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[Q] g2x reboot loop

Hi techie friends,
My unrooted g2x is stuck in a reboot loop. Before I do a hard reset (power/volume down), I would like to retrieve my photos, which are stored in the internal memory. Is there a way? [Here is what I tried so far: I tried a soft reset (battery out) with no success. I connected the g2x to my PC but it is invisible. I tried holding just the volume down key and got a "s/w upgrade, please wait while upgrading..." screen. Is there any hope to retrieve my photos? I googled the issue and found nothing useful.] Thank you in advance for trying to help me! Catherine

Im having the same issue on a friends G2X... nobody has the answer?

hmmmmm, this is an interesting one. the very first thing i would do is get that phone backed up. you will need to flash a custom recovery(clockwork mod) in order to make a backup. search the development section. once you have a backup on your sdcard, i'd copy it to my pc. thinking.......
from recovery, you can try "fix permissions".
reboot. if that doesn't work, go back to recovery>advanced>wipe dalvik cache. reboot. if that doesn't work, try recovery again>mounts and storage and mount everything listed. see if the drives open up under "my computer" on your pc. for me, that last option doesn't work. but it could just be my pc or my recovery version.

or, you could flash any rom you want, and then mount the phone to your pc. then try running a data recovery program on the internal sdcard.
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk
forget the link i posted above. it seems it has trouble reading the internal sd. but i'm running get data back right now. it seems like it's working fine. if these pictures are absolutely worth saving, you might have to dish out some cash for a data recovery app. but always use a trial version first to make sure it works. and once you flash a new rom, keep the phone off until you are ready to run a recovery app. the less that gets written to the drive, the better your chances for retrieving those pics.

or, you can try this... https://market.android.com/details?id=com.hexamob.hexamobrecoverypro&feature=search_result . you'll need to be rooted and have superuser app on your phone. but this looks like the cheapest alternative. i have never used it though. reviews look good though.

I'm pretty sure a hard reset doesn't touch anything located on the sdcard. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it should only format the 1GB partition where the android system is installed and apps are stored. You will basically be starting with a fresh install, but should still have anything stored on your sdcard still intact.
G2X CM7

Hmmm,
Can't you just mount the internal memory via the latest Clockwork Recovery which is as I recall 4.0.0.2?
It worked the last time (the same option with the same trouble) on my Vibrant 3G

phburks said:
I'm pretty sure a hard reset doesn't touch anything located on the sdcard. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but it should only format the 1GB partition where the android system is installed and apps are stored. You will basically be starting with a fresh install, but should still have anything stored on your sdcard still intact.
G2X CM7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, you are right. HR will not erase the SD content and I also think that it will leave the the internal NANDs partition intact. But I dont know where the pics in this case are stored.
Correct if I'm wrong.

Antigen said:
Actually, you are right. HR will not erase the SD content and I also think that it will leave the the internal NANDs partition intact. But I dont know where the pics in this case are stored.
Correct if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Camera pics are stored under DCIM on the sdcard. Really any user created content/files (pics, music, videos, documents, etc) are on the memory card and shouldn't be touched by a hard reset. So I think youre in the clear if that's the route you go.
G2X CM7

[GUIDE] Prep for App2SD and why do a "Wipe data / factory reset"

I put this short guide together because I tend to see a lot of confusion regarding what a "wipe data / factory reset" does to your phone.
These are the steps you should take before loading a new ROM:
1) Download your new ROM and relevant supporting or needed files like modem, alternate kernel, etc., and place them on your internal SD.
2) Backup your applications, settings, messages, etc., with a backup tool like Titanium Backup, image specific backup tool, etc.
3) Boot into recovery and run a “wipe data/factory reset"
4) Follow the developers ROM loading instructions.
When you perform a “wipe data/factory reset” the content of the following directories are deleted :
/data
/cache
/datadata
/sd-ext
/sdcard/.android_secure
Nothing else on your SD card (internal or external) outside of these directories is modified so it is safe to leave files outside of the above mentioned directories without fear of losing them. Your external SD card and SIM do not need to be removed. The goal here is load a new or updated ROM in as much a clean environment that you can. Files left behind in these, especially cache and davlik-cache can cause some of the strangest problems. The kind that nobody can really resolve.
/cache - This is the partition where Android stores frequently accessed data and application components to make these, as implied, respond much faster as well as faster to retrieve / access.
/datadata – This directory contains the library, database, user specific configuration files as well as log files for its specific application installed in the /data directory.
/data directory is where your contacts, messages, settings and apps that you have installed go. Wiping this partition essentially restores it to the way it was when you first booted it, or how it was after your last custom ROM install.
If your ROM uses an /sd-ext partition on your SD card for data storage your /data directory is mapped to /sd-ext and wiping the /sd-ext directory will result in losing your data.
/sd-ext is used for apps moved to your SD card. Your Android OS runs natively in an ext format while your SD card has a fat32 format, which is used typically for USB storage devices, Windows computers, etc.
The sd-ext partition is an additional partition on your SD card that acts as the /data partition when used with certain ROMs that have APP2SD or data2ext enabled. It is popularly used on devices that have little memory allotted to the /data partition. A misfortune that in my experience, Captivate does not partake in. Still, users who want to install more programs than the internal memory allows can take advantage of this partition and use it with a ROM supporting this feature.
The folder named .android_secure is where apps are stored when you perform the "move from phone to SDram/SD card" operation.
Consider this, Apps2SD uses the fat32 portion of your SD card, which is obviously limiting because it isn't Androids native file system. However, if you format your SD card, or partition a part of it as a ext file system, you can trick the phone into thinking it's part of the Android OS native environment. This will allow you to move applications, widgets, even cache and davlik cache over to it.
Disclaimer! I am not responsible for any damage you may cause to your phone or SD Card if you try to enable/use sd-ext.
To enable sd-ext in ClockWork Mod (ROM Manager):
Boot into CWM
Go to Advanced
Then to "Partition SD Card"
Choose an sd-ext size
Then choose a swap size, or not. Swap is just like windows' virtual memory. The system will use it when you're running low on RAM and use it as temporary RAM storage. This is where you'll probably see an increase in speed.
Just for fun I put sd-ext at 512MB and Swap at 64MB which is probably more than plenty for the swap. The swap will assist a little with memory and with the extra space I can move my apps over to it with a program like App2SD or in most custom ROMs nowadays just use the "move to USB" option in "Manage Applications". Titanium Backup will also move apps to SD for you and I'm sure you can find plenty more in the market.
You can also use a tool like Minitool Partition Wizard:
1. Open Minitool Partition Wizard
2. Delete Existing Partition from SDCard (Backup data first!!)
3. Create Fat32 Partition
Note: Set all partitions to PRIMARY (Steps 3 - 6)
4. Create EXT2 Partition (System) about 150MB-200MB depend on ROM
5. Create EXT2 Partition (Data) about 150MB-250MB
6. Create EXT2 Partition (Cache) about 50MB
Personally I don't see a need to do any of this on either of my Captivate phones though I have played with it on my DEV phone.
And since it does play a big role and needs to be cleared at times...
Davlik-Cache - dalvik cache is a program cache area for the program "Dalvik". Dalvik is a java based virtual machine that is the base for running your (.apk) programs. In order to make access times faster (there wasn't a JIT compiler installed by default until Android 2.2), the dalvik-cache is the result of dalvik doing a optimization of the running program/s. This optimization is kept so that it is then re-used every time you use your application/s. By default, davlik-cache is located in your /data partition.
No, I'm not looking for donations. Just trying to clarify things for some.

Great info, but a "guide" assists you in doing something, this is just straight info.

While I initially intended on writing it to guide flashers into the benefits of a wipe data / factory reset, and avoiding the myriad of strange issues experienced, I can see now where it can more construed as informational. Hmmm... maybe I'll add more to it or ask a mod to change the title topic for me.
Regardless, my hope is that some people get some benefit out of it otherwise I've only wasted my time.

Thanks, I've been wondering for a while what that actually did.

Great start for a guide that should clear the boards up a bit. I vote it to be stickied after adding a bit more info on backing up, partitioning the sd card, dalvik cache, etc.
I think it is important to explain that a reset should not be done after flashing a custom ROM because it deletes the Dev's settings/data/non-system apps. Instead flashers should either reset after flashing back to stock or before flashing a custom ROM over the current custom ROM.

Cozmo1 said:
I put this short guide together because I tend to see a lot of confusion regarding what a "wipe data / factory reset" does to your phone.
When you perform a “wipe data/factory reset” the content of the following directories are deleted :
/data
/cache
/datadata
/sd-ext
/sdcard/.android_secure
/cache - This is the partition where Android stores frequently accessed data and application components to make these, as implied, respond much faster as well as faster to retrieve / access.
/datadata – This directory contains the library, database, user specific configuration files as well as log files for its specific application installed in the /data directory.
/data directory is where your contacts, messages, settings and apps that you have installed go. Wiping this partition essentially restores it to the way it was when you first booted it, or how it was after your last custom ROM install.
If your ROM uses an /sd-ext partition on your SD card for data storage your /data directory is mapped to /sd-ext and wiping the /sd-ext directory will result in losing your data.
/sd-ext is used for apps moved to your SD card. Your Android OS runs natively in an ext format while your SD card has a fat32 format, which is used typically for USB storage devices, Windows computers, etc.
The folder named .android_secure is where apps are stored when you perform the "move from phone to SDram/SD card" operation.
Consider this, Apps2SD uses the fat32 portion of your SD card, which is obviously limiting because it isn't Androids native file system. However, if you format your SD card, or partition a part of it as a ext file system, you can trick the phone into thinking it's part of the Android OS native environment. This will allow you to move applications, widgets, even cache and davlik cache over to it.
Nothing else on your SD card (internal or external) is modified so it is safe to leave files outside of the above mentioned directories without fear of losing them.
If you plan on trying several different ROM's and/or updating your favorite ROM every time a new version is released you need to invest in an application like Titanium Backup or one that comes with your ROM if it's supplied with one. MIUI includes one that works extremely well. Performing a “wipe data/factory reset" after loading your new ROM and before booting into it should provide you with a smoother transition to your newly chosen or upgraded ROM. Having a standard backup and restoral process should help you enjoy it quicker too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is something I keep in a word file to help answer what you are also trying to answer. It is a bit shorter and simplified but it may help to polish your thread for us simpletons.
Dalvik cache is a place where the Android OS re-compiles the executable programs the first time to optimize them. It does this when you make a major change like replace the kernel/modem. Clearing the Dalvik cache will force Android OS to recompile the apps for the the new kernel/modem. This can take time on the first boot after clearing the Dalvik cache.
Also the main data Cache is used by the Android OS at run-time to write temporary files for specific reasons. You want to clear this out so it doesn't re-use the old cached data.
Manually clearing both caches allows the new kernel/modem to be installed in a "cleaner" environment. It's just preventative maintenance.

snowake said:
I think it is important to explain that a reset should not be done after flashing a custom ROM because it deletes the Dev's settings/data/non-system apps. Instead flashers should either reset after flashing back to stock or before flashing a custom ROM over the current custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This actually makes perfect sense to me. I have modified my OP because of your input. Thank you very much, snowake!

Cozmo1 said:
This actually makes perfect sense to me. I have modified my OP because of your input. Thank you very much, snowake!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do u have more info about "format your SD card, or partition a part of it as a ext file system" or how to do that.
i have read someone format part of the sdcard (class 10)to ext 2 or 4,to make the write n read faster.is that what you mean.can u guide me to the right direction.thank in advance.
? ? ? about this......(However, if you format your SD card, or partition a part of it as a ext file system, you can trick the phone into thinking it's part of the Android OS native environment. This will allow you to move applications, widgets, even cache and davlik cache over to it.)

Cozmo1 said:
This actually makes perfect sense to me. I have modified my OP because of your input. Thank you very much, snowake!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I struggled with all of this my first first few flashes.

xpakage said:
...Dalvik cache is a place where the Android OS re-compiles the executable programs the first time to optimize them.
...
Also the main data Cache is used by the Android OS at run-time to write temporary files for specific reasons.
Manually clearing both caches allows the new kernel/modem to be installed in a "cleaner" environment. It's just preventative maintenance.[/I]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is much more boiled down. I looked back at the "how to flash" threads and a couple good explanations on custom roms. None explain this that I found.
Cosmo, here are some more thoughts on misunderstandings I have had and seen posted. Like post above I pasted from my notes, so may be incorrect.
Bootloaders: Same for Froyo/Eclaire in both i897 and i9000 roms. GB requires new bootloaders, but i897 are apparently cross-compatible. However, issues seem to pop up on i9000 roms with GB i897 bootloaders. If flashing back to Froyo, use the full jf6 stock, not cezar's stock eclaire without bootloaders.
Using Tibu: If no useful data (i.e. Bookmarks on dolphin) then simply click data only when restoring user apps. Typically no issues when restoring user apps after switching Android versions. However, system apps should not be restored because of the rom customizations. Especially when switching to GB because it uses different directory structure. I do not seem to have issues when staying on same version and restoring foreground (user accessible) apps with data only or restoring green text color sys apps with Tibu as icon (i.e. Accounts).
Rom manager: really only need the app if flash to stock and need to flash rom directly from cwm. If so, then flash cwm (top button in menu) and choose phone. This places update.zip in /sd, which is opened after selecting "reinstall update" in stock recovery. Usually have to select it twice for it to work. This will replace ATT stock 2e recovery (blue text) with cwm 2.5 (froyo).
Voodoo color, lagfix, sound: must either be included in kernel. Lagfix simply allows user to format sd as ext4 (linux). Color balances display so less blue iodes are used and color is more realistic. Sound allows clearer sound through headphones through tweaks enabled in voodoo app. If sound is not in kernel then purchase voodoo pro in market and it will install it into the kernel (if rooted, even if stock).

Thanks for clearing that up!
- Aaron

Updated with more details.

Really, really useful. Had no idea partition options were available to this extent! Especially swap. By mini tool are you referring to Easus' program? I am definitely checking this out tonight. Thanks!

Great guide. In order to clear
/sdcard dir I master clear it after flashing to stock. Is there an alternate method besides deleting dirs myself?

snowake said:
Great guide. In order to clear
/sdcard dir I master clear it after flashing to stock. Is there an alternate method besides deleting dirs myself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is probably the safest way to do it within the phone itself. An alternate way would be to mount it to your computer:
In Windows right click the drive that was assigned to your internal SD card and then click on format. By default it'll most likely set you to Fat32 and if you click format it'll say its complete, but nothing will be deleted. Android being a Linux OS doesn't use fat. You can format it by choosing exFat, but by doing this...
!!!WARNING!!! be aware that you will lose everything on your internal SD card AND your external SD card.
Emphasis placed mainly for others that read this and might not know.
Safer and easier to do it within the phone.

snowake said:
Really, really useful. Had no idea partition options were available to this extent! Especially swap. By mini tool are you referring to Easus' program? I am definitely checking this out tonight. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one is from MiniTool, though I wouldn't be surprised if Easus owned them. I didn't investigate to confirm. You can get the free home edition of MiniTool Partition Wizard here.

Very nice infos. Deserves a sticky, although, probably in a different thread.
Some information on what "Master Clear" in Odin would also be helpful - I have never trusted my phone to 'truly' clear everything on the phone, I have found the Odin Master Clear option to be much more complete.
It is a bit odd, I do this with my PC every six months, I back everything up and format the drive and start over again (after running Spinrite on all the drives) - I do this on / around New Years and again over 4th of July weekend and I decided this past weekend to also do the same with my smart phones (4 Cappies) and tablets (Ipad and 2 Android tabs) this past weekend.
It gives me that sort of squeaky clean feeling and seems to make my devices run smoother. Maybe its all in my head, dunno *shrugs*.
One thing I can say however, I have not had a hard drive go bad on me since I started the Spinrite thing 10 years ago (I still have an 8 GB hdd in my desktop that is working!!).

Any decent update(r)-script will do this for you.
Sent from my Infuse 4G

littlewierdo said:
Very nice infos. Deserves a sticky, although, probably in a different thread.
Some information on what "Master Clear" in Odin would also be helpful - I have never trusted my phone to 'truly' clear everything on the phone, I have found the Odin Master Clear option to be much more complete.
It is a bit odd, I do this with my PC every six months, I back everything up and format the drive and start over again (after running Spinrite on all the drives) - I do this on / around New Years and again over 4th of July weekend and I decided this past weekend to also do the same with my smart phones (4 Cappies) and tablets (Ipad and 2 Android tabs) this past weekend.
It gives me that sort of squeaky clean feeling and seems to make my devices run smoother. Maybe its all in my head, dunno *shrugs*.
One thing I can say however, I have not had a hard drive go bad on me since I started the Spinrite thing 10 years ago (I still have an 8 GB hdd in my desktop that is working!!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can run some tests on Odin's master clear to confirm what it does. Initially I would believe it does the same as a "wipe data / factory reset", but testing should let us know for sure. I'll test it this weekend. Maybe sooner.
Awesome to hear that I'm not the only advocate for SpinRite and I still use it a lot though not every 6 months like you do. It's definitely worth having and using.

MikeyMike01 said:
Any decent update(r)-script will do this for you.
Sent from my Infuse 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally 100% agree with you, MikeyMike01. Unfortunately, not all update scripts are created equally Asides from teaching people how to script themselves or parse through it, a task I do not have the time or patience to tackle, this it probably the easiest and best way to have users try to avoid the many and strange issues posted that possibly / most likely could've been avoided by using the tools at their disposal.
On a side note... I didn't notice you got yourself an Infuse 4G. Congrats! How do you like it? I've been out of contract for almost a year now and wouldn't mind upgrading (my wife is in contract), but I haven't seen anything really worth upgrading to or that does something I really need/want that the Captivate cannot, atm. I haven't looked up any specs and reviews on the Infuse yet tho.

Wiping/Formatting Internal Storage. How to perform a real....(read:actual) wipe.

Even after doing a factory reset....and after wiping every time of cache i could in recovery...my internal storage is still stuffed with stuff from the stock when my i first got the device. How do i actually perform a wipe.

Jamesyboy said:
Even after doing a factory reset....and after wiping every time of cache i could in recovery...my internal storage is still stuffed with stuff from the stock when my i first got the device. How do i actually perform a wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you just go into Settings -> Storage -> Format? Or just delete everything with your computer?

Product F(RED) said:
Why don't you just go into Settings -> Storage -> Format? Or just delete everything with your computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no option to format the internal storage.

Jamesyboy said:
Even after doing a factory reset....and after wiping every time of cache i could in recovery...my internal storage is still stuffed with stuff from the stock when my i first got the device. How do i actually perform a wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As well, wiping the internal storage may be possible through the stock ROM under settings-> storage....but i was working with codename android. I tried the "Erase Tablet" under Settings->Backup and Restore-> Factory Reset-> Wipe all personal information.
However, after restarting, nothing was deleted.
I'm going to flash the stock ROM and try to look for a format option under Settings->Storage, and i'll try doing a factory reset under settings-> Privacy.
If that doesn't work, i'll have to reflash Revolver 4 beta, and try to look in the settings there.
But as far as trying to delete everything from a computer, idk if i have to have USB debugging enabled, or some settings switched, because browsing the contents of the internal storage over USB doesn't even show all of the folders.

if you have a SBK1 devics you can use NVFlash that wipes everything and repartitions it and i believe there is a superwipe script in the arhd thread that wipes internal storage

mrevankyle said:
if you have a SBK1 devics you can use NVFlash that wipes everything and repartitions it and i believe there is a superwipe script in the arhd thread that wipes internal storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will this wipe CWM as well? Was hoping this wouldn't be too complicated. This will be a joke if i have to redo EVERYTHING.
I really just wanna wipe the internal storage and then flash a ROM from my sdcard.
So if things do work out like i want them to, I can just use the ICS Nvflash and things will be wiped?
Or will this be convoluted---as in i'll have to use the script, install ARHD (which is honeycomb right?) install CWM, rewipe (at which point i'll have some crap from ARHD in my internal storage...grr), and then, finally, install my ROM?
BTW, i have a B70 transformer that was rootable via the one-click live CD. I assume that means i have a SBK1.
I can remove my MicroSD during this, amirite?

C'mon asus, this is such a basic feature.
If i recall correctly, wasn't there a feature in settings, that if you entered your pattern or password incorrectly a certain number of times, your data would be wiped? If this wipes ALL personal information, that feature would be really handy right now.

Go here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1245892
Download the super wipe. Then use the recovery to run it. It will handle all things internal.

Not sure which CWM you are using but in Rogue XM Recovery, there's an option to format /sdcard under Mounts and Storage. IIRC the regular CWM has that option too. There is also an option to partition the SD card under Advanced.
You can also use the the superwipe(full version) script to delete everything on internal storage. No it doesn't remove CWM.
BTW, i have a B70 transformer that was rootable via the one-click live CD. I assume that means i have a SBK1.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is this one click live cd rooting? Some sort of linux live cd? Why didn't you just use ViperMod?
How did you come to the assumption that you have a SBK1? Did the author of the rooting method specifically say it only works for SBK1 devices?
FROM THE MODERATOR . . . Watch the use of profanity... please use respectful language in this forum--- THX

The One-Click live CD was in it's prime during intitial release. ASUS changed the bootloader encryption key during the second half of B70* production. Before the second encryption key was released, B70*+ users were in limbo.
I came to that conclusion because i had no issue rooting and installing CWM with the first batch of tools, while others, who had devices with serial numbers in the second half of the B70* spectrum did. So yes, there is a method to my madness.
And i used the Live CD One-Click method because i was rusty with a CMD prompt. To each his own. It rooted, partitioned, and installed CWM.
I might add...this was my first Android device, and it was certainly my first time lurking around root. It was perfect for someone with a limited knowledge of android and Linux (at the time).

Thanks! I might as well give ARHD a try while im at it! Will report back!

Oh I see. Yes you are right about having sbk1.
Not sure which version of CWM comes with it but it should have an option to format sdcard like I said earlier. I know this because I used that option to delete everything before flashing ICS.

horndroid said:
Oh I see. Yes you are right about having sbk1.
Not sure which version of CWM comes with it but it should have an option to format sdcard like I said earlier. I know this because I used that option to delete everything before flashing ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Super-Wipe script worked perfectly for deleting the data, but the ARHD thread says that it reformats the partitions as EXT4. i installed ARHD after using the super wipe script and during the restore (Google's cloud restore), iI immediately got swamped with Google Play Store errors- Error 403 every time it tried to install an app.
Codename Android installed, restored, and ran fine...including app installation, so im not sure what was the problem, but i have a feeling it has to do with the file system change. If this is true, be aware. The script may function well, but its also possible you'll end up having to reformat anyways to change the filesystem back. Ill post this as well in the proper thread...but i thinks it's also relevant to this discussion.
I suppose XDA and Android have led me to my next topic of research--filesystem usage in Android with stock and custom ROMs.

[Q] Can someone explain to me the Android File System

So, I'm trying to understand how and why the file system acts the way it does.
Example. I have
/sdcard
and this has a bunch of stuff under it
then i have
/sdcard/0
this has some of the same stuff under it as /sdcard, but is a different file system
Why can I not just have a simple file system that I can understand! I seem to have issues with space because sometimes wiping the phone does not wipe the /sdcard/0 so I am working out of /sdcard/0 as opposed to the base of /sdcard
Any help? I am an idiot so explain like I'm 5, if possible.
Thanks in advance.

n0xide said:
So, I'm trying to understand how and why the file system acts the way it does.
Example. I have
/sdcard
and this has a bunch of stuff under it
then i have
/sdcard/0
this has some of the same stuff under it as /sdcard, but is a different file system
Why can I not just have a simple file system that I can understand! I seem to have issues with space because sometimes wiping the phone does not wipe the /sdcard/0 so I am working out of /sdcard/0 as opposed to the base of /sdcard
Any help? I am an idiot so explain like I'm 5, if possible.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5 year old explanation.
4.3 and above Android systems implement a multi user file setup similar to what Windows and OSx uses. The 0 folder is your account, your significant other could be 1, your dog could be 2, this keeps going depending how many users are registered to the device. It's actual intent is to use multi user on a tablet interface, not a phone, but because jellybean is used on both phones and tablets the file structure is the same.
Normally you don't have to worry about much of this, but if you came from 4.1 jellybean then multiuser wasn't implemented yet. This would double up your data in both places.
To me it sounds like you're OK, it's going to show double files because it's essentially reading the exact same folder, the format isn't going to understand what you're trying to do because it doesn't really know where to look for your data files. Basically, leave your 0 folder alone because that's where your data is supposed to be stored.
Was that 5 year old enough?
Edit: if you format your internal SD card in your recovery, then you'll erase the doubled data, and your folder structure will be repopulated under the 0 folder system. If you're running out of internal storage that's what you should do. Then clean flash the rom of your choice following the format.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

BadUsername said:
5 year old explanation.
4.3 and above Android systems implement a multi user file setup similar to what Windows and OSx uses. The 0 folder is your account, your significant other could be 1, your dog could be 2, this keeps going depending how many users are registered to the device. It's actual intent is to use multi user on a tablet interface, not a phone, but because jellybean is used on both phones and tablets the file structure is the same.
Normally you don't have to worry about much of this, but if you came from 4.1 jellybean then multiuser wasn't implemented yet. This would double up your data in both places.
To me it sounds like you're OK, it's going to show double files because it's essentially reading the exact same folder, the format isn't going to understand what you're trying to do because it doesn't really know where to look for your data files. Basically, leave your 0 folder alone because that's where your data is supposed to be stored.
Was that 5 year old enough?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah! That's a pretty solid explanation! I couldn't seem to find anywhere that broke it down that way.
So let me ask one more 5 year old question.
I seem to have TONS of space used up on my SD card, that I cannot free up.
I have a 16Gig GSIII, when I attach my phone to windows, I have 7gb free of 12gb. I just wiped system, cache, and dalvik, and have a clean version of Beanstalk 4.4.2.
How am I using 5gb when the OS itself is only, ~199Mb.
Is there anyway to have a completely clean install? Even when I soft bricked, and then revived w/odin and an old kernal, I don't think it was totally clean.

n0xide said:
Yeah! That's a pretty solid explanation! I couldn't seem to find anywhere that broke it down that way.
So let me ask one more 5 year old question.
I seem to have TONS of space used up on my SD card, that I cannot free up.
I have a 16Gig GSIII, when I attach my phone to windows, I have 7gb free of 12gb. I just wiped system, cache, and dalvik, and have a clean version of Beanstalk 4.4.2.
How am I using 5gb when the OS itself is only, ~199Mb.
Is there anyway to have a completely clean install? Even when I soft bricked, and then revived w/odin and an old kernal, I don't think it was totally clean.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup! I just told you in my post edit, left that out by accident.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

BadUsername said:
Yup! I just told you in my post edit, left that out by accident.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again! Great answers, and just the info I need!
So, to format it in CWM. I would go to
Mounts and Storage
format /data
or
format /data and /data/media (/sdcard)
i assume I don't touch
format /cache or format /system
and.. last thing I promise, how do I make sure I keep a copy of gaaps and a rom on the sdcard, if I format it?

n0xide said:
Thanks again! Great answers, and just the info I need!
So, to format it in CWM. I would go to
Mounts and Storage
format /data
or
format /data and /data/media (/sdcard)
i assume I don't touch
format /cache or format /system
and.. last thing I promise, how do I make sure I keep a copy of gaaps and a rom on the sdcard, if I format it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't keep anything on the SD card after formatting, it'll be completely wiped clean, but you should do the second option. Also you should always format system when you clean flash a rom anyway.
I'd use an external SD card to flash the rom from. Alternatively, you could sideload the rom (if you know how). I don't know how.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Everytime i install an app it says out of space.

Hi there
I have done a small search of the thread on this section of the forums but it seems I can not come up with the answer.
I have an old N5 16gb model. Running on DU 6.0.1 rom. Every time i install an app it says there is no space and i need to delete some apps before i can continue.
If i delete apps it still doesn't work. If i clear the cache it works.
As i go along it seems i am getting less and less apps on the phone. Android system is taking 3.42 gb of the partition.
I have never done anything to the partitions when i wiped the phone to put on a new rom. Just wipe and install rom.
Any suggestions?
Secondly If i flash a android 7 rom do i need to repart the phone? I haven't flashed anything in about a year so i am a little rusty.

dyabolikarl said:
Hi there
I have done a small search of the thread on this section of the forums but it seems I can not come up with the answer.
I have an old N5 16gb model. Running on DU 6.0.1 rom. Every time i install an app it says there is no space and i need to delete some apps before i can continue.
If i delete apps it still doesn't work. If i clear the cache it works.
As i go along it seems i am getting less and less apps on the phone. Android system is taking 3.42 gb of the partition.
I have never done anything to the partitions when i wiped the phone to put on a new rom. Just wipe and install rom.
Any suggestions?
Secondly If i flash a android 7 rom do i need to repart the phone? I haven't flashed anything in about a year so i am a little rusty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps are getting bigger and bigger but you should check the twrp folder, maybe you have a backup or two that you don't need so you should erase them. Around 3gb per backup in average.

Stevica Smederevac said:
Apps are getting bigger and bigger but you should check the twrp folder, maybe you have a backup or two that you don't need so you should erase them. Around 3gb per backup in average.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured that the apps are getting huge. Looks like it might be time to update the old phone then. Nothing in the twrp folders.
I have about 600mb left on the device. I have deleted everything else i can.

dyabolikarl said:
I figured that the apps are getting huge. Looks like it might be time to update the old phone then. Nothing in the twrp folders.
I have about 600mb left on the device. I have deleted everything else i can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it's time to upgrade, no other solutions.

dyabolikarl said:
I figured that the apps are getting huge. Looks like it might be time to update the old phone then. Nothing in the twrp folders.
I have about 600mb left on the device. I have deleted everything else i can.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try to format your internal SD or install DiskUsage to find out which app takes most of the space. I think it must be an app with a huge cache.
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage
(can't post links until 10posts)

Settings->Storage->Cached data click on it and choose to delete it.
About flashing 7 ROM it is highly required to do clean install(wipe everything), everytime you switch from one ROM to another, if this is what you meant by restarting device. Re-partition wont be needed, just wipe and flash.

Sashko98 said:
Settings->Storage->Cached data click on it and choose to delete it.
About flashing 7 ROM it is highly required to do clean install(wipe everything), everytime you switch from one ROM to another, if this is what you meant by restarting device. Re-partition wont be needed, just wipe and flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet! I do the cached data wipe every time i need to install something. It's the only way i can get something on there.
I was wondering about the repartition as i heard the 7 roms are fairly large.

dyabolikarl said:
Sweet! I do the cached data wipe every time i need to install something. It's the only way i can get something on there.
I was wondering about the repartition as i heard the 7 roms are fairly large.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re-partitioning won't be necessary, if you use pico/nano/micro variants of GAPPS package.