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Fairly new to custom ROMs... Started with Damage 2.0.2 and been updating all the way through to 2.0.7.2, but never attempted the A2SD. Can someone point me to a good how to guide on setting this up for the first time. I have found a few forum how-to's on switching SD cards with A2SD, but most things i am finding with searches are assuming it is already setup.
Please attach links or paste in a simple how-to for me. Thanks.
Also, will I be able to keep this ROM intact, (i know i will have to backup the SD card to repartition it...), but will i have to wipe the ROM as well after the ext is built to reinstall the ROM?
Make a copy of your SD card to your computer.
Reboot into recovery.
Partition Your SD card, I used 0 swap and 380 something for the ext.
Toggle MS through recovery and copy your SD card files back to your card.
Reboot.
Get Quick System Info from the market.(It shows how much memory is left on your partition, basically an easy way to tell if it worked)
durandetto said:
Make a copy of your SD card to your computer.
Reboot into recovery.
Partition Your SD card, I used 0 swap and 380 something for the ext.
Toggle MS through recovery and copy your SD card files back to your card.
Reboot.
Get Quick System Info from the market.(It shows how much memory is left on your partition, basically an easy way to tell if it worked)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by toggle MS through recovery?
It's an option in recovery it allows you to view your SD card on you computer. MS stands for Mass Storage.
durandetto said:
It's an option in recovery it allows you to view your SD card on you computer. MS stands for Mass Storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how do I move the current apps over to the SD card once it is partitioned and up and running?
http://geekfor.me/faq/apps2sd/
This link mentions some other methods to check if it's running. However, it's for fresh rom. Maybe others can chime in to say if the information is the same for damage control roms. As far as I know, the main trick is just partitioning the sdcard using the recovery tool as durandetto mentioned. If the rom sees an ext partition, a2sd will automatically start working. I too am using dc2.0.7.2.
For me, quick system info shows a2sd working, but my internal storage is much less than I thought it would be. I understand that app data is still stored on the internal storage, but can anyone tell me if my numbers are normal or not?
A2SD Storage: 0.89GB, Free 790MB
Internal Storage: 160MB, Free 33.33MB
I probably have under 50 apps installed.
jonesdana said:
So how do I move the current apps over to the SD card once it is partitioned and up and running?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your apps will automatically be installed on your sd card, at least mine were.
e30user said:
http://geekfor.me/faq/apps2sd/
This link mentions some other methods to check if it's running. However, it's for fresh rom. Maybe others can chime in to say if the information is the same for damage control roms. As far as I know, the main trick is just partitioning the sdcard using the recovery tool as durandetto mentioned. If the rom sees an ext partition, a2sd will automatically start working. I too am using dc2.0.7.2.
For me, quick system info shows a2sd working, but my internal storage is much less than I thought it would be. I understand that app data is still stored on the internal storage, but can anyone tell me if my numbers are normal or not?
A2SD Storage: 0.89GB, Free 790MB
Internal Storage: 160MB, Free 33.33MB
I probably have under 50 apps installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have around the same amount of apps and I usually have almost 80mb after I clear my cache.
Does it matter if the apps were downloaded from the market or from another source? Because I have about 35MB of internal storage left as well but my A2SD appears to be working as well. I might have 25 apps.
durandetto said:
I have around the same amount of apps and I usually have almost 80mb after I clear my cache.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently cleared my dalvik cache to fix some market apps not showing up. However, I just did it again so I can compare results to the numbers posted earlier.
Before:
A2SD Storage: 0.89GB, Free 790MB
Internal Storage: 160MB, Free 33.33MB
After wipe of dalvik cache:
A2SD Storage: 0.89GB, Free 790MB
Internal Storage: 160MB, Free 33.24MB
Is the dalvik cache the cache you're talking about?
Jonesdana - it might help if you mention what size sdcard you have if you're curious about typical partition sizes. I know that's one of the things I was curious about when figuring this stuff out. I have an 8gb card and set the ext3 partion for 1 gig(overkill, I know), swap 128, fat for the rest.
Deleted...
e30user said:
I recently cleared my dalvik cache to fix some market apps not showing up. However, I just did it again so I can compare results to the numbers posted earlier.
Before:
A2SD Storage: 0.89GB, Free 790MB
Internal Storage: 160MB, Free 33.33MB
After wipe of dalvik cache:
A2SD Storage: 0.89GB, Free 790MB
Internal Storage: 160MB, Free 33.24MB
Is the dalvik cache the cache you're talking about?
Jonesdana - it might help if you mention what size sdcard you have if you're curious about typical partition sizes. I know that's one of the things I was curious about when figuring this stuff out. I have an 8gb card and set the ext3 partion for 1 gig(overkill, I know), swap 128, fat for the rest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings>applications>manage applications Sort by size and check the Browser, market, albums and others that you use regularly and clear cache. I doubt you'll gain 50mb, but you should gain something.
Isn't the point of this to not have to do that stuff? I don't see the benefit of a2sd from this thread.
Apps2SD
EDIT: Removed the original instructions because of errors. If you want to install A2SD version 2.5, follow these instructions on this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=666420
My apologies for any issues the original instructions may have caused.
Now, for a bonus. If you installed A2SD verison 2.5, you can also move your dalvik-cache to your sd card. This will free up more space on your internal storage. This is completely optional and does not affect the operation of A2SD. Simply enter the phone's console via adb shell, then type /system/bin/a2sd cache. The dalvik-cache will be relocated to /system/sd/dalvik-cache. If you do this, make sure the phone is fully booted.
You can move your dalvik-cache manually without version 2.5.
In the adb shell, type the following commands:
mkdir /system/sd/dalvik-cache
chown 777 /system/sd/dalvik-cache
cp /data/dalvik-cache/* /system/sd/dalvik-cache
rm /data/dalvik-cache
ln -s /system/sd/dalvik-cache /data/dalvik-cache
And that's it.
tkirton said:
Okay...here's the breakdown of how to activate A2SD (a.k.a. Apps2SD)
1. (Optional) Download A2SD version 2.5: http://www.darktremor.com/files/misc/a2sd-2.5-signed.zip. Save the file to your SD card. If you don't want to download this version, skip this step.
2. Reboot the phone into recovery mode.
3. Partition the SD card by selecting Partition SD Card -> Partition SD.
4. Once you have partitioned it, press the back button to go to the main recovery menu.
5. If you downloaded the A2SD version 2.5, flash the program by selecting Flash zip from scard -> a2sd-2.5-signed.zip. Otherwise, skip this step.
6. Reboot the phone. A2SD will start when the program boots and will automatically move your programs located in /data/app and /data/app-private.
7. To validate, go into the console of the phone by typing adb shell and press ENTER. Type ls -l /data and press ENTER. Look for the entries app and app-private. Check to see if entries look like the following:
app -> /system/sd/app
app-private -> /system/sd/app-private
If you see this, then A2SD is working.
Now, for a bonus. If you installed A2SD verison 2.5, you can also move your dalvik-cache to your sd card. This will free up more space on your internal storage. This is completely optional and does not affect the operation of A2SD. Simply enter the phone's console via adb shell, then type /system/bin/a2sd cache. The dalvik-cache will be relocated to /system/sd/dalvik-cache. If you do this, make sure the phone is fully booted.
You can move your dalvik-cache manually without version 2.5.
In the adb shell, type the following commands:
mkdir /system/sd/dalvik-cache
chown 777 /system/sd/dalvik-cache
cp /data/dalvik-cache/* /system/sd/dalvik-cache
rm /data/dalvik-cache
ln -s /system/sd/dalvik-cache /data/dalvik-cache
And that's it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using just the aps2sd 2.5 zip I always start with about 153 meg out of 159 meg and after all my apps are back using titanium backup (about 60 apps) I still have over 135 meg free. I never had this before I used this zip. I did not run the dalvik cache command either. After checking however my dalvik-cache is being moved to /system/sd/dalvik-cache. I see no diff in the phone than before I moved this to the SD either. It just frees up lots of space and lets you load many many more apps
so what exactly does one gain from doing this? just more space? i can't imagine there would be any increase in speed, and wouldn't this have a tiny negative impact on power usage? (small but theoretically still there)
I've never tried this either...
So, if your sdcard dies, could you just reflash the rom over itself and everything would be gravy?
-edit-
After you've installed a new card and formatted it properly, of course.
Can you flash the 2.5 over existing a2sd? or would you have to redo everything when done?
redram38 said:
Using just the aps2sd 2.5 zip I always start with about 153 meg out of 159 meg and after all my apps are back using titanium backup (about 60 apps) I still have over 135 meg free. I never had this before I used this zip. I did not run the dalvik cache command either. After checking however my dalvik-cache is being moved to /system/sd/dalvik-cache. I see no diff in the phone than before I moved this to the SD either. It just frees up lots of space and lets you load many many more apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bbv203 said:
Can you flash the 2.5 over existing a2sd? or would you have to redo everything when done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash the 2.5 over the existing a2sd! I am not sure if you have to wipe the Davlik Cache, but I would recommend it. You will probably have a lengthy boot time as the Davlik Cache is written.
hmmmm...one way to find out I guess!
mjweisberg said:
You can flash the 2.5 over the existing a2sd! I am not sure if you have to wipe the Davlik Cache, but I would recommend it. You will probably have a lengthy boot time as the Davlik Cache is written.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Under applications I there is a tab for Apps On SD..
Is there a tab for Apps on Phone?
I keep getting Low on Space error, and cannot remove it.
I've cleared browser cache and deleted SMS messages..
Moved almost every app I could to the SD card (except the system ones, which won't allow me too, and a few widgets which need to be on the phone apparently [winamp, clockr, battstatt]).
Not sure what else is eating the ROM..
Is there an uninstaller app that you recommend that tells me if an app is on external or internal?
I'm running Kangorama 1.1 if that matters.
Thanks
On Kangorama's first post, you should look into the apps2ext method. Nexus One doesn't have much built in space for apps, so it's going to happen pretty easily. I highly recommend apps2ext since i have several gameloft games that eat up my memory instantly.
If you aren't interested in apps2ext, in the cyanogen settings/apps there should be a auto move all to external. This is the default froyo apps to fat32.
Thanks for the tip..
I thought I had apps2ext setup..
It was set in my advanced installer file and I remember choosing an ext2 partition..
however when I run a2sd check in the terminal
it says it finds a partition but it isn't installed properly.. I might have an ext4 partition and this rom doesn't support it..
I tried re-installing and it says it's missing an install file..
Running fix_permissions now..
I'm going to try a2sd uninstall/install in a bit.
You must have an Ext3 partition, so in your recovery you have an option to ext2>ext3.
Then in terminal write this:
- su
- a2sd check
- a2sd cachesd
Then phone will reboot and voila
Hello All,
First of all I would like to say a big thank you to everyone contributing in this forum as it is very helpful and makes your life with gadgets interesting
I have some questions concerning App2SD
I have rooted my X8 using the modded superoneclick that uses the newer exploit for android 2.1 and after that used the Xrecovery way to install app2sd.
So here come the questions:
After the installation most of the applications needed to be reinstalled, has anyone else experienced the same thing?
I also saw that the phone was working much faster and 90Mbytes of free memory where being shown right after the hack.
Now after installing loads of applications the free memory shown is ~60Mbytes, does that mean that many of the apps dont get installed to the sdcard?
If I rerun the app2sd zip from Xrecovery will that move those apps or it will mess up everything?
Thanks in advance
try install titanium backup.. if there is a2sd, so your app2sd is working.
i never get such problem
i use SOC 1.3.0 and script for app2sd2.1 mod (dalvik-cache to sd)
(not from xrecovery)
well, a2sd exists but the available internal memory keeps going down..
parisstc said:
well, a2sd exists but the available internal memory keeps going down..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mmm.. lets check again,
try install terminal / shell
than :
$ cd /data/app
$ pwd
if the result is /system/sd/app
than your app2sd.sh script is right,
if still on /data/app ,, you must reistall app2sd, but uninstall it first.
thanks for the reply
The result is /system/sd/app
so I wonder why the available internal memory keeps going down..
when i type
cd/adb
it always show "not regconized internal promp.....bla..bla..."
what wrong???
i already copy all app2sd in memory card, and also make partisions ext3 and fat32
parisstc said:
thanks for the reply
The result is /system/sd/app
so I wonder why the available internal memory keeps going down..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now I'm wondering too.
what apps did u install btw.
if the a2sd is working, maybe data app is too big, coz app2sd didn't mount that dir into sd.
evilteater said:
when i type
cd/adb
it always show "not regconized internal promp.....bla..bla..."
what wrong???
i already copy all app2sd in memory card, and also make partisions ext3 and fat32
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you 'cd' to 'adb tool' folder in your windows? using cmd right?
if you did, type : adb shell
if adb works., continue with your app2sd manual.
there's another tread deep about this btw
Hello again, I need clarification with this subject...
I had a difficult time in rooting my android, thinking I failed. so for many times I rooted, installed xrecovery, then most importantly apps2sd. but I don't think it works, then I found all about Links2sd. I installed it, and each time after installing I always select the "link2sd" option, and I check the include davlik cache, but my phone memory is continually decreasing... is this normal or not? could there be a conflict with apps2sd and link2sd since I don't know if I have deleted apps2sd. sorry I'm an android newbie. Thanks..
Well... if you had app2sd link2sd would monit about it and asked you to uninstall it first.
If you don't know if your phone is rooted, look through apps - if you have a superuser app - you're rooted
As for link2sd working or not: connect your phone to the computer and open minitool partition wizard home. It will see your ext2 partition along with free and occupied space. If there are any apps on ext2 partition of your SD card - apps are installing there and the slight decrease of space is due to the existing shortcut files. Because you have created ext2 partition, haven't you?...
I did what you said and yes I found files on the other partition I created. but problem is, some files still go to the phone memory, for example the game app "ninjump" has 15mb installed on the phone memory while on links2sd it shows that it is linked to the sd card.
also, I tried removing the memory card, and when I turned on my x8 the programs were missing, so I suppose links2sd is working.
only problem is now is that some chunks are still installed to the phone memory. is there a way of totally redirecting everything to the sd card?
link2sd: Leave data files in Internal Memory, and you can choose the apps to SD
app2sd: Copy all data from the application to the SD, It's all automatic
nowonanx8 said:
I did what you said and yes I found files on the other partition I created. but problem is, some files still go to the phone memory, for example the game app "ninjump" has 15mb installed on the phone memory while on links2sd it shows that it is linked to the sd card.
also, I tried removing the memory card, and when I turned on my x8 the programs were missing, so I suppose links2sd is working.
only problem is now is that some chunks are still installed to the phone memory. is there a way of totally redirecting everything to the sd card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, here's the deal - how many times did you install ninjump in the past? If more then once, and meanwhile you moved it to or from ext2 it might have (though the probability is very slight) that you have two apps - one in internal storage and one in ext2 storage.
So, navigate into ext2 partition (it's a folder in root directory - sdext or so) and look for this app. It might be hard, as names of linked apps are somewhat messed up, but there should be icons If there is no app on ext2, try switching it back to internal mode and then onto ext2 again - perhaps without linking dalvik cache.
chequebo1 said:
link2sd: Leave data files in Internal Memory, and you can choose the apps to SD
app2sd: Copy all data from the application to the SD, It's all automatic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, that was sooooo relevant!
APP2SD
I having problem with the app2sd too..i dunno whether it works...This is what i had done..I had busybox, superuser, and xrecovery installed and rooted. But when come to partitioning the sd card, i partitioned it into 3 parts : FAt, ext2 and ext3...after that i installed the update.zip and custom zip of app2sd...the phone starts not recognizing the sd partition...anyone can help here??
I use titanium backup to see app2sd works or not. if a2sd decrease, so it work.
if internal still decrease, I guess some file or even some app just can't work with app2sd.
one question too, how or can I move games data from fat sdcard to ext2 partition? like gameloft data. I need my fat space for other file
Graveir said:
Ok, here's the deal - how many times did you install ninjump in the past? If more then once, and meanwhile you moved it to or from ext2 it might have (though the probability is very slight) that you have two apps - one in internal storage and one in ext2 storage.
So, navigate into ext2 partition (it's a folder in root directory - sdext or so) and look for this app. It might be hard, as names of linked apps are somewhat messed up, but there should be icons If there is no app on ext2, try switching it back to internal mode and then onto ext2 again - perhaps without linking dalvik cache.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried navigating to the ext2 partition using minitool partition wizard, and I indeed saw files that I have installed there. so do you mean that apps2sd is better than links2sd? thanks..
Well... I'm not saying anything is better, though I used both solutions in three different ways.
For stock SE ROM link2sd is better, since you only need to partition SD card into primary fat32 and primary ext2 - nothing more. Then you install an app and all works fine.
With custom ROM you cannot use link2sd, since they all have app2sd hack preinstalled (well, you can always modify files, but what for?). Problem occurs when you have this hack AND ext2 partition. The hack then moves automatically all your apps to ext2 memory along with dalvik cache if you install them in internal storage. If you install in external storage, the app goes to fat32 secure folder and dalvik cache remains in ext2. If you don't have any ext on custom ROM, dalvik cache is always in internal storage, while you can move any non-system app onto fat32 sd card.
The ext2 solution in custom ROMs may seem convinient, but for me it was not. When you use apps like phone locator, they should always dwell in internal memory, since SD card can be easily taken out, while deleting such an app from a remotely locked down phone would require flashing, otherwise the device is useless for the thief
Well actually both app2sd and link2sd are typically similliar. I've tried app2sd before and it still leave some files in internal memory. So will link2sd. But link2sd is much more easier to use because once your phone is rooted you just need to install it on your phone without going through the adb shell thing. Easy for newbie for sure. But you just have to manually link new installed applications and games. That's what differ link2sd with app2sd. Now I'm using link2sd. If you want to make sure, why don't you try those froyo phone. Try to use the app2sd stuff on those phone. They still install some applications on their internal as well although they have built in app2sd.
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