Database Users

Apps 2 SD on Modaco 1.1 ROM

Hi there,
I've got everything working on my newly reflashed Sprint Hero. (Thanks to everyone that contributed to the gigantic thread....read all (currently) 28 pages...you guys made it easy).
My question is whether apps 2 sd is actually working?
I've put completely bare ROMs on my hero (reverted back to stock ROM, wiped it, wiped & partitioned the sdcard to fat32, ext2 & swap, then flashed with 1.1). I then go to install an app and it doesn't show up on the SD card and my internal memory decreases (indicating that its not on the SD card?)
Don't think I've missed any relevant details, but Im keen to get this working.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like you did everything correctly.
try this:
adb shell
mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
cd /system/sd
ls
This should say:
[0;0mapp [0m
[0;0mapp-private [0m
as in /system/sd/app
/system/sd/app-private
then type:
cd /system/sd/app
ls
this should list the programs on the ext2 partition of your sdcard and, if you type:
cd /data/app
ls
you would still see the programs listed, but it is just telling you what you have installed they are not actually there, from what I understand.
Also, the internal memory on my phone also went down, but it went down 5 or so mb instead of 20 or so mb.
While I'm here would you mind telling me if when you said
dom2114 said:
(reverted back to stock ROM, wiped it,...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you mean you reverted to a Nandroid backup then you performed a factory reset, and then flashed with 1.1, because I was wondering if this is possible?

hi there crake
really appreciate the detailed reply.
did everything you said and everything was exactly as you described, except that in /system/sd, i also have a lost+found folder
did the next 2 steps you outlined and yes, /data/app was a duplicate of /system/sd/app. I didn't realize that these were the locations (one being the actual location and the other being the 'symlink') of the ext2 partition.
One final question for you. How big was your fat32 partition? It didn't look like there was a way to control how big you want the fat32 partitions relative to the ext2 partition (& the swap partition...not sure what that is).
In answer to your question: yes, thats exactly what I did.
I wanted a 100% free implementation of modaco 1.1 (i.e. no apps etc). Here's what i did just FYI:
Flashed my nandroid backup back on
Hard reset it
Turned the phone on and just put my basic gmail/facebook login details in
Turned it off and decided to take another nandroid backup in case I wanted to go back to this state...(so I now have 2 nandroid backups)
Enabled USB transfer and copied this new backup off
Wiped the SD card & dalvik cache and then partitioned the card to fat32, ext2 and swap
Transferred the Modaco ROM to the SD Card
Flashed the phone w/ Modaco
End result was a 100% 'stock' Modaco ROM...if that makes any sense.
Appreciate an answer and any info as to the partition sizes.
EDIT:
Realized that this 'new backup' I performed (in the 4th step above) is useless if I end up wiping/repartioning the sdcard as this ROM refers to apps that the modaco ROM moved to the SD. These will obviously be removed after a format/repartition.

Thanks for the info, I used the 2gb (1.8-ish) sd card that came with my phone, after partitioning, the fat32 partition was somewhere around 1.4 gb. There was no option to modify partition size so I assumed it partitions the ext2 to a predetermined size and the rest is partitioned as fat32.

crake001 said:
Thanks for the info, I used the 2gb (1.8-ish) sd card that came with my phone, after partitioning, the fat32 partition was somewhere around 1.4 gb. There was no option to modify partition size so I assumed it partitions the ext2 to a predetermined size and the rest is partitioned as fat32.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe its around 450MB, mine is like 446MB as ext2, the rest of my 8GB sd card is FAT32. It automatically did this, but when I go to All Applications, Apps to SD isn't even listed as an installed application. I went to the market place and installed Apps to SD 2, and it told me I needed to read the tutorial (wtf ?).
So my guess is, the MoDaCo ROM does all the work for you that the Apps to SD program would normally do, and it just always saves it to your SD card.

simplyphp said:
I believe its around 450MB, mine is like 446MB as ext2, the rest of my 8GB sd card is FAT32. It automatically did this, but when I go to All Applications, Apps to SD isn't even listed as an installed application. I went to the market place and installed Apps to SD 2, and it told me I needed to read the tutorial (wtf ?).
So my guess is, the MoDaCo ROM does all the work for you that the Apps to SD program would normally do, and it just always saves it to your SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, thats the conclusion I came to. In the adb shell, if you type apps2sd, something starts happening...Im not smart enough to know what though. Figured Id mention if someone wants to play around

Thanks you all for the info. This was exactly what I was looking for. Wanted to know the size of the ext2 partition and how to control it if we even could but looks like it's automatic as stated. Then to find a way to check to make sure the apps were getting installed on the partition.

I installed the MoDaCo 1.1 over top of all my apps/settings etc. I do have my SD card partitioned via my recovery image option.
What do I need to do to get all those apps over to my sd card and off my phone?

Intuitive guide to Apps2SD?

I knew this time would come....
I've got too many apps on my phone and Im running low on space, and I've noticed my phone has been dragging lately.
I have an 8GB class 6 SD card, so hopefully speed shouldnt be an issue.
I have yet to use A2SD...
If I partition my drive, do I lose everything that's on there? Obviously that's not a problem as I can just move everything over to my computer then copy it back, but if I can leave the data on there and partition that'd be great.
Im having a hard time finding a step by step "from day one" guide.
Mind pointing me in the right direction? The only thing Ive found in the wiki is moving to a new SD card with A2SD.
Im currently running DC 2.07.2

BACK UP SDCARD
Boot into recovery. Partition SD card (default values)
Download http://www.darktremor.com/files/misc/a2sd-2.5-signed.zip
Flash above .zip as any normal ROM
Boot phone
Open command prompt and type:
adb shell
a2sd install
Tada.

Ok great, got that part down.
Now moving the already installed apps over to the SD card? What else do I do from here?
Thank you for the help!

Actually, looks like everything went ok...
ls -l /data reveals all the locations as /system/sd/app
I didn't bother to look at free internal space before installing, but my interanal free storage is now at 130MB. Sound right?
Last question i have for now....
Now that all my apps are on the SD card, if I were to flash a new ROM (say a new ROM Flipz comes out with) that has A2SD support... I dont' have to re-install them as both the apks, odex, and dalvik are all stored on the SD card right?

poor_red_neck said:
Actually, looks like everything went ok...
ls -l /data reveals all the locations as /system/sd/app
I didn't bother to look at free internal space before installing, but my interanal free storage is now at 130MB. Sound right?
Last question i have for now....
Now that all my apps are on the SD card, if I were to flash a new ROM (say a new ROM Flipz comes out with) that has A2SD support... I dont' have to re-install them as both the apks, odex, and dalvik are all stored on the SD card right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only version that I'm aware of that moves Dalvik-cache to the sd card is Apps2SD version 2.5. I don't know if anyone has that in the ROMs yet. Many of them are either using an Apps2SD that was built for Fresh 2.0d, Apps2SD version 2.0, or the Apps2SD which is common in the 1.5 builds.
Your apps in /data/app and /data/app-private are on the sd card. You can flash Apps2SD version 2.5 (A2SD) from http://www.darktremor.com/files/misc/a2sd-2.5-signed.zip if you want to move the dalvik-cache.
EDIT: I really should read the instructions that was posted before I stick my foot in my mouth. The file is the one located at Darktremor, which is the version 2.5...so, yes...your dalvik-cache is on the sd card.

So I tried the above method, but all my apps stopped working and when I go to reinstall them, it says "Insufficient Space for App"...
What did I do wrong?
EDIT: Okay, nevermind, it seems to be working now. I tried installing the app again and it installed fine the second time. Trying another one now.

I did this recently and just found out that I cannot install/download apps from the market, it just gets stuck there. Does it know where its downloading too after a2sd is installed?

[Q] How do I get App2SD working?

Howdy.
I'm kinda new to the whole scene, but I managed to root my tattoo and than flashed the modaca R3 with additions.
But somehow I'm not sure if app2sd is working at all. Do I have to prepare something like Idontknowwhat creating a folder named "APP" or so?
I hope someone can actually help me..
Greetings

Blo234 said:
Howdy.
I'm kinda new to the whole scene, but I managed to root my tattoo and than flashed the modaca R3 with additions.
But somehow I'm not sure if app2sd is working at all. Do I have to prepare something like Idontknowwhat creating a folder named "APP" or so?
I hope someone can actually help me..
Greetings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an Ext2/3/4 Partition. This can be done in recovery but wipes your sd card, so back up first
Also, MoDaCo ROM only includes Apps2SD if you select it in the online kitchen. If you don't have access to this, my ROM (see signature) is also based on stock and has Apps2SD
Hope this helps

Okay. That problem seems solved.
But I still have one question left:
When are the apps saved to SD? Are only new ones affected or does this also work for updates?
Thanks
Blo

Blo234 said:
Okay. That problem seems solved.
But I still have one question left:
When are the apps saved to SD? Are only new ones affected or does this also work for updates?
Thanks
Blo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the correct partition, all Apps are moved to the SD the first time you boot with Apps2SD enabled, then all new apps are installed there

I also have a few questions about partitioning to get apps2sdd. If you partition the sdd does the gold-card get wiped as well, or it just wipes the user data? And is Windows still able to mount the sdd when it's an ext2/3/4 partition? Finally is it safe to partition when using a custom ROM? (using HCDR 1.5 atm)

Jack Hair said:
I also have a few questions about partitioning to get apps2sdd. If you partition the sdd does the gold-card get wiped as well, or it just wipes the user data? And is Windows still able to mount the sdd when it's an ext2/3/4 partition? Finally is it safe to partition when using a custom ROM? (using HCDR 1.5 atm)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the goldcard will get wiped. Everything does, unfortunately.
Windows is still able to mount the Fat partition of the SD card when using an Ext partition.
And partitioning in recovery is independent of the ROM being used so it will be fine no matter which ROM you use (glad to know you're on mine though )

How to install apps2ext on paul 2.2

Hello. I am struggling with this for three days now. I can't seem to make it work. So I think I need a detailed how-to because obviously I am doing something wrong.
I am using this clockwork recovery image: http://android.modaco.com/content/z...27215/oled-tft-2-5-1-8-clockworkmod-recovery/
Then I go to clockwork recovery mode and create 1GB ext partition. Wipe everything from everywhere.
After that I install paul's alpha3 prebake.
What happens is I have 1GB less storage on my class4 8GB SD, but don't see the ext3 partition (where should I look for it exactly)

In normal use the only way you'll know if its working or not is if you run out of space or not.
To find your ext partition look in '/sd-ext' or '/system/sd', you might need a file explorer that can use root privileges, I use estrongs. If the directories 'app' and 'app-private' are there then its working.
If your still sure its not working double check that the prebaked version comes with apps2sd...not all do.

Thank you. I think the prebaked alpha3 version doesn't have the apps2sd scripts. I tried to install Darktremor Apps2SD 2.7.5.2 but it killed my OS and had to flash it again. So is there any specific a2SD that I can use with this rom?

OK. I installed the Japanese jellyfish ROM yesterday and everything works like a charm so I guess prebaked alpha3 didn't have the apps2sd scripts.
Thank you again for your help, mate!

what is apps2ext?

It basically gets some storage space from the SD card and lies the system that it's part of the apps section of the internal memory

cynepmeh said:
It basically gets some storage space from the SD card and lies the system that it's part of the apps section of the internal memory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so it is basically like a different storage architecture for the SD card? Like we can have fat32, ntfs etc?

I am no expert here. From what I know - scripts create some symlinks so the app storage is actually placed on the sd, but the system doesn't know that and thinks it is still the old place. The path is the same, but it actually is something like a shortcut. The ext is probably because it needs to be linix partition or something...
This is what I think and it may not be true however

[Q] Question about phone backup

Hi, i am very new here and ilack some of the basic info. so i have couples of questions. thanks very much for your answers.
1. what is the internal memory of the htc hd2? and when you partition your sd to fat32 and ext3, will the internal memory be the sum of the ext3 and the phone internal storage?
2. when you want to flash your hd2 with a new rom. do you need to format both partitions of your sd card (fat32 and ext3)
3. when i tried the latest ultimate droid rom, i saw the author posted the rom and another thing called the layout (3.0.2.4_magldr_150M_partitionLayout_30M_cache). what does this do?
4. how do you make the phone to move or install apps in the ext3. and how do you back up those data and apps in the ext3?
and again, thanks guys for helping me out.

1 internal memory, do you mean what's available after a flash? 260 Meg or so with the small cm7 roms (typhoon for example)
No, the internal memory wont show the sum of internal plus ext BUT it will work as if it is. Say you install a 20meg program, internal mem goes down 20 but back up 20 after a restart.
2 no, when you perform the wipes through cwm it takes care of the ext partition and the .android folder on the fat32 for you.
Some apps may put data on the fat32, in which case you can delete those if you want or if you have isues.
3 the layout (clockworkmod, or cwm) sets up the various partitions on your nand (internal) memory, boot, system,cache,data. Without the layout there would be nowhere for the rom to flash into.
The main point of interest in cwm is the system partition size, big roms need big system partitions, sense roms for ex. need 250meg or more, typhoon needs 130. Flash a big rom to small layout fails, small rom on big layout wasted space.
4 you don't, if the rom says ap2sd enabled or words to that effect, it does it automatically. You can test this by loading up some apps then browsing the SD card on a Linux PC
When you run backups and such, it just does it, the phone has no idea that some of the info is on the SD, it treats it as internal.

samsamuel said:
Say you install a 20meg program, internal mem goes down 20 but back up 20 after a restart.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont understand why is that? so if the rom is apps2sd supported, it will automatically install apps to ext3. then it makes sense to me that the mem goes down, but then why it goes back up???

Example, 250meg internal plus 1gig ext partition.
internal memory shows as 250meg,, install 20 Meg app which goes to ext partition BUT the system displays internal mem as 230, , you reboot the phone and check again and internal memory shows as 250 again.

oh, thanks alot, i get it. but which backup solution is the best? and how does backup using clockworldmod work? does it make a backup file to sd card?

ljaypham said:
oh, thanks alot, i get it. but which backup solution is the best? and how does backup using clockworldmod work? does it make a backup file to sd card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
It depends what you want to back up.CWM backup will take a snapshot of your entire ROM system,data,settings,everything.A bit like a ghost image of a drive on your PC.
This way, if you install a new ROM and there is a problem,or you don't like it,you can RESTORE your original ROM and everything is back the way it was before.
CWM backup saves to the sd card.
If you just want to backup data,use something like Titanium Backup.