Database Users

[Q] Folder?

Hello, for some reason when I press on the folder it doesn't show any of my files, only a transparent white window. Any advice?
I'm using a SD card.

bumping this thread

Can you be a little clearer? What folder, and where is it? Is this through a file explorer, or a folder on your home page?
Just give us more to go on

johncmolyneux said:
Can you be a little clearer? What folder, and where is it? Is this through a file explorer, or a folder on your home page?
Just give us more to go on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how to acces the media on my SD.
Pressing on folder shows a white transparent window.

What application are you trying to access it with? Talk me through from the beginning so I can see if I can help.

johncmolyneux said:
What application are you trying to access it with? Talk me through from the beginning so I can see if I can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea, I just need to find the media that are on my SD.
Windows mobile had file explorer, does the latest NAND have it?
I've got no idea how to access it..

There are plenty of file explorers available from the market. You just need to search on there.
I personally use Root Explorer as it allows you to modify/copy/paste system files.

The folder you are probably trying to access is simply a virtual folder you have created on your android desktop. To use it you need to drag icons to it to organise stuff into groups etc.
What you should be doing to access your SD card is using an actual file explorer/manager app like the one described above. I personally use ASTRO File Manager though.
PS. Next time you ask for help please be more descriptive of your issue/problem.

[How To Guide] Access A500 microSD card and/or USB from PC

For those of you that would like the ability to transfer files between the internal memory, microSD card, and/or usb data drive from your PC, there is a way. Download and install QtADB.
NOTE: I have updated the instructions. This should work without having to download the Android SDK.
1. First you need to download and install the flavor of Java you require (x86 or x64). This is required for ADB and AAPT.
2. Next download QtADB. Copy the "QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder to the "C:\Program Files\" folder.
3. Finally, download ADB and AAPT binaries for windows. Copy the files to the "C:\Program Files\QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder.
Here is the link for Java: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk-6u26-download-400750.html
Here is the link to QtADB: http://qtadb.wordpress.com/download/
Here is the link for the ADB and AAPT binarie files: http://www.mediafire.com/?yegi0lp9ik5xuk0
Once you get it all loaded, connect your A500 to your PC via the micro USB port. Launch QtADB. The first time you run QtADB, it will ask you for the path to ADB and AAPT. This should be "C:\Program Files\QtADB_0.8.0_windows_with_libs" folder. You should be able to access all your storage internal and external to your A500. I am no expert on this application, but will try to help if I can.
Attached are screenshots of QtADB abd attached to my A500. The Apps and Messages tabs do not work, but so far everything else seems to. Enjoy.

So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.

dalepl said:
So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@dalepl - to answer your question I have posted this SIMPLE method previously. I have emphasied the word SIMPLE because it's not as clever and structured as your method but is probably more suited to us non-programming noobs.
For anyone who wants to see the contents of their sd card on their PC and be able to copy/transfer files from one to the other, why not give this a try, it is very simple and works for my A500.
Before you start you need your A500 to be rooted and you need "USB Mount All version 1.3" from the Market cost $1.99
(1) Have your PC switched on, don't connect your A500 yet but switch the A500 on.
(2) Run USB Mount All and you will see your sd card as a "Device" named "ext_sdcard".
(3) Press the tab "Mount" next to your ext_sdcard. You will see two messages "Mount has been granted Superuser permission" and "Device successfully mounted".
(4) Press the "Menu" tab in the top Right hand corner of the screen, this opens a small box entitled "Settings". Press on "Settings" and you get 3 options, make certain all 3 options are ticked, ticking them if they are not. (The important thing is to have "Mount on Bootup" ticked"). Press the Back Arrow twice to get back to Home Page or where ever you started from.
(5) Re-boot the A500 and after it is back running connect it to your PC using mini usb connector.
(6) Now check your PC and open Windows Explorer, you will find under your A500 Device most of the folder/directories that are in /mnt/sdcard (which isn't all that relevent to this) BUT importantly you will find a folder/directory entitled "ext_sdcard" which for those of you who noticed is the exact name that "USB Mount All" called your sd card.
(7) Now use Windows Explorer to copy and paste whatever you want into the "ext_sdcard" folder.
(8) Please note that when you start to copy files you will get up a warning box stating "Do you want to copy XXXXX to your device?". You are given 2 choices (1) No skip this file or (2) Yes.
(9) Put a tick in the box at the bottom Left and click on "Yes".
(10) When finished safely disconnect your A500 from your PC and re-boot your A500.
(11) After re-boot go back into "USB Mount All", chose top Right menu and settings box and remove the tick from the 3rd option "Mount on Bootup". Each time you are going to copy, move or delete files first of all put the tick back in the 3rd box and when you're done take it out.
Your Done. If you use any File Explorer to look at /mnt/external_sd you will see all the files residing on your sd card including those you've just copied.

I think the reason is people wish there were a simpler way than to have to download 13 programs and do this do that...
But still, thanks.

Johnny0906 said:
I think the reason is people wish there were a simpler way than to have to download 13 programs and do this do that...
But still, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may be right. Looking closer I am going to change the directions. You do not have to install the SDK to get this to work. You can download ADB and AAPT files from the QtADB site.

I believe someone else in another thread mentioned Droid Explorer. Works great for me.

tomlogan1 said:
I believe someone else in another thread mentioned Droid Explorer. Works great for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I took a look at this one and although it does look good and does most of the same thing QtADB does, I still perfer QtADB. For one, I can delete, move, and copy files from the A500 external storage to the PC and vice versa from right within QtADB. I did not spend much time with Droid Explorer and it may be able to do the same thing, but I did not find it. All in all, I guess it will be up to each user to pick the one they like. Both seem to be good options.

File transfer directly between PC and external_sd (WiFi)
dalepl said:
So, no one wants to be able to directly transfer files from thier PC to thier external microSC card? I see a lot of views, but no comments. Has anyone else tried this? Did it work for you? Anyway, happy day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to hear. I saw many people asking in other threads about this ability, but had not seen anyone mention how except for taking your micrSD card out and using an adapter to hook it up to your PC. I have been using QtADB since I got my HTC Droid Incredible a year ago and gave it a try with the A500 and it worked, so I thought I would let everyone know. It is good that now there are three alternatives listed for everyone.

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I should just add, I think the default browse folder when you install it is /mnt/sdcard. Just change the default to /mnt in the app's menu, and then on the pc you can browse to either sdcard or external_sd from the local IP address the program gives you on the tablet.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

dweebken said:
I use WiFi File Explorer, from the Market. I can easily transfer files directly between my PC and my SD card over the same WiFi net. See http://www.appbrain.com/app/wifi-file-explorer/com.dooblou.WiFiFileExplorer for details. Don't even need the USB cable! My mobile phone can act as a WiFi hotspot (HTC Desire Froyo from Telstra) so I'm never anywhere that this can't work for me.
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow this is awesome just tried it out and its nice
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

garbagecanman said:
Wow this is awesome just tried it out and its nice
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked for you.

I use ES File Explorer, its free and fairly straight forward. I can access any shared file on my PC and move/copy any file from my A500 to my PC and vise-versa. It also accesses Dropbox, which is handy. Probably not a perfect solution, but it works well enough for me. I'm sure there are other file explorer apps out there that do the same thing, but I've been using ES since I got my Archos 5IMT way back when so I'm used to it.

karlkarloff said:
I use ES File Explorer, its free and fairly straight forward. I can access any shared file on my PC and move/copy any file from my A500 to my PC and vise-versa. It also accesses Dropbox, which is handy. Probably not a perfect solution, but it works well enough for me. I'm sure there are other file explorer apps out there that do the same thing, but I've been using ES since I got my Archos 5IMT way back when so I'm used to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice. The real difference between using a file explorer on the tablet and the solution I gave is that no shared folders or dropbox are needed. You can access all the folders on the PC and all the storage on the A500. The interface is just like the Windows Explorer, so there is no big learning curve. I do like that this is showing people different ways to get to the same solution. Now they can use the one that best fits them.

App install Fails?

hey all iv noticed this a lot with the stock 2.2 rom on my POV Mobii tegra 2 (advent vega rebrand).
e.g i uninstalled a game called jelly defence, then tried to install an updated version of it. the install fails saying aplication not installed.
ok so i then tried to reinstall the first version i had working on the tablet, and that also fails to install saying again application not installed..
why would this be happening? iv noticed that it happens on a fair few number of apps that i install, then uninstall, then try to install again and they fail to install.
installation is done via apk file from sd card. even tried over wifi and still same error.

I know this might sound rude, but did you try Google?
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4226132/application-not-installed-error-on-android

ahh, could be something to do with the certificates or the AndroidManifest.xml file.
where is this file located so that i can check its permissions?

This might be a tough nutt to crack...
"AndroidManifest.xml" file is inside .apk files.

ok i managed to fix the problem. i mounted my sd card to the pc with card reader, and in the android.secure folder there was a file called smdl2tmp1.asec , i deleted that and now the app installs fine. got both jelly defence and few others installed with no issues.
strange how i cant see that folder on the tablet itself because its hidden. need an app to see the folder and its contents directly on the tablet so i can delete it again if needed.

Yeah, folders and files with a dot infront of their names are invisible.
It's a Linux thing!
Glad you got that sorted out!

is there no file manager app that can see these files directly on the tablet?

Just tried "iFileManager" app I got with stock tablet software and it can see hidden files/folders.
I also tried Root Explorer and it can see hidden files/folders, but this is a paid app.
Astro File Manager can also see hidden files/folders, but you need to go into Preferences-->Look and Feel-->and enable "Show Hidden Files" option.
Maybe your current file manager app also has such an option?
Hope I helped, and don't forget to give a thanks!

ahh, i have stock ifilemanager, but i dont use it, i use ES File Explorer since i can access my LAN shares with it easily over the wifi. will give ifilemanager a go in few mins time.
thanks again.

just checked ifilemanager can see the folder but it cant see any of the file which are inside the folder.

Just checked some "hidden" folders myself on my tablet.
Some have files / sub-folders inside and some don't.
Not all folders need to have files inside.

but when i check the folder on the pc via sdcard reader, there are files in the folder.
cant see them directly on the tablet, but when connected to pc i can see the files in exact same location.

[Q] Create folder shortcut from external SD card

What I want to do is create a short cut to a folder that is located on an external sd card and put it on my home screen.
I have tried alot of file managers and none I tried have this option. I did come across one fike manager which i could create a shortcut but it only had access to the internal memory.
Can anyone recommend a suitable app which i can install?

File manager HD works fine
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rhmsoft.fm.hd

I cant access the external SD card using file manager hd

Did you try to navigate back in the directory tree by pressing parent? You might need root for that.

amateurandroid said:
I cant access the external SD card using file manager hd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What rom are you running???
If you are on Thor's rom he calls the external sdcard something else and most file managers won't see it with out editing the name.

amateurandroid said:
I cant access the external SD card using file manager hd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're still on File manager HD, press HOME, and then UP and you'll see your external_sd. Otherwise it is located in mnt/ folder. If you're running thor's ROM 14.2 it is under mnt/Removable/MicroSD

shortcut to external sd
lowsum said:
File manager HD works fine
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.rhmsoft.fm.hd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi all, by the life of me I was not able to create a shortcut with FM HD. A bookmark in FM HD yes, no problem.
I run stock rom.

I am running Thor's ROM 14.2
found it through File Manager HD, had to press Home and Up Twice and then in the Removable Folder. Thanks for that.
Now, back to my original query, I still am unable to create a short cut to my home screen. The options that presents include, Details, Open, Copy, Delete, Move, Rename, Permissions (all boxes ticked), Bookmark and Compress

amateurandroid said:
What I want to do is create a short cut to a folder that is located on an external sd card and put it on my home screen.
I have tried alot of file managers and none I tried have this option. I did come across one fike manager which i could create a shortcut but it only had access to the internal memory.
Can anyone recommend a suitable app which i can install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could be wrong here, but I don't think that's possible in Android. You can't put shortcuts (or linked files) on your Android desktop...at least the stock one (don't know if there's a launcher that has this capability). I have tried in many versions of Android with no success. You could, in a terminal, use Busybox to create a linked file/directory in /data/app or /data/app-private, but the link doesn't show up on the desktop (at least not for me).

With File Manager HD you can add a folder shortcut from the widget drawer, the far right tab (i'm on ICS so I can't check for the exact tab name). From there you can add a FMHD shortcut for a chosen folder.

Just installed File Browser Widget and I think it's a great little app you might want to try.
http://market.android.com/details?id=com.ceenic.filebrowserwidget&feature=search_result&hl=en

I know this might be too late but ES file Explorer can do sth like this. Simple long-press on a folred and choose "Shortcut" and you get one on your desktop.

Install File manager HD, go to the Widgets section on the apps drawer in the OS, and there is a widget for File Manager HD, add it to your home screen, it will then prompt you to create a shortcut to a folder of your choice, even one on the External SD

mrfenyx said:
I know this might be too late but ES file Explorer can do sth like this. Simple long-press on a folred and choose "Shortcut" and you get one on your desktop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was going to mention ES as well. They made it remarkably simple. Something that's kinda neat is that you can choose folder color between yellow and blue. Then, when you shortcut a folder, it will be the color of the folder at the time you created the shortcut. And it holds even after a reboot. Could be useful to have different colored shortcuts for organizing.
Es goes way beyond shortcuts, you get a full featured file browser with root browsing (in settings) as well as a network browser, ftp, file editor, permission editor... So much more.

ES File Explorer Doesn't Delete Files Properly Sometimes

Hi all, I'm using ES File Explorer. Sometimes when I delete a file by using the Nexus 7 itself and afterwards plug it into my computer and I browse using Windows Explorer, the file that was supposedly deleted would still show up. Does anyone know why this is?

Jark89 said:
Hi all, I'm using ES File Explorer. Sometimes when I delete a file by using the Nexus 7 itself and afterwards plug it into my computer and I browse using Windows Explorer, the file that was supposedly deleted would still show up. Does anyone know why this is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a similar thing happen where I moved a bunch of files using the adb shell. The files were still accessible in the old directory in Windows, but didn't show in directory listings done on the N7.

opcow said:
I had a similar thing happen where I moved a bunch of files using the adb shell. The files were still accessible in the old directory in Windows, but didn't show in directory listings done on the N7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you also using ES File Explorer or a different app?

Because the Nexus uses MTP instead of USB Mass Storage, the Media scanner on the Nexus will need to periodically scan your device for changes in files/folders. It sucks because it will always show inconsistencies in Windows Explorer that don't match the file structure on the Nexus.
You can use the SDRescan app to force it to scan now, then Windows Explorer will correctly show files/folders you've changed.

Salty Wagyu said:
Because the Nexus uses MTP instead of USB Mass Storage, the Media scanner on the Nexus will need to periodically scan your device for changes in files/folders. It sucks because it will always show inconsistencies in Windows Explorer that don't match the file structure on the Nexus.
You can use the SDRescan app to force it to scan now, then Windows Explorer will correctly show files/folders you've changed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the explanation! That clears it up for me. :good: