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[MASS STORAGE]true mass storage for WP7/7.5 - Windows Phone 7 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey everyone,
I thought of making a simple guide or tutorial on how to get TRUE mass storage working on a windows phone 7/7.5 device with all methods put together under one heading in a single thread. I wanted to do this because many users find the lack of mass storage to be a serious problem especially when it comes transferring .pdf/.ppt/.pptx/.doc/.docx files to their devices or when they want to transfer any file that they downloaded on their wp7 devices to their pc. I hope this helps them.
The USB storage enabler that you find everywhere is not system wide. It just shows the folders that zune can access.
Requirements:
-Full unlocked or interop unlocked windows phone 7/7.5/7.8 device with working WP7 Root Tools
-PC with Windows XP/Vista/7/8
-Windows phone SDK(If you don't want to download and install the whole 1.4GiB here is the miniSDK)
-Connection to a router(for using webserver only)
-Zune
Assuming that you want the mass storage mode to transfer files between your phone and PC, currently there are three ways of achieving this in your WP7 device.If there are any other ways please let me know. I will update the post with links and instructions.
1: Using the Root webserver
This is by far the simplest method of accessing all files and folders on your device. You can download and upload files to the device(one at a time) and delete empty folders. No need to connect your phone to your PC via microUSB cable.
Instructions:
-Install webserver on your phone by deploying webserver.xap from PC or by XapHandler (Thanks to GoodDayToDie for Xaphandler) and mark it trusted in 'policies' tab in wp7 root tools.
-Open the application and type in your own username and password, whatever you like.
-Connect your phone and the other device in which you want to access your phone's file system to the same network.The other device can be another wp7 or any android or your PC etc.You need not have internet access. Its enough if your phone and the other device are on same network(i.e., connected to same modem/router)
-If your phone is running the webserver app, you can see the IP address of your device and the SSID of the network to which it is connected to.
-Open a web browser and type the IP address you can see(not the one that says software loopback interface!!) in the address bar on the other device.
-Enter the username and password you entered in the beginning. That takes you to a page where you have links for IsolatedStorage of webserver app, File system of your phone, content folder, about webserver. Go to file system, you can see all folders and files.
This method doesn't give access to registry and you can't delete non empty folders.
2: Using Windows phone device manager
Here you use a client on your PC and an app on the phone to communicate information on filesystem, and applications. Using this method, you can manage applications as well as access files and folders. And you can perform operations on multiple files at once, but still can't delete non empty files and there is no access to phone's registry. You can also connect to your phone via Wi-Fi.
Instructions:
-Download the windows phone device manager. Finish installation on PC.
-Connect your phone to PC using data cable and start zune. Your device shouldn't be in guest relationship with zune.
-Start windows phone device manager on your PC, it installs touchXperience on your phone for the first time.
-Go to wp7 root tools on your phone and mark touchXperience as trusted and exit the app.
-Start WPDM on PC, then start touchXperience on your phone.WPDM on PC should tell you that it is connected to 'so and so' device. There will also be a notification telling you that your phone is connected to the PC.
-Now you can explore files, install and uninstall apps, sync documents from your PC.
3: Using Windows mobile device centre
Ultrashot says that you can access file system and registry of your phone on your PC using the WMDC launcher and Windows mobile device centre on PC. I have not been able to get Windows mobile device centre installed on my PC since it is only supported on Windows Vista. So I do not have a hands-on experience myself. You can get WMDC for PC here
You will be able to:
-Manage your photos, music, videos.
-Browse the file system and transfer files.
-Edit registry through tools like CERegEdit,etc.
-Manage applications installed on your windows phone.
It is simple to use. Install WM Device Centre app on your device. Mark it as trusted in WP7 root tools or any other root access manager. Plug in your phone. If zune starts, don't worry tap WM device centre app on the phone. Your computer should just detect it as another windows mobile device and start windows mobile device centre. Scroll down for the link.
Some final words:
The files downloaded on your WP7 devices will be in the isolated storage of the respective apps. The apps from the marketplace do not have access to complete file system. So it is downloaded to their own isolated storage which will be usually
\Applications\Data\<app's GUID>\Data\
If you want to transfer .pdf files to your device, first transfer it to an easily accessible folder like 'My Documents' and then open them on your phone using a file explorer rather than directly putting them in Adobe Reader's isolated storage because they don't show up in adobe reader if you do that. Office documents(.ppt/.doc files) do show up in office app if you put them in \My Documents. Once you open your .pdf files using a file explorer, it will be copied to adobe reader's isolated storage which means after you open the .pdf files you just copied to \My Documents or any folder, you can delete them using a file manager and you can still have them stored in adobe reader's isolated storage. This way you get some space saved.
If you find these tools helpful, click 'thanks' button for the developers for these apps:
-Webserver: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1459235
-WMDC launcher: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1521763
Thanks to:
-Heathcliff74 for the unlocks and the WP7 root tools
-fiinix,GoodDayToDie for webserver
-ultrashot for WMDC launcher
-Julien Schapman for WPDM, touchXperience
Prahlad Varada

Reserved

I tried your method of copying the .pdf file in My documents and then opening it in adobe reader via a file explorer. But when I try to open the file, adobe gives an error saying "The file path is not valid." I also tried a couple of other locations in memory, and also created a few new folders inside various existing folders. But every time I get the same error.
What am I doing wrong? Please help.
Thanks,
PO15ON

PO15ON said:
I tried your method of copying the .pdf file in My documents and then opening it in adobe reader via a file explorer. But when I try to open the file, adobe gives an error saying "The file path is not valid." I also tried a couple of other locations in memory, and also created a few new folders inside various existing folders. But every time I get the same error.
What am I doing wrong? Please help.
Thanks,
PO15ON
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think u went to adobe reader's isolated storage and deleted that PDF file there..u can open adobe reader and delete that document (but unable to delete files from recently viewed section)..if only one particular file is experiencing this problem, delete that file in adobe reader app(don't use a file explorer to delete files from adobe reader) and open the file using file explorer(I prefer Heathcliff74's WP7roottools 1.2 or W.I.N.C.O's wPhoexplorer) from a local folder..
In simple words, an uninstall and reinstall of adobe reader should solve the problem..please try it and report back..
Prahlad Varada

Hey Prahlad,
Thanks for answering. Here is what I did before reading your answer.
1. Installed Adobe reader. Opened it once and viewed one pdf file (a small one) from my skydrive, just to make sure it is working properly. The file opened correctly, and everything went normally.
2. Used usb connection to pc to transfer a big file into the "My Documents" folder.
3. Removed the usb connection.
4. From the phone, used a file explorer to go to My Documents folder and tried opening the large pdf file.
5. It opens Adobe reader, but before loading the actual file, Adobe reader gives the error. When clicking OK on the error, it opens adobe reader, but without the file.
After reading your reply:
1. Uninstalled Adobe. Reboot.
2. Install Adobe.
3. Opened Adobe, no file present. Close Adobe.
4. Went to My Documents from file explorer, and tried opening the pdf file.
5. It opened adobe reader, but before loading the actual file, gave me the same error. After clicking OK on the error, the app opens, but without the actual file.
I never went into any other folder, and have NOT deleted any file. Not from My Documents, or from any Adobe folder.

PO15ON said:
Hey Prahlad,
Thanks for answering. Here is what I did before reading your answer.
1. Installed Adobe reader. Opened it once and viewed one pdf file (a small one) from my skydrive, just to make sure it is working properly. The file opened correctly, and everything went normally.
2. Used usb connection to pc to transfer a big file into the "My Documents" folder.
3. Removed the usb connection.
4. From the phone, used a file explorer to go to My Documents folder and tried opening the large pdf file.
5. It opens Adobe reader, but before loading the actual file, Adobe reader gives the error. When clicking OK on the error, it opens adobe reader, but without the file.
After reading your reply:
1. Uninstalled Adobe. Reboot.
2. Install Adobe.
3. Opened Adobe, no file present. Close Adobe.
4. Went to My Documents from file explorer, and tried opening the pdf file.
5. It opened adobe reader, but before loading the actual file, gave me the same error. After clicking OK on the error, the app opens, but without the actual file.
I never went into any other folder, and have NOT deleted any file. Not from My Documents, or from any Adobe folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm..then I think the PDF is corrupted..maybe u unplugged ur phone before the transfer got complete or there was some loose contact and your phone didn't get the file completely..try deleting the file u transferred and from my documents or whatever folder they are in, reinstall adobe and open PDF again with file explorer..granting root access for adobe reader might help, I m not sure..but your file explorer must have root access either through a custom rom or wp7roottools
Next time when u reply, please do mention on WHICH device, with WHAT FIRMWARE u r experiencing this problem..if u also mention which method u used to transfer the file and how big the file was, maybe we can figure something out..
Regards
Prahlad Varada

prahladvarda said:
Hmm..then I think the PDF is corrupted..maybe u unplugged ur phone before the transfer got complete or there was some loose contact and your phone didn't get the file completely..try deleting the file u transferred and from my documents or whatever folder they are in, reinstall adobe and open PDF again with file explorer..granting root access for adobe reader might help, I m not sure..but your file explorer must have root access either through a custom rom or wp7roottools
Next time when u reply, please do mention on WHICH device, with WHAT FIRMWARE u r experiencing this problem..if u also mention which method u used to transfer the file and how big the file was, maybe we can figure something out..
Regards
Prahlad Varada
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Giving root access to Adobe reader worked. The file manager already had root access, but Adobe didn't. When I granted Adobe root access, it worked for a couple of files. There is one file which is around 250 MB, which didn't worked. But I guess it exceeded the storage capacity of Adobe. When I tried opening the big file, it opened Adobe reader, and after a few seconds, Adobe quits.
I am using HTC Titan ATT branded, but full unlocked with Custom ROM 7.8. The custom rom makes it possible to connect to pc via windows phone device manager when connected through USB. I used that method for transferring the files.
Anyways the smaller files worked. So thanks for helping me out.
Cheers,
PO15ON

feherneoh said:
WMDC should work on any Windows 6.x system, so versions othe than Vista will work. For 5.x (2k & XP) use ActiveSync instead of WMDC.
Phone should appear in My Computer like a WM phone does when in ActiveSync mode, but Zune have to be open. The only problem with this is its slow transfer speed, but you can still use it with just a USB cable. You should even be able to use the webserver method using USB instead wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But i couldn't get it work even once..so i just stick onto touchxperience which is currently working fine..i just mentioned WMDC just for the sake of records and i even saw a video of wp7 working with wmdc and so i mentioned it..cheers
Prahlad Varada

Related

Hello,
I downloaded a file (extension is .exe instead of .cab) from internet, saved on my PC desktop (running vista). Since it has EXE extension, I double-clicked the file, it showed something like following:
Next time when you connect your device to PC, the software will be installed to your device.
I connected the device, then followed the instructions to install the software. Everything is OK.
Later, I uninstalled the software, and it disppeared in device>programs. I searched the device folders (including SD card), no files of that software anymore. It's OK.
However, when I go to Windows Mobile media center, under Add/Remove software, the name of the software is still there (unchecked). I even still be able to install the software to the device.
So, I guess the installation file (.exe) must reside somewhere in my PC, but I can not find it. I hope locate delete it, so that it disppear in the windows mobile device center.
Anyone can tell me how to locate that file? (I used search but no result.)
Thanks for help.
-Derek

Sorry, solved by uninstall it in windows add/remove programs

Hi!
I have a LG KS20, which I usually connect to my PC through the USB adapter cable provided.
When ActiveSync starts and I want to transfer a file from my computer to my pocket pc, I simply copy and paste it in the explorer window.
But I can't do the reverse. When I try to copy a file from my KS20 to my computer the progress bar shows up, but when it ends nothing happens and the file isn't in the directory I pasted it.
I tried this in numerous ways. I even unticked the advanced tools option where it says "convert files when synched, copied or moved".
If anyone knows how to fix this, or can tell me a tool similar to the explorer function on activesync (so I can copy files from one side to the other) I would be much apreciated.
Thanks

Hi all. I just got my Xperia X2 which is my first smartphone ever.
I'm very excited about it but my Lock Slider is rather slow.
I browsed a bit and found a few possible solutions but how do I install applications like this? This is what I want to download for my phone at the moment, but can someone please tell me how I extract it properly? And how to send it to my phone in the easiest way?
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=781784

Howdy there,
Though I do not have any experience with your phone, I would;
1. download any give utility I wanted via my Personal Computer and then
2a. plug tha phone in my PC via USB (set it to 'Diskdrive') and copy the file(s) or
2b. plug tha phone in my PC via USB (set it to 'ActiveSync') and copy the file(s) or
2c. unplug the SDCard and stick it into my 72+1_Cardreader and then copy the files or
1b/2d. download everything via my phone (while using 'Compact View').
Start using http://filext.com if you do not know what to do with certain file extentions. Like;
pdf, arj, rar, zip, 7z
Anyway know that *.cab files can be installed on your smartphone via its file browser.
Success ,

What utility is prefered? I got no clue at all really. :-( And when I'm clicking on your shortcut "Compact View" it just goes to the home-page of forum.xda? Why is that? :-|

Compact View is for use with your phone.
Did you visit your phone's specific site here on XDA?
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 runs on Windows Phone 6.5, meaning there are a whole host of apps you can download onto it.
You can install additional applications on your phone, but they must be compatible with Windows Mobile version 6.5.3.
It is possible to remove the applications that you have installed, but you cannot remove applications that come with the phone.
To install an application use Explorer (find it in Program Files);
Download the application to your PC
If the application file is in compressed format, such as .zip, first extract the file
Read any installation instructions or documentation that comes with the application
Connect your phone to the computer with a USB cable.
[*]Double-click the application file (usually of .exe format (use ActiveSync to install)) to start the installation. If it is of .cab format then copy the file to your phone and tap (and hold) the file from your phone to start installation.​

Hi All,
I've used Heathcliff's WP7RootTools 0.9 to extract a file from an installed apps IsolatedStorage. The app in question was installed from the Marketplace, but I want to modify some of the files it's saved to it's Isolated Storage.
I extracted the file I wanted to edit by using the Explorer utility in WP7RootTools to copy the file to the "My Documents" folder, and renamed the extension to docx. From there I could simply go into the Office Hub, where the file was now listed, and emailed the file to myself.
I have made the edits to the file, but now need to get the file back into the app's Isolated Storage. This is where I have now got a bit stuck
I've tried copying the file to SkyDrive, and using the Office Hub to download it from SkyDrive to my phone. The file downloaded and is cached on the phone somewhere, but the file location, according to Office is not "Phone". This is normal, as Skydrive downloaded documents are not saved to the "Phone" location until you open the document and do "Save as".
I cannot of course open the downloaded file, as it isn't really a .docx file. Files loacted in the "Phone" location show up in "My Documents" in the WP7RootTools explorer. SkyDrive downloaded documents I have no idea where they are located?
Can you guys help? Does anyone know the path to location of SkyDrive downloaded items on the phone. If so, then I can easily just use the WP7Roottools Explorer to copy the file back to the apps Isolated Storage.
Is there a better way to copy a non-Office file back onto the phone?
Regards,
Micro666

You could use one of these apps:
sh4d0w86 said:
i was going to suggest using WPV App Data Backup, but it seems i saved the Backups in the wrong location... (will fix in next release)
so,
you can use TouchXperience or WMDC Launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I'm looking to do the exact same thing....

Options:
1. Do exactly what you've been doing, but save as .txt instead of .docx. The phone can still open this, even though its probably a binary file, and save it to the "Phone" location. Then you can copy it back and rename it.
2. Use an app that gives direct access to the phone's filesystem from the PC, like TouchXperience+WPDM, or Root Webserver (see my sig)+your favorite webbrowser.
3. Use any other way to get a file onto the phone, such as emailing it to yourself, using IsolatedStorageexplorer, or putting it in a XAP files and installing that file. Then move the file with WP7 Root Tools.
I recommend approach #2.

GoodDayToDie said:
Options:
1. Do exactly what you've been doing, but save as .txt instead of .docx. The phone can still open this, even though its probably a binary file, and save it to the "Phone" location. Then you can copy it back and rename it.
2. Use an app that gives direct access to the phone's filesystem from the PC, like TouchXperience+WPDM, or Root Webserver (see my sig)+your favorite webbrowser.
3. Use any other way to get a file onto the phone, such as emailing it to yourself, using IsolatedStorageexplorer, or putting it in a XAP files and installing that file. Then move the file with WP7 Root Tools.
I recommend approach #2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used TouchExperience.
1.On my Fully unlocked Device(I assume you can do this with root tools), I installed a file manager that gives full access to the device.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24636416&postcount=23
2. I installed TouchEperience on my PC. After giving the WP7 app, Root tools rights, it should show most of the file system(on the PC) but, not all of it. So I created a new folder in \Windows (temp).
3. On the Phone, I hunted down the file I was looking for from Isolated Storage, I copied it to the \windows\temp folder.
4. Used the PC TouchExperience and browsed to \Windows\temp, there was my files, I copied them to my PC. USed the File Explorer to delete the files in my \temp folder(to make sure they were gone).
5. I edited the files, copied them back to \Windows\Temp on my device via TouchExperience on the PC. Then used the file explorer to copy them back to the Isolated Storage.
Note: The file explorer I posted a link to is GREAT, it can even edit files (basic text editor) in Isolated storage. I found a way to Cheat on a marketplace Xbox live game (didn't try others), right before the achivements, so they were really easy to get
I'm sure there is easier methods but, this worked for me...
Can I ask, what app did you try this on ?
Hope this helped...

FYI DavidinCT: Cheating XBL games is very risky. Microsoft often can detect it (for example, if you get one achievement that would have required getting another first) and they can and will permanently ban your Xbox Live account for doing so.
That all said... why didn't you just use WPDM (on the PC) to copy the file straight to the IsoStore of the app? So much easier...

GoodDayToDie said:
FYI DavidinCT: Cheating XBL games is very risky. Microsoft often can detect it (for example, if you get one achievement that would have required getting another first) and they can and will permanently ban your Xbox Live account for doing so.
That all said... why didn't you just use WPDM (on the PC) to copy the file straight to the IsoStore of the app? So much easier...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, I only did it with a game that had an error when I got so far, so the final achivements of the game. A Game with a Known issue but, no fix.
And I just really wanted to see if I COULD do it...
I used WPDM but, the PC version even with my phone fully unlocked (custom rom on my VZW HTC Trophy) and using Root tools 0.9 to give full to TouchExperince root, would not see all the folders and would not see the IsoStore. SO I had to copy the files to a folder that WMDM could see.
Personally, the new File Explorer above is awsome, it's even got a editor in it, I didn't even need to go through all that......

Hey Guys,I'm exporting attendance report from Chinese fingerprint machine in XLS format
I can't find an app that will open that file,microfoft office says can't open file,I tried many other excel apps ,it says bad file ,can't open,other say file is corrupted.
However I can open the file on my laptop in Microsoft excel ,but there is a warning message that I must accept ,before the file will open,something about that file came from unauthorized device.
Can you suggest me what app I can use on my Android phone to view the file ?so I don't have to carry my laptop with me?

Use AndroXLS app - it's free of charge.

AndroXLS can open the file, but all data messed up