Database Users

SD card primer, anyone?

Hello,
I just discovered I'm even more of a ignorant farmgirl than I thought... this time it's the MiniSD card I don't know anything about.
I mean: of course you plug it in and you browse to it to add/move/remove files... but it would seem that's not enough. So, can anyone point me to a SD-on-Wiz Faq, please?
A few things I'm looking into:
- How do you get the Wiz to automatically look among SD card-based files from an app? (i.e. "Open" from Word looks into the card first)
- How do you get the camera to save pictures directly onto the SD card, so as not to waste precious device-based memory?
- What are the actual differences between installing apps onto a SD card compared to the device memory? I noticed some apps seem to behave differently according to where they are placed.
- Is there any way to create a card-based auto-multi-installer to do all the dirty work of reinstalling apps automatically after a hard reset?
I'm sure I left out several other interesting and useful things...
Thanks in advance for your contributions!

there´s some reg tweaks you can do so the wizard will store stuff on the sd-card and not in main memorey (i. e. IE cache files, Camera pics, etc.)
just search the forum you´ll find some stuff there.
For the difference between SD-Card and main storage installation. i have no idea. haven´t noticed any change in my apps. maybe just in speed of loading apps. but that´s all i noticed.
for doing backup of your apps. a lot of programms you intall on your sd card don´t need to be reinstalled after a hard reset. just need to put the shortcuts and links back in the folders.
hope i could help.
greets Freez

Making the camera save pictures to the SD card can be done by changing the settings in the camera app under options.
There is no way to automatically have all apps look on the SD card first, every app needs a change in their settings or in the registry to accomplish that.
Installing apps on the SD card has pros and cons. The pros are of course that your storage space on the device (in the ROM) gets used up less, so you can install more apps on your device. It is however not necessary to leave it as empty as possible as it was in WM 2003 SE. In WM 2003 SE (on for instance the Magician) apps were installed in RAM and the more you installed on the device, the more RAM was used up and the less RAM there was available for running apps, resulting in a slow down of the device. Furthermore running out of battery power would result in the device turning off, emptying the RAM and lossing all data and installed apps. In WM5 this is different. Since ROM is used for storage and RAM for executing only, you can fill your ROM to the max without slowing down the device. Furthermore an empty battery will mean no data loss. Concluding, there is no necessity to install as much as possible to the SD card and leave your ROM space empty.
The cons of installing to your SD card are that some apps (e.g. today-plug-ins) don't like being installed on SD card. For today plug-ins this has to do with the start-up process of the Wizard. After turing the device on or waking it from sleep, the device will first load the apps and then initialize the SD card. The device will try to load the apps on the today screen (the plug-ins that is) that are stored on the SD before the SD slot is initialized and the apps cannot be found by the device, creating glitches and problems.
Another con for me is that I like to switch between my SD with TomTom navigation maps and my SD with my mp3/movie collection. If I install most apps to SD, this means that I will have to change my SD again if during a movie or MP3 I want to use one of these apps quickly.
However, if you use only one SD for installing and not much else, this problem does of course not exist.
If your storage in ROM is not full, there is no reason to install aps to SD.

Thak you for the info so far!
Koskie: paint me 'tard... I never even saw the camera Options menu until you mentioned it...

I am about to start getting some cards and here is what I was thinking...
1. a 512 or 128MB card for everyday use. Store IE cache, ringtones, pictures, and some programs (solitaire, puzzles, monopoly etc).
2. A series of 2GB cards for music, movies and TV content when I travel. I was planing on installing TCPMP on each one to avaoid putting that in my device memory.
As far as restoring after flashing or a hard reset, I currently keep a copy of all programs, ringtones, pim backups etc on my home computer. It is organized by file type, utils, games, rings etc. so when I flash I just go through again and reinstall one by one. I've found this is easier than figuring out where to download everything all over again.

@bubism: no problem, took me a while to figure it out too, that option is well-hidden!
@dcdivenut: Good plan. Those small size cards are really cheap. Why don't you install TCPMP on your device memory? It is not too big. Or have you crammed your mem so full that you have no more place for it.
I also have all apps I ever installed still on my desktop, including a list with all the reg edits I did and all apps I have currently installed with a short explanation for most apps and installation instructions when a standard install is not good enough (e.g. TomTom 5.21)
In case a hard reset is needed,I just grab the list and install all apps again, then do all the regedits. Still a lot of work, but quicker than having to search all apps and edits online. I recommend this approach to everyone.

Hey Koskie:
Can you post that list and what to do? I have a new 8125 and miniSD card and have no idea what to use the card for. I won't be putting music, pictures or videos on it since it is a work phone.
Ski

@ Skijackz: I use my SD card for music, TomTom 5.21 maps and video's only, all my apps are installed in main (=device) mem. I have approx. 16 MB free of Storage mem. If you have no use for your SD card and your storage mem is sufficient to store your apps, you can take it out and replace it with the plastic dummy that came with it. In that way your card slot is protected against dust and dirt, but the SD card will not use any power, thereby lengthening your uptime. If you use your device for navigation, you have to use the card to store the maps on it, since they are too big for your device mem.
The list I made is partly in Dutch, especially the notes, so it might not be very useful to you. Furthermore the list is a mess, since it works through my personal filing system (copy and paste wherever my cursor happens to rest). It is a mostly chronological list, I mostly added everything I found at the end. I'll attach it anyway, perhaps you'll find it useful. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask them here or through PM.

Thanks a lot for the tip on storing pics to the storage card!!! That's a real find! ....and much appreciated!!
This place is the BEST :!: :!:

Thanks Koskie!! This is a real help.

is it better to save in device or storage card? Does it matter

My phone is kinda slow and i was wondering if it makes any difference where i save my programs......Any suggestions on what to do?

I just got my phone and installed a recommended app called oxios.
A friend of mine had the tmobile wing, and it was operating really slowly too. I beamed that app over to him and it made his phone operate much much better.
I'd store stuff on your card, keeps the phone memory free to use and then its also removable if you want to loan some data to a friend or something.
To get Oxios, look at the thread I made called "Sprint Mogul must haves"

Yeah I agree...
Most stuff can be put onto the card.
I only put onto phone storage the stuff I use ALL the time or stuff that HAS to be there or running in the background(like MSVC, dialers, themes, sounds, etc)
I use wisbar advanved desktop and S2U2. I installed THOSE to phone memory along with various themes. It is running all the time and is quicker waking up when the phone rings etc. Ringtones should be on phone memory also.
All my games, other apps (like oxios, gps maps, youtube player, tvguide, aim, etc) are on the card. Because those I use/run them and when I'm done I close them.
Hope this makes sense....

I tried to download the file but it wont let me...do you know somewhere else i can get it? thanks

irnman43 said:
My phone is kinda slow and i was wondering if it makes any difference where i save my programs......Any suggestions on what to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally, it won't make your phone slow if you have a lot of items loaded in local flash ROM. What typically makes it slow is having a number of background tasks that are running. Do you use taskmanager or something to close the excess junk?
Typically, if you have a program that runs on the today screen or in the background, load it in local ROM. If it is huge or seldom used, load it on the storage card.
If you install an app on the storage card, it may be a little slower to load into ram when you start it. Usually that isn't a problem though.

Ok. so I was thinking of installing manila and the opera browser. should i install them on the storage card?

I wouldn't put either of those on the storage card. As worwig said the speed of your device has only to do with the processor load, which can never be too much since the ram will never allow the titan to over bombard the processor. So, it really all boils down to open ram. The more you have generally the better proformance you are going to get. If it is really bad to the point where you open your phone and you have to wait more than half a second for the screen to flip I would recommend a hard reset or more effective install dcd's 3.2.6 or 3.3.4. Then install each program soft reset and find which program is causing the memory drain.

Member
I personally prefer to save larger or less frequently used apps and all backups on a storage card. Just in case I need to do a hard reset or something goes wrong. Also a good practice is to have partial backups so if you need to get raid of some apps you could restore only what you need.
Have Fun With Technology.

RAM/Memory Low Problems

For some reason, I don't see too many complaints about low memory issues - yet I have always had problems with my RAM.
I have almost all of my programs installed on my SD card to try reduce any of my memory usage - but if I run PIE, MSN Messenger, or try to play music, I almost always have low memory messages come up.
I usually have one program running in the background - Slide to Unlock - but as far as I know its not that memory intensive?
Any insight on how I can fix this?
Thanks!

Are you running an elf or an elfin? If your not sure.....go to start-->settings-->system-->device information-->hardware. What does your RAM size read? If its 64MB its an elf.....if it says 128MB its an elfin. Your saying you've installed all your applications on the storage card. How much free space do you have for program memory on your phone? Your phones needs free memory in order to run applications too. Perhaps its running low on that end? Two things you should do:
1. Move any extra files, photos, videos or anything else that you might have saved on the phone memory to the storage card. Use activesync. Its faster that way.
2. Clear out your browser history and temp files. This could most probably be your culprit as they take up space too...and you don't necessarily see this upfront. Goto Start-->Internet Explorer-->Menu-->Tools-->Options-->Memory Tab.

[email protected] said:
...
2. Clear out your browser history and temp files. This could most probably be your culprit as they take up space too...and you don't necessarily see this upfront. Goto Start-->Internet Explorer-->Menu-->Tools-->Options-->Memory Tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been having "Insufficient memory" errors while trying to run SpB Backup, and have deleted all sorts of applications, but nothing seemed to free up enough memory. Then I tried your advice, and everything is working as it should!
Thanks!!

I have an elf - usually when I close all of my processes, except my stumble to unlock, I'll have approx. 15mb/47 free in my program memory. 10/28 of my storage space is free.
I've tried to clear all of my temp files... even made it so that all my temp files/PIE files are put on my storage card through SK tools, but still have the same issues.
As soon as I run my HTC music player with the one or two background apps, it almost always pops up with memory issues. Browsing with PIE is almost impossible for any period longer than 5 minutes.
I've tried it with several configurations and I always have the same results, even if I have no background processes - I still have the same issues.

Are you using a cooked ROM? Come to think of it, I never had many problems with the original shipped ROM. I was normally running S2U2, PocketMusic, Opera Mini and SpbMobileShell back then.
You mean to say you can't even run one application at a time without running out of RAM? Soft reset. And if you use SKTools like you say you do, try running Free Up RAM, select all options.
In your shoes I'd probably move everything I want to storage card, (you should want more than 10mb storage) try a hard reset and install my most used apps again. Oh, and what is your PagePool size? Try here to find out about that. It should be 4mb.

Your primary problem is indeed the fact that you are running out of space on your phone. 15mb for program memory especially on heavy usage is quite insufficient. Especially if your going to be multi tasking and running several applications at once. I would move ALL my installed programs and anything else I may be able to get my hands on, to the storage card. Try to squeeze out atleast 25-30mb out of your program memory. This should give your phone some more breathing space.

This might be to use of you to try it out.
http://www.oxios.com/memory/

hi
I had the same problem before but now my touch runs fine now & haven't got any issues till now. Use advanced task manager and pocket mechanic. These application will keep ur pocketpc in good shape.

Very good, Thanks.

Internal Memory Full - How could that happen?

Hi i have my HTC HD2, relativly new one, i have installed stuff ofcourse to it, and always picked memory card cause i know the internal memory aint so greate, anyway when i go into remove programs there are lots of stuff but are they the ones that are installed to internal and not external? i removed little that oly gave me like 600k more but that affect the internal.
And i know that you wondering whats the problem beside my memory is full,
the problem is i always like i said before pick to install to external cause of memory, how can then my internal be full?
like 3 of 30 stuff i could pick myself where to install.
So someone plz help me? i know i neeed to like reinstall the device and install everything again.
I have like skype, tomtom, hd2 tweak, games hdwall bu i iunistall case it didt work. etc.
sorry for my english

I think your main problem is HTCAlbum cache
go to application data-->htc-->htc album and check how much space occupies the cache folder
In some cases it's larger than 10 mb
So, if it is the problem, you can cancel the cache and then try this tip
Another possible problem could be the cache (or temp files) of other programs, such as opera, internet explorer, google maps and so on
One advice for saving more space in the internal memory:
if you don't use copilot and navipanel, you can remove the copilot folder from the folder "program files": it occupies almost 14 mb
regards

Ok i will try but it seems as the internal memry goes full everytim i insall stuff even i i pick memory card, i will soon reset it and do it over again and check + do the things you advice me to.
just questions about it
if i cancel the cache does it make album slower?
ty in advance

if i cancel the cache does it make album slower?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe a little bit...but I don't notice this problem with the mod I adviced you.
...and for your problem...
Before you think to Hard-reset your device, You have to know that when you install a program, even if you install to the microsd, a piece of the install information goes on the internal memory anyway (and occupies some memory space, obviously)
regards

ok, here is what to do;
1. install total commander to phone memory (not sd card)
2. eject sd card
3. on total commander file>find files then find files greater than the default 64k or or 1mb if you want the search to be quicker
4. click on 'size' to sort files into descending order
5. delete or copy any unwanted files
in my case i had some videos that were already on my pc, so i deleted them.

Ok i will try i have movies and pic but are they by default placed on sd card? anyway i think mine are but they arenot taking upp space on the intern? like installed programs.
forgat to quote but i answerd you xboxdevil

qllkevuoi said:
maybe a little bit...but I don't notice this problem with the mod I adviced you.
...and for your problem...
Before you think to Hard-reset your device, You have to know that when you install a program, even if you install to the microsd, a piece of the install information goes on the internal memory anyway (and occupies some memory space, obviously)
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok same as on computers, but that means they are limited stuff you can have on your phones and i mean i dont have so much, standard win 6.5 sense and changed icons, installs tweaks and some games like 10 :S thats bad, i want the at&t version wtf thanks anyway for the answers

toxicstone said:
Hi i have my HTC HD2, relativly new one, i have installed stuff ofcourse to it, and always picked memory card cause i know the internal memory aint so greate, anyway when i go into remove programs there are lots of stuff but are they the ones that are installed to internal and not external? i removed little that oly gave me like 600k more but that affect the internal.
And i know that you wondering whats the problem beside my memory is full,
the problem is i always like i said before pick to install to external cause of memory, how can then my internal be full?
like 3 of 30 stuff i could pick myself where to install.
So someone plz help me? i know i neeed to like reinstall the device and install everything again.
I have like skype, tomtom, hd2 tweak, games hdwall bu i iunistall case it
didt work. etc.
sorry for my english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have never been able to understand why people won't use internal storage!
I have 27 apps installed and this leaves me with 127Mb free which would allow a further minimum of 20 more that I could install assuming an average size.
Why would I want to install to mem card?
It's slower, causes difficulties of all sorts and the internal mem was designed to be used for your apps in the first place.

Although I understand what you are saying pa49 I personally install on my sd card so that
A) I can move from one to another phone if needed or
B) If I have to hard reset then I dont have to load the apps up again when I restore a backup
C) makes backing up and restoring the phone faster and smaller
D) I make a backup of my sd card so that if somthing goes wrong its all there.
I think its a personal preference. I dont fine that my phone is slower or faster one way or the other.

InRBigness said:
Although I understand what you are saying pa49 I personally install on my sd card so that
A) I can move from one to another phone if needed or
B) If I have to hard reset then I dont have to load the apps up again when I restore a backup
C) makes backing up and restoring the phone faster and smaller
D) I make a backup of my sd card so that if somthing goes wrong its all there.
I think its a personal preference. I dont fine that my phone is slower or faster one way or the other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know all these arguments.
But we don't (as a rule) use our PCs this way.
It would not be good practise to install all your PC apps on an external hard drive.
If you applied your four points you'd end up with a mess and I don't see our phones as any different.
We expect our phones to function robustly and then we go out of our way to destabalise the whole thing.
I just don't get it.
This thread
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Google Mobile/thread?tid=1163588d699c01d4&hl=en
is just one example of what can happen and the problems were solved by installing on the phone mem!
"Sounds like for at least some folks, installing on phone memory successfully works around this. If you'd prefer to not use phone memory, I'd also try borrowing or buying another memory card as it is potentially due to a portion of your old memory card being corrupted." Quote from Google employee.
What should be most allarming, to those who install to mem card, is the statement, "it is potentially due to a portion of your old memory card being corrupted".
This is the very reason why I always install to phone mem, reinstall all apps after a ROM flash or hard reset and limit my mem cards to only storage of data.
It's not a personal preference.
It just makes sense.

Installing Apps to Mem Card vs Device ?

I was wondering is there any real difference of installing apps to the storage card vs installing to the device? besides the location of the files...
would the phone run faster if installing to one vs the other ? .... anything different at all?
Or are there certain apps which make a difference and others which do not? Please advise me....

in general internal memory is faster than sd card, so programs located there would load a little faster than ones on the sd card.

On all my previous WM devices I've installed all games to the SD to save space, and all regular apps to main memory. But with so much free internal storage, I've been installing everything to the internal memory. I don't have a ton of games, maybe 100mb total, so there's plenty of room, and things load much quicker.
The other advantage (mostly with games) to installing on SD card is if you flash your device, or hard reset it, most games will run fine from SD w/o having to reinstall, so if you save the shortcuts you can get away with faster "rebuilds" after a flashing (assuming you don't use tools like Sashimi or XDA_UC, etc)
YMMV

Thanks for the info.
yeah I thought the ones on the device may load faster -but I was not able to prove it ...is there anyone out there who could ?...
also how could I save my shortcuts as you have mentioned (without using things like xda uc or sashimi-which I HAVE been using actually)....
I think I will try installing more things to the device, but I would like to hear more people on this topic....

erebusting said:
also how could I save my shortcuts as you have mentioned (without using things like xda uc or sashimi-which I HAVE been using actually)....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you could set up homepage quicklinks to your games, then export the reg key
HKLM/software/htc/manila/home (contains a series of numbered keys, each one is a home quicklink)
Use something like WinCE CAB manager to make a cab that you instal when you re flash. Hey presto, quicklinks restored, no need for backup software.

Many non-system type apps especially games just need shortcuts to run on a fresh flash/hard reset so if you just back up those icons and restore them manually or with sashimi or xdauc you're good to go. Reg keys can do any custom tweaking. Before I started using sashimi I did these backups all the time with card based installs, but now with sashimi, not so much need.

You will also save battery since the phone won't need to access the sd card. Though I don't know how much you'll save, since WM may scan or access the sd card for other purposes anyways.

aceo07 said:
You will also save battery since the phone won't need to access the sd card. Though I don't know how much you'll save, since WM may scan or access the sd card for other purposes anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice point, did not occur to me....