under options...)
Two reminders:
1. The recommended filesystem for an android SD Card is FAT32
2. Remember to back up whatever you have in the SD card so you can put them back in once you're done formatting

Thanks for all the input guys.
Will try an sd format etc and report back soon.
Cheers
Sent from my Bulletproof_Doubleshot using XDA App

dillalade said:
Thanks for all the input guys.
Will try an sd format etc and report back soon.
Cheers
Sent from my Bulletproof_Doubleshot using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can almost guarantee you formatting the sd will fix your problems with sd mounting in 5.0.2.7
You won't be able to do it via cwm recovery (it's not able to even recognize the sd, that's why you're having mounting issues) but if you put the card into an sd reader and format it for a normal fat32 partition I bet that fixes it.

So I just thought I'd chime in here...
I recently updated from Modaco to CWM and had this sd card issue however, I have like 10 different sd cards and the first thing I did was put the ROM I was trying to install on a sd card with nothing on it and BAM it worked. I'm going to try and put my 16gig back in after everything settles in the rom and I'll update with the results. tomorrow.

Hi guys,
similar issue here
I can't make a backup or restore, I can't install somethink because I always get "Can't mount sdcard"
any idea?
thanks

Oh damn I completly forgot to post my results.
Sd card needed a reformat, then the new recovery was able to mount sd etc.
Thanks to everyones 2cents in this thread, helped me out.
Enjoy

I've tried to format but without result

Did you try SD Formatter using a PC? I was able to resurrect a dead 16gb microSD using that method.
Sent from my RubiX CubeD Extreme MT4GS using XDA App

1) Download CWM recovery from the main site.
2) Connect your phone to your PC.
3) Open your PC's Terminal.
4) Type "adb shell reboot bootloader".
5) Type "fastboot flash recovery name-of-recovery.img".
6) Type "fastboot reboot".
Sent via smoke signal.

blackknightavalon said:
1) Download CWM recovery from the main site.
2) Connect your phone to your PC.
3) Open your PC's Terminal.
4) Type "adb shell reboot bootloader".
5) Type "fastboot flash recovery name-of-recovery.img".
6) Type "fastboot reboot".
Sent via smoke signal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This works for me.
Boot into recovery 5.0.2.7 and make backup. All good.

[Solved] Error Mounting SD card i9000

Solution: #page2
Phone model: Galaxy S i9000
OS installed: Slim ICS 4.2
CWM: 6.0.0.1
i was just browsing my phone today when it suddenly switched off upon rebooting it, it threw me the following error
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
i browsed the forums and bumped on this thread
Error mounting SDcard in CWM
a direct quote of the solution provided there
spectre85 said:
OK so that was the problem, the data partition was encrypted (now that I think of this it makes sense that it wouldn't mount) anyways, for whatever reason a factory reset from android wouldn't work. I removed the "recovery-from-boot.p" file from my system folder originally so the CWM image would remain in tact.
anyways, I flashed the original recovery over the CWM recovery, preformed a factory wipe (which is the only way to decrypt your phone) then flashed CWM back on and now I can mount the data partition
what a pain in the ass, guess I wont be encrypting the phone any time soon, I wish there was an option to decrypt the drive and then get into recovery....wouldn't have this issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i couldnt find any such file in /system
lucky enough somehow the AROMA Filemanager seems to be working and i used it to browse my folders. my /sdcard, emmc & config folders shows 0 files in it
theres adb(46kb) in /system/bin
but funny enough i noticed one file which didnt make any sense to me
any solutions?
so far i cant mount my sdcard

I suppose you already tried rebooting it and or hard resetting it?

nothing seems to be working since i cant mount SD card there is no question of resetting anything

Just ODIN Stock JW4 ROM and then go about with the usuals.

Flash stock with pit and repartition...
via SGS

done that already doesnt work the sdcard isnt mounting only
Error mounting /sdcard
E: failed to mount /sdcard( no such directory or file exists)
EDIT: reflashed again
this is what i get, the text in red is the error
View attachment 1583876
Text in Red:
E: failed to mount /sdcard (file exists)
E: copy_dbdata_media: Cant mount /sdcard, your storage not prepared yet please use UI menu for format and reboot actions.
---wiping data
formatting /data
E:format_volume rfs format failed inon /dev/block/mmcblk0p2
datawipe failed
whatever i do doesnt seem to help and if it doesnt decrypt i am sitting ducks, the /sdcard is simply not mounting.

Logcat
i have posted the logcat here
http://pastebin.com/CxkyG4Bg
the mount command in adb shows the following

bump....

bump.... pls help

ok after some really ****ty events i finally got this screen
i still cant mount /sdcard or /data

kamikaze_in said:
ok after some really ****ty events i finally got this screen
View attachment 1588478
i still cant mount /sdcard or /data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you really try Odin with correct PIT & repartition with a 3-package firmware? Because that should completely wipe and reformat your phone. The only thing not formatted is /sdcard. But you should be able to format /sdcard from recovery after flashing with Odin.

heres the screenshot of the files i used
kasper_h said:
Did you really try Odin with correct PIT & repartition with a 3-package firmware? Because that should completely wipe and reformat your phone. The only thing not formatted is /sdcard. But you should be able to format /sdcard from recovery after flashing with Odin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
also please ignore that earlier post by mistake i ran adb on my other phone :/

All the required files i got from this thread
A.I.O Rescue & Recover
Todays Logcat
http://pastebin.com/xPrBLw3A

But did you already try formatting /sdcard from recovery after flashing the rom with Odin?

this is what i do after flashing 2.3.6 stock rom, i rooted it, then in recovery went to mounts and storage menu and selected format /sdcard
it throws me an error E:failed to mount /sdcard (no such file or directory)
Error mounting /sdcard
Skipping Format...
Done
i ran adb on my device, check this

i guess i will have to take the path i wanted to avoid....use an external sdcard for installing new ROM... :/
got a video link made by fteller on the same error Samsung i9000 mmcblk0p2 error recovery
will post updates whether it worked or not... fingers crossed

kamikaze_in said:
i guess i will have to take the path i wanted to avoid....use an external sdcard for installing new ROM... :/
got a video link made by fteller on the same error Samsung i9000 mmcblk0p2 error recovery
will post updates whether it worked or not... fingers crossed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck, I don't know what else you could do...
Verstuurd van mijn GT-I9000

Finally!!!!
Finally....
The problems i have faced with SGS since upgrade to ICS, i think i can now direct a movie on it "SGS - The Unexpected Journey" who knows some SGS fans might actually love it. Anyways firstly there's credits to be distributed
@CheekyLord: thanks for all the references and suggestions, i didn't know about that dbdata.rfs thanks for letting me know about that and also treating my phone issues as your own
@kasper_h: thanks for all your input and help
@fteller: thanks for making a high quality video so as i can atleast show what i was facing plus for your solutions
Now the real deal, for those having SGS and facing a corrupt internal SDcard can view the video created by fteller here
he has used linux to format the microsd card in my case i used windows app which i will reveal after a recap of my issue.
Firstly a Recap
one fine day while browsing, my phone suddenly switched off, when i turned it on it threw me the dreaded error
after which i didn't know what to do so i simply resetted it and from there on my worst nightmares became a reality, my phone wont boot and simply threw the errors in recovery "error mounting sdcard".
what happened from there on is very much visible in my first post and also the efforts of people credited above in helping me get rid of the problem.
In the video the partitioning is done via linux, so for those who want a windows solutions for formatting and partitioning your sd cards read on
Tools needed
1) MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition
2) a Micro SD card 8GB (class 6) or better
3) All in one SD card reader
4) a semi bricked phone like mine
Install the application and connect your Micro SD card via the card reader to your PC
Right click on your SD card drive and click on split, then create a partition of 2048MB as shown in the pic
Right click on the newly created 2GB partition and select format. choose ext4 as shown in the pic
Again right click on it and select modify set partition as primary as highlighted in the pic.
After making the changes make sure that BOTH the partitions are primary and 1 partition is FAT32 while the other is ext4, Click on Apply to initiate formatting and partitioning of your SD card as shown in the pic
when the task is completed it will show the following
Now insert your new SD card in SGS and re flash GB 2.3.6 via ODIN then root it via ODIN.. enjoy note: to continue with ICS you can follow the rest of the video, and if during the tutorial ADB commands and SU is not working for you in replacing "vold.fstab" from emmc to /system/etc and vice versa read on for another workaround
1) Once ICS is installed go to market and download SU and busybox, make sure your binaries are up 2 date.
2) download ES file manager from market
3) open ES file manager> setting>root settings
make sure these options are ticked
4) now browse to /emmc and press and hold vold.fstab and open as text file
make the neccessary changes as shown in the video, then simply copy that file and replace the one in /system/etc, it will throw a pop up "do you wish to overwrite" select yes and reboot your phone
voila now your /sdcard is /emmc
updating my phone to custom ICS roms has been a more of a bane than boon so i would suggest for the tutorial purpose go with the official AOKP ROM, also i was unable to get a thread where i can actually recover my internal SD card so your ROM will be forever synced with SD card, the encryption was a part of ICS build from scratch, Read here to know more about it.
the only conclusive reason i could furnish as to why it happened with my device was that maybe due to the work i was executing on my phone when the charge was extremely low.
here is a direct quote from that article
From the UI, the user selects to encrypt the device. The UI ensures that there is a full charge on the battery, and the AC adapter is plugged in. It does this to make sure there is enough power to finish the encryption process, because if the device runs out of power and shuts down before it has finished encrypting, file data is left in a partially encrypted state, and the device must be factory reset (and all data lost).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since we have APP2SD for most applications i guess that's what triggered this issue, the encryption process didn't complete due to lack of power
so guys don't browse or play on your SGS powered by ICS or JB when your power is extremely low
caio till next time
Note: just for GAGS you can reproduce the "Encryption unsuccessful" error by simply removing your microSD/SDHC/SDXC card and start the phone :laugh:

Great you got it solved, and that you also made a nice tutorial for potential future people suffering from the same issue!

nice tutorial

Problems with TWRP Backup - unable to mount sd/ext

I've been searching both this forum and the net generally and not found an answer to my specific problem so I'm hoping someone can help.
I'm trying to swap out my ROM, I'm currently running CM 11 nightly but I'm getting endless FCs with apps so thought I'd try something different.
When I try to run the nandroid backup with TWRP v2.7.0.1 the backup fails every time with the error E: unable to mount '/sd-ext'
Can anyone advise? Thanks

tht looks like external sd card.
Try changing location for your backup to internal memory or make sure you got SD card plugged in to SD slot.
you may also try command on terminal emulator (or via adb shell):
ln -s /storage/emulated/0/ /sd-ext/
it will create symbolic link named sd-ext in root of your system and it will point to internal storage (if I am not mistaken, from now on it should not matter if you select internal or external storage as target for your backup - it will end up as internal anyways)
Sent from my TF300T using XDA Free mobile app

Thanks, the backup was to be created on the internal SD card, but you are right it is almost certainly a problem with the external card. I'm unable to mount either the dock SD or micro SD cards in TWRP - the options are just greyed out and can't be selected.
I can't get either card to mount when I boot to system ether I have noticed. I've tried formatting them as FAT32, EXFAT and NTFS and no dice so I'm wondering if this is a KK issue - they both worked flawlessly when I was running PA and Omnirom JB ROMs.
I've managed to find a workaround - I've flashed CWM and have been able to do a nandroid backup with that - but I still can't mount either the micro SD or dock SD cards with CWM or in system when I flashed KatKISS ROM - and of course now I can't use any old TWRP nandroids I have from JB ROMs without reflashing TWRP. I'd also rather be running TWRP ultimately if I can so it would be good to get to the bottom of what is causing this issue.
Not quite sure what the command line you suggested does, but I'm guessing it won't be useful with the problem as it stands now?

sorry for late reply as I was out of internet lately.
that command creates /sd-ext/ folder that acts similar to shortcut to intertnal sdcard
any call for /sd-ext (for example: cd /sd-ext) will end up on internal sdcard.
That wont help with accessing your external sdcard (as this was main issue here) - it would merely fool installer to 'think' it is working on external sd while it was still on internal.
Sent from my TF300T using XDA Free mobile app

Thanks for your help. I've had endless troubles which ultimately ended in a hard brick during a failed flash of the stock ROM. I'm waiting for a replacement motherboard - something wasn't right with the old board anyway, it doesn't seem that it was just ROM issue. Hopefully when it comes I'll find that it wasn't a hardware issue associated with the SD cards as well.